Maurice Bankston Drafted

[Bohoppa]

:)Bankston was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 8th round at number 248. Very Good draft position for Maurice.

[Mr. C]

That's good to hear..what did he play in high school?

[heathwaldrop]

Well, he didn't pitch. Not very much anyway. I think that he played outfield.

[poppaeagle]

I saw Maurice this week. He is headed to Florida to play what he called "short" A ball for the rest of the summer. To answer some of the questions in the earlier threads:
Maurice - throws right, bats left
Played on two state championship teams as a Crossett 10 year old All-Star and a 12 year old Crossett All Star. His age group won district every year in Bambino/Babe Ruth except when they were 15.


He mostly played third base, other IF positions, pitched some, outfield when needed, and also was catcher in several (critical) post season games in his Babe Ruth years.
Note: When you had pitchers like JC Ross, Mitchell Sellers, and Drew Halley.....Mo rarely had a chance to pitch in the Bambino league. During the 12 y/o State tournament .... between JC Ross and Drew Haley, they had 52 strike outs to their credit and that doesn't include the strike outs that Michell Sellers hurled.

Whenever he got to the Babe Ruth (13 - 15 y/o league) he started getting more time pitching. High School - he didn't see the mound much except for JV games. He did hit a growth spell in high school. It was about this time in American Legion ball that, due to injuries, etc. of other pitchers, Maurice was called on to pitch.... a lot.

Mo loved the game, and loved to play. If he was to pitch in hot, hot, A.L. tournament play......he didn't always understand why he had to sit the bench to rest up for the next game when we would have him slated to pitch. He wanted to play ball....not sit on a bench!! His throwing speed wasn't more than average but he did have a breaking pitch and he knew how to work the plate. Knowing that he is now throwing 90 mph plus...tells me he has worked at it....and listened to his pitching coaches....to make it happen.

Mo did understand "the game" better than a lot of kids. He was lead off batter would do whatever to get on base. Understanding the game, was also why you could play him at so many positions (although he hated outfield) and he was called on the catch in some critical games. As a catcher, his arm and his knowledge of the game made a difference in several games. (he didn't care much for catching either) but he would do it if asked. As a first base coach...he was one of the few kids you could turn loose to steal second....if "he" thought he could.

When talking to Mo....you could tell he was proud of what he has accomplished and I was proud for him because you know he had to work hard...really hard.....even when other players were dropping out all around....to get to where the juco coaches and ULM would recruit him. Those coaches and now ...the major league scouts and management see something in him ....that has allowed him to sign a major league contract complete with a signing bonus. Mo also mentioned that in his contract,,,,his college education will be paid for.
Way to go MO...we'll be rooting for you.