Top Pitchers in the 2009 Class.

Buckeye...after reading your post, im curious as to why you dont list the high schools that these pitchers are attending, especially the one from ohio..right in your backyard.

Fast Eddie, Justin Good is attending Miamisberg HighSchool in Dayton, Ohio. It's a smaller HighSchool, although a good one. The other great pitchers mentioned are from different states. I hope your curiosity is satisfied Fast Eddie.

I didn't know that Craine was on the Flames for next year. From what I've heard he hasn't committed to a team yet. I know the Flames have picked up Kendal Coleman from Midland. That kids a player. Justin will do well at Miamisburg HighSchool, and yes it's about 8 miles from Dayton.

Do you guys think that because of their size that high school ball will be it for them? Or do you think that the size does not matter at all. Or do you have to be 6' 200lbs muscle mass

quote:

Originally posted by Ling:
...size, or makeup, is important but I don't believe it is as important as it use to be...

Could you please explain to me where you get this from? That has not been my experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Ling:
redbird, I meant makeup in the context of purely size. I know makeup means much more that. My bad. I heard that a D1 college just signed a 5'8" catcher. Either you are a player or not, and pure size doesn't matter. Read Moneyball. What is very interesting from that book is that a ton of the college kids discussed in that book, are playing BL ball, or are solid, solid contributors on thier ML teams. I think a lot of people believed Swisher would make it, but again its amazing how many others are in the bigs. Later on.

You heard about the 5'8" catcher from a wacko on HSBBWEB that lives in his mom's basement. Don't believe everything you read, especially from your above source.

Physical size and strength are important. Not many starters in MLB are less than 6'2". If so, they have great stuff. Size is not a tool but an asset. If there is a 5'10" guy and a 6'2" guy with similar stuff, everyone I know would take the bigger guy.

I still don't see your point other than "either you are a player or you are not". (With which I agree).

The A's only have two pitchers less than 6' tall. Relievers. Their shortest position player is 5'10" tall.

quote:

Originally posted by Ling:

quote:

Originally posted by redbird5:

.....

I still don't see your point other than "either you are a player or you are not". (With which I agree).

In Moneyball, the As didn't give much (even I don't believe ANY) consideration to the physical size and strength of the kids they drafted. Supposedly Billy weeded that part of the process, out of the scouting/drafting process because it required the scout to "project" kids, which the As failed miserably at. They simply hunted for and found kids that proved that they were players, irregardless of physical size. In fact I believe they selected a few kids in the late rounds just on their college stats, without even seeing them. Birdy, lets give the little guys, a little bit of hope. Anyways, I am new to this board and whether I am right or wrong, its JMO.

Ling,

The A's are just 1 team. There are 29 others out there. For 99% of all players, MLB is a pipe dream. To cite Moneyball and claim it is the way things are throughout MLB, it inaccurate. I am all for giving hope but false hope does no one any good.

The fact remains that you have to do a couple of things well to advance. Either hit, throw, run or play defense. 1 may get you to college but you won't go far (or even play) if at least 1 more is not present. Most likely, you will move onto pro ball unless you can do 2 of the above well.

quote:

Originally posted by Ling:
Redbird, no problem. Your right. Brandon and Tyler, you bring it from the bump and rake like I've never seen 15s your age do. But it looks like you might be too short so pack it in and find a new sport because you are playing with false hope, LOL. Lets move on.

Once again...you didn't read what I said. Oh well...

How do you project a 15yr old? So many things can and will change. Some kids are full grown at 15 and some have not even started to grow. Some come into HS at 80 plus and never throw any harder and some come in at 75 and leave in the upper 80's low 90's. Some can mash coming into HS but never hit at the HS level because they have lived off of being bigger and stronger mashing the puss pitching. There just is no way to project a kid at 15. Are there kids at 15 that are way ahead of their peers at that age? Yes. Does that mean that they will be way ahead at 18? NO. Work ethic , genetics staying healthy , staying out of trouble , having the grades , GIRLS , CARS , bad associates , need I go on? I sure wouldnt concern myself with my kids size. What can you do about it? Work on the things you can controll and then the cards fall where they may. You are either a player or your not. My youngest is 15 6'1 and 215 and throws a 2.0 sub 2.0 pop time. He can mash and has tremendous power hitting balls 400' plus. Does that mean that he is going to pick his school and he is the man. Hell no. As soon as you start thinking that you have arrived so to speak you are as good as you are going to be and will actually regress. You have to work and be determined to get better everyday. And to the kid that is 5'5 120 at 15 so what. Baseball is a game where your work ethic and desire can move mountains. Alot of times the kids that have alot of obstacles to overcome to prove that they can play develop those intangibles that make them great players. Ive won alot of HS games with these types of kids. They are hungry and determined and never satisfied. They are winners. I know Im rambling now. JMHO

I've had the honor of seeing Ryan Klem from the Chandler Express and Brandon Duplessis from the Schaumburg Seminoles pitch this year. These two pitchers are tremendous talents. One pitcher I would like to add to this top list of pitchers in 09 is Bennie Keys from the Georgia Roadrunners. My prediction is that this kid will be throwning 90+ next season with three pitches.

Excellant post Coach May, I totally agree. While I do think that size is a nice asset to have, you definitely don't need it. Especially when you are trying to decide how good someone is going to be in 2009.

This is why every statistic needs to be put into context at the 12-16 yo levels. Which kids have grown, and which kids have not.I am sorry, but I am not impressed by a 12yo kids that is 175 pounds and has stubble that can hit a ball 260 feet, but I am impressed with a 125 pound kids that hasn't even had a growth spurt that can do the same. When I was at the end of my soph year in HS I was 5'10", when I graduated I was 6'3" 210. Would I have rather have been that big as a 12 yo, sure. But heres the hidden asset of growing late, and this is exactly what I tell my boy, who is the 5th or 6th biggest kid on his travel team. You are smaller than the other kids, so you have to work harder than them and want it more than them. So he is going to contiune to work his tail off (which has made him the best power hitter in his league), then when (fingers crossed) he begins to grow and develop, he is going to be head and shoulders above the kids that lived off their physical size and didn't put the time into skill development. If you have a kid that is already better than the majority of the competition without a size advantage, look out once they start to grow.

That is why I actually see being smaller at a young age as a blessing in disguise. it matters not how good you are at 12-14, but it is how good you are as a senior in HS that matters if you have DI dreams dancing in your head.

Good luck to all

Jack Havey 6'3" and built! LHP Loyola H.S Wilmette IL. This kid throws well into the 80's (81 to 83 Jugs) with fantastic command of all his pitches. Pitched for the Longshots last year and will be with the Schaumburg Senminoles this year. Havey is from what I understand, a straight A student and has Stanford potential written all over him.

He is very much a pitcher and not a thrower. Has a very good curve and split finger change. He hits spots and does not walk people His brother is 6'6" and will pitch at Norwestern this year. Even if he did not grow another inch, he already has all the size he needs. He's a multi-sport athlete at Loyola as he is presently playing football and will play basketball as well. He is outstanding in all 3, but baseball is his best.

Great grades, great size, ability to be a pitcher not a thrower and being a lefty!!!!

Oh My !

All these kids are great (I have seen them all play) but what makes them really shine are the workhorses behind the plate that give them the corner or block the drop third for a play at first.

The Louisiana Elite National Baseball Club is currently in the recruiting process for their 2006 '08/'09 national team. They will be attending the Junior Olympics, Perfect Game Championships, and CABA World Series. We are open for suggestions. PM me with any suggestions or information on players.

That's why baseball is a team sport.
It goes hand and hand.
The pitcher needs a good catcher and that catcher needs a good pitcher so he can shine and throw a runner out.

I'm sure we'll be hearing alot from Keys and Havey over the next few seasons. Lefthanded pitching is always at a premium. It sounds like the Seminoles have another front line pitcher. I'm glad to hear that this kid is a "A" student as well. I think the quote student-athlete is forgotten by many. Grades should always be focused on first. I know the Seminoles and Roadrunners are both in Cincy's National Showcase Tournament in early June next season. These two pitchers will definetely have the opportunity to showcase their ability.

Ling, I was speaking highly of many of the top pitchers from around the country. I really feel Justin Good is one of the best pitchers not just in our state of Ohio, but in the entire country in the 2009 class. The Seminoles and Roadrunners have many very good players and our good programs. These two teams along with the Cincy Flames, Kentucky Kids, Indiana Bulls, and some top southern teams will all play elite schedules again next year. I think this 15u tournament being hosted in Cincinnati next Spring will be a fantastic event. I personally think that Team Easton was the best 14u team that I seen play last year.

Also, Justin Good threw a complete game shutout against Team Easton this year. The Cincinnati Flames beat Team Easton 1-0 in a game for the ages.

That Tournament is scheduled for the first week of June. (I think) It should be one of the strongest showcase tournaments in the country next year. Remember this thread was about the 2009 class. Alot of the best talent especially in the Midwest is displayed by the Cincy Flames, the newly formed Ohio Storm, Indiana Bulls, Schaumburg Seminoles, MacNSeitz Indians. These teams have some real talent, and have impressed me with their programs over the last two seasons.

when it is all said and done im sure top tier will have something to say about that. They have a track record of producing good players that go on to the next level.Thats what its all about. Any mention of good programs in the midwest would have to include top tier.

I'm sure Top Tier will have a fine team. I can't mention all the top programs in one post. I'm only stating the top teams and programs that I'm familiar with in the Midwest. The teams I mentioned have all had fine seasons and a tremendous track record of playing in elite tournaments and traveling year round. That's why these teams can be mentioned, because they play in the elite tournaments. Time will tell next year if Top Tier and other good teams play in big tournamnets around the country. Many people take shots at Mr. Basil right here in Ohio, but nobody prepares and challenges his team more than he does. The Roadrunners, Seminoles, Bulls, Team Easton and some others are the same way. That's how you get credit and get better play the best.

Ling, the Flames will have two players from another state on their roster next year. If the rumor is true Craine from Lexington Kentucky will be on the Cincy Flames next year. I've also heard that the Klem kid from the Chandler Express in Arizona will be residing in Florida with Team Easton next year. I seen the Martinez' brothers play in Basil's tourney last year. Unbelievable hitters and it doesn't surprise me at all that they ended up on the Seminoles next season. These kids can hit with anybody and teams like Team Easton, Seminoles, and Basil's Cincy Flames team can provide quality coaching and the best competition for these players.

quote:

Originally posted by Buckeye25:
..The Cincinnati Flames beat Team Easton 1-0 in a game for the ages.

I'm guessing this was a good game but a 14U called a "game for the ages" is a bit much.

Mr. Buckeye, I agree with much of what you said. The one comment I didn't agree with is putting a newly formed Ohio Storm team in the same elite catagory with the other teams you mentioned. I appreciate the kind words about the Georgia Roadrunners, and I certainly agree that the Schaumburg Seminoles and Indiana Bulls are elite teams and programs. I just don't know where the Ohio Storm came into this equation. I know you're from Ohio, maybe you can tell me alittle bit more about the Storm. I also sent you a personal email. Thanks

Every elite team is ranked, every elite team is the best in the country. It depends on which of the 5000 rankings you are looking at. It's all a bunch of garbage.

If a kid is a good player, he will be seen by the people who need to see him.

I wish we could get rid of all these teams and let the kids go back to being kids.

The two sports we push the kids the most in are s****r and Baseball, neither team qualified for the Olympics last time around! What does that tell you. We are telling kids at a very young age,"you are the best" and send the rest home. During the next several years that kid you told to go home is now 6'5" 220 lbs and has not played the game since he was 10 because he was told he is no good.
MLB is almost 40% foriegn players! How can that be? We have all these fantastic Elite teams in the USA. I'd rather see a kid practice 80 times a summer and play 20 games than play 100 games and hardly practice. By the way, let's leave a little time in there for them to play and be kids!

You can have all these "ELITE" teams. These teams are more for the parents instead of the kids.

I think the kids that are starting Highschool this year will get atleast 25+ games in Highschool. For those that play on really good travel teams they will play another 50 to 60 games in June and July. I understand what your saying "Up and In". Though these international players play year round. That's all they do is play basball each and every day. That's why they're ahead of so many American players. Many players in the U.S.A play multiple sports, and don't concentrate on just baseball.

The Georgia Roadrunners played about 100 games last year, and they're a fantastic team. I give this team all the credit in the world for traveling to so many top tourneys. I have another son that's only 5 years old right now. If he's a good enough player, I would love for him to play on the Roadrunners when he's old enough. Play the best competition, and challenge the top players and they'll strive for greatness.

I do agree with some of upandins comments. My son has played "elite" baseball the last few years , so i know first hand what some of the issues are. I would have rather practiced at least once during the week instead of playing some meaningless games that are scheduled just to inflate the win column. So instead of beating up on teams by mercy rule, and playing 120 games, schedule some practices to keep the kids up on their fundamentals and maybe you end up around 100 games which is more than enough. A lot of these coaches schedule these games against inferior opponents just to pad their records. They are not thinking in the best interest of the player.

Hey Blackjack21, the Ohio Storm is a new team with alot of top players in the Ohio area on the team. Maybe they shouldn't be grouped with the elite teams I mentioned. Atleast not yet. Remember you have to start somewhere. Teams like the Cincy Flames, Seminoles, Roadrunners, and some others play alot of games because they can. These teams provide so much recognition for their players. I commend them.

quote:

Originally posted by Ling:
I didn't mean to suggest that it was wrong that the three kids from Detroit are playing with the Seminoles. They will probably play with them in the weekend tournaments, and I heard that the Seminoles don't practice so the kids won't be missing anything. I was just surprised that they have three kids from Detroit, and I forgot one kid from Wisconsin. When you have so much great talent in the Chicagoland area anyways, go figure.

Ling, i'm not sure where you get your info from about the Seminole's never practicing. For the most part the Seminole's practiced thru the fall and winter months twice a week last year. They also had great individual pitching lessons last winter. I know Russ and his coaching staff work hard year round and already have this seasons fall/winter practice schedule lined up to ensure all of the players are ready for next year and for the upcoming high school season. Please tell your "source" he is dead wrong on this one.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ling:
I didn't mean to suggest that it was wrong that the three kids from Detroit are playing with the Seminoles. They will probably play with them in the weekend tournaments, and I heard that the Seminoles don't practice so the kids won't be missing anything. I was just surprised that they have three kids from Detroit, and I forgot one kid from Wisconsin. When you have so much great talent in the Chicagoland area anyways, go figure. [/QUOTE

Kinda confirms a little of how good a program the Seminoles actually are that they can get players to cross state lines to play for them. We travel approximately 1 1/2 hours just to get to our home field, but it has been totally worth it! Tell me, who else plays the competition that Russ lines up? We are actually getting ready to leave for Vegas tomorrow for the Fall Nationals.....

Ling yes I am a new member and am from Illinois. For someone who is asking about the seminoles???? you sure seem to know alot. Wonder why that is??
I am really sick of everyone busting everyone else's b***s. You know what? Leave the kids alone. If you are unaware KIDS do READ THIS. Most of the posts berating teams are usually from parents that are not happy with their own situation based on what happened during a game or season. Life is too short to spend hours on end sparking up unneeded discussions about 14-15 year old kids who have a whole life ahead of them to prove who they are. At this level you can't predict what will happen 3 years down the road(75% of the time.) Leave the so-called "elite" teams or whatever anyone would like to call them because they have excellent season records and above average players alone. These kids are out to play baseball for the best programs in their area and against the best competition. They just want to become better athletes and maybe have a future at the sport they love to play. It's called good sportsmanship. And for kids jumping across state lines? Who cares if their parents are willing to drive or fly or take a train to allow their child to play for a good team, then so what? If they have the finances good for them. Don't forget parents usually do anything for their kid. Parents usually want their child to have the best opportunities out there and if that is playing for an "elite?" team then so be it. Leave them alone. Let's keep these discussion boards to friendly competition and communication. My son actually laughs at you adults who beat up on the kids through your hostile words. He reads it for entertainment because he usually can figure out who the face is behind the mask. Don't live through your child, make your child's world about them. At this point in a kid's life you never can tell what will happen. They are just starting high school and paths may lead in other directions. I have never posted a message on any message board because this is just a bunch of bull. (this is where our free speech gets you) well more power to you. If you guys feel big and mighty because you can downgrade teenagers you have bigger problems then you may think. I am sure many people agree with me on this one and I thought I would finally say my peace. I do NOT go around tooting my son's horn. If he would like to toot it himself he can because he has the stats and talent to back it up. But sometimes being quiet can be deadly.

Ling, Sorry that you took everything I said so personally. I didn't mean for the whole entire post to be directed towards you just the first couple of sentences. I was just venting in general after reading a few of the posts in the thread. I don't believe that my comments are way off, but that's just my opinion. Everyone has one you know. Have a great day.

Nice to hear an unbiased opinion Ling. As my idol Bill O'Reilly says, "This is the no spin zone". Keep up the posts, no matter who mis-interprets them.

Ling, or should we say...Tuzigoot...?
Nice to see you reinvent yourself after being exposed by Il2008.But, multiple identities was what you accused others of wasn't it? How "out of this world" Say hello to Carl and Judge Landis.

Seminole 1 , I think what ling meant to say was that the seminoles never practiced during the season . Wasnt talking about off season workouts . No practices during the week, just games. Not taking a shot at anyone..just stating a fact.

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