GV star projected to go in Round 1

Spencer Patterson

Monday, June 5, 2000 | 9:42 a.m.

Green Valley senior David Krynzel is well aware of the projections surrounding today's Major League Baseball amateur draft.

He has seen an online mock draft that has him going 18th in Round 1, and he has heard the rumor that has him being selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Twins.

But the 6-foot-1, 180-pound center fielder insists he has no expectations for a draft that will likely determine his future.

"This is supposed to be a crazy draft, and it changes day to day, so I have no control," Krynzel said. "If I go No. 2 or No. 200, I'll still go out and take batting practice every day as always. It's no different."

Of course, there is one significant difference: money.

All but one of last year's 30 first-round picks received a signing bonus in excess of $1 million, topped by outfielder Josh Hamilton, the top overall selection who signed for $3.96 million with Tampa Bay.

Baseball America, which had Krynzel ranked No. 4 among all high school players before the 2000 season, predicts the Henderson resident will go to Toronto at No. 18 -- a position that paid $1.795 million last year.

Baseball America also rates Krynzel the fastest baserunner and third-best defensive player among high school seniors, and has mentioned Krynzel as a "hot rumor" at No. 2 overall.

"When God made David Krynzel, he stamped 'ballplayer' on his chest," said Tom Valcke, formerly of the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau.

"I saw him on a summer night in a nothing game and he was playing at the top level he could play. I'm not saying he's Joe DiMaggio, but he plays the way Joe DiMaggio played -- all out, every time."

Krynzel, a member of the Sun's 2000 All-State first team, hit .438 this spring with five home runs, six doubles and 31 RBIs. He also scored 33 runs and was successful in 14 of 17 stolen base attempts.

Already on the draft board of many major league teams, Krynzel made a name for himself last summer when he played for a Team USA squad that captured the World Junior Championships in Taiwan.

He already has signed a letter of intent with Louisiana State, but is expected to turn professional given the right circumstances.

"I'll know what I want to do when the time comes," Krynzel said. "The best thing is, I'm not going to lose anything either way."

Other local high school players likely to hear their names in the two-day draft are: Las Vegas pitchers Anthony Pluta and John Deschiavo, Silverado catcher Tommy Rojas, Cimarron-Memorial pitcher David Seccombe, Durango first baseman Chris Kelly, Silverado first baseman Jeremy West, Silverado pitcher Robbie Van, Green Valley pitcher Ben Scheinbaum, Green Valley outfielder Ben Schiess and Silverado shortstop Ryan Ruiz. Reno High pitcher Marc Kasier is another probable selection.

First baseman Trent Kisch is expected to be the first UNLV player taken in the draft, which generally lasts 50 rounds, while CCSN stars Ryan Myers, John DiBetta and John Slack are other possibilities.

Other players with area ties who could figure into the draft-day mix are Oklahoma State pitcher Matt Smith, a Bishop Gorman graduate, and BYU outfielder Nick Day, a Green Valley product.