Maryland Sign Seven for 2008 Season

I was forwarded this article from Maryland Sports Information staff member Dan Reisig. He is always a big help with getting information on the Terps.

Maryland baseball head coach Terry Rupp announced today seven future Terrapins who joined the team by signing National Letters of Intent this fall. The seven players, four of whom have chosen to play collegiate ball in their home state, are valuable assets who will have the opportunity to contribute when they join the Terps for the 2007-08 school year.

The seven signees are: Kyle Blackwell ( Rockville , Md. /Sherwood HS), Reid Chenworth ( Baltimore , Md. /Calvert Hall HS), Brett Harman ( Baltimore , Md. / Westminster HS), Adam Kolarek ( Catonsville , Md /Catonsville HS), Curtis Lazar ( Stafford , Va. / Mountain View HS), Matthew Quinn (North Penn, Penn./Landsdale HS), and Bill Rice (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township HS),

“With our 2007 recruiting class, we have addressed a lot of our needs to help us down the road as we try to get better in this league,” Rupp said. “With the addition of these seven recruits, we have definitely helped our club immensely. We have addressed two key areas – left handed hitting and front-line pitching and added some size and some athleticism to our program. Overall, we are very excited to get these guys on campus.”

Blackwell is a slender 6-2, 165 pound right-hander whose live arm gives him tremendous upside as well. According to assistant coach Jim Farr: “We hope to develop his secondary pitches so that he can come into the mix as a freshman.”

Chenworth is a big 6-5, 210 pound athletic left-handed hitter who will see time in the outfield. A member of his high school volleyball team, he has good speed and power and projects to play left field, according to Farr.

Harman is a 6-5, 200 pound pitcher who can contribute in various ways. Said Farr: “He is an outstanding, in-state right-handed pitcher. He has exceptional movement to his fastball, and projects to be able to pitch up front in our rotation.”

Kolarek is a player who will contribute both from the mound and in the field. The 6-3, 190 pound left-hander will compete for playing time in the outfield as well as out of the bullpen. His fastball is in the upper 80s and the Terps coaching staff will be working on developing his secondary pitches as well.

Lazar is a big, 6-4, 190 pound left-handed first baseman/outfielder who, according to Farr, “is an athletic kid who can run. He can hit with power and is good around the bag.”

Quinn is a 6-5, 205 pound right-handed pitcher who, according to coach Farr, has a large upside. “Matt is just starting to come into his own,” he said. He throws in the 86-88 mph range with three pitches. He has the ability to pitch at either the front end or the back end of a game.”

Rice, a 6-0, 180 pound left-handed hitter will see time at all three positions in the outfield. Said Farr: “He’s a good enough runner to play center, and he has the arm strength to play right field. He projects to hit some doubles for us with occasional power.”

Among the seven recruits, four hail from the Free State , adding to the 18 Maryland natives on this season’s roster. Overall, the Terrapin coaching staff feels that it has assembled a group of recruits who will be valuable members of both the baseball team as well as the campus community.

“We have some quality kids, both athletically and academically,” Rupp said. “We feel that all seven players are men of great character.”

2007 Maryland Baseball Signees

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Kyle Blackwell RHP 6-2 165 Rockville , Md./Sherwood HS
Reid Chenworth OF 6-5 210 Baltimore , Md. /Calvert Hall HS
Brett Harman RHP 6-5 200 Baltimore , Md./Westminster HS
Adam Kolarek LHP/OF 6-3 190 Catonsville , Md./Catonsville HS
Curtis Lazar 1B 6-4 190 Stafford, Va. / Mountain View HS
Matthew Quinn RHP 6-5 205 North Penn, Penn. /Landsdale HS
Bill Rice OF 6-0 180 Sewell, N.J./Washington Township HS