For 19-year-old St.
Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Narverson, there was little dilemma whether
to go to college on a scholarship at Wake Forrest, or to play professional
baseball.
"This is a once in a
lifetime opportunity, I couldn't pass it up," said
Naverson.
The fact that
Naverson has a golden left arm that caused scouts to flock to T.C.
Roberson High School in the year 2000 didn't hurt matters either. He
worked on his velocity by throwing long toss, which increased his velocity
three to four miles on his fastball. The numbers that Naverson put
up during his senior year in high school were an impressive 10-0 record,
with a 0.71 ERA and 133 strikeouts in just 69 innings
pitched.
Hobbies |
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Playing Playstation 2
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Dreamcast
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Fishing
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Hanging out with
friends |
"The fact that we went
all the way to the state championship probably helped my draft stock,
and gain a little bit more exposure with the scouts," said
Narverson.
Perhaps one of the
factors why the team won the state championship was because they practiced
four hours everyday after school. In addition to pitching, Narveson
also played in the first base position. “I really enjoyed batting and
being able to help myself out," said Naverson. Not only did Chris
play varsity baseball for all four years, but he also excelled in
basketball, where he became the team MVP.
Shortly after high
school is when Chris received the phone call letting him know that he was
drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Cardinals.
"(Getting drafted) The
feeling was indescribable to get drafted and to know that a team wants
you," said Narveson.
Fact
Box |
Awards - Named
Rawlings ABCA All-American second team
- Named Baseball
America Second Team High School All-American
- Was named team
MVP of his high school basketball team
- Was one of the top 10 players in the Appalachian League
by Baseball America
- Was one of the Cardinals top 15
prospects by Baseball America
- Also one of the top 10 in
pitching in the Midwest League
- Ranks second in the Midwest
League in strikeouts
- Also has one of the lowest ERA's in
the Midwest League
Other statistical
information
Born:
12/20/1981 Height: 6' 3 Weight:
180 Bats: L Throws: L Home: Asheville,
NC
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It was a fairly smooth transition from high
school to the professional ranks for Narveson. In Johnson City, his
first professional season, he put together a 2-4 record with 63 strikeouts
in 55 innings,pitching just out of high school. More important than
his statistics, he caught the attention of farm director Mike Jorgenson,
who saw another potential pitching super
prospect.
"At first, it was a
little bit of a hard adjustment from high school to the pro's. There
is a big difference in the skills of the players and you really have to be
careful and pitch inside," said Narveson.
Jorgensen told the Peoria
Journal Star, “He reminds me of Ankiel and (Bud) Smith. He has the
size and three pitches he has command of. He has poise and he is
young, very young. When I saw him pitch at Johnson City last year,
it was like, Wow! We got another One!"
Naverson's teammate,
pitcher John Novinsky, came over to him, and pretending the water bottle
was a microphone, acted like a reporter and asked Mr. Naverson about one
recent wild pitch. Naverson probably has good reason to be in a
comedic mood, as he seriously has shown signs of dominance of the Midwest
League this season. With Naverson's performance in Peoria, this year
may be the year that the whole baseball world finds out what kind of
pitcher the Cardinals have coming up in the minors this
season.
"(Chris) has
four quality pitches and they all have good movement. Chris has a
higher ceiling than some other guys. He has a presence on the mound,
and doesn't let anything bother him when he is on the mound. The
only thing that we need to work on with Chris is consistency," said
pitching instructor Mark Grater.
The four pitches that
has Naverson throws that puts his opponents in a tailspin of confusion and
has made him one of the league leaders in strikeouts and low ERA are a mid
90's fastball, changeup,slider, and a cutter.
One of the reasons for
Naverson's early professional success is attributed to the work ethic he
has put in during the season and in off-season preparation. One of
Naverson's short-term goals is simple. "I want to get better every single
day." His day in baseball starts at about nine, where he does a lot
running and working out, overall. Next, Naverson goes to the gym and
lifts weight for a while, then it is back to his apartment, where he
relaxes for a few hours before heading back to the ball-park around
three.
The off-season for
Narveson is a time when he gives his pitching arm a rest. He works
more on conditioning his arm for the season, rather than pitching a
lot.
"Sometimes I do long
toss, but I don't usually throw that much in the off-season," said
Naverson.
The pitching coach said it
best, when he talked about Naverson's ability.
"I don't look at age
as far as what the player can do, I look at ability. He has a real
bright future ahead of him," said Coach Grater.