2004 Commitments and Signees

cbg,
From what I understand, Mike Hamilton is just the person Tennessee baseball fans want as the AD.

"In time all good things come to pass"

"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Congratulations to Tyler Ward of Lincoln Co. HS for his commitment to Western Kentucky University.





"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Congratulations are in order for Nate Hall of Webb School and the Hall family as Nate has commited to Western Carolina University!

Another Thunder Baseball team member.



"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

It's being reported on CoachT that "RHP Stephen May of Beech HS has committed to Belmont University."

I'll update Stephen later on my site, but Congratulations.



"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Congratulations to Robert (Duke) Williams of St. Benedict HS, Duke has committed to play baseball at Southern Arkansas University, home of the Muleriders.



"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Congratulations to Matt Spencer of Morristown West HS, he has commited to play at the University of North Carolina. Matt picked UNC over Georgia Tech and the University of Tennessee.

Matt's bio:
(.487 BA in 2002 with 12 HR's and 42 RBI's) (2002 All-Region) (TSWA All-State 2002) ("South" TeamOne Showcase 2002), (All-TBR 2002) (Knoxville Thunder) (2003, The sky is the limit for this left-handed star) (Attended Georgia Tech Junior Day on March 9th) (2003 KTN-All NET) (2003 .351 BA, 7 HR, 31 RBI's) (2003 TBCA Showcase) (TSWA All-State 2003) (Blue-Gray Classic VII at the University of Tennessee) (2003 TeamOne National Showcase) (TeamOne- Spencer has a pure homerun swing from the left side and some of the best power in the nation. He's also a considerable pitching prospect, with the prototype body and 87-90 MPH arm-strength.)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Congratulations to Matt. There's Tennessee talent going all over the place...

I can tell you that the UT recruitment of Matt was "flaky" to say the least!

Auuuuggggghhhhhhh!

Bob,
Head cook and bottle washer around this place

Bob you are not the 1st person that felt the recruitment was a little goofy. I also heard that Simcox had a middle infielder in for a vist a Rod gave him the cold shoulder at the start of the visit and then told the kid he would only be a backup if so and so didn't go pro. This may be what you think but you don't recruit thay way nor do you say it. What ever happened to the philosophy of if you sign with us you will be given every opportunity to earn a starting position. The best players will play.

Blake Carver, Cleveland HS Univ. of Georgia
Ryan Wilkes, Chatt.Central HS Univ. of Kentucky

JD,
Thanks for the heads up on Blake Carver and Ryan Wilkes. Here is my info on both players.

According to "Tennessee Baseball Report" Blake Carver, LHP at Cleveland HS, has commited to the University of Georgia. Congratulations to Blake and family.

Blake's bio:
(2002 7-3) (All-District 2002) (Chattanooga Colonels) (2002 Fall Chattanooga Cyclones, 6-0, 44 K in 31 Innings) (2003 All-Area Second-Team)


According to "Tennessee Baseball Report" Ryan Wilkes, P/SS at Chattanooga Central HS, has commited to the University of Kentucky. Congratulations to Ryan and family.

Ryan's bio:
(Team TN Sunbelt 2002) (TBCA Worth 2002) (2002 All-District 6-AAA) (2002 Best of Prep All-City) (2 year starter on Varsity, lead city with 41 SB) (2002 .374 BA, 9 2B, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 3-0 with 1.56 ERA) (2001 - one of top 10 top prospect for Chattanooga) (Bandits) (AChatt 2002) (2003 Junior Sun Belt Team) (TSWA All-State 2003) (2003 TBCA Showcase) (July 2003 at the University of Alabama vs Dulins 03, Ryan Wilkes pitched 3 innings at 90/91 and hit 94 one time) (2003 All-TBR 1st team) (2003 - .492 BA, 8 2B, 18 RBI's, 39 SB) ( 2003 East Coast Professional Showcase) (TeamOne 2/4 - Wilkes has the feet, hands, and arm to play shortstop at any level. He may also help a high-D1 with his bat and as a pitcher.)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Chris Kirkland, C at South-Doyle HS has commited to the University of Alabama after a recent trip to Tuscaloosa. Chris will join Cale Iorg, Karns HS as 2004 commits to Alabama. Congratulations to Chris and his family!

Chris's bio:
(Knoxville Yarddogs) (Blue-Gray, Young Guns at Furman & Diamond Warrior Invitee) (2001 Doyle Showcase) (MVP Cocoa Beach invitee) (2003 PG World Underclassmen Showcase - Big strong catcher with a big hose and some quickness. Good defensive catcher who can receive, block and especially throw. Also pitched in the mid 80s with a hard biting breaking ball. Quiet hitting approach and big time line drive power potential to all fields, 1.92 pop) (2002 1.98 pop at Tusculum College showcase) {(#5)BA-top 10} {BA-PPlus #69/400} (3.9 GPA, 26 ACT) (2003 Yard Showcase 1.95 pop) (2003 Perfect Game National Showcase where he had the fastest pop time of 1.78 and 2nd best catcher velocity of 83 mph, also the #20 rated player at the National) (Selected for the AFLAC All-American Baseball Game) (2003 Southeast Top Prospect Showcase- Chapel Hill NC where he was named the #1 prospect, Kirkland had the strongest arm at the event, both off the mound and in the field. The aspect of his game that has really grown this summer, though, is his ability to drive the ball deep into the alley’s. Continued work on his hitting and shifting ability behind the plate will place Kirkland among the elite catchers in the country.) (AFLAC All-Star Game -- on Chris:: Kirkland was a highly regarded prospect as a sophomore before flying below the radar for much of the last year. A hand problem affected him at the plate and losing 40 pounds (He is now an athletic 6-3, 190) “took all my strength away” in his own words. Kirkland reemerged at the start of the summer, playing well in a couple of national events and being named Top Prospect” at the Perfect Game Southeast Top Prospect Showcase. He has well above average arm strength that is capable of touching 92 mph off the mound and handles all the rest of the catching chores well. The key in Kirkland’s rise up the prospect charts has been his improved power and bat speed at the plate. High School Stats: .406, 1, 25 as sophomore. Hampered by a broken hand as junior. Comparable Major League Player: Mike Matheny (StL). Arm and intelligence can control a game, regardless of bat.)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Let me see if I have this right so far. Players that have committed to some of the Top DI programs ..........

Player Home Town School

· Cale Iorg - Knoxville - Alabama
· Kyle Waldrop - Knoxville - Vanderbilt
· Nate Hall - Knoxville - Western Carolina
· Chris Kirkland - Knoxville - Alabama
· Zach Cozart - Collierville - Mississippi
· Matt Spencer - Morristown - North Carolina
· John Lalor - Memphis - Mississippi State
· David Price - Nashville - Vanderbilt
· Philip Reed - Memphis - Baylor
· Blake Carver - Cleveland - Georgia
· Ryan Wilkes - Chattanooga - Kentucky
· Alex Watson - Murfreesboro - Middle Tennessee
· Doug Birkofer - Murfreesboro - Middle Tennessee

University of Tennessee = 0



Bob,
Head cook and bottle washer around this place

Bob,
Something smells in Knoxville and we have no papermill!

"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Bob,

That's a pretty interesting list. We felt all along that this 2004 group of players in Tennessee was very strong. Just looking at the programs these young men are going to, it affirms that our opinion was correct.

Congratulations to each one! I have watched several of these guys for years, as my son's opponents as well as teammates. They are great young men as well as baseball players!

I wouldn't be surprised to hear of one or two others making their decisions soon. I believe the trend will continue.

Congratulations to Chris on his commitment to Alabama.

Wesley,

My office is on Papermill Road ...... still looking for the mill!

Bob,
Head cook and bottle washer around this place

Hey papermills aren't all bad. My dad supported my lavish lifestyle via Bowater Souther Paper Corporation in Calhoun. His clothing had a "distinctive" smell when he came home at night.

Seriously, I heard a story on the radio recently about "Papermill" road. Seems there really was a papermill in the vicinity "back in the day."

Bob, your offices used to be near a mulching operation didnt' they? Maybe that's part of the stink.

Harrison Eldridge commits to East Carolina

Congratulations to Harrison Eldridge (OF/INF) of Farragut HS for his recent commitment to East Carolina. Harrison made a tough decision and hated to disappoint some other fine coaches, but felt East Carolina was the place for him.

Harrison's bio:
(Knoxville Thunder) (AAA ALL-State Tournament Team) (2002 All-District) (Rookie of the year at Farragut 2002, .382 BA, 34 RBI's, 4 HR's) (TBCA Worth) ("South" TeamOne Showcase 2002) (2003 4-AAA All-District) (2003 Season .446 BA, .560 OB%, .669 SLG%, 62 Hits, 35 RBI's, 14 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR's as leadoff hitter on 3-AAA State Championship Team) (SunBelt Classic, Team One, TBCA Showcase, Blue-Grey) (2003 Junior Sun Belt Team where he was named MVP of the tournament) (2003 All-KIL) (2003 TBCA Showcase Team) (2003 ABCA & Rawlings High School All-Region) (Blue-Gray Classic VII at the University of Tennessee)(TBCA 2003 All-State)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Congratulations to Harrison and the entire Soup Kitchen family!

Nice job. Soupie keep in mind that it is only a 7 hour drive for you and the Mrs., not Harry. LOL

Whoooooo Hoooooooo

Bob,
Head cook and bottle washer around this place

Biz,

Not sure about the mulching, but with Mr. Speed here there is a good bit of manure spreading that takes place daily.

Bob,
Head cook and bottle washer around this place

Bob and Wesly,
Thank you very much. It was a tough decision for him.

Also, thanks to both of you from many parents such as myself; for being "Champions" to these young men and promoting not only Tennessee H. S. baseball, but spreading valueable information through this board, this site (HSBBWeb), and with coaches and scouts.

Congratulations Soup. Outstanding news about #12 .

Looks like I-40 will picking up some traffic as some of our E.Tennessee boys take their talents to the Carolinas.

HVol,
Thanks for my cool new "Pirate." For those interested his name is "Petey the Pirate."

Matt McGahey commits to Virgina Tech

Congratulations to Matt McGahey and family, LHP/RF/1B of Science Hill HS on his recent commitment to Virginia Tech.

Matt's bio:
(Matthew finished the 2002 season with a 7-1 pitching record and led the conference with a 1.11 ERA. He also ended the season with 12 homeruns and 41 runs, which tied Jeremy Hall for the conference lead. He has been honored with first team All Conference selection, District 1-AAA All Tournament Team, and has been named to the TBCA Team Tennessee to play in the Sunbelt Classic in Edmond Oklahoma.) (2002 Yard Dogs) (2002 All-Region All-Big 7 team) (KTN-All NET 2002) (2003 8-3, .431 BA, 7 HR thru 5/10/03) (2003 Junior Sun Belt Team) (2003 KTN-All NET) (TSWA All-State 2003) (Blue-Gray Classic VII at the University of Tennessee) ( 2003 East Coast Professional Showcase) (TeamOne 3/4 -McGahey has power from the left side and a strong pro body. Also throws high-80s on the mound though he lacks refinement as a pitcher.) (TeamOne National Showcase finalist South)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Soup,

You and Petey bear a striking resemblance to one another.

Bob,
Head cook and bottle washer around this place

Congrats to Matt McGahey.....also to Tim and Karen....Matt will be following in his parents steps to Hokieville.

Bob,
I have been identified as a pirate long before #12's commitment.

Soup
Congrats to yall

Wrong bunch of Pirates!

Let's go back to Wood Bats before someone gets killed !

Congratulations Soup and to #12. You have chosen a great school with a great coach.
Good luck and I expect to see you guys keep
up the winning tradition this spring. We will
be behind you all the way.
Good Luck

Thanks Blue Raider,
#12 will do his best to keep the winning ways going.....and I will keep that scoreboard flashing. We will miss you this year.

Matt Pryor commits to Army

We talked with the Army coach in Jupiter, FL. Congratulations to Matt Pryor (Seymour HS) and family on his recent commitment to ARMY.

Matt's bio:
(2002 HS stats: Bat Avg. .304 - RBI 13 - HR 0 - SB 30 - Summer stats: Bat Avg. .390 - RBI 15 - HR 0 - SB 21) (2003 .511 BA, 69 Hits, 51 Runs, 30 RBI's, 17 2B, 3 3B and only 1 E in 238 Fielding Innings) (2003 All-Dristict 3-AA) (2003 TBCA Showcase )(2003 All-TBR 2nd team) (TSWA All-State 2003) (Blue-Gray Classic VII at the University of Tennessee)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Michael Fisher commits to Georgia Tech

We talked with The Georgia Tech Coach in Jupiter, FL. Congratulations to Michael Fisher and family for his recent commitment to Georgia Tech.

Michael's bio:
(AMS 2nd team - 2002) (2002 All-Region, .370 BA, 10 2B, 20 RBI) (TSWA All-State 2002) (Twitty City) (2003 Haury & Smith) (2003 Perfect Game National Showcase) {BA-PPlus #67/400} (Perfect Game Sunshine East - PG Rating 10 - Michael is an athlete. He is not only a talented baseball player but also a football star and its easy to see why. He has a strong athletic build and he can run. He hits from both sides of plate with good bat speed. His actions are good and he makes the game look very easy. He has great instincts! He could end up being one of the top 2004's in the country. Fisher is the real deal, not much he doesn't do very well on a baseball field.) (TeamOne - Fisher earned MVP honors in leading his team to the D-II state championship game as a junior. He has a brother who plays tennis for LSU.)



"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

From my good friend in the boro....

Nathan Hines commits to MTSU

Congratulations to Nathan Hines and family on his recent commitment to MTSU. That makes two OF from Oakland High School that will be staying home to play for the Raiders. His Dad played there just like Birkofer's Dad did.


Nathan's bio:
(2003 HS stats: Bat Avg. .340 - RBI 30 - HR 0 - SB 10) (Blue-Gray Classic VII at the University of Tennessee)


"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

John Morgan commits to Samford University

Congratulations to John Morgan (Christian Brothers HS) and Family on his recent commitment to Samford University.

John's bio:
(2002 All-Conference West Tennessee Region Division II) Great speed on base path and outfield. Home plate to 1st base speed 3.84; 4.6 40; 6.68 60 (2002 .360, .579 OB%, 42 Runs scored, Stolen Base % .842 with 16, Fielding % .974 (2003 All-Metro) (2003 Perfect game- Sunshine East Showcase where John had the 4th fastest 60 yard time) (2003 Midwest Prospects - 6.97 & 6.85 60. John is kid that makes things happen. A definite top prospect! Stole at least 7 bases at camp. Bunted for hits as well. Arm strength 3, covers the ground well in the outfield, made some diving catches, swing 3, power 3, contact 3, bat speed. His #'s say he's an average player but he's a kid that will be very successful at the college level. One to watch closely!!) (Blue-Gray Classic VII at the University of Tennessee) (Perfect Game Sunshine East - PG Rating 7.5 - John is an athletic outfielder who runs very well. Throws good enough and has outstanding range in the field. He swings the bat well and had some very good at bats in Ft Myers. He has excellent instincts on the bases and will steal bases at the next level. He needs to work on his throwing technique to complete his package. Good student with a bright baseball future.) (2003 NABF All Star Team) (TeamOne)



"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Hiwasee,

Did Franklin HS MIF Joe Raccuglia commit to MTSU or Belmont?? I have heard both...I have also heard that he has not commited at all. As my late mother would say(god bless her), "this is how gossip gets started" HA..thanks Hiwassee!

GoTigers,
I have not been advised of a commitment at this time by Joe Raccuglia.

"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."

Hiwassee,

Thanks, you do a great job on this board!!

HV, here's something for you site....I was killing some time.



"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."...Joe Jackson

Congratulations to Matt. I enjoyed watching him play this summer.

Glove Man,
THANKS!!! You made my morning.

"If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot."