Augie and Staff inks 9 in the early signing Period!!

FROM PRESS RELEASE
AUSTIN, Texas-University of Texas Baseball received National Letters of Intent from nine of the top high school student-athletes in the nation on the first day of the early signing period head coach Augie Garrido announced on Wednesday.

“Coach (Tommy) Harmon year in and year out proves he can bring in the top recruits in the country,” Garrido said. “This class falls in line with that history. He has brought in players that will make us a national contender in 2009. Coach Harmon does a good job of anticipating where we will need talent in the future and filling in that talent.”

The group, which was secured by Harmon, UT’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, includes seven of the top baseball players in Texas according to Inside Prep Baseball’s Texas Top 25 list. The Longhorns’ recruits ranked among top 25 in Texas are RHP Austin Dicharry (No. 1), RHP Taylor Jungmann (No. 2), LHP Sam Stafford (No. 6), IF Brandon Loy (No. 8), IF Jordan Etier (No. 11), OF Morgan Mickan (No. 20) and LHP/OF/1B Hunter Cervenka (No. 25).

The Horns also added local products IF Kevin Lusson, brother of current UT outfielder Kyle Lusson, from Austin McCallum High School and Andrew McKirahan from Georgetown High School.

The class features five Central Texas players as Jungmann, McKirahan and Mickan all hail from Georgetown and Jordan Etier of Austin Westlake joins Lusson as a Capital City signee. The Georgetown trio marks the first time UT has ever signed three players from the same high school in a single recruiting class.

The Longhorns are expected to finalize the paperwork on more recruits before the early signing period ends on Nov. 21.

In terms of positions included in the signing class for the 2008-09 season, there are five pitchers, three position players and one two-way performer. A brief look at Texas’ entire first day signings is listed below.

2008-09 University of Texas Baseball signing class (as of Nov. 14, 2007)
Name Pos. Hometown (School)
Hunter Cervenka LHP/OF/1B Baytown, Texas (Sterling)
Austin Dicharry RHP Spring, Texas (Klein Collins)
Jordan Etier SS/2B Austin, Texas (Westlake)
Taylor Jungmann RHP Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown)
Brandon Loy RHP Garland, Texas (Rowlett)
Kevin Lusson 3B Austin, Texas (McCallum)
Andrew McKirahan LHP Georgetown (Georgetown)
Morgan Mickan OF Georgetown (Georgetown)
Sam Stafford LHP Spring, Texas (Klein Collins)

Hunter Cervenka LHP/OF/1B Bayton, Texas (Sterling)
· Ranked No. 25 on Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list
· Ranked No. 29 on the 2008 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects list
· Member of the 2007 Texas Rangers Area Code Team
· Tabbed a member of the Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association Junior All-Stars team in 2007
· Played on the USA Stars National Team at the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in 2007
· Tabbed second-team All-District 21-5A as an outfielder in 2007
· Named the No. 2 underclassman at the 2007 World Showcase by Perfect Game USA
· Selected first-team All-District 22-5A as an outfielder in 2007

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Hunter is a very athletic, legitimate two-way guy. He’s 89, 92 from the mound. As a position player, he played first base and outfield and has the potential to have big power.”

Austin Dicharry RHP Spring, Texas (Klein Collins)
· Ranked No. 1 on the 2008 Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list
· Ranked No. 41 on the 2008 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects list
· Member of the 2007 Texas Rangers Area Code Team
· Posted a 10-1 record with a 1.41 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 59.2 innings as a junior
· Also hit .376 with seven doubles, six home runs and 34 RBI in 2007 in helping lead Klein Collins to a 38-5 mark
· Garnered second-team 4A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association
· Named first-team All-District 16-5A and All-Houston 5A as a junior
· Tabbed a member of the Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association Junior All-Stars team in 2007
· Also named to the Team Texas Junior Sunbelt roster in 2007

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Austin is one of the top pitchers in the state and he’s able to throw a wrecking ball for a strike. He’s got a great body for a pitcher and should be able to come in and pitch early.”

Jordan Etier SS/2B Austin, Texas (Westlake)
· Ranked No. 11 on Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list
· Member of the 2007 Texas Rangers Area Code Team
· Batted .308 with 36 runs and 19 RBI in 33 games as a sophomore in 2006

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Jordan is very Travis Tucker-like. He’s a football player and has a smile on his face all the time. He loves to play, and we’re projecting him more as a second baseman but he can play shortstop.”


Taylor Jungmann RHP Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown)
· Ranked No. 2 on Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list
· AFLAC All-American and Louisville Slugger All-American in 2007
· Member of the Texas Rangers Area Code Team in 2006 and 2007
· Tabbed Super CenTex and 2A Player of the Year in 2007, as well as Texas Sports Writers Association and Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association first-team all-state in 2007
· Posted a 13-0 record with a 0.41 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 84.2 innings to earn district MVP honors as a junior at Rogers High School
· Named first-team all-state by TSWA and THSCA in 2006
· Posted a 10-1 record with a 0.84 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 83.2 innings to earn district MVP honors as a sophomore junior at Rogers High School
· Tabbed first-team all-state by THSCA in 2005
· Posted a 12-2 record with a 0.90 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 70.1 innings to earn district MVP honors as a freshman junior at Rogers High School

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Taylor is one of the top pitchers in the nation and is dominant at times with his fastball. He’s up to 92 or 93 mph without much effort, and he has very easy arm action and an effective breaking ball.”

Brandon Loy SS Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett)
· Ranked No. 8 on Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list
· Named to the Texas Rangers Area Code Team in 2007
· Earned All-District 10-5A first-team honors from the Dallas Morning News as a junior in 2007
· Tabbed District 11-5A Newcomer of the Year by the Dallas Morning News as a sophomore

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Brandon is the best middle infielder in the state. He’s considered the best shortstop in the state and he’s very fluid on the field. He has a plus-arm and great baseball instincts.”

Kevin Lusson 3B Austin, Texas (McCallum)
· Named to the Texas Rangers Area Code Team in 2007
· Participated in the Texas Scouts Association All-Star Game in 2007
· Tabbed All-CenTex as a sophomore and junior
· Has earned first-team all-district honors at three separate positions, including third base (freshman), shortstop (sophomore) and second base (junior)
· Batted .442 with eight doubles, two triples, two home runs and 29 RBI as a junior
· Hit .376 with 14 RBI and a .527 on-base percentage as a sophomore
· Batted .355 with 16 RBI and a .448 on-base percentage as a freshman

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Kevin is a switch-hitter, third baseman, and has a lot of the same actions as Bradley Suttle.”

Andrew McKirahan LHP - Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown)
· Posted an 8-1 record with two shutouts, a 1.97 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 64 innings as a junior

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Andrew is a left-hander that Coach Johnson feels will pitch in the low-90s. He throws strikes and has a big upside.”

Morgan Mickan OF - Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown)
· Ranked No. 20 on Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list
· Standout QB at Georgetown
· Batted .400 with 12 doubles and 38 RBI to earn All-District 14-5A honors as a junior

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“He’s very athletic and strong. He’s a leader, left-handed hitter, outfielder that loves to play and is very athletic.”

Sam Stafford LHP Spring, Texas (Klein Collins)
· Ranked No. 6 on Inside Prep Baseball Texas Top 25 list

· Member of the Texas Rangers Area Code Team in 2007
· Posted a 7-1 record with one save, 92 strikeouts and a 1.38 ERA in 50.2 innings as a junior
· Named to the Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association Junior All-Stars team in 2007
· Tabbed second team All-District 16-5A as a junior

Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon:
“Sam is a Left-handed pitcher that throws strikes. His velocity is going to get to the low-90s. He has pitched with Austin (Dicharry) over at Klein Collins and the are a perennial power so he knows how to win.”

Horton grabs first recuit for Oregon

George Horton has received his first commitment for the 2009 season in Darrell Hunter of Thurston High School. Hunter is expected to play shortstop for the Ducks. Hunter turned down two time national champions Oregon State who offered Hunter a 25 percent scholarship but Oregon offered a 35 percent scholarship which forced Hunter to commit immediately. Oregon Live checks in with an article here. Jacob May of The Oregon Daily Emerald talks about the commitment and about George Horton here.

Corbin Lands Another Top Rated '09 Recruit

The College Baseball Blog has been closely following the monster class that Coach Tim Corbin and Recruiting Coordinator Erik Bakich have been assembling. The class includes an incredible amount of talent and will continue in the tradition of Bakich reeling in top talent. In six years on West End, Bakich has landed a top 25 rated class in each year, including the #1 rated class of 2006 that included current All-Americans Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Flaherty.

The latest HS Senior to commit to Coach Corbin is Joseph Loftus of Academy of Holy Angels (Savage, MN). As a junior, Loftus hit .531 with 9 homers and 34 RBI in 64 ABs. He earned a trip to the Area Code Games and was rated a 10 of 10 by Perfect Game USA. Mike Rapp identified Loftus as one of Vanderbilt's three remaining targets in a VandySports.com article last month. Mike noted that Loftus was considering offers from Arizona State and Notre Dame.

Loftus and Jason Esposito are expected to battle it out to replace Pedro Alvarez at third in 2009. Alvarez is expected by many to be a candidate for the first overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. Alvarez' former teammate, David Price, took that honor in 2007.

Loftus joins the following players in the Commodores class of 2009:
RHP Jack Armstrong (Jupiter, FL)
RHP Will Clinard (Clarksville, TN)
3B/SS Jason Esposito (Bethany, CT)
LHP Grayson Garvin (Atlanta, GA)
RHP Sonny Gray (Smyrna, TN)
OF Matt Marquis (Annandale, NJ)
OF Adam Milligan (Walters State)
RHP Navery Moore (Nashville, TN)
1B/C Dylan Pratt (Walter State)
RHP/OF Ryan Westmoreland (Portsmouth, NH)
LHP Corey Williams (Huntsville, AL)

Of the 10 high school recruits, Perfect Game gave its perfect 10 rating to all but Moore (did not attend showcase), Westmoreland (did not attend showcase, 9 in 2006) and Williams (9.5).

FSU recruit fine after a brief scare

Kyle Long who committed this summer to play baseball at Florida State beginning in the 2008-2009 school year received a major scare in a high school football game on September 14th. He laid motionless on the field after being hit in the back of his neck. He was taken off on a stretcher but was back working out within 48 hours after it was only a brief scare. Long is the son of Howie Long who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Long is expected to compete for a spot in the starting lineup in 2009 and might pitch for the Seminoles. The biggest challenge for Mike Martin Sr. with Long is going to be keeping him off of the football field as Long is a big recruit in football with his 6'7 280 pound frame. The full article on Kyle Long's injury is available here.

Houston focusing on 2009 roster

The Daily Cougar, the official student newspaper of the University of Houston, has posted an article from Scott Gonzales on the recruiting efforts of the Houston program. Rayner Noble tells the writer that they already have four commitments for the 2009 season but want to pick up two more by the final signing day in November. The full article is available here.

Lobos Add Another Carlson

New Mexico has signed its third of the four baseball playing brothers of Kansas. The Carlson klan of Topeka has pretty solid genes. Three brothers, including former stud Chris Carlson, signed with New Mexico. One is at Missouri State.

The latest is Zach Carlson and the story is linked here.

Commodores land another All-American

What does it feel like to recruit running backs like Southern Cal? Probably a lot like how Coach Tim Corbin feels when he's recruiting arms. Corbin has nailed down a seventh big time Pitcher for the '09 recruiting class.

This one might be the biggest. Adding in a two top JuCo transfers, an elite third sacker and a stud outfielder, and Coach Erik Bakich is close to finishing up recruiting for the current cycle.

Mike Rapp reports on the newest commitment and on the three blue chippers that the Commodores are believed to still be waiting to hear from. You can read the article here if you're a Rivals.com subscriber.

The latest commitment comes after three weekends in a row in which the Commodores hosted top recruiting prospects, including the blue chippers above referenced. They follow a recruiting class from which Bakich and Corbin escaped Draft-unscathed. Highlighting the new Commodores are potential true-Freshman impact players Catcher Curtis Casali, Pitcher Chase Reid, and Firstbaseman Aaron Westlake. Expected to have more time to grow are high ceiling Pitcher Kellen St. Luce and Outfielder Joey Manning.

Vandy finds last piece to '09 infield

One of the more intriguing questions to arise out of Hawkins Field is how one fills the looming gap when projected top 2008 Draft Pick Pedro Alvarez departs his 3B spot on West End this fall. Alvarez has been a force since spurning the advances of Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox to get his baseball education and sheepskin at Vanderbilt. As a freshman, he set a VU record with 22 bombs en route to consensus Freshman of the Year and All-American status. As a sophomore, he put up staggering numbers as the cleanup hitter. Each of the past two summers, he's carried the banner for Team USA at the plate, leading the squad in batting average and other categories.

So who will step into the enviable task of replacing Petey for Coach Tim Corbin? Chris Lee, Mike Rapp and Jesse Johnson of VandySports.com confirmed rumors of a commitment in the premium section of the Rivals.com affiliated site more than a month ago. Nevertheless, due to the College Baseball Blog's attribution policy, we have chosen not to report on the development out of respect for VandySports.com's terms of service. Recently, the commitment has been acknowledged on the sites free baseball board allowing us to report that Bethany, Connecticut star Jason Esposito committed to the Commodores and is pencilled in for the competition at third. Esposito was a Connecticut rival of '08 prize recruit Curt Casali and a summer league teammate of fellow blue chip '09 recruit Matt Marquis.

Like Alvarez, Esposito is a well-framed, athletic corner man with a massive arm. He stands 6-2, 185 and throws 90 off the hill, according to Perfect Game, which rated Esposito a 10 of 10, indicating high draft round talent. Esposito joins recruits Sonny Gray, Matt Marquis, Will Clinard, Grayson Garvin, Corey Williams, Ryan Westmoreland and Navery Moore and transfer Dylan Pratt in a class that seems poised to surpass the Alvarez-Flaherty led 2005 class rated #1 by Baseball America.

Although positions aren't guaranteed at Vanderbilt or any other major program, Esposito would project to have the inside track at earning the starting 3B job as a true freshman. The other projected infield starters for 2009 season include (class year in 2009) Sophomore Aaron Westlake at 1B, Redshirt Sophomore Alex Hilliard or Junior Brian Harris at 2B, Redshirt Freshman Gabe Ortiz at Short and Sophomore Curt Casali at Catcher.

Raleigh Lands Tennessee Pitcher

New Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh is starting to fill in his first recruiting class in Knoxville. He reached into middle Tennessee and plucked Adam Adkins, the cousin of former Vol and Mount Juliet, TN ace James Adkins. Adkins was 11-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 107 strikeouts for Goodpasture in 2007. His accolades include two no-hitters, one in the 8-AA championship tournament.

Tom Kreager of the Tennessean reported on the commitment of Adkins, who chose Tennessee over interest from Alabama-Birmingham, Belmont, East Tennessee State, Georgia, Kentucky, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee State and Ole Miss.

Read the article here.

More on Stallings' Commitment to UNC

As the College Baseball Blog suspected, elite '08 Catcher Jacob Stallings commitment to North Carolina came after sitting down with Vandy coach Tim Corbin, UNC coach Mike Fox and Vandy Basketball Coach Kevin Stallings and coming to the decision that Chapel Hill provided the best opportunity for the defensive standout to become an elite player.

Mo Patton of the Tennessean spoke with Jacob about the decision and the difficulty in playing for someone other than Coach Corbin. With Curt Casali and Andrew Giobbi in the fold, Stallings was unlikely to see playing time until the 2010-11 season. While cracking the elite UNC lineup might not be that much easier, the Tarheels feature the combination of elite program, great coaches and top notch academics that were likely on the mind of this college-bound HS Senior. The biggest barrier to immediate playing time will be rising Sophomore recruit Mark Fleury, who played in 10 games as a true freshman and was a highly regarded recruit. Look for Stallings to challenge for playing time for the Heels in the 2009-10 season.

Stallings might not be an All-American at UNC, but his impeccable defensive skills will certainly blend well with UNC's elite stable of arms. This writer apologizes for mistakenly stating that Stallings plays for the elite Brentwood A's summer team. He actually donned the garb for the Nashville Red Dogs.

UNC picks up elite '09 Catcher

Coach Mike Fox of North Carolina picked up one of the fastest rising stars on the High School circuit when Nashville Catcher/Pitcher Jacob Stallings verbally committed to the Tarheel baseball program. Stallings is an athletic, if lanky 6'4" bodied Junior who Perfect Game gave a 9.5 ranking. Mike Rapp of Vandysports.com first reported the news in the premium content War Room, quickly followed by Mo Patton of the Tennessean.

Stallings is the son of Vanderbilt Basketball Coach Kevin Stallings and former basketball teammate of former UNC standout Brandan Wright, a lottery pick this past year in the NBA draft. The younger Stallings has been a fixture at Vanderbilt baseball games, while the senior Stallings is a sometimes-color commentator for Commodores baseball broadcasts and is a close friend of Coach Tim Corbin. This led many to believe Jacob Stallings would don the Black and Gold on West End. Furthermore, as the son of an employee, Stallings would have been entitled to free tuition at Vanderbilt. So why is Stallings headed to UNC? The College Baseball Blog has this insight and opinion as to the surprise commitment:

1) Money doesn't always talk. Kevin Stallings is one of the highest paid coaches in the SEC, so scholarship funds likely aren't particularly important.
2) In addition to the Brandan Wright connection, UNC's Roy Williams is among Kevin Stallings' closest friends in the coaching fraternity, establishing solid ties to UNC.
3) The catching and pitching competition at Vanderbilt will be tight for the next three years. At Catcher, Vanderbilt will feature two established players in ('08-'09 year) Sophomore Curt Casali (rated the #60 prospect for the '07 class and rated 10 by Perfect Game) and Red Shirt Sophomore Andrew Giobbi (rated 10 by Perfect Game in '05). Casali is expected to win the starting job behind the plate by '08-09, if not by supplanting incumbent starter Shea Robin this year. Giobbi has seen action at Catcher, Firstbase and DH for the Dores and figures to continue to do so for the next two years. In addition, Jesse Johnson of Vandysports.com reports that Corbin has a pair of solid Catcher walk-ons. Stallings could have faced stiff competition as a pitcher, with Corbin and recruiting coordinator Erik Bakich having assembled a star studded pitching class for '08-09 featuring AFLAC All American Sonny Gray (PG rating 10), Will Clinard (PG 10), Grayson Garvin (PG 10), Corey Williams (PG 9.5), Ryan Westmoreland (PG 9) and Navery Moore, who was not given a number rating by PG despite being listed as the 18th best prospect in the '08 class in November 2006. Also returning in '08-09 will be standout pitchers including Mikie Minor, Drew Hayes, Chase Reid, Mark Lamm, Richie Goodenow and Caleb Cotham. Stallings had been recruited to Vanderbilt and UNC as a Catcher and by Auburn as a pitcher. The CBB believes, without any real basis, that playing time figured into the equation.
4) UNC has somehow managed to become one of the uber elite baseball programs in the country while flying a bit under the radar. They have appeared in the last two CWS finals and have always been a solid program, despite not getting some of the same athletic-academic regard that Stanford, Rice, Tulane and Vandy have received in conversations about "signability". The "somehow" is not a reflection of UNC not having earned elite status or been excellent on the field, just that, for some reason, their recruiting, on the field and academic excellence don't get seem to get enough praise in the media.
5) Finally, it provides Stallings the opportunity to have a college experience away from home. A factor for many students.

This writer thinks a combination of 3 and 4 led to the commitment, and that Mike Fox is getting one of the finest players in the nation. Stallings has starred in the Nashville area and on former Commodore Hunter Bledsoe's Brentwood A's summer team. He throws in the low 90s off the hill and has impressive defensive skills despite his lanky nature. It's a pretty safe bet that Fox will get Stallings to campus and, as he grows into his body, Jacob could develop into one of the finest Catchers in the NCAA. Congratulations to Jacob, Coach Stallings and the family.

With one of his perceived top catching targets now in the Tarheel fold, attention will likely look to fellow Nashville Catcher Casey Dykes. Like Stallings, the Franklin based Dykes was rated 9.5 by Perfect Game. Unlike Stallings, Dykes' secondary position is 3B, a need area for the 'Dores. Vanderbilt will likely lose Rivals All-Americans Pedro Alvarez (3B) and Ryan Flaherty (SS) to the next MLB draft. Dykes could compete for playing time at third, though '07 signee Gabe Ortiz is expected to step into one of those slots, and though Chris Lee of Vandysports has confirmed the commitment of another '08 elite prospect on the left side of the infield. The information is still not public on the new commitment, so I cannot comment further on the identity of the player pursuant to the College Baseball Blog's policy on Use and Attribution.

Georgia picks up early verbal

Boston.com is reporting that Blaine O'Brien of Scituate MA has verbally committed to playing for the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2008-2009 school year. O'Brien is a 6'7 185 pound right hander who also drew interest from Florida and Vanderbilt before settling on the Bulldogs. The full article is available here.

Commodores Baseball Update

This is my inaugural post on the CBB and I’ll be helping Brian and the team cover Vanderbilt, SEC and Southeastern College Baseball. Up first are three recent developments with Commodore baseball: Ryan Davis’ transfer, David Price’s negotiations with Tampa Bay and a first commitment for the Class of 2009.

Mike Rapp of VandySports.com (Rivals) caught up with Coach Tim Corbin and discussed Davis’ transfer. Corbin wishes Davis well and thanks Ryan for his contributions to the program. Davis should be a key contributor to San Diego next year in the Outfield or at DH. Mike’s article can be read here.

Meanwhile, Chris Lee of VandySports.com landed the first public interview in some time with the #1 overall pick of the 2007 Draft. Negotiations appear to be heating up with Tampa in this final week of signing eligibility. Rivals subscribers can read Price’s thoughts and the potential for returning at Vandy for a swan song here (Rivals subscription required).

On the recruiting trail, Commodores recruiting coordinator Erik Bakich picked up his first verbal commitment for the class of 2009. Dough Fritz at the Johnson City Press is reporting that Catcher/Firstbaseman Dylan Pratt will enter the program as a Sophomore in the 2008-09 school year. Pratt was on the Commodores’ radar as a HS Junior; however, an injury led to a loss in interest. Recent strong performances changed Bakich and Corbin’s mind and Pratt will come on board after spending a year at Walters State Community College, where he will play alongside former Vandy target Adam Milligan. The full article can be read here. Perfect Game rated Pratt 8.5 out of 10 in the summer between his Sophomore and Junior years of High School.

In other Commodore news, it's expected that both All-American RF Dom De la Osa and reserve OF Jonathan White will be returning for their Senior seasons with the 'Dores, providing strong outfield depth for the '08 campaign.

Photo courtesy of Mike Rapp of VandySports.com