University of Michigan head coach Bud Middaugh talked up his incoming left-hander Dave Karasinski - Michigan's top high school pitcher - in May 1983 to The Detroit Free Press.
"He's got good poise and a major league curveball," Middaugh told The Free Press of Karasinski. "He could stand on the mound and yell to you he was going to throw you a curve and you wouldn't be able to hit it."
Karasinski was ultimately good enough to turn pro, but he never realized got to try that curve in the bigs. He played five pro seasons and topped out at high-A.
Karasinski's pro career began in 1986, taken by the Braves in the 42nd round of the draft out of Michigan. He'd turned down an 18th-round selection out of Michigan's Utica High School in 1983 to go to college.
One of the pro scouts who looked at Karasinski in high school gave his assessment to The Free Press in April 1983.
"He has a good fastball and a quick breaking curve," Phillies scout Bob Kowaleski told The Free Press. "It is difficult to say now if he can make it to the major leagues. He has to do a lot of improving and he knows that. But I'd say he is one of the top left-handed prospects in the state."
Karasinski started with the Braves art rookie Idaho Falls. He went 4-2, with a 3.72 ERA in 12 outings, 10 starts.
He's not credited as playing in 1987, but returned in 1988 at single-A Burlington. He played 1989 there, too. He went 6-8, with a 3.42 ERA in 29 outings, 16 starts his second year there.
Karasinski moved to high-A Durham and single-A Sumter for 1990. He saw 47 mostly relief outings and ended with a 3.77 ERA.
Karasinski played 1991 with independent high-A Salinas. He went 1-3 over 24 outings, two starts, with a 4.28 ERA to end his career.
- Detroit Free Press, April 28, 1983: Scouts hot on track of Utica's southpaw
- Detroit Free Press, May 27, 1983: U-M's Middaugh repeats baseball recruiting coup of '82
Made the Majors:1,375-33.0%
Never Made Majors:2,796-67.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:558
10+ Seasons in the Minors:341
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