Alabama Baseball Adds 15 Signees in Early Signing Period
12/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jim Wells">
|
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama baseball team added 15 signees during the Nov. 10-17, 2004 early signing period, according to head coach Jim Wells.
The Crimson Tide's class, which will enroll at Alabama in August, 2005, is made up of 13 high school and two junior college players. Alabama's class also contains players from six different states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Texas and Louisiana. There are six high school players from the state of Alabama among the 15 members of the signing class.
The class also contains three All-Americans, including AFLAC High School All-Americans Shane Funk (Arnold HS, Panama City, Fla.) and Miers Quigley (Roswell HS, Roswell, Ga.) and junior college First-Team All-American Jesse Litsch (South Florida Community College).
"I think we have assembled an outstanding class," coach Jim Wells said. "There are some really quality players here, not only from the state of Alabama, but throughout the country. We signed two high school All-Americans in Funk and Quigley, who are both projected as high draft picks. We also added a junior college All-American in Jesse Litsch, who is another quality arm.
"Overall, we have an outstanding group of players. This was a very good year in state. We were able to get six of the Top 12 players in the state of Alabama. Styes and Graham are going to be excellent players for us in the future."
In addition, three of the players signed were ranked in the Top 60 high school players in the nation. Also, eight of the 13 high school players singed were ranked among the Top 200 high school players in the nation, according to Perfect Game USA.
The six players from the state of Alabama ranked among the Top 12 prospects in the state, according to Perfect Game USA, The Crimson Tide inked the No. 1 (Josh Styes) and No. 2 (Kyle Cofield) players in the state, along with the No. 5 (Austin Graham), No. 9 (Justin King), No. 10 (Tyler Odle) and No. 12 (Ryan Rhoden) ranked players.
The 2005 Alabama baseball signing class includes:
Alex Avila is a switch-hitting infielder from Archbishop McCarthy High School in Hialeah, Fla. His father, Al, is the Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Detroit Tigers. As a freshman, Avila was named First-team All-Broward County and second-team all-state selection. As a sophomore, he was an all-metro selection at DeLaSalle High School in Warren, Michigan. Avila is credited with the first home run in the history of Archbishop McCarthy High School. He played for coach Tony Messaro. While at Archbishop McCarthy, Avila batted .342 with four home runs and 24 RBI. He also scored 21 runs and logged a .562 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base clip. On the mound, he was 4-3 with a 1.46 ERA, with 33 strikeouts and 33 innings.
Jaye Chapman is a right-hand pitcher from Mosley High School in Panama City, Fla. As a junior, he led Mosley HS in Lynn Haven to the 2004 Class 5A state championship. As a sophomore in 2004, he helped his team to the county championship as well as the Sub-Regional Championship before losing in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. He played for coach Jed Douglas. Chapman was selected to pitch in the 2004 East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase in Wilmington, NC, and was listed on the Florida "Players to Watch" list by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball newspaper. Chapman also pitched for Team Florida in 16-and-under and 18-and-under USA Baseball Trials. He is also a two-time academic selection in the state of Florida. His grandfather, Herb Chapman, played baseball for the Crimson Tide and was captain of the 1947 team that won the SEC Championship and played on the school's first NCAA Tournament team with a 20-7 overall record and 11-3 mark in league play. His grandmother, Lula Chapman, was a Bama cheerleader in the 1940s.
Kyle Cofield is a right-hand pitcher from Southside High School in Rainbow City, Ala. He is listed as the No. 2 player in the state of Alabama by Perfect Game USA. He is also ranked 108th by Perfect Game USA's Top 200 High School prospects. A three-year starter at Southside for coach Scott Calhoun, Kyle was a member of the 2001 Class 5A state championship team as a freshman. He attended the same high school as UA junior third baseman Evan Bush. Cofield was an All-Tournament Team selection at the Perfect Game Showcase, the World Wood Bat Association and the Baseball America Tournament in Jupiter, Fla. He also played on the gold medal team at the 2003 AAU Junior Olympics in Detroit, Mich. Also a member of the CABA World Series championship team in Atlanta, Ga.
Shane Funk is one of three All-Americans in this year's signing class. He is a hard-throwing right-hander with high draft potential. He is rated as the 44th best player in the nation by Perfect Game USA's Top 200 High School prospects. In the state of Florida, Funk is listed as the No. 6 overall prospect and third-best pitcher in the Perfect Game USA ratings. As a junior in 2004, Funk was named AFLAC High School All-American and participated in the AFLAC All-American game played at Cal Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland. He pitched one scoreless inning for the East squad and struck out all three batters he faced. For his efforts, Funk was named the East squad's Topps Co-Player of the Game. As a junior, Funk compiled a 1.44 ERA and struck out 115 batters. As a sophomore (2003), he went 5-4 with 1.57 ERA in 62 1/3 innings. He also added 108 strikeouts. For his career, Shane has an incredible three no-hitters. He has been chosen as an All-County selection for two straight years and was a participant at the 2002 and 2003 USA Baseball Olympic Trials. Funk was also an All-Tournament Team selection at the World Wood Bat Association in Atlanta, Ga. He also participated at the USSSA World Series (2000) and Perfect Game National Showcase (2004).
Shaun Garceau is a switch-hitting, right-hand pitcher from Royal Palm Beach (Fla.) High School. He is rated as the nation's 33rd best high school prospect by Pefect Game USA's Top 200 High School prospects. Garceau is rated as the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Florida and the No. 2 overall pitching prospect. He played this summer for the Florida Bombers and his team participated in the Baseball America Tournament in Jupiter, Fla. He also played in the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, N.M. As a junior as Royal Palm he was 6-2 with a 2.53 ERA and had 41 strikeouts in 35 innings.
Austin Graham is right-hand pitcher from Spain Park High School and one of the state of Alabama's top prospects. He played the last three seasons for former Auburn catcher Casey Dunn at Spain Park HS. He will play his senior season for head coach Will Smith. Graham is rated as the fifth best prospect in Alabama by Perfect Game USA. He is also listed as the 134th best high school prospect by Perfect Game USA's Top 200 High School prospects. As a junior, Graham posted a 9-1 (.900) record with four saves. He also has two no hitters. He led Spain Park to back-to-back Jefferson County baseball championships in 2002 and 2003 and helped his team reach the Class 6A playoffs both years. Graham participated in the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Showcase in 2003 and 2004. He also participated in the East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase in Wilmington, NC in 2004.
Tommy Hunter is a powerful, right-hand pitcher from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He played for coach Rich Andiole. According to Perfect Game USA, Hunter is the top rated prospect in the state of Indiana. Overall, he is rated 111th by Perfect Game USA's Top 200 high school players. As a junior, he led Cathedral to the 2004 City Championship and in the process was named "City Player of the Year" after compiling a 10-2 record and 1.89 ERA, with 95 strikeouts and nine walks in 60 innings. In addition, he was a 2004 First-Team All-State selection in both baseball and football. Hunter participated in the 2003 and 2004 USA Junior Olympic Trails in Joplin, Missouri each of the last two summers. He is also a two-time USA Junior Olympic gold medalist in judo.
Justin King is a tall, right-hand pitcher from Jacksonville (Ala.) High School. A three-sport star for the Golden Eagles, he played baseball for coach Michael Graben. He has participated in the 2004 Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Super 100 Showcase, 2004 CABA World Series and the 2004 East Coast Professional Showcase in Wilmington, NC. He helped his team to a first-place finish at the 2004 CABA World Series.
Jesse Litsch is one of three All-Americans in the Crimson Tide's signing class. He is also one of two junior college players in this signing class. The hard-throwing right-hander was a First-Team NJCAA All-American last season as a freshman at South Florida Community College for coach Rick Hitt. He was also tabbed First-Team All-American by American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Sporting Goods. As a freshman at SFCC, Litsch posted a 9-1 record and team-best 2.11 ERA last season. In 89 1/3 innings, he struck out 100 batter. He also added five shutouts and recorded 15 strikeouts in one game. At the plate, he batted .367 (78-for-212) with five home runs and 49 RBI. He added a school record 21 doubles (2nd most in the state) and 39 runs scored in 2004. He was a First-Team FCCAA All-State selection and First-Team All-Region selection. In addition, Litsch was named to the FCCAA "Pitcher of the Year" as a freshman. He was drafted in the 24th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2004 MLB Draft. Jesse attended Dixie Hollins High School, where he played for Brennon Hervey. He was selected in the 39th round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2003 MLB Draft.
Jake McCarter is one of two junior college players in this year's signing class. The right-hand pitcher is in his second season at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. He is coached by Skip Johnson. He was taken in the 28th round by the New York Yankees in the 2004 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He led his high school team to the Texas High School state playoffs in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He was first-team All-State pitcher in 2002 and 2003 at THS.
Tyler Odle is a talented outfielder from Vestavia Hills High School, traditionally one of the state's top high school programs. He played the last two seasons for the late Sammy Dunn. He will play his senior season for coach Dal Davis. Odle was a part of two area championship teams at Vestavia Hills and two Class 6A state playoff participants. He collected three hits (1B, 2B and HR) and seven RBI in game two of double header against Spain Park that decided the area title. Participated in the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Super 100 Showcase in 2003 and 2004. A 2004 All-Over the Mountain selection for his play with the Rebels. He was the winner of Vestavia's Gold Glove Award, given annually to the best defensive player. Odle also participated in the 2004 East Coast Professional Showcase in Wilmington, NC.
Ryan Rhoden is the second player in the two-year history of Paul W. Bryant High School to sign with the Crimson Tide. He will join current UA freshman pitcher David Robertson on the team next year. Rhoden played his first two years at Central High School in Tuscaloosa before relocating to the Bryant High for his junior and senior seasons. He played all four seasons for coach John Cameron. He was a catcher and outfielder at Bryant High as a junior and will play both positions for the Crimson Tide next year. As a junior, Ryan batted .448 with four home run and 35 RBI. In its inaugural season, the Stampede reached the Class 5A semifinals before falling to eventual champion Charles Henderson High School of Troy. Rhoden's father, Greg, was a member of the Alabama football team in 1979-82 under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, the high school's namesake. During his prep career, Rhoden has been to the state playoffs three consecutive years (2002-04). When Rhoden was a freshman at Central HS, he pitched against Daphne in the Class 6A playoffs. He was the starting catcher for the Falcons as a sophomore. At the age of 12, Rhoden was a member Tuscaloosa's 1999 Dizzy Dean World Series championship team. He also played on back-to-back American Legion State Championship teams for Tuscaloosa Post 34 in 2002 and 2003.
Josh Styes is rated as the top player in the state of Alabama by Perfect Game USA. He is also rated as the 107th best player in the nation according to Perfect Game USA's Top 200 high school prospects. He is right-hand pitcher at Clay-Chalkville High School for coach Jeff Mauldin. Styes best season to date came as a sophomore in 2003, where he posted a 13-1 record and 0.71 ERA on the mound. He also added 111 strikeouts. For his efforts, Josh was named to the 2003 Birmingham News Super All-State Team and the Birmingham News Class 6A All-State team. He was also a Super All-State selection by the Alabama Sports Writer's Association and an ASWA Class 6A All-State pick. Styes led Clay-Chalkville to the 2003 Class 6A state championship. In game one of the best of three series against Baker High School of Mobile, Styes tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout and struck out 12 batters in the 3-2. For his efforts, he was named the MVP of the Class 6A state playoffs. Clay-Chalkville finished its state championship season with a 37-5 record. As a junior, he led Clay-Chalkville to the Class 6A state playoffs for the second straight year. After wins over Wenonah (10-1) and Spain Park (5-2), Clay Chalkville dropped two of three games to Oak Mountain in the quarterfinals. Styes was selected to play in the North-South All-Star game at the Alabama High School Athletic Association's All-Star Sports Week.
Jeff Texada is a right-hand hitting shortstop from Catholic High School in New Iberia, Louisiana. He is rated by Perfect Game USA as the fourth best prospect in the state of Louisiana. He also listed as the number-one ranked infielder in the state, according to Perfect Game USA. Overall, Texada ranked 218th on Perfect Game USA's Top 350 high school prospects.
Miers Quigley is one of the top left-handers in the country this season. He is rated as the third-best left-hand pitching prospect in the nation according to Perfect Game USA. Overall, he is listed as the 23rd best prospect in the nation according to Perfect Game USA's Top 200 High School prospects. He was listed as the top rated left-hand pitcher in the state of Georgia and the fourth-best overall high school prospect. Quigley is one of two high school All-Americans in the UA signing class. He was a First-Team AFLAC High School All-American in 2004 and participated in the AFLAC All-American All-Star game at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland this past summer. As a junior, Miers was 11-1 with one save, a 1.06 ERA and 94 strikeouts. He was named the Atlanta Journal Constitution Pitcher of the Year. He led Roswell High School to a 21-5 record and a berth in the state playoffs. In the quarterfinals, he tossed an 81-pitch complete game to help Roswell advance. He played for coach Mike Power. As a sophomore, Miers was selected to the World Wood Bat Association PG Junior Championship All--Tournament team. He plays summer ball for the well-known East Cobb Yankees.
2005 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE BASEBALL SIGNEES
- Alex Avila (INF, 6-0, 200, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Hialeah, Florida)
- Jaye Chapman (RHP, 6-0, 181, Mosley HS, Lynn Haven, Florida)
- Kyle Cofield (RHP, 6-5, 196, Southside HS, Rainbow City, Alabama)
- Shane Funk (RHP, 6-6, 235, Arnold HS, Panama City Beach, Florida)
- Shaun Garceau (RHP, 6-1, 185, Royal Palm Beach HS, Royal Palm Beach, Florida)
- Austin Graham (RHP, 6-3, 185, Spain Park HS, Hoover, Alabama)
- Tommy Hunter (RHP, 6-3, 255, Cathredral HS, Indianapolis, Indiana)
- Justin King (RHP, 6-6, 195, Jacksonville HS, Jacksonville, Alabama)
- Jesse Litsch (RHP, 6-2, 195, South Florida Community College)
- Jake McCarter (RHP, 6-2, 200, Navarro College, Kerrville, Texas)
- Tyler Odle (OF, 6-0, 170, Vestavia Hills HS, Vestavia Hills, Alabama)
- Ryan Rhoden (OF/C, 6-1, 200, Paul Bryant HS, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
- Josh Styes (RHP, 6-3, 190, Clay-Chalkville HS, Birmingham, Alabama)
- Jeff Texada (SS/RHP, 6-1, 175, Catholic HS, New Iberia, Louisiana)
- Miers Quigley (LHP, 6-4, 225, Roswell HS, Roswell, Georgia)
