Class of 07

It's time to start talking about the best players in the class of 2007.

 

Top Talent In Raleigh Area

Here are a couple of Juniors that have D-1 ability:

Tyler Wood - RHP - 6'2 - Middle Creek High School - Played State Games last year as a sophomore. Explosive fastball 86-90, Good contol of the curve and solid change up. Currently 4-0, competing in the tough Tri-7 conference. Hits 4th for the Mustangs and has homerun power.

Cory Carver - RHP - Fuquay Varina High School - One of the best true pitchers I have seen compete this year. 83-86 with the fastball. Controls four pitches very well and keeps batters off balance.

Michael Knox - 1B - Apex High School - Extreamly fast hands with power to all fields. Bats 3-4 in Apex order, Hits for average with homerun power.

Quincey Latimore - OF - Middle Creek High School - Outstanding fielder, gets great reads off bat, Andrew Jones like. Played in the State Games last year as a sophomore. Extreamly fast, runs in the 6.8 - 6.9 range. Has fast hands at the plate and has homerun power.

Michael Rooney - IF - Cary High School - Roony has some of the best hands in the area. Very good fielder with good arm. Bats first in the Cary line up. Good gap to gap power and has above average speed.

 

Stephen Mullis, the first baseman at West Meck, will be one of the best in Charlotte by next year. He'll be in his 4th year on the varsity team, and he has one of the prettiest strokes I have ever seen.

 

Jacob Moore - LHP - West Stokes. Alright thrown two no-hitters this year. 3-0 record. Was only allowed to pitch 3 innings in another game and had a no-hitter through 3 but got a no decision when the other pitchers gave up some runs.

 

You also can't mention the class of 07 without mentioned Keegan Linza from North Rowan. He's a right handed pitcher, throws pretty hard, nice breaking ball, and he's added a cutter this year. His mechanics are great and he has a great work ethic. Football season (he plays QB) ended and 2 weeks later he was throwing to get in shape for baseball.

 

07 Players

I have got a couple worth mentioning....

Madison Bumgarner- South Caldwell High School- Big, strong left-hander who throws in low 90's with excellent control and has good off speed. Do not see this kid playing D-1 ball though....because of the little leage called...the Majors. This kid can bring it, best 07 pitcher I have seen. Not only can he pitch, he can hit, TONS of power and a good contact hitter. He is a kid worth watching.
Trent Rothlin- Fred T. Foard High School- Already committed to Clemson University as a pitcher. Has a great arm, can throw in low 90's with a very very nasty slide piece. Very good control and great makings for a good pitcher.
Derek Boliek- Hickory High School- Can play anywhere in the infield, great glove, great range, and a great arm, but his fielding is not the best part of his game. This kid can HIT. Hit over .450 as a sophomore and is curently hitting around .580 right now. He is hurt due to surgery to repair a hernia, but is expected to be back next week, he has missed two games so far. One of the best opposite field hitters I have seen, and also has some power. Has two homeruns this year and Hickory High has one of the longest fields in the state. Incredible speed as well-runs a 6.8 60yd and 4.25 from home to first. Another kid that is worth watching.

 

Jon Ray

I was in attendance at the Phs @ Reagan game expecting a blowout but not from Parkland. Reagan got 3 hits all night. Junior 3rd baseman Jon Ray (PHS) #4 had a compact swing and was able to drive the ball to all fields. Not to mention hitting 2 balls over, one to right and one to center that were mashed. He also added a double and a single. From what I heard he was an 07' grad. Also had a plus arm across the diamond. Has anyone seen this kid play?

 

Stamper, Sapp, Jacobs

:229031_ha Some other names i've seen besides the usuals:

Jon Stamper: Very good center fielder with alot of speed, unfortunately has an arm injury now but is still helping West Forsyth with his bat as a DH: he can hit with power to all fields and is very quick. Also heard he's not to bad at football!

Matt Sapp: SS at West Forsyth: Hits in the lead off spot and always finds his way on base, and more times then not steals second. Also an above average fielder with a good arm.

Chris Jacobs: 1B Glenn High School: Wow! This is a big boy with plenty of power from the right side. He hits the baseball hard everytime and plays a pretty mean 1st Base for the Bobcats. p.s also a two sport star on the hardwood.

:229031_ha

 

Cary's Rooney is a senior

Cary's Rooney is a senior. Great kid and I hope he gets to play at next level.

 

Here are a few of the Charlotte area guys to watch...I know I'm not getting them all, these are the ones I have seen play the last few weeks:

David Mailman - plays at Providence HS. Very talented left handed pitcher / first baseman....and the kid can "crush" the ball. Has verbally committed to Wake Forest.

Matt Crump - plays at Butler HS. Big strong catcher with solid pop time to 2nd and a lot of pop in his bat. Matt has the ability to be one of the top catchers in NC next year.

Doug Jones - plays at South Meck HS. Need to watch out for this kid. Middle infielder with soft hands and strong arm. He is starting at 2nd base this year....will probably get a shot at short next year since SM is losing Senior Chase Austin. Doug has good speed and can swing the bat.

Jesse Miller - another kid playing at South Meck you don't hear a lot about. He is starting in center field...he will probably move back in as a middle infielder next year. He's got a lot of pop in his bat and can run like a deer.

Brent Lalas - plays outfield for South Meck. Currently leading the team in hitting...average over .400. Good speed and swings the stick well.

I know this is the "07 bunch" but two Sophmores to keep an eye on are:

Nate Cudney from Myers Park: Lefy pitcher / 1B that is going to be a player.

Jordan Darnell from South Meck: 6'3" right handed pitcher / 3B that can already bring it...he can hit a little too.