USA Baseball honors Krynzel

Victoria Sun

Friday, Nov. 3, 2000 | 11:18 a.m.

Life has been good, if not great, for 18-year-old David Krynzel, and he is enjoying every minute of it.

The thumb on his left hand is all healed which has allowed him to get back to doing what he loves most -- working out and playing baseball.

Today, Krynzel, a key member of the USA Junior National Team that won the gold at the 1999 IBA World Junior Championship, added another honor to his resume when he accepted the Amateur Junior Player of the Year award at the Paris hotel-casino.

The award is one of USA Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association's Golden Diamond honors.

Krynzel was the No. 11 pick in this summer's Major League Baseball amateur draft, but injured his thumb while stealing third base for the Ogden Raptors, a Milwaukee Brewers rookie ball team, effectively ending his season.

Before the injury the speedy outfielder was hitting .359 with 29 RBIs in 34 games.

"My thumb is fine now," Krynzel said Thursday afternoon.

"Surgery went well and everything is fine.

"I had a lot of good coaches, they helped me get back in shape."

After spending a month playing in the instructional league in Phoenix, the Green Valley High School graduate returned home to Southern Nevada on Oct. 18 to train at his alma mater.

The player of the year award came as a surprise to Krynzel.

"I think it all comes from hard work," he said. "I'm very fortunate to have all the coaching in my career that I've had to get that award.

"Oh, no, I didn't really expect to get it. It did surprise me."

Krynzel credits his success to his father Dan's help and the help of Green Valley High School coaches, Rodger Fairless, Nick Garritano, Ron Susana and Corey Gehlken.

He has already bought Dan a brand new Yukon with some of his signing bonus check and plans on treating his mom Tina to something special when he visits her in Ohio this Christmas.

Krynzel declined to specify what luxury items, if any, he has splurged on for himself, though maybe he will loosen up his wallet in honor of his 19th birthday, which occurs in a few days.

Today, Krynzel says he works out about four times a week in preparation for next season.