Class of 2008 Commitments So Far -- VA kids

Congrats to Jake Lowery, RHP/C/OF, Cosby HS, James Madison

and congratst to Chris Hardee on his choice -

congrats indeed, Chris Hardee, P, Manchester HS, verbally committed to Old Dominion

revised list as of today 8/28/07.....

Daniel Marrs, RHP, James River, Wake Forest
Austin Stadler, LHP/1B, James River, Wake Forest
Chad O'Connor, RHP, Western Branch, UVA
Will Roberts, RHP, Maggie Walker, UVA
John Austin Hicks, C, Goochland, UVA
Danny Hultzen, RHP/1B, St. Alban's, UVA
Justin Thompson, RHP, Tunstall, UVA
Shane Halley, RHP/OF, Lake Braddock, UVA
Peter Verdin, OF/RHP, Pope Paul VI, U. Georgia
Levi Hyams, 3B/MIF/OF, Colonial Forge, U. Georgia
Brett Bowers, 3B/MIF, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina
Phillip Clark, SS/OF, Collegiate, East Carolina
Taylor Buran, RHP, Benedictine, Maryland
Zack Hegelson, , Hidden Valley, Maryland
Cole Shain, LHP/1B, Broad Run, William & Mary
Tadd Bower, 1B, Cosby, William & Mary
Matthew Snyder, 1B, Westfield, Ole Miss
Michael Snyder, 3B/RHP, Westfield, Ole Miss
Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina
Dustin Galbraith, RHP, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia
Ronnie Shaban, MIF, Cosby, VA Tech
Will Lamb, LHP/OF, Seaford, Clemson
Gary Ward, LHP/1B, Hickory, Miami
Andrew Deal, RHP, LC Bird, VMI
Jackie Bradley, OF, Prince George, South Carolina
Kyle Long, LHP/1B, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Chris Hardee, RHP, Manchester HS, Old Dominion
Jake Lowery, RHP/C/OF, Cosby HS, James Madison

Maybe Chris can help ODU with that football team they're trying to start up, too. He's a heckuva QB!

For those keeping track, that's 4 pitchers in the Dominion District committed to Division I schools so far ...

It's going to be a tough spring for our area hitters!

it's now official.....congrats to Keith Werman, MIF/C, Oakton HS, verbally committed to UVA !

Werman really knows how to play ball. Hey to you guys who keep coming up with these kids committing everywhere, where do you hear this news? Do you just have the inside sources of people?

Posted on VirginiaPreps.com:

Mikey O'Brien, Hidden Valley, to Winthrop (RHP/SS)
Brett Mollenhauer, recent transfer to Hidden Valley, to Radford (SS)


My purpose in starting this thread was to get info from all over posted in one place so that we could all know all that we all know, so to speak.

Some of the info here is found on VirginiaPreps.com. Other of it comes from different people knowing different players and their families.

Does Werman still throw with either hand? The first time I saw him play he pitched left handed and played short stop right handed in the same Babe Ruth playoff game.

Congrats to him.

O'Brien to Winthrop? His minor shoulder issues this spring must have scared off the ACC teams. That's a huge haul for the Eagles.

...just heard that Jesse Beal, RHP/1B, from South County HS has verbally committed to the University of Maryland....congrats !

JT, Winthrop outranks several ACC teams.

latest update.....

Daniel Marrs, RHP, James River, Wake Forest
Austin Stadler, LHP/1B, James River, Wake Forest
Chad O'Connor, RHP, Western Branch, UVA
Will Roberts, RHP, Maggie Walker, UVA
John Austin Hicks, C, Goochland, UVA
Danny Hultzen, RHP/1B, St. Alban's, UVA
Justin Thompson, RHP, Tunstall, UVA
Shane Halley, RHP/OF, Lake Braddock, UVA
Keith Werman, MIF/C, Oakton HS, UVA
Peter Verdin, OF/RHP, Pope Paul VI, U. Georgia
Levi Hyams, 3B/MIF/OF, Colonial Forge, U. Georgia
Brett Bowers, 3B/MIF, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina
Phillip Clark, SS/OF, Collegiate, East Carolina
Taylor Buran, RHP, Benedictine, Maryland
Zack Helgeson, 1B/DH, Hidden Valley, Maryland
Jesse Beal, RHP/1B, South County HS, Maryland
Cole Shain, LHP/1B, Broad Run, William & Mary
Tadd Bower, 1B, Cosby, William & Mary
Matthew Snyder, 1B, Westfield, Ole Miss
Michael Snyder, 3B/RHP, Westfield, Ole Miss
Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina
Dustin Galbraith, RHP, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia
Ronnie Shaban, MIF, Cosby, VA Tech
Will Lamb, LHP/OF, Seaford, Clemson
Gary Ward, LHP/1B, Hickory, Miami
Andrew Deal, RHP, LC Bird, VMI
Jackie Bradley, OF, Prince George, South Carolina
Kyle Long, LHP/1B, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Chris Hardee, RHP, Manchester HS, Old Dominion
Jake Lowery, RHP/C/OF, Cosby HS, James Madison
Mickey O’Brien, RHP/SS, Hidden Valley HS, Winthrop
Brett Mollenhauer, SS, Hidden Valley HS, Radford

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
JT, Winthrop outranks several ACC teams.

Trust me, I am well aware of that, since I work at Liberty Univ...it still surprises me and I am happy for the Eagles and the Big South.

JT, didn't mean it as a slam. Just pointing out that I don't think going to Winthrop as opposed to the ACC counts as a come-down. I'm not that familiar with the program at Winthrop, but they must have a history of recruiting successes to be where they are.

Another point that should be noted -- following up on Armyofone's comments back a bit -- is that while all of the boys above have committed, not all of them are getting baseball money. Some received admissions consideration only, for example. I don't want to get into who got what, because that's not something that should be talked about on the world wide web. But a kid who's wondering why everyone but him is getting scholarship money should understand the realities and remain patient through the coming school year.

Jamie Blackwell, Forest Park SS, to UNC-Charlotte.

up to date list as of 8/31/07...

Daniel Marrs, RHP, James River, Wake Forest
Austin Stadler, LHP/1B, James River, Wake Forest
Chad O'Connor, RHP, Western Branch, UVA
Will Roberts, RHP, Maggie Walker, UVA
John Austin Hicks, C, Goochland, UVA
Danny Hultzen, RHP/1B, St. Alban's, UVA
Justin Thompson, RHP, Tunstall, UVA
Shane Halley, RHP/OF, Lake Braddock, UVA
Keith Werman, MIF/C, Oakton HS, UVA
Peter Verdin, OF/RHP, Pope Paul VI, U. Georgia
Levi Hyams, 3B/MIF/OF, Colonial Forge, U. Georgia
Brett Bowers, 3B/MIF, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina
Phillip Clark, SS/OF, Collegiate, East Carolina
Taylor Buran, RHP, Benedictine, Maryland
Zack Hegelson, 1B/DH, Hidden Valley, Maryland
Jesse Beal, RHP/1B, South County HS, Maryland
Cole Shain, LHP/1B, Broad Run, William & Mary
Tadd Bower, 1B, Cosby, William & Mary
Matthew Snyder, 1B, Westfield, Ole Miss
Michael Snyder, 3B/RHP, Westfield, Ole Miss
Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina
Dustin Galbraith, RHP, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia
Ronnie Shaban, MIF, Cosby, VA Tech
Will Lamb, LHP/OF, Seaford, Clemson
Gary Ward, LHP/1B, Hickory, Miami
Andrew Deal, RHP, LC Bird, VMI
Jackie Bradley, OF, Prince George, South Carolina
Kyle Long, LHP/1B, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Chris Hardee, RHP, Manchester HS, Old Dominion
Jake Lowery, RHP/C/OF, Cosby HS, James Madison
Mickey O’Brien, RHP/SS, Hidden Valley HS, Winthrop
Brett Mollenhauer, SS, Hidden Valley HS, Radford
Andrew Thomas, C, St. Albans, Furman
Jamie Blackwell, MIF/3B, Forest Park HS, UNC – Charlotte

Patrick Somers, Chantilly High School LHP/1B, has verbally committed to East Carolina University.

Congrats to Patrick and his family.....very exciting news !

...just a comment....any one else surprised by how few VA Tech recruits are on this list thus far. I know they wanted several players who are on this list but with alot of talent still out there....I'm just a little surprised.

Here's an update !...


Daniel Marrs, RHP, James River, Wake Forest
Austin Stadler, LHP/1B, James River, Wake Forest
Chad O'Connor, RHP, Western Branch, UVA
Will Roberts, RHP, Maggie Walker, UVA
John Austin Hicks, C, Goochland, UVA
Danny Hultzen, RHP/1B, St. Alban's, UVA
Justin Thompson, RHP, Tunstall, UVA
Shane Halley, RHP/OF, Lake Braddock, UVA
Keith Werman, MIF/C, Oakton HS, UVA
Levi Hyams, 3B/MIF/OF, Colonial Forge, Georgia
Peter Verdin, OF/RHP, Pope Paul VI, Georgia
Brett Bowers, 3B/MIF, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina
Phillip Clark, SS/OF, Collegiate, East Carolina
Patrick Somers, LHP, Chantilly HS, East Carolina
Taylor Buran, RHP, Benedictine, Maryland
Zack Hegelson, 1B/DH, Hidden Valley, Maryland
Jesse Beal, RHP/1B, South County HS, Maryland
Cole Shain, LHP/1B, Broad Run, William & Mary
Tadd Bower, 1B, Cosby, William & Mary
Matthew Snyder, 1B, Westfield, Ole Miss
Michael Snyder, 3B/RHP, Westfield, Ole Miss
Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina
Dustin Galbraith, RHP, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia
Ronnie Shaban, MIF, Cosby, VA Tech
Will Lamb, LHP/OF, Seaford, Clemson
Gary Ward, LHP/1B, Hickory, Miami
Andrew Deal, RHP, LC Bird, VMI
Jackie Bradley, OF, Prince George, South Carolina
Kyle Long, LHP/1B, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Chris Hardee, RHP, Manchester HS, Old Dominion
Jake Lowery, RHP/C/OF, Cosby HS, James Madison
Mickey O’Brien, RHP/SS, Hidden Valley HS, Winthrop
Brett Mollenhauer, SS, Hidden Valley HS, Radford
Andrew Thomas, C, St. Albans, Furman
Jamie Blackwell, MIF/3B, Forest Park HS, UNC – Charlotte

Interesting question about Virginia Tech. I would also be interested in any insights people may have.

I have heard from several sources that Va Tech recruited a unusually large number of players for THIS year. With the new rules, roster limits I wouldn't be surprised if Va Tech recruits an unusually low # of players from the class of 08.

I know VT has some offers out there - they missed on a few already - I think the above comment is correct they have limited money to offer this year and are being very selective. On a couple of the kids that they 'missed' on they could not offer the same amount of $ that the schools that eventually landed the prospects did

I agree with the things said as to why VT might not be getting many kids this year.

Additionally, I know they have shown an exemplary committment to many kids they recruit by keeping them for the entire time they are at VT (as long as they make the grades) some programs "run off' kids to get better kids.

When Coach hartman was there they did not do this. it would appear that the new coach isn't either but we'll wait and see until rosters are posted.

I think they only have 6 rising seniors vs. 11 lost seniors (why they had a big fresh class). So they may only have a few spots.

here's to them keeping their word to the young men they recruit.

I understand that Tech has attempted to recruit a number of in-state '08 prospects as walk-ons, some who have many substantial offers and other options. I will be interested to see their recruiting class this year.......

I don't know what financial terms have been offered to anyone by Tech, whether they landed them or not.

I do know that Tech pushed hard with a lot of kids listed above who for whatever reasons went elsewhere. You would probably get as many different reasons as you would get kids. In my own son's case, there was nothing negative about Tech, he just loved Wake, that's all. I think folks can read too much negative into situations where the negatives aren't really there.

I also know that there's a lot of time left, and Ronnie Shaban is a good start on anyone's recruiting class. Frankly I wish Wake had gotten him and I'm not looking forward to facing him (except that I like to see a talented kid like that perform, it's just plain fun). If I were a Hokie fan, I would not despair just yet. Progress is being made. It's just that it's a tough conference for trying to climb over folks in the standings. But hey, UVA did it, so it can be done.

FWIW, I could list you a dozen elite players who are still in play. And those are just the ones I know. Give it some time and we'll see how it all shakes out.

I think it's quiet period 1 - 14 September?

With apologies, I had to delete one report above, found out it was bad info. If you notice something missing it is intentional; please don't spread my mistake around if you remember it or have a copy of it, thanks!

Quiet Period is September 1-13. Only restriction is that coaches must make in-perons contacts on THEIR campus only during this time. They can still call or email recruits during quiet period, though.

I would like to say this about Va Tech's coaches. Coach Hughes and Gambino are first class guys. Some of the best people I met during my sons recruiting. Honest , upfront , and down right down to earth folks. Passionate about the university and their desire to bring a winning program to the Va Tech campus. They will get it done. They have some very good players coming in already. If my son had ended up at Va Tech I would have been very happy for him to play under those guys watch. Gracious folks and first class all the way.

Brooks Martin, OF, Deep Run, to VMI

Midlo, is the O'Brien kid the same one who was at the UNC winter camp last year? If so, I thought his name was Mikey, not Mickey. He is listed on the Carolina Cubs showcase roster. Do you know if he is playing with them? Thanks.

NDA catcher Chris Forsten committed to William & Mary.

It IS the same kid...MIKEY O'Brien.

The list continues to grow.....congratulations to those below:

Daniel Marrs, RHP, James River, Wake Forest
Austin Stadler, LHP/1B, James River, Wake Forest
Chad O'Connor, RHP, Western Branch, UVA
Will Roberts, RHP, Maggie Walker, UVA
John Austin Hicks, C, Goochland, UVA
Danny Hultzen, RHP/1B, St. Alban's, UVA
Justin Thompson, RHP, Tunstall, UVA
Shane Halley, RHP/OF, Lake Braddock, UVA
Keith Werman, MIF/C, Oakton HS, UVA
Jared King, MIF, Pulaski County HS, UVA
Levi Hyams, 3B/MIF/OF, Colonial Forge, Georgia
Peter Verdin, OF/RHP, Pope Paul VI, Georgia
Brett Bowers, 3B/MIF, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina
Phillip Clark, SS/OF, Collegiate, East Carolina
Patrick Somers, LHP, Chantilly HS, East Carolina
Taylor Buran, RHP, Benedictine, Maryland
Zack Hegelson, 1B/DH, Hidden Valley, Maryland
Jesse Beal, RHP/1B, South County HS, Maryland
Cole Shain, LHP/1B, Broad Run, William & Mary
Tadd Bower, 1B, Cosby HS, William & Mary
Chris Forsten, C, Notre Dame Academy, William & Mary
Matthew Snyder, 1B, Westfield, Ole Miss
Michael Snyder, 3B/RHP, Westfield, Ole Miss
Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina
Dustin Galbraith, RHP, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia
Ronnie Shaban, MIF, Cosby, VA Tech
Will Lamb, LHP/OF, Seaford, Clemson
Gary Ward, LHP/1B, Hickory, Miami
Andrew Deal, RHP, LC Bird, VMI
Brooks Martin, OF, Deep Run HS, VMI
Jackie Bradley, OF, Prince George, South Carolina
Kyle Long, LHP/1B, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Chris Hardee, RHP, Manchester HS, Old Dominion
Jake Lowery, RHP/C/OF, Cosby HS, James Madison
Mickey O’Brien, RHP/SS, Hidden Valley HS, Winthrop
Brett Mollenhauer, SS, Hidden Valley HS, Radford
Andrew Thomas, C, St. Albans, Furman
Jamie Blackwell, MIF/3B, Forest Park HS, UNC – Charlotte

First posted on Virginiapreps.com, congratulations to George Piccirilli, C/RHP, Osbourn Park High School has accepted a scholarship offer to play baseball at VMI.

man, the list continues to grow... how many have backed out and verbeled to another program, anyone???

Haven't heard of any and don't expect any. Didn't happen last year that I know of, either. I don't think this happens much nationally, even though it is permissible.

No decision made, but a name not mentioned on here before, Daniel Hawkins of Central (Woodstock), has several D-I offers and likely more coming. He's a 6'4" RHP, pitched in Commonwealth Games for North squad, currently playing for the Oriolelanders in the fall, has hit 92-93 in several different settings.

Yes Virginia, there is baseball in the Valley!

Denbigh High School product Chris McDougal made a verbal commitment to Liberty University and Head Coach Jim Toman last monthg.

McDougal also plays for Canes Coach Jeff Petty who stated "Chris is one of the most valuable players on our team. He can do so many things well. He swings the bat with some authority, and is an excellent infielder in addition to that he does a great job behind the plate, and can flash upper 80 mph on his fastball from the bump with a good feel for a change up. He is an excellent player, and person. Great fit! Congrats Chris!