Billings Gazette story on Anthony Gressick

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/24/sports/local/25-mustangs.txt

All-American hitter doing good job on the mound for Mustangs
By: Mike Scherting
Anthony Gressick doesn't miss it, he claims.

The Billings Mustangs player doesn't miss swinging the lumber, even though he's a two-time all-American designated hitter who led Ohio University in nearly every offensive category this spring before being drafted in the 26th round - as a pitcher - by the Cincinnati Reds in June.

"Not really," the soft-spoken Gressick said when asked if it bothers him that his hitting days are over. "On the days we pitch, we get to take batting practice. We get five swings and five bunts each. It's not a big deal. The other guys are hitting the ball pretty well, so it makes my job that much easier as a pitcher."

It was the hitting that came easy to Gressick.

He led Ohio this spring with 12 multiple-RBI games and he finished as the team leader in runs scored (45), hits (73), doubles (16), home runs (8), RBIs (43), walks (25), slugging (.587) and on-base percentage (.449). His .372 batting average was second on the team and he hit safely in 37 of Ohio's 46 games.

Gressick finished his career ranked third on the program's all-time list in home runs (36), fourth in total bases (384), fifth in doubles (44), and sixth in hits (228) and RBIs (157). Gressick hit nine more home runs in his career than the school's most famous alum - Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt.

Gressick's pitching wasn't bad, either. During a typical weekend series, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder played right field on Fridays and Saturdays and then pitched on Sundays. He went 4-1 with a 4.47 ERA in nine starts and averaged 8.12 strikeouts per nine innings.

When the Reds drafted Gressick and told him they thought he had a higher ceiling as a pitcher, he didn't object.

"I was just looking for somebody to pick me up, whether it be as a position player or a pitcher," Gressick said. "I was just looking to get my foot in the door and that's what the Reds gave me."

And he's given the Reds reason for optimism.

Through his first four outings as a starter for the Mustangs, Gressick is 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA, though his ERA will jump once the Mustangs conclude a July 5 suspended game with Missoula (Gressick was the starter and gave up four earned runs in two innings before the bad weather hit). The Reds were sold on Gressick's ability in college to throw strikes, and he's shown that so far: he's walked just three batters while striking out 19 in 23 innings.

"He has real good stuff, he has very good mechanics," Mustangs pitching coach Doug Bair said. "He throws a fastball, curveball, slider and change. Right now he's learning how to be a more refined pitcher. He's learning the ins and outs of control of all of his pitches and how to use them in a game."

Gressick has battled back from Tommy John surgery two years ago and the pitcher's work ethic is one of the things that has impressed Mustangs manager Rick Burleson. According to Burleson, no one works harder than Gressick.

"You can tell he's really determined to be successful," Burleson said. "You never hear boo out of the guy. He's really quiet. He usually gives us five solid innings. I've been real happy with the way he goes about his business. Hopefully he can keep it up."

If he does, that'll mean those five batting practice swings he gets on the days he pitches will have to quell any cravings he has to swing the bat.

"I guess they'll have to do," Gressick said with a smile.

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/07/24/sports/local/25-mustangs.txt