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College Baseball Recruiting - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Monday (Sept. 29, 2003)

NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA TIE FOR NO. 1 IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL'S NATIONAL RECRUITING

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Universities of North Carolina and South Carolina are ranked No. 1 nationally in Collegiate Baseball newspaper's 21st annual rundown on top NCAA Division I baseball recruiting classes.

 

It marks the first time in 21 years of compiling the rankings that either South Carolina or North Carolina have been ranked No. 1 in the nation in Collegiate Baseball’s compilations.

 

The Tar Heels feature a star-studded class of 10 new players which includes 8 freshmen, one junior college transfer and a 4-year college transfer.

 

The class includes:

• LHP Andrew Miller, Buccholz H.S. (Gainesville, Fla.), third round pick of Tampa Bay last June.

• RHP Daniel Bard, Christian H.S. (Charlotte, N.C.), 20th round pick of the Yankees.

• C Trent Kline, W. York H.S. (York, PA), 39th round pick of the Expos.

• LHP Brody Taylor, Louisburg J.C. (Louisburg, N.C.), 42nd round pick by the Diamondbacks.

• OF Marshall Hubbard, transfer from William & Mary who was named Coastal Plain League Player of The Year.

• SS Craig Corrado, Tampa Catholic H.S. (Tampa, Fla.), All-American, All-State.

• RHP Robert Woodard, Myers Park H.S. (Charlotte, N.C.), All-State.

• 3B/SS Jay Cox, Smithfield Selma H.S. (Clayton, N.C.), All-State.

• 3B/OF Brack Massey, Greenville Rose (Greenville, N.C.), All-State.

• RHP Rob Wooten, CB Aycock H.S. (Pikeville, N.C.), All-State.

 

"Andrew Miller headlined a deep and talented class," said North Carolina Recruiting Coordinator Chad Holbrook. "He was projected to be a first round pick but fell to the third round because of signing bonus demands. Daniel Bard was projected to be a (first round) sandwich pick but fell to the 20th round because of bonus demands. He starred for Team USA this summer. Trent Kline is one of the best high school catchers that showed up on a college campus. Craig Corrado was voted by some as the eighth best high school shortstop in the nation. Not many of the top 10 shortstops showed up on college campuses this fall. We were very fortunate Marshall Hubbard transferred in from William & Mary. He should step in to the middle of our lineup. He was Coastal Plain League MVP this past summer. Also, Brody Taylor was one of the best lefthanded junior college players in the country."

 

Tar Heel Head Coach Mike Fox said he was extremely pleased with his recruiting class.

"Obviously we are all very excited," said Fox.

"We have 10 quality young men who are now in our program. I have always felt that recruiting classes should be judged three years later — not when they arrive on campus. It is always such a huge transition from high school to play at this level along with many other factors, including academics, being away from home and so on. It is not just about talent.

 

"But I feel good about these young men. On paper, this class is probably the best we have brought in at North Carolina since I have been with the program. But I don’t want to do a disservice to the other fine players we have brought in previously. They were all very fine players as well. We truly met all our needs with this class. We signed a good catcher, third baseman, shortstop and some great pitchers. Again, time will tell how these guys adjust to this level of competition. We are thrilled to have all of them."

 

The South Carolina Gamecocks landed 19 quality players. The class includes 10 pitchers, four outfielders, three infielders, a first baseman and a catcher.

 

There were six drafted players, the Florida J.C. Player of The Year, two junior college All-Americans, five first team All-State Florida junior college players, one junior Team USA member, seven JC All Conference players and eight All State high school players.

 

"On paper, this may be our top class at South Carolina," said Recruiting Coordinator Jim Toman. "We are hopeful that this class is good enough to lead us to our third straight College World Series appearance."

 

Headliners include:

• RHP Billy Buckner, Young Harris College (Ga.), 9th round pick of Tampa Bay.

• OF Steven Reinhold, Tuscola H.S. (Waynesville, N.C.), 13th round pick of Cleveland.

• INF David Cash, Northside Christian H.S. (Odessa, Fla.), 21st round pick of Baltimore.

• INF Steve Pearce, Indian River C.C. (Fla.), 45th round pick of Minnesota.

• RHP Jason Fletcher, Indian River C.C. (Fla), 23rd round pick of Philadelphia.

• OF Brendan Winn, St. Pete J.C. (Fla.), 39th round pick of Mets.

• RHP Chad Blackwell, Pensacola J.C. (Fla.), 1st team J.C. All Conference.

• LHP Arik Hempy, Garner H.S. (Raleigh, N.C.), All-State.

• OF Jon Willard, Green Hope H.S. (Morrisville, N.C.), All-State, USA Junior Team.

• RHP Harris Honeycutt, Fuquay-Varina H.S. (N.C.), All-State.

• INF Tommy King, Apopka H.S. (Mt. Dora, Fla.), All-State.

• RHP Dan Luczak, Brookfield East H.S. (Brookfield, Wisc.), All-State.

• RHP Zac McCamie, Seminole C.C. (Fla.), Conference Pitcher of Year.

• RHP Andrew Cruse, Hopewell H.S. (Cornelius, N.C.), All-Conference.

• 1B Billy Simpson, Carle Place H.S. (Old Westbury, N.Y.), All-State.

The following is the top 30 rankings of  NCAA Division I recruiting classes for 2003 as determined by the staff of Collegiate Baseball newspaper. To obtain a complete rundown on the top 10 recruiting classes, subscribe to Collegiate Baseball.

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