footmaster

BACK ON TOPIC: I threw it out there earlier, but the thread got sidetracked... Purnell and Ziegelmeyer are my picks to have a "big" season. Who do you have?

I like to see kids play multiple sports, because different sports require different skill sets. It can help develop a kid into a better overall athlete. Also, studies have shown that the more kids specialize in one sport...the more they are prone to over-use injuries... Especially true of pitchers. But, like a lot of things...it depends on the individual and their goals. I wouldn't be so bold to say multiple sports are best for everyone... But, if it were my kids, I'd want them to at least do two sports. If nothing else...it can keep them from getting mentally burned out.

Yep, good job Ben!

Meaning they will hire a good coach...

CCH will bounce back...

I didn't get to see the Camels during their high school season, but I did see them in Fall a couple of times. They did look pretty good... And as you said, surely didn't have all their "regulars". I expect they'll have a pretty solid season for sure. Good team.

Well, you obviously know nothing about college baseball recruiting. The "site" in question is NCSA which is as credible as it gets. They, along with PBR, FieldLevel, Perfect Game, Baseball Factory and others are well respected by college coaches. Baseball is not like football...they don't want game footage to evaluate in baseball...they want "skills" video. I.e. Taking infield, taking BP, etc. It doesn't matter if it's a cage in a backyard, or a cage at a fancy facility or a wide open baseball field.... It's still going to be BP footage of a kid that is getting "live" pitching from a guy behind an L-screen that is 40-50 ft away. You mentioned Combs...great player. I've seen his PBR footage. Guess what? He takes BP and infield on film... So coaches can evaluate his skills. Every now and then you'll see game footage for a pitcher, but even most pitcher videos are of a kid throwing to a catcher...no batter involved. Again, they're looking at mechanics and skills. I've never even seen PBR film their games before. They always film BP and players taking infield and outfield work. I believe they do film their pitchers from behind the plate in their games though. Makes sense, you can be a position player and never get a ball hit your way. Anyway, search NCSA and other sites that I mentioned. The kids are providing "skills" videos. I actually saw a "top recruit" from California that was drafted out of high school in the first round. His "hitting" video was a guy in a cage soft tossing to him and hitting into a net 10 feet away. Bottom line: NCSA, PBR, FieldLevel, Baseball Factory, Perfect Game, etc are very credible. I personally know some people affiliated with some of these companies and I know how serious they take it. They verify everything that is posted. They care about their reputation too much. What Panther 15 saw was a simple mistake on some past seasonal batting averages. Example: one summer season had a .532 batting average. In the hits column it said 34... And 12 doubles and 4 triples... 94 at bats. Well 34 hits in 94 at bats is only a .362 avg. But using common sense I thought, what if they mistakenly used the "hits" column as just singles... Guess what? It adds up. 34 singles plus 12 doubles plus 4 triples = 50 hits... 50 hits in 94 at bats is .532 avg When I did that same thing in any other season that looked "off", it worked every time. Simple mistake that I'm sure the kid will fix. Keep in mind these are kids too... But like I said, NCSA and the other companies "verify" everything. It's their job. Their "rep" is on the line. Sorry to be insanely long-winded, but you struck a nerve. I know how hard NCSA and PBR and others work for these kids... And I respect the hell out of them.

Couldn't agree more... Well said.

Bingo... Hard to be fair to refs when you have a rooting interest.

A couple of kids that get my "breakout year" vote: Purnell Ziegelmeyer

Regarding these kids... And keep in mind, not all of these were necessarily final season stats... Just the stats as I pulled them last May 15th... Anyway, out of the kids in this group or (even kids whose stats I couldn't find)... Do you expect a better or "breakout" season from anyone in particular? I expect all these kids will do great, but someone is bound to surpass our expectations.

Oh yeah, I see what they did wrong on a couple of those batting averages... They didn't include the extra base hits in the "hit" column. It's like that was singles and then you add the extra base hits and when you divide that, the BA is correct. I'm sure someone from his circle will see this and he'll be able to fix it. Good eye man.

Yeah I didn't check the other years because the only stats I actually knew I could cross check we're last swason's varsity through Cincinnati.com.. But I'm with you, I love seeing big talent at small schools. Bellevue has some good players too... And Kevin Gray is just going to keep pushing Ludlow to be better each year. I'm happy for their program having Kevin in place.

You are correct... And 26 hits divided by 72 AB is .361

The following were the stats that I pulled last season from Cincinnati.com on May 15th... When you cross reference Slone's stats on the NCSA page.. They're pretty spot on. Hitting: Braydon Combs - 80AB , 23 runs, 40 hits, 12 2b, 0 3b, 4 hr, 29 RBI, 3 sb, .524 obp, .500 avg Brett Slusher- 60 AB, 23 runs, 29 hits, 6 2b, 3 3b, 1 hr, 22 RBI, 17 sb, .551 obp, .483 avg Will Heppler - 90 AB, 17 runs, 40 hits, 4 2b, 0 3b, 0 hr, 24 RBI, 0 sb, .505 obp, .444 avg Evan Slone - 72 AB, 16 runs, 26 hits, 3 2b, 3 3b, 1 hr, 21 RBI, 7 sb, .408 obp, .361 avg Ethan Stringer - 76 AB, 27 runs, 27 hits, 7 2b, 3 3b, 1 hr, 19 RBI, 8 sb, .412 obp, .355 avg Jeffrey Purnell - 64 AB, 14 runs, 21 hits, 2 2b, 1 3b, 0 hr, 12 RBI, 1 sb, .371 obp, .328 avg Pitching: Evan Slone - 28 ip, 4 wins, 1 loss, 27 strikeouts, 1.06 whip, 1.73 era Jeffrey Purnell - 21 ip, 1 win, 1 loss, 23 strikeouts, 0.78 whip, 1.29 era

I'd assume they get stats from coaches or newspapers... What's the error?

You are 100% correct... To add to that.... A lot of quality players that don't want to sit for a year or two will choose an NAIA or D2 over a D1... It all depends on the individual situation.

Absolutely, there'll be some bigger numbers and bigger names at that one. A lot of the kids at this event were first timers for PBR... I think the highest pitching velocity at this event was 83mph.

Goodridge and Louden both made PBR top pitcher velocity list for the event at 78mph.

These NKY juniors will be at the PBR Winter Prospect Showcase this weekend: Alex Goodridge - Ryle Dawson Hogan - Campbell Co Andrew Louden - Ryle

Yep, a lot of people don't realize how weird college baseball can be... There are several JUCO baseball programs that are stronger than many D1 programs. As you said, there are a lot of strong NAIA programs out there. That's why many of these kids will get interest from schools in every "level". As a norm, even if that's possible to say... Lol! I'd say in general the order would go D1, D2 and NAIA, then D3... But JUCO is all over the map... Top notch programs and weaker ones. NAIA can be really varied too... Really strong competition mixed with weaker programs as well. That's why it's so important IMO that a kid really look into the program that's recruiting him (and how he fits into their plans) more so than which division it competes in. Definitely can be confusing.

Trame was mentioned, but I haven't heard about Seay before... I will def be keeping an eye out for him. Sounds like a good player.

Cool, I wanna get out and see him play this season.

Will is good in basketball too, right? Do you have any idea if he has a better chance or more interest to play baseball or basketball in college?

I have heard he does indeed have several NAIA and D3 schools showing interest in him... Even heard a few D1 and D2 schools are keeping tabs on him as well. It'll be interesting to see where Slone ends up when it's all said and done. These young men have to factor in what schools are best for them academically and financially also. Ricky Raisor is another kid who will be interesting to follow as I've heard he's pretty much promoting himself as a "pitcher only" prospect to colleges. Not sure if that's completely by his choice or if it's just how his role is naturally shaping up at Highlands and into the future.