College World Series : A Series of Frustrating Times : LSU’s McDonald Expected to Be Picked First in Draft

OMAHA —  Ben McDonald has grown accustomed to the College World Series being the site of some of his least memorable moments as a pitcher for Louisiana State University.

In 1987, three days after surrendering a game-winning home run against Oklahoma State, McDonald gave up a 10th-inning, bases-loaded grand slam to Stanford’s Paul Carey that eliminated LSU from the tournament.

On Saturday night, McDonald was tagged two, two-run homers that proved to be the difference in a 5-2 loss to Miami (Fla.).

In this city where he has known only frustration, McDonald longs for some happier days.

McDonald may experience one today courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles, who are expected to select the 6-foot-7 junior right-hander as the first player chosen in the annual summer free-agent draft.

“I think I proved myself last year, during the summer and this year, too,” McDonald said. “All the clubs have seen me throw a hundred times, they know what I’m capable of doing.

“I’ve talked with some people in the Baltimore organization, but you never know what can happen in the draft.”

McDonald, whose fastball has been clocked at 95 m.p.h., has received the highest rating for a pitcher from the Major League Scouting Bureau. He is 14-3 with 194 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings this season for the Tigers (52-16), who play Cal State Long Beach (50-14) today in a West bracket elimination game.

“I like him because of his smoothness, the way he pitches pretty much effortlessly,” said Baltimore scout Ray Crone, who sat in a box seat behind home plate Saturday night, watching McDonald pitch for sixth time this season. “He has a good fastball and curve, we’re just hoping those things get even better if he’s chosen.”

McDonald, 21, grew up in Denham Springs, La., a town of 18,000 located about 20 miles east of Baton Rouge.

A three-sport star at Denham Springs High School, McDonald was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 20th round of the 1986 draft, but turned down their $67,000 offer and accepted a scholarship to attend LSU where he played basketball and baseball.

After a freshman season during which the Tigers made it to the quarterfinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. basketball tournament, McDonald decided to concentrate full-time on baseball.

Last season, he was 13-7 with 144 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings, then joined the U.S. National team and went 6-2 during a pre-Olympic tour.

In Seoul, McDonald was the No. 2 pitcher behind Jim Abbott, and helped the United States win the gold medal with complete-game victories against South Korea and Puerto Rico.

He began this season projected as the No. 1 pick in the draft and has done little to change that projection. Earlier this season, he pitched 44 2/3 innings without giving up a run.

“I guess if I had my preference, I’d like to play in the National League somewhere because, down south, all we get is the Braves and the Cubs on (television stations) TBS and WGN,” McDonald said. “I really don’t know much about the American League.

“Several people have come down from Baltimore to do stories and one of them asked, ‘How many people can you name on the Baltimore club?’ I knew two players--Cal Ripken and Gregg Olson, who I played against when he was at Auburn.

“But from what I hear, the Orioles are a real good organization with a lot of young guys and some top people in the front office, so I think it would be a good place to play.”