Savastano's game under the microscope

PLYMOUTH -- Scott Savastano realizes that every at bat is an audition. Every ground ball he catches and every throw to first base mean more than just an out for the Franklin Pierce College baseball team.

The former Plymouth North High School star is showcasing his talents, hoping to be drafted someday by a Major League team.

But he won't tell you that. Even though there are 10 to 12 professional scouts at most of his games, he says he isn't concerned.

''I'm playing for the name on the front of my jersey," said Savastano. And he is playing quite well. He is among the leading hitters in the Northeast-10 Conference, and four times this season he has been selected as the league's Rookie of the Week.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman is used to the attention.

Last spring, while hitting .600 for Plymouth North, Major League scouts kept a close eye on him. Pro teams invited him to workouts to get a closer look at his abilities. Even the Boston Red Sox lured him to the hallowed field at Fenway Park for a workout.

All the scouts told him to expect a telephone call on draft day.

So on the first Monday and Tuesday of June last year, instead of looking for a fast ball down the middle of the plate, he was at home, his eyes glued to his computer screen.

It turned out to be an emotional roller coaster of a day. ''At first it's exciting," said Savastano. ''You see guys you worked out with being picked and you know the next player selected could be you."

With every selection, there was a sigh and doubt as he waited for the next pick.

Finally, Savastano was chosen. The Chicago White Sox picked him in the 33d round, the 995th player selected.

''It was a confusing week," said Savastano. ''I might have signed if they offered anything at all." But the Sox didn't make a worthwhile offer, so he decided to go to college.

''I'm not a great student or anything," said Savastano. ''I would have loved to sign and play professional baseball. But the odds were against me making it."

Professional baseball is the ultimate lottery ticket. The average Major League player makes $2.85 million a year, but making it to the big leagues is the longest of shots.

Each spring about 1,500 amateur players are drafted in 50 rounds. The real money -- in signing bonuses -- goes to players picked early. Signing bonuses for players selected in the first round last June ranged from $1 million to $4 million, according to Baseball America. Players in the first six rounds averaged six-figure signing bonuses, with lower amounts in succeeding rounds. Bonuses are rare after the 10th round.

Savastano realized his best option was to play college baseball and hope he would be drafted again.

Boston College and the University of Maine expressed an interest. But he chose Franklin Pierce, a small Division 2 school in Antrim, N.H.

Why Franklin Pierce?

Jayson King, who grew up in Canton, is a dynamic young coach on the rise. He has transformed the Ravens from a losing program to a nationally ranked powerhouse.

Since King took over, at least one player has been taken in the Major League draft in each of the last six seasons. Five of his former players are playing professional baseball. He has a 207-140-1 record at Franklin Pierce and received numerous coaching awards.

King is a good evaluator of talent, and he was ecstatic when he lured Savastano to Franklin Pierce. ''He's a great player. He has size and speed and he is off to a great start," said King.

Savastano chose Franklin Pierce College for one other important reason: ''They play in a wood-bat league," he said.

Most college baseball is played with aluminum bats, which gives the hitter a definite advantage. With the lighter bat, hitters can generate more bat speed and do not have to hit the ball on the sweet spot to hit a home run.

''With a wood bat, you have to be more selective of what pitch to hit," said Savastano. ''The sweet spot on a wooden bat is about a three-inch area, while it is much larger on a metal bat."

Baseball scouts are interested in how a batter hits with a wood bat because aluminum bats are not used at the professional level.

Savastano is off to a good start. He was leading the Ravens, ranked 16th nationally in Division 2, with a .404 average through May 1.

''Am I surprised how well I'm doing? I didn't know if I'd be starting when I came here. It's great to be playing every game," said Savastano, who has made a successful transition from shortstop, where he played in high school, to third base. In 60 chances, he has made only one error.

Savastano hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Raven shortstop Shawn Hayes. Last June the Kansas City Royals picked Hayes in the fifth round, the 142d player chosen. He scored a $175,000 signing bonus.

Since he declined to sign with the White Sox and opted for college, Savastano cannot reenter the draft until he is 20 years old, which will be next spring. Still, he knows he is being watched. What he does between now and then might make all the difference.