Charlotte-Area Alums Playing in College

It would be great to get some reports on Charlotte area guys playing in college -- what kind of starts are they having? Who's getting to play? Are they happy?

I'll start with some stats on the guys in Chapel Hill.

For you South Meck fans it sounds like freshman Mike Daniel is already being heralded as one of the next great ones in Chapel Hill. He's off to a great start for the 5-0 Tar Heels, starting in CF, hitting .364, including a home run, chasing down balls all over the outfield, and stealing bases (2 for 2 so far). Good for him.

Senior Sean Farrell (Charlotte Latin) is off to another all-ACC fast start -- hitting .421 with 6 rbis. Sean is one guy who has never gotten the credit he deserves for his fine play at UNC. He has also turned himself into a quality left fielder. I sure hope he gets his due this year.

Sophomore Greg Mangum (East Meck) is also off to a fine start -- taking over from departed 1st round pick Russ Adams, Greg is hitting .333 and is errorless in his 12 chances defensively.

Sophomore Mike Griffin (Providence) has a hit and an rbi in his only at bat -- he may push sophomore Chris Ianetta for the starting catcher role if Ianetta doesn't pick it up at the plate.

Freshman Jonathon Hovis (Gastonia Forestview) has one appearance so far, giving up one hit in 1 2/3 innings of middle relief.

Junior Jason King (West Meck, rhp) has not yet appeared but is on the roster.

Congratulations to all these players, their families and their youth and high school coaches. :applause: :applause: :applause:

It has not been long ago when there were no Charlotte area players on the Tar Heel roster. With 6 guys on the current roster and three more headed there next year -- Robert Woodard (Myers Park), Daniel Bard (Charlotte Christian), and Tyler White (East Meck), this certainly tells all that Charlotte-area baseball is on the rise.

Fill us in on all the other guys out there -- there are so many of them now.

:aorangeha

 

Matt Camp (South Point) was headed off to play at Spartanburg Methodist until Senior State Games last year, until NC State signed him. Starting in outfield for now, will be short stop of future. Already hitting very well, stealing bases. Not bad for an unrecruited second baseman.

Matt Wiley @ Lenoir Rhyne seems to be finding his stroke. His BA is coming up every game as he adjusts to life in college.

Craig Gesslein @ Lenior Rhyne seems to be struggling a little, but is getting his swings. Could this be a case of others expectations putting undo pressure on a freshman.

Paul Bennett @ Elon, BA .214

Matt Chaistain @ Elon, 3 appearances, 6 innings, 1.5 ERA

Kevin Pratt and Chad Tilley @ Elon, no appearances yet

Jordan Taylor (Independence 2001) @ Pfeiffer starting in right field .444 BA

Mark Schleicher (Providence) @ Pfeiffer starting shortstop .394 BA and 5 home runs.

Paul Dover @ Pfeiffer no appearances

 

This is becoming a true UNC @ Charlotte team

I'll take those 9 guys and play anyone

 

Union Co. alum playing in college

A guy that a lot of people may not know about is AJ Davidiuk. AJ, who is a freshman, is the starting shortstop for Furman this year and recently went 4-5 against NC State. AJ played at Sun Valley in the SPC and only struck out 1 or 2 all season long. Keep a eye on him.

 

This area has had good high school talent for the past several years, and it's great to see a lot of them getting the chance to continue their baseball careers at the college level. It's also nice to be able to follow these guys on the Internet to see how they're doing. A lot of them are off to good starts so far, and Camp, Gesslein, Bennett, Daniel and Wiley are all starting as freshmen. The Charlotte area players at Lenoir-Rhyne, Andrew "Coop" Cooper (East Gaston), Brian Neill (South Meck), Craig Gesslein (Independence), and Matt Wiley (West Charlotte), are all getting plenty of playing time as the team works to establish a starting lineup and batting order as they begin conference play next weekend. Brian Neill (.310) is off to a good start in right field, having moved from the number 8-9 spot in the order at the beginning of the season to number 2. Hit a homer against Pfeiffer, his first since rec ball. The three freshmen have all adjusted well to college life and are getting plenty of playing time. Coop (1-0) is number 4-5 in the starting pitching rotation behind three upperclassmen, and has pitched well in two starts. He'll probably get another start this weekend. He had 7k's in an 8-4 win this week against Milligan. Wiley (.265) has been steady at the plate hitting in the 5-7 spot in the order, finding that those multiple hit games in high school are not as easy to come by in college. Gesslein was mashing in pre-season, but has struggled so far. He's seeing a lot of breaking balls and needs to show more patience and discipline at the plate on his pitch selection. He'll break out of his slump in time for conference play.

 

As context for this discussion, as recently as 3 years ago, there were only 2 Charlotte players playing for ACC teams!

In my opinion, some fundamental, positive changes have taken place in this area over the last 5-10 years: ones that ought to keep area player participation levels in college high indefinitely.

 

I agree Prepster. What do you think those changes were? and who initiated them?

 

I think the increase in the number of college players from the Charlotte area in recent years can be attributed to the following:

1. Within the last 10 years, baseball has become a year round sport. Up until then, baseball season was pretty much of a February through July thing. About ten years ago, many of the rec leagues expanded their programs to include fall baseball, then came the AAU's, the "On Decks", the "Extra Innings", and things of this nature. I would almost bet that many of your college players today from this area are a part of this "first generation" that began playing and working on their game when it became a year round sport.

2. As a result of the increase in year round opportunity for player development, the "network" between college coaches and coaches of your high schools, traveling teams, and your player development academies has grown tremendously, giving players more exposure. Many of the coaches today are former college players, professional scouts, and you even have some who were fortunate enough to play pro ball. They all talk to each other.

 

How about Zack Ward, from Kannapolis? A couple of weeks ago he was named Southeast Region player of the week by Collegiate Baseball Insiders. He's been pitching very well for Gardner-Webb.

 

Jimbo Davis, Aaron Rimer(North Rowan), and Nick Lefco(East Rowan) are all doing well at Catawba College. Rimer and Lefco are starting in the outfield and Davis is DHiing. All three are true freshmen and started in the outfield for Rowan County American Legion team last year.