Brian Rike

LF, La Tech (profile)

HT: 6'2" WT: 200 lbs.

2007 Stats: 59 GP/GS, .346 BA, .471 OBP, .705 SLG, 217 AB, 74 R, 75 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, 20 HR, 66 RBI, 42 BB, 14 HBP, 35 K, 16-18 SB

Bio: Brian Rike is a self made success story, entering Louisiana Tech as a walk-on, working full tilt and earning first a spot on the roster, and then in the lineup, then league all-star attention, then the team MVP honors of a summer wood bat league, and then the attention of scouts, and then... you get the picture. He's a left handed right fielder, who's power is sometimes questioned by scouts because of the size of the ballpark he plays in, but who's ability to hit with wood isn't questioned. Much like Rockies rookies Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta, Rike's a consummate professional, always looking for ways to improve his game and his skills, be it strength at hitting, speed on the basepaths, his defense or wherever he notices a weakness to his game. - Rox Girl

Other Links: Brian Rike at the Baseball Analysts.

Also, there's this Baseball America article by Adam Foster.

Commentary: Rike's an interesting selection to me, as the type of player he really reminds me of is John Mabry, only the younger better John Mabry and not the older version the Rockies suffered through this season. RG