Chad Bettis — Rockies’ Prospect Spotlight

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 22:04:57 +0000

For those that have never had the pleasure of visiting, this is what you need to know about Lubbock, Texas. It’s quite possibly the flattest place on Earth and the wind blows every day. Some days are windier than others, but it is never still. Sometimes gnarly dust storms blow into town, making for a particularly miserable time. Despite the constant airstream, Lubbock is a nice place to live. Texas Tech University infuses life into the town. The student body is down to earth and always up for a good time. Plus, there are pretty girls everywhere; I married one of them. What Lubbock lacks in scenery, it makes up for in other areas. The music scene is excellent and there is always a quality restaurant or bar just around the corner.

A Lubbock Dust Storm -- Photo Courtesy of VirtualLubbock.com

As you would expect in a West Texas town, football is king. Red Raider football games are huge events and the local high school teams are popular. However, there is decent baseball to be found in Lubbock as well. Texas Tech always fields a respectable squad and has produced quite a few major league baseball players over the years. Dallas Barden and Josh Bard are two former Red Raiders that are currently playing in the Bigs. On the high school level, Lubbock Monterey is a Texas powerhouse, winning state four times and appearing in the semi-finals fourteen times.

In last year’s draft, the Rockies picked Chad Bettis, a former pitcher for Monterey and Tech. While I was attending law school at Tech, Chad was pitching for Monterey. Now, I really wish I had gone to see him play. As a second round pick, Bettis was one of the highest drafted Tech players ever. He has the potential to be one of Lubbock’s all-time great baseball players.

The Monterey High Plainsmen

In high school, Bettis was a standout. He was recognized as his district’s MVP and earned All-State honors. He was drafted by the Astros in the eighth round of the 2007 draft, but chose to attend college instead. That draft was a disaster for Houston and losing Bettis to Tech was part of the reason. However, Red Raider and Rockies fans are very glad that he didn’t sign with the Astros.

Chad struggled his freshman year at Tech, but still led the team in innings pitched. After that season, he was selected to pitch in the Cape Cod League where he made the most of his opportunity. Against some of the best young talent in the country, he threw 43.2 innings with a 2.68 ERA. He struck out 39 hitters and allowed only one homerun.
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Chad Bettis — Rockies’ Prospect Spotlight