Prior’s Chance Arrives Early

A year ago this week, Mark Prior was preparing to pitch for USC in the NCAA playoffs, a showcase he figured would go a long way toward determining his status in the amateur draft.

Tonight, he’ll be a long way from Dedeaux Field when he steps to the mound for the Chicago Cubs before a sellout crowd at Wrigley Field for his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“It’s been a whirlwind year,” said Prior, who was selected No. 2 in the draft and signed a $10.5-million contract in August. “As a teenager, when I realized I wanted to play professional baseball, I hoped to get to the major leagues by 25 or 26. But to do it by the time I’m 21? I don’t think I dreamed about that.”

Prior, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-hander from San Diego, was promoted to the big leagues after making nine starts in the minors. Victory-starved Cub fans have been awaiting his arrival since the Minnesota Twins shied away from Prior’s expected price tag and selected high school catcher Joe Mauer with the top pick in the draft.

Andy MacPhail, the Cub president and general manager, has voiced concerns about the expectations put on Prior by the Chicago media and fans. But MacPhail has been impressed with Prior’s composure from the day they met during contract negotiations last summer.

“He handles himself like a 10-year veteran and he’s only been in professional baseball for a few months,” MacPhail said. “You never know in this game, but he hasn’t given us any indication that he’s not going to be a very productive player for a very long period of time.”

Prior, who transferred to USC from Vanderbilt before his sophomore season, helped pitch the Trojans to consecutive College World Series appearances and produced what many regard as the most dominating college season ever in 2001.

He went 15-1 with a 1.69 earned-run average and recorded a Pacific 10 Conference-record 202 strikeouts and walked only 18 in 1382/3 innings.

USC Coach Mike Gillespie expects that Prior, like any player making his major league debut, will be nervous. But not for long.

“He’s the same guy whether he’s in the bullpen, in an intrasquad game, pitching for Team USA or wherever,” Gillespie said. “What has always separated him is his command and composure. He’s sort of impervious to some of the other things that make a guy get out of his element.”

Prior reported to the Cubs’ major league spring training camp in February after having not pitched in a game since last June. Prolonged contract negotiations kept him off the field during the summer and Prior spent the fall taking business classes at USC.

He arrived in Mesa, Ariz., hoping to make a good impression and learn from veteran players without calling attention to himself or his contract, the richest ever given to a draftee.

“There was a side of me that was concerned because there could have been a situation with a lot of negativity toward that issue,” Prior said. “Once they saw that I was not a flashy guy, that I was minding my own business and doing what I had to do to get my work in, they started to respect that. It wasn’t like, ‘This kid is trying to step on anyone’s toes.’”

Prior’s performance and work ethic in spring training spurred Cub Manager Don Baylor to say publicly that he wanted Prior to be part of the rotation. The club, however, opted not to rush its top prospect.

Prior was sent to West Tennessee, the Cubs’ affiliate in the double-A Southern League, where he went 4-1 with a 2.60 ERA in six starts. He struck out 55 and walked 10 in 342/3 innings.

In his first start for triple-A Iowa, he struck out the side in the first inning on 10 pitches and finished with 10 strikeouts in 72/3 innings. He gave up one unearned run and three hits and also hit two home runs. He was 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 161/3 innings when the Cubs announced his promotion last weekend.

Prior worked out at Wrigley Field on Monday to become accustomed to the mound.

“I had a couple good outings in spring training and that pretty much gave me confidence that my stuff works,” Prior said. “I’m going to go out and take my bumps and bruises along the way but I think my stuff is good enough physically and mentally.”

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Quite a Year

Chicago Cub pitcher Mark Prior, above, has ascended to the major leagues in less than a year. A closer look:

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JUNE 5, 2001

After pitching USC into the College World Series, Prior is selected with the second overall pick in the amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs.

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AUGUST 22, 2001

Signs $10.5 million contract with Cubs.

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DECEMBER 10, 2001

Becomes the first Trojan to win the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top amateur player.

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MARCH 25, 2002

After competing for a spot in the Cubs’ starting rotation, Prior is optioned to double-A West Tennessee of the Southern League. He has no decisions and a 9.00 earned-run average in four spring appearances.

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MAY 8, 2002

After six impressive starts, Prior is promoted to triple-A. In his triple-A debut, Prior gives up only three hits in 72/3 innings, striking out 10. He also hits two home runs.

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MAY 19, 2002

Prior is recalled by the Cubs to start today’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He finishes with a 5-2 record and a 2.29 ERA in the minors with 79 strikeouts in 51 innings.