2006 All-Area Baseball Team
Selected by Staff Writer Tim MacMahon based on regular-season and postseason performances
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PITCHER
Clayton Kershaw, Highland Park, Sr.
Highland Park's Clayton Kershaw says he didn't think about his meteoric rise as a prospect. He focused on enjoying his senior season.
Highland Park's Clayton Kershaw Kershaw, a left-handed pitcher, was flattered when Baseball America moved him from No. 34 to the top of its rankings of high school seniors. He lived up to the hype, but he didn't allow it to change him.
His priority was leading Highland Park on a long playoff run. Kershaw won all three of his playoff starts, helping Highland Park advance to the Class 4A Region II finals.
"I've never had a better time playing baseball," Kershaw said.
Highland Park couldn't have asked for more from Kershaw, who graduated with a school-record 39 wins. He went 13-0 with a 0.77 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 64 innings to earn the Gatorade national player of the year award. He struck out all 15 Justin Northwest batters he faced in his first playoff start.
Kershaw, who played first base when he wasn't pitching, hit .356 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs.
But scouts flocked to Scotland Yard to watch Kershaw pitch. He was the first high school player taken in the Major League Baseball draft, going seventh overall to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he signed this week for a reported $2.3 million bonus. Kershaw is passing up a scholarship to Texas A&M.
Key stats: 13-0, 0.77 ERA, 139 Ks in 64 IP, .356, 7 HR, 27 RBIs
About Kershaw: He has a mid-90s fastball and above-average breaking stuff.
My best memory: "Playing in the Pan Am Games with the U.S. Junior National team."
What you don't know: "Pingpong is my second-favorite sport."
RECENT P.O.Y. WINNERS
2001 Zack Segovia (Forney)
2002 Zack Segovia (Forney)
2003 Daniel Hamblin (Rowlett)
2004 Aaron Luna (Southlake Carroll)
2005 Kyle Hancock (Rowlett)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
PITCHER
Chase Reid, Southlake Carroll, Jr.
Key stats: .378, 10 2B, 32 RBIs, 9-4, 1.62 ERA, 145 Ks in 86 2/3 IP
About Reid: He was the ace and cleanup hitter on a team that advanced to the Class 5A Region I semifinals despite having no starters back from last season.
My best memory: The Game 3 comeback in the regional quarterfinals against Flower Mound. "All the fans and seniors in the stands jumped the fence and made a dog pile on me."
What you don't know: "I eat a Subway sandwich before every game I pitch."
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brandon Milam, McKinney North
About Milam: Led McKinney North to a 28-9 record, a District 9-4A title and the Class 4A state tournament in its fourth varsity season. Will be the head coach at McKinney Boyd next season.
My best memory: "Winning Game 3 against Highland Park [to advance to state]."
What you don't know: "I'm a big-time bass fisherman and a big-time NASCAR fan. I'm your true American redneck, I guess."
PITCHER
Jordan Walden, Mansfield, Sr.
Key stats: 7-1, 0.86 ERA, 95 Ks in 49 IP
About Walden: The Texas recruit also had 11 home runs and 36 RBIs during a season hindered by a nagging groin injury. He was drafted in the 12th round by the Los Angeles Angels.
My best memory: "Going to Mexico on vacation my freshman year."
What you don't know: "I always eat chili dogs before every game."
PITCHER
Cole Lohden, Waxahachie, Sr.
Key stats: 11-1, 1.18 ERA, 80 Ks in 65 IP
About Lohden: He was the ace for the District 15-4A champions and Class 4A Region II quarterfinalists.
My best memory: "Going 10-0 in district this year."
What you don't know: "I can't play ball with money in my pockets – no change or anything. And I can't play ball while chewing gum."
PITCHER
Trent Appleby, McKinney North, Jr.
Key stats: 11-0, 0.58 ERA, 71 Ks in 72 1/3 IP
About Appleby: The right-hander went 4-0 in the playoffs to help McKinney North make its first appearance in the state tournament.
My best memory: "Going to state this year and being able to hang out with all the kids on the team."
What you don't know: "I hug [shortstop] Drew Hanish before every game."
CATCHER
Aaron Baker, Denton, Sr.
Key stats: .469, 12 HR, 35 RBIs
About Baker: Oklahoma and Navarro College recruit is one of the nation's top left-handed power hitters. He was drafted in the 37th round by the Minnesota Twins.
My best memory: "Being selected to play for the Texas Rangers Area Code team."
What you don't know: "I really enjoy camping and fishing."
INFIELDER
Matt Curry, Red Oak, Sr. Key stats: .521, 15 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 50 RBIs, 34 R
About Curry: Led Red Oak to the District 14-4A title and 4A Region II quarterfinals.
My best memory: "Making the playoffs."
What you don't know: "I love to fish. We have a pond on our property, and I go out there all the time."
INFIELDER
Travis Sample, Lake Highlands, Sr.
Key stats: .458, 9 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 31 RBIs, 35 R
About Sample: UT-Arlington recruit developed into one of the area's premier power hitters.
My best memory: "Starting in my first varsity game against Rockwall and hitting a grand slam that won the game."
What you don't know: "I was in National Honor Society."
INFIELDER
Justin Walker, Highland Park, Sr.
Key stats: .357, 35 R, 8 2B, 10 HR, 33 RBIs
About Walker: Texas A&M recruit provided power for team that advanced to Class 4A Region II finals.
My best memory: Senior season. "I didn't really think we had a chance to go as far as in the past, and we went further. I've never been so close to teammates."
What you don't know: He's the drummer in a yet-to-be-named band with three Highland Park teammates.
INFIELDER
Michael Reed, McKinney North, Sr.
Key stats: .458, 37 R, 12 2B, 26 RBIs
About Reed: He was the leading hitter for McKinney North's Class 4A state semifinalists.
My best memory: "Going to state this year, just because we weren't expected to get that far."
What you don't know: "I like cars, hunting and fishing. I want to start doing some things with the car I got for graduation. I hunt and fish all the time."
OUTFIELDER
Matt Sulentic, Hillcrest, Sr.
Key stats: .654, 6 2B, 8 3B, 20 HR, 59 RBIs, 49 R, 17 SB
About Sulentic: The Texas A&M recruit was drafted in the third round by the Oakland A's after winning the area Triple Crown.
My best memory: "My senior baseball season, going undefeated in district."
What you don't know: "I can dunk a basketball."
OUTFIELDER
Kenneth Gilbert, DeSoto, Jr.
Key stats: .457, 29 R, 4 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBIs, 27 SB
About Gilbert: The left-hander excelled offensively and defensively in his first season as a center fielder after starring at first base as a sophomore.
My best memory: "When I hit that home run on top of Arlington High."
What you don't know: "I want to learn how to make video games."
OUTFIELDER
Zak Presley, Southlake Carroll, Sr.
Key stats: .390, 42 R, 8 2B, 6 3B, 14 RBIs, 20 SB
About Presley: The Houston recruit hit leadoff for Carroll's Class 5A Region I semifinalists. He was drafted in the 31st round by the New York Yankees.
My best memory: "Two comebacks in two playoff series. We had a big comeback against Allen and another one against Flower Mound."
What you don't know: "I always have a piece of bubble gum. Every time something goes good, I put in another piece."
DESIGNATED HITTER
Scott Lawson, Colleyville Heritage, Sr. Chris Haney, Garland Naaman Forest, Jr.
Key stats: .453, 44 R, 20 2B, 37 RBIs, 15 SB
About Lawson: He was the most consistent run producer for Colleyville Heritage's Class 5A Region I semifinalists.
My best memory: "Making the playoffs this year with all the friends I've grown up with."
What you don't know: "I can freestyle [rap]."
UTILITY
Chris Haney, Garland Naaman Forest, Jr.
Key stats: .409, 21 RBIs, 10-1, 0.75 ERA, 58 Ks in 65 IP
About Haney: He led Naaman Forest to the Class 5A Region II semifinals, serving as ace after senior Joey Castleman's season-ending elbow injury and catching when he wasn't on the mound.
My best memory: "The hunting and fishing trips I have shared with my dad and granddad."
What you don't know: "Although I pretend to enjoy myself, I really hate scary movies."
SECOND TEAM ALL-AREA TEAM
P Blake Beavan (Irving/Jr) 8-2, 1.29 ERA, 100 Ks in 59 2/3 IP
P Cole Green (Coppell/Jr) 8-3, 0.97 ERA, 114 Ks in 65 IP
P Colt Simon (South Grand Prairie/Sr) 7-1, 0.84 ERA, 81 Ks in 58 1/3 IP
P Brian Watson (Mesquite Poteet/Sr) 10-1, 1.40 ERA, 119 Ks in 75 IP
C Monk Kreder (Keller/Sr) .434, .617 OBP, 9 2B, 5 HR, 30 RBIs
IF Jonathan Kaskow (Coppell/Jr) .442, 8 2B, 7 HR, 22 RBIs
IF Michael Russo (Lewisville/Sr) .429, 9 2B, 6 3B, 5 HR, 34 RBIs
IF Nathan Saldivar (Garland Naaman Forest/Sr) .365, 31 R, 3 HR, 22 RBIs
IF Tant Shepherd (Flower Mound/Jr) .455, 10 2B, 26 RBIs, 42 R, 20 SB
OF Cameron Buford (McKinney North/Sr) .394, 36 R, 23 RBIs, .525 OBP
OF Shaun Garcia (Arlington Martin/Sr) .422, 35 R, 11 2B, 4 3B, 24 RBIs, 18 SB
OF Melvin Kelley (South Grand Prairie/Sr) .390, 31 R, 10 2B, 3 3B, 20 RBIs, 15 SB
Util. Michael Bolsinger (McKinney North/Sr) 9-3, 1.66 ERA, 110 Ks, .362, 37 RBIs
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Dallas Morning News Article 6/22/06