Mets 2nd Round Pick Brant Rustich joins Cyclones mid-season with championship aspirations on his mind; How did Brooklyn's All-Stars fare in the 2007 NY-P All Star Game?
Joining a baseball team midseason is always an adjustment but Mets second round draft pick Brant Rustich isn’t feeling the pressure.
“Coming here late is hard at first and I feel like I’m saying ‘Hey I can help,’” he said. “Hopefully I’ll get more outings and we can maybe win a championship.”
Rustich was able to feel like he contributed something to the Cyclones after receiving his first save on August 10 against the Auburn Doubledays, affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. In that game he didn’t give up any hits or runs and struck out one batter while getting the two final outs of the game through a fly ball to right field and a ground out to the shortstop. In his few appearances so far in Brooklyn Rustich has a solid 3.00 ERA with one save in three innings of work. He has given up two hits, one run while striking out four batters and walking none.
The righty from El Cajon, California was drafted out of UCLA and was actually in the middle of a practice with his team for the super regionals.
“I was pretty ecstatic when I got drafted,” Rustich said. “To be drafted in the second round is a big accomplishment for me and to be drafted by the Mets and have a chance to play in New York is really exciting. Obviously there were a lot of emotions on draft day.”
Playing baseball in New York may be exciting but Rustich is prepared for the pressure that comes with the opportunity. The 22-year-old played in the Cape Cod League in 2005 and won a championship with the Orleans Cardinals along with fellow Cyclone Jason Jacobs. In the league Rustich had a 3-0 record with a 1.39 ERA. He had one save in 15 games; he struck out 30 batters during the season.
“I played in Cape Cod after my sophomore year in college,” he said. “The Cape Cod league was one of the many experiences that prepared me for professional ball along with my decision to go to college. Summer ball is a great place to gain maturity on and off the field. I came from California to the east coast on my own to play baseball for two months it definitely helped me get ready for this experience.”
In his last outing Rustich, who stands at an intimidating 6 –foot-6-inchs, pitched one inning on August 12 giving up one hit, one run while striking out one batter; he ended the game with a 9.00 ERA.
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The New York Penn League All-Star Game took place on Tuesday August 14. Six Brooklyn Cyclones appeared in the game including the Brooklyn managerial staff. Shortstop Matt Bouchard, outfielder Brandon Kawal, catcher Jason Jacobs, infielder Jake Eigsti and pitchers Will Morgan and Dylan Owen played for the National team who lost 6-4 to the American All Stars. Bouchard went 2-for-3 with two singles leaving the game with a .667 batting average. Kawal went 0-1 with a strikeout while Eigsti went 0-3 with a strikeout. Jacobs went 0-1 with two walks in the first and second inning and a run scored in the first inning. Owen pitched one full inning striking out one batter; he left the game with a 0.00 ERA. Morgan did not fair as well pitching only a third of an inning and giving up one hit that would end up as a run scored after he left the game; he finished with a 27.00 ERA.
The Cyclones play a three game series against the Oneonta Tigers from August 22 through the 24 and will then go on the road to Vermont before returning to Brooklyn on Tuesday August 28.
