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The Rice Thresher
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Junior Matt Anderson, a right-handed pitcher with a 99-mph fastball, was selected as the number one overall pick in the draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Rice continued its first round showing as first baseman Lance Berkman was selected with the No. 16 pick of the draft by the hometown Houston Astros. Berkman completed his junior year leading all college players with 41 home runs on the season.

Kevin Joseph, a converted junior shortstop, pitched his way into the draft with a 93-mph fastball and excellent control. A sixth round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants, Joseph caught the eye of scouts with "a great pitching body and good arm action" Rice Baseball Coach Wayne Graham said.

The final Rice student selected in the draft was senior shortstop Joseph Cathey, one of Rice's most popular players. Cathey went in one of the later rounds to the Astros.

"We think this was the most successful group of Rice baseball players yet, " Graham said. He noted that, in the past three years, Rice has had three first round draft choices. Berkman and Anderson join rookie phenom José Cruz Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays in the elite group of Rice first round draftees.

Cathey and Joseph made an immediate jump to minor league ball. Cathey, a former walk-on, is regarded as a quality scholar as well as a quality infielder.

"Joe has always been a good student, but now this is his dream," Cathey's mother Marilyn said from her Spring, Texas home. She told the Thresher that Cathey is currently batting .280 for the Class A Auburn Doubledays in the New-York Penn league.

While on the road, Cathey is reportedly keeping a journal of his experiences in hopes of writing a book one day. Recently, he met up with another former Rice player, Mark "Nuke" Taylor of the Watertown Indians. After getting a hit off Taylor, Cathey joked that it was like batting practice at Rice.

Of the two Rice first rounders, Berkman is the only one to sign. He received a signing bonus of one million dollars -- an exceptionally large one, especially for a 16th pick. As of Monday, Berkman was leading the Kissimee Cobras with 12 home runs. He accomplished this feat in only 176 at bats over 50 games. Cobra Assistant General Manager Kenneth Kuenzli told the Thresher that in his opinion Berkman will be a major league outfielder in two years. "Berkman is a great player with an outstanding work ethic, and half of his hits are for extra bases," Kuenzli said.

Top pick Matt Anderson, dubbed by many as the premiere pitcher in college baseball, was the only one of the draftees available to talk directly to the Thresher .

Other than a week-long trip to the Bahamas with teammate Rob Kligman, Anderson's summer has been normal. He discussed the salary numbers offered to him so far as if his signingx were any other type of career move. Anderson seemed unphased by the $2.25 million signing bonus he initially turned down. That number then swelled to an offer of $2.5 million.

Anderson's agent declined the Tiger's offer.

None of this appears to bother Anderson. Everyday he sleeps until one p.m. and then rides his four-wheeler around his family's ranch in Kentucky. "It's tiring work," Anderson joked.

A deal should be hammered out within the next week, Anderson said. Anderson insisted that it is all in the hands of his agent and will not be worrisome. If an agreement is not reached, Anderson said he will take an action consistent with his nonchalant attitude about the sport. He may return to Rice and pitch for his senior year.

This item appeared in the Sports section of the August 29, 1997 issue.