CWSGuy406 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Caught this snippet at the end of the organizational reports. Anyone have any more information on this kid? Sorry if there's any typos, I'm typing it myself, not cut-and-paste... Brian West, a righthander who was selected 35th overall in the 1999 draft (with a compensation pick for the loss of Albert Belle), returned to the White Sox after leaving during the 2004 season to play football at Louisiana State. He participated in instructional league after rehabbing from shoulder surgery and will try to earn a roster spot in spring training. Apparently, he's 24, so I probably shouldn't expect a whole lot, but why exactly did he go to the minors first, then to football? And then back to baseball? That seems to me to be an odd route... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Bull and Rex should be able to help you on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 05:54 AM) Caught this snippet at the end of the organizational reports. Anyone have any more information on this kid? Sorry if there's any typos, I'm typing it myself, not cut-and-paste... Apparently, he's 24, so I probably shouldn't expect a whole lot, but why exactly did he go to the minors first, then to football? And then back to baseball? That seems to me to be an odd route... He struggled in the minors, never realizing the potential the Sox thought he had. Apparently he was a HS All-America football player originally recruited by Nick Saban when he was at Michigan St. West's decision to quit baseball coincided with Saban getting the LSU job (I think it was actually a year later). It also coincided with him becoming seriously involved with a girl from that area (engaged, I think). Whatever the reasons, West said he lost his love for baseball and decided to go back to school. He had already spoken to Saban about coming to LSU apparently. West went from not having played football since the fall of 1998 to leaving the Barons in August and enrolling at LSU in 1994. Five months later he was playing a backup role at defensive end for LSU in the National Championship game. He never became a starter at LSU, but played. His first year he was typically playing 12-15 downs a game. For some reason quit after last year when Saban went to the Dolphins. I guess he missed baseball again and contacted the Sox about coming back. When he originally left the Sox, there were rumors that the Sox pressed him to return part of his original signing bonus. That was never confirmed, nor was any outcome. That is about all of the details I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 I remember for a time, West was thought fairly hihgly of around here and several were pissed when he quit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Brian West's minor league numbers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 Wasn't he supposed to be included in the Garland/Erstad trade that the Angels backed out of a few years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MnSoxFan Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 05:27 PM) Wasn't he supposed to be included in the Garland/Erstad trade that the Angels backed out of a few years ago? Yep, he and Almonte were the two minor leaguers in that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba Philips Posted December 17, 2005 Share Posted December 17, 2005 QUOTE(MnSoxFan @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 10:22 PM) Yep, he and Almonte were the two minor leaguers in that one. whip is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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