Bama Baseball Hauls in Top 10 Recruiting Class
10/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama baseball team's current list of newcomers was rated as one of the 10 best college recruiting classes in the nation in a recent survey by Baseball America.
Alabama's current class was rated 10th according to Baseball America, one of three SEC teams lauded by the the long-time baseball publication in its 2004-05 Dandy Dozen.
"I think we have brought in some very talented players," Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. "There are several guys that will make immediate impact this season. Cale Iorg (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Josh Copeland (Palmetto, Ga.) a very good players. Kody Valverde (Baton Rouge, La.), who came to us from the University of New Orleans, is battling for the catching position. We have several freshman and junior college arms that can help us on the mound."
The Crimson Tide signed 10 high school players, five junior college players and one four-year transfer to complete it 2004-05 baseball roster.
Baseball America highlighted the play of incoming freshmen Josh Copeland (RHP, 1B), Austin Hyatt (RHP), Cale Iorg (SS), Chris Kirkland (C) and Adam Resendez (OF) and junior college transfer Trey Shields (RHP).
Four of those players were drafted in the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft this past June. Iorg was taken in the 16th round by the Minnesota Twins, Hyatt was taken in the 23rd round by the Atlanta Braves, Resendez was a 49th round pick of the Texas Rangers, while Kirkland was taken in the 49th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.
"Copeland could factor in as a legit closer and designated hitter (for the Crimson Tide this year)," Baseball America wrote. "The speedy, sure-handed Iorg could be the opening day shortstop and has baseball in his bloodlines. Father Garth and uncle Dane played in the majors and brother Eli plays for Tennessee. Trey Shields will fight for a rotation sport, where he could be throwing to Kirkland, a solid catch-and-throw guy with two juniors ahead of him."
The list of Top 12 recruiting classes according to Baseball America included (1) Texas, (2) Arizona State, (3), TCU, (4) Tulane, (5) Georgia Tech, (6) LSU, (7) Pepperdine, (8) Oklahoma State, (9) South Carolina and (10) Alabama, (11) North Carolina and (12) Clemson.
