Chips off the Old Block

Dec. 19, 2007 - PRLog -- Many fathers dream of their kids getting into the family business after they graduate from college. Well, it's no different with many former athletes. There are plenty of proud fathers in  the 2008 crop of high school seniors that includes the sons and nephews of some former Major Leaguers ready to make their own mark. We may have missed a few, but in Rounding Thirds research, these are the players that stood out.

Jason Brunansky--Poway (CA) HS--University of Kansas--OF
Jason is the son of former long time Twin and Cardinal slugger Tom Brunansky, nicknamed "Bruno", a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers. In a 14-season career, he batted .245 with 271 home runs and 919 RBIs in 1800 games. One of seven players with 20 or more homers each season from 1982 to 1987 and one of six to play 150 or more games each of those six years, he was also Minnesota's active home run leader. Brunansky averaged 24 home runs per 162 games. He had 69 life-time stolen bases and 306 doubles. He ended with 1543 career hits in 6289 at bats. Here's a tidbit of trivia about Tom. After a brief holdout while he considered attending Stanford University, Brunansky signed with the Angels after Richard Nixon, a close friend of team owner Gene Autry, helped negotiate a then-unheard-of $125,000 contract.

Of Jason, KU Head Coach Ritch Price said "He's an excellent outfielder, and a good base-runner with a plus arm. He will contend for a starting spot in center field early in his career at KU."

Cutter Dykstra--Westlake HS (CA)--UCLA--SS
Cutter is the son of Lenny Dykstra who was Nicknamed "Nails" for his scrappy style of play, Lenny Dykstra did everything all out -- he worked hard and played hard. An integral member of the brash Mets of the mid-1980s and the blue-collar Phillies of the early 1990s, Dykstra epitomized the gritty leadoff hitter, blossoming to use power as well as speed in his repertoire.  Despite being overlooked for the 1993 All-Star team, Dykstra led the league in runs, hits, walks, and at-bats, and was runner-up to Barry Bonds in voting for the Most Valuable Player of the National League. Dykstra's spark led the Phillies to the World Series where they faced the Toronto Blue Jays. In the series, Dykstra batted .348 and hit four home runs, including two in a 15-14 Phillies loss in Game 4. The Phillies ultimately lost the series in six games. Many believe Dykstra would have been the World Series MVP had the Phillies won the series

UCLA Head Coach John Savage says of Cutter: "Cutter is one of the best athletes in the country. He can run and hit as well as any high school player. Cutter has a tremendous future at UCLA and is one of those players that really knows the game. He brings energy to the field every day."

Beau Brett--Ferris HS (WA)--USC--1B
Yeah, that family of Bretts. Beau is son of Bobby, brother of George and the late Ken Brett. Bobby played a little professional ball and is now the managing partner for the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League and also involved with the High Desert Mavericks (California League) and the Tri-City Dust Devils (Northwest League). We've seen Beau play and he has that legendary left handed approach at the plate just like his Hall Of Fame uncle, George.

USC Head Coach Kreuter on Brett: "Beau is a three-sport star in Washington. He is a lean, dangerous left-handed hitter with better than average power. He comes from a rich baseball lineage, ready to come out and make a name for himself. Beau's athleticism will allow him to battle for immediate playing time at several positions. Look for Beau to carve out some history of his own at USC."

Tyler Bream--Seneca Valley HS (PA)--Liberty University- 3B/1B/RHP
Son of Sid Bream. A career .329 hitter in the minors, Bream set a NL record with 166 assists at first base in 1986, his first full season, and finished third in the league in doubles. The most famous moment of Bream's career—and one that is permanently etched in the hearts and minds of Atlanta Braves fans everywhere—came in Game 7 of the 1992 National League Championship Series. Pirates left fielder and eventual National League MVP Barry Bonds fielded the ball as Bream (known as a slow runner) plodded around the bases toward home plate. Bonds' throw arrived first, but it was slightly offline towards the first-base line. As soon as catcher Mike LaValliere received the ball, he desperately lunged toward the plate to tag Bream out, but Bream was able to slide just underneath the tag to score the winning run and send the Braves to the World Series for the second consecutive year.

Liberty Head Coach Jim Toman on Bream:“Tyler Bream is a very good player. His commitment is special to us because he obviously has Liberty roots and he was the first commitment of the new staff."

Kevin Eichorn--Aptos HS (CA)--Santa Clara University--P/SS
Son of Mark Eichorn, who spent 13 years in the bigs, mostly with the Blue Jays and Angels as a middle reliever. In 1986, Mark posted a 14-6 record with a 1.72 ERA with Toronto. In 1993, he got a ring for being a part of the bullpen for the World Champion, Joe Carter and the Blue Jays dramatic series win.

Santa Clara Coach O'Brien on Eichhorn: "Kevin is one of the best two way players in the nation. He is talented on the mound and in the infield, and he will do both here. We expect him to make a major impact in this program."

Michael Aldrete--Salinas HS (CA)--UC Davis--SS
Son of catcher Mike Aldrete of the Giants, Expos, Indians and Angels. Mike was traded by the Angels to the Yankees for Rich Monteleone and played 32 games with the World Champion Yankees in 1996.

UC Davis Head Coach Rex Peters on Aldrete:"Michael can really flash the leather and knows the game. He may be one of the best defensive players we've ever signed at UC Davis."

Website: roundthird.blogspot.com