Verbal Commitments for 2005 Class

Since I dropped the words "Out of College" I thought I would add this ...

As far as the pro's go, this could be a very small recruiting class this year. There is only 1 clear choice for a top-round draft pick (Cameron Maybin). There are 2-4 who may go lower (8-12th rounds) and a few will go in the late rounds (possibly after the 30th or even later). The biggest barrier to being drafted is the level of commitment to attending college (after talent). Some of the best players are the best students so they may not be signable and remain undrafted (why waste a pick).

I personally see just 2 guys actually having their names called on Day #1. Maybin is obvious. The 2nd guy called probably won't be the 2nd best player in the state ... it will be a Tier-2 player who isn't as committed to attending college. I expect it will be after the 8th round.

Things change quickly in HS ball, particularly in pitchers. A guy can explode on the scene with a 93-94 MPH fastball who has had a big increase in velocity between his junior/senior years and change everything. Another guy can drop 2-3 MPH because he's already committed and didn't work as hard over the winter and drop from a "possible pick" to a "never mind".

We'll go over the draft in May. No reason to do it earlier as too much changes between now and then. Expect a big raiding of the Carolina colleges but only a few from the HS ranks (and more from SC & VA than from NC). NC, this year, is loaded with good college-level players ... lots of them ... but so far, very few guys who could/should go straight pro.

 

Two more locals commit !!!!!!

Blake Ketner, RHP, NW Cabarrus to Catawba College
Ryan Query, C, AL Brown to Catawba College

We've played with/against both of these guys for years and have been anxiously waiting to hear where they were going .....

Not too many guys have committed thus far out of the NPC ... It's great to hear about these two !!!!!

 

The Son

Just a note on TJ Worrell:

The kid gets it done. I played with him for 3 years at South and 1 summer and fall. He was throwing in the high 80's and touching 92-93 in the summer before his junior year and then it started to go down. The whole time I played with him his arm was hurt. This injury was with him the entire time. It just got bad his junior year. He was that good with a hurt arm. Think whathe might be like with a strong, healthy arm. $$. He might have told me twice that his arm hurt and that was us talking as friends. I could tell it hurt but he wanted to be the man on the pump with the ball when it was game time. He won't back down but knows when to shut it down and it finally got to be to much. The kid will be a great pick up for the college he chooses. That is one guy that always had my back and picked me up when something happened. Get talent but an even better person. Always there for you to talk to.

WATCH OUT because he will be on the prowl this year. Good luck man.

 

I was fortunate to watch Blake Ketner pitch a number of times for the Copperheads 18U this fall and feel Catawba is fortunate to be getting such a fine player. Garrett Sherrill also pitched for the Copperheads 18U and I after watching him all fall I agree with NCBBallFan that he has a big upside being 6'5" and slender, he can fill out and develop greatly.

Another pitcher that I felt was really strong for the Copperheads was Matt Killan (Central Cabarrus). Has anyone heard whether or not he has committed to a school?

 

I haven't heard a word out of any of the Central Cabarrus folks all fall. I wish one of them would sign on and update us. I know they read the board because some of them have told me so in person, but none of them will post.

If you don't want to post something yourself, sign on and send a private message to one of us ... we'll be happy to post the information (and hide the source if you wish).

 

great topics.........as far as the draft goes there are several players whose stock has risen this fall. Some of course more than others. The 3 pitchers who I(IMO) call Tier 2 pitchers in NC are Josh Dowdy, Drew Taylor, and Adam Warren. These 3 you might not even see drafted at all in June because of the issue of signability. It will take a significant amount of $$$$ for any of these 3 to bypass college. The Spring time will take care of all these issues/questions..............But it is sure alot of fun to speculate. The position player to watch IMO is J. Synan(SS) up in Greensboro. That Left handed swing is pretty sweet!!!!!

 

Baseball followers....

realize that signing HS players all are longshots and historically they do not "pan out"! You BEST investment is to take a collegiate level player who has the numbers to support his potential to play and succeed professionally! Their numbers have proven their signability as well as their potential at the next level. Risking the dollars out of HS has traditionally been very UN costworthy for MLB franchises! Nuff said. :applause:

 

Hampton is close to making a decision on where he will play baseball in college. If you know Hampton, you know that he has special skills both academically and athletically. His college choice will reflect that combination of talents. I'm sure he has already, but he will soon make his parents Wayne and Susan very proud of their son.

 

ANDRO - FAIRWEATHER

Andro....in regards to your question about Alex Fairweather of West Caldwell....he is one of my closest friends and we play on Caldwell County Post 29 together...he hasn't committed yet but it looks as if it may be down to Catawba and Pfeiffer...I will keep you up-to-date...

 

Congratulations to Ryan Query (AL Brown)

Very smart and a hard worker behind the plate.

:applause: :applause: :applause: