“utility player” in the “Preseason College All-American Team”

Robert Stock – USC
After arriving at USC with a tremendous amount of fanfare, having bypassed his senior year in high school by meeting all of his school’s requirements early, Stock has quietly put together a solid college career, serving as the team’s starting catcher and as the team’s closer. He receives high marks for his work in every facet of his game, including two summer stints on the Cape, and his overall package is highlighted by his arm strength. His prodigious power potential at the plate has been slow to develop the past few years, but he has shown a very disciplined eye and overall approach at the plate.

“PART III / Closers The Best Closer Candidates in ’09 Class”

TREVOR HOFFMAN DIVISION
Top Position Players Who May Project as Closers

3. Robert Stock, c-rhp, Southern California (PG-X: 76)
Stock most likely would have been a first-round pick, as either a catcher or pitcher, out of high school had he not enrolled at USC a year early. Despite a mid-90s fastball and the makings of a plus curve, Stock has struggled with his command while juggling two roles in college and summer ball, He was limited him to just 10 innings as a sophomore at USC, but has been penciled in as the team’s closer this year. He still has first-round tools as a catcher, but the stuff on the mound is tough to ignore. His lack of size (6-0, 190) and pitchability makes the bullpen more likely than a starting role if he signs as a pitcher.

http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/Articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1220

More from June ’09 articles in PGCrosschecker:

“Year of the Pitcher”

USC’s Robert Stock has had an impressive spring since being inserted into the Trojans’ weekend rotation. He may not have a prototypical top-of-the-order arsenal, but he has a pretty good three-pitch mix, and with good athleticism and an arm with limited miles on it, he could go in the early rounds with a future potential as a third or fourth starter. If all else fails, he wouldn’t be the first player in recent years to do the previous unthinkable by returning to his previously heralded status as a left-handed slugger that also happened to catch. That remains his preference, but he’s going to get drafted early for his arm.

http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=1481

Happy about this 1

Kevin Goldstein (6:51:31 PM PT): One gets the feeling that when Robert Stock enrolled at SoCal, he envisioned being a top ten pick this year. He just never shined at that level, and going in the second round to St. Louis is even surprisingly high.

Bryan Smith (6:52:28 PM PT): The Robert Stock story continues, as he goes 67 to the Cardinals. Stock left high school a year earlier to get a jump start on USC. People are going to really question if it was in his best interest, as he probably would have been a first rounder after his senior high school season. I like Stock a lot better as a pitcher than a catcher, as he has really not progressed with the bat in 3 years. But the Cardinals announced him as a catcher, so they’re going down that road first.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/rt/rt.php?rtId=17

Few players came to college with as fanfare as Robert Stock did, after surprising a few people by leaving high school early to attend USC. The starting pitcher for the West team in the 2006 Aflac All-American Classic, scouts at the time were split as to whether he fit best on the mound or as a powerful left-handed hitting catcher. While he has been solid behind the plate, and has hit well enough, he hasn’t been as dynamic offensively as most would like. He has enjoyed success serving as the Trojans closer however, and that option remains a possibility for his future development. (http://www.pgcrosschecker.com/Articles/DisplayArticle.aspx?article=710)

i’m ok with this pick to a certain extent…its pretty clear he is a talented guy, we just need to focus those talents in one direction…unfortunately, that isn’t something the cards have been great at in that past