Gloucester Catholic's Bruno preps for baseball draft

The questionnaires have been lengthy and time-consuming, the phone calls nonstop. But don't expect Gloucester Catholic senior shortstop Steve Bruno to complain about the extra work he had to put in during the off-season.

Like all potential major-league draft prospects, Bruno has been analyzed and scrutinized for the last few months, and it won't stop anytime soon. The first-year major-league player draft will be held June 9-10.

Bruno has been talking to scouts all winter. He filled out six- to seven-page questionnaires for many major-league teams that want to find out as much about a player's character as they do his batting average.

"It's been pretty overwhelming, but I think I've handled it well," Bruno said. "I think I've heard from pretty much every team."

A top prospect such as Bruno, who has signed with the University of Virginia, can never relax. Even during the preseason, the scouts have been plentiful watching Gloucester Catholic scrimmages.

"It's easy to say that you have to block the scouts out, but it isn't easy to do," Bruno said. "I have really tried to enjoy it, because I have to keep telling myself that not many people get this opportunity."

On March 18, more than 20 scouts were on hand when Gloucester Catholic played at Millville. That's because this was a two-for-one deal for the scouts, who were also eyeing Millville centerfielder Mike Trout.

Considered by many to be the top prospect in South Jersey, Trout hit two home runs that day.

Bruno admitted he pressed that day, but he said it was a good experience. He said the biggest thing is to not try to play beyond his means.

"I think at times Steve has tried to do too much, but he'll be fine," said Gloucester Catholic coach Dennis Barth. "He is right up there with the best players we have had here."

That's saying something, since Gloucester Catholic has been the standard by which other programs are measured in South Jersey.

Barth is particularly happy to have Bruno for the entire season. Last year, Bruno missed the first 30 days after transferring from St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia. NJSIAA rules stipulated he had to sit out that first month.

When he returned, Bruno never missed a beat. In 11 games he batted .541 with three home runs and 15 RBIs.

Bruno then had an excellent summer playing for Brooklawn's American Legion team. He also was selected to play in the prestigious Area Code Games in California. Then, he competed in the World Wooden Bat Association championship in Jupiter, Fla. His Texas Scout Team, which consisted of many players from Texas and Georgia, finished third among 80 teams.

"It was all a great experience, and I learned so much," Bruno said.

He also found time in the off-season to do some serious weight work. Bruno says he is 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds, about 12 pounds more than last season.

"I feel stronger," he said.

He also feels good about Gloucester Catholic's young team, which is ranked No. 3 in South Jersey in today's preseason Top 10.

And while he is looking forward to showing the scouts his talents this season, he said it was secondary to the big goal.

"All this is great, but I don't want it to interfere with what we are trying to accomplish here," he said. "With me, the team has to come first."