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June 15, 2012

PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL: A diamond dream realized

Ex-Raider Rassi signs pro contract with Royals, reports to minor leagues

By GREG KEIM THE GOSHEN NEWS

GOSHEN — During his baseball career, Lincoln Rassi has been a Raider and a Rocket. Now he is a Royal.

The 2008 Northridge High School graduate signed a contract to pitch in the Kansas City Royals organization on Thursday and flew to North Carolina to play for the Burlington Royals, the rookie affiliate of the major league club.

“I haven’t started anything yet, but it feels pretty good to be a professional ballplayer,” Rassi said during a phone interview while he waited for his luggage at the Greensboro airport. “It’s pretty standard procedure to assign new players to rookie ball.”

Rassi was signed as a free agent following the recent Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Rassi pitched for the University of Toledo Rockets, which is where the Royals first had contact with him.

“The scouts come out in the fall and if they like what they see return to watch you in the spring,” he said. “I put up some pretty good numbers this spring. The Royals called on Tuesday and asked if I would like to play for them. It didn’t take long to make the decision. Playing big league ball has been a life-long dream of mine.”

The 6-1 (180) right-handed closer was named to the 2012 All-Mid-American Conference first team after posting a 3-1 record with four saves and a 1.43 earned run average. He allowed 24 hits and struck out 43 batters in 35 1/3 innings over 19 relief appearances.

In MAC games, Rassi led the league as opposing teams batted just .170 (17-for-100) against him. He was tied for first in ERA (1.29) and for sixth in saves (four) and total appearances (12). Over his last 13 appearances, he hurled 27 1/3 innings, giving up a mere three runs (two earned) while fanning 31.

He was a starter for the Rockets in 2011, setting a school record with 16 starts.

“It doesn’t matter to me if the Royals want me to be a starter, reliever or a closer,” Rassi said. “My plan is to just go out there and continue to do what I have been doing. Scouts have told me they like what I’m doing so my plan is to try and continue that. There are times when you can push too hard and when you do that you are not being yourself.”

Rassi doesn’t really have a favorite Major League team, but he has picked a rather good role model.

“My favorite player is Mariano Rivera (New York Yankee closer). I have always liked the way he attacks hitters and they way he handles himself on the mound,” Rassi said.

The Burlington Royals are a member of the Appalachian League and begin a 68-game regular season schedule on Tuesday. The Burlington roster includes several of the organization’s top prospects, including outfielder Bubba Starling and catcher Cam Gallagher from the 2011 Draft and Colin Rodgers, the Royals’ 2012 third round pick.

Tommy Shields, former infielder for the University of Notre Dame, is the Burlington manager and Carlos Martinez, the pitching coach.

Rassi played for coach Andrew Brabender at Northridge.

“I would not be where I’m at without the help of my Little League coaches, my high school coaches, my summer ball coaches and my college coaches,” he said. “Northridge has a good program. When I was a senior we were one the of the best teams around in a very competitive environment.”

Competition is something he will continue to see in the pros.

“Whether it’s rookie ball, A ball or AA ball there are good players and it’s going to be very competitive,” Rassi explained.

Lincoln is the son of Ben and Cheryl Rassi. His siblings are Sarah, Gatlin and Isaac.

“It’s really neat Lincoln has this opportunity,” Ben Rassi said. “He has worked hard to get here and the fact he has is a tribute to his Little League, high school, summer ball and college coaches.

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