ASU baseball fans know about Travis Buck and Jeff Larish.
The superstars are expected to be high picks in the upcoming Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. College baseball publications named them preseason All-Americans. And both figure to play major roles in determining how far No. 21 ASU advances in the postseason.
What about Tuffy Gosewisch?
He's the guy sandwiched between Buck and Larish in the batting order who has a higher average than Larish, more home runs than Buck and more RBIs than both.
Gosewisch wasn't drafted last season, even after a productive junior campaign in which he batted .342 with
49 RBIs and committed just seven errors.
"They look for different things in the draft," Gosewisch said. "They look for size and tools -- things I might not have."
Watching Gosewisch for just one day doesn't show what he has to offer. Most things he does don't appear in the box score. Not many notice the way he handles the pitching staff.
To the casual observer, Gosewisch might be your average college ballplayer. People who see him on an everyday basis rave about his intangibles.
ASU coach Pat Murphy has referred to Gosewisch as one of the nation's most underrated players. Scouts familiar with Gosewisch know what he brings to the table.
"The scouts that have seen me a lot have noticed," Gosewisch said. "I know that it's working, and I know that once they see me day in and day out, they'll appreciate it a little more and be happy."
TUFFY ON TARGET
Hometown: Scottsdale.
Sport/Position: Baseball, catcher.
Year: Senior.
Height/weight: 6 foot, 185 pounds.
Fast Facts: Has been ASU's everyday catcher for three seasons. Leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in home runs. Named a Johnny Bench Catcher of the Year candidate. Has a .992 career fielding percentage. Has thrown out a Pac-10-best 16 base runners.
Gosewisch is best known for his consistency behind the plate. He has committed just two errors and has thrown out a Pac-10-best 16 base runners. His .994 fielding percentage is tops among ASU starters.
"It's huge not having to look over there [first base] and watch the runner," ASU junior left-hander Brett Bordes said. "If he goes, Tuffy is probably going to throw him out, so you don't have to worry about it."
Gosewisch's college eligibility expires after this season, his fourth at ASU. He wants to play professionally. All he needs is for a team to give him a chance.
"I'm not worried too much about it," Gosewisch said. "If you get drafted, then it's whoever plays best. It's not like whoever has the biggest signing bonus gets to play. As long as I get my shot, I'll be happy with it."
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
