dp Staff – Page 258 – Diamond Prospects

Diamond Spotlight: Matthew Jolly

Diamond Spotlight – Matthew Jolly, Newberry commitment: Matthew Jolly (left) is the older sibling to enough Jolly’s to fill out an infield but also wears the responsibility of being his high school coahes son. Plenty is thrown on the shoulders of Jolly and he carries that torch well! DP-Please list any high school statistics of im… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well. Username Password Remember Me Forgot Password

Coaches Corner: Chad Amidon

DP-How many years have you been in coaching? What got you into the business? This will be my 9th year of coaching and 8th as the Recruiting Coordinator/Pitching Coach. Also, I’m proud to say that all 9 have been at the same institution. After a summer of playing Independent Baseball and re-injuring an old elbow injury, current Head Coach Kevin Nichols asked if I would hang around and help with pitchers as well as the recruiting efforts, and I have been here ever since. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to do after college. My whole life had always revolved around sports and I never thought about life after baseball. DP-What is the most rewarding thing about being a baseball coach? Watching our athletes take on the same personality traits as their coaches (which might not be a good thing). Also, watching our athletes reach levels that they didn’t think they could reach. Building a program, many people in the baseball world deemed impossible. Life long friendships, is also a great perk. DP-What does the term "coach" mean to you? For those that know me, know that I love confrontation. I don’t mean to step on toes with this answer, so I will say what I have to say with all due respect. To me the term coach means much more than teacher. As coaches we spend 20 hours a week with our athletes for 4 years not 4 hours in a week. We get calls at ALL HOURS of the day and night with problems other than math formulas. As coaches we have the ability to shape and mold young men. Not only men, but men that provide value to those around them and to there community, there has never been a player that has passed thru Erskine, that if they were to call me tomorrow with a problem that I wouldn’t try to help. Not only is a coach there for them during their 4 years we are there for them the rest of their life. I truly believe to a student-athlete after Mom and Dad, coaches are the next most influential people in their lives good or bad. No one can make me feel any different!!! DP-What is something you wish everyone knew about your profession? While coaching has great rewards it also has numerous downfalls. There are numerous arguments among households because of the immense time away from home. I hear coaches complain about the pay, I’m not sure they have any idea the level of pay that coaches receive at this level. If they did I’m sure they wouldn’t complain as much. Therefore, I have to work another job and still can’t make ends meet. So for those trying to break into the coaching ranks, plan on a 7 day a week 365 day work schedule; yes even holidays are a must. Rules state that we are allowed 20 hours a week with our athletes. The 20 hours is team related not recruiting and other behind the scene activities that must take place to have a successful program. I wish, at least at Erskine, that we were paid by the hour and had to clock in everyday, just pay us minimum wage and we’ll be golden!!! DP-We all know there is very little money in getting started in coaching at the college level yet the time involved is mind-boggling, why did you do it? As I stated earlier, my life literally has always revolved around sports. I know that is a sad statement, but it is true. In High School I was a 5 sport athlete. Sports, was the subject that ever since I could walk that my dad and I always had a connection with. So, all my life sports and especially baseball was all I knew and is probably still so today. I not sure there is another skill that I’m good enough at, to hold down another job. I was very fortunate that Coach Nichols gave me the shot that he did. Honestly, it took a pretty big set to hire a 23 year old kid to be in charge of Recruiting/Pitchers. I like to think that it has been a good trade off though. DP-How do you balance the time demands of coaching and your family? I use this easy principle. It starts with a phone call to my wife. I act very nice for the first few minutes and then I drop the bombshell to her that I’m not going to be home until very late then I wait. The next reaction I get is going to dictate whether I stay the whole game or if I get to stay for 1 or 2 AB’s. If it is going to be a week long trip I have to let her know about a year in advance so she is prepared for it (that is no exaggeration). Also, as I’ve gotten older I have learned how to work smarter not harder. I try to utilize our in state talent as much as possible. I like to think that it has work up to this point. DP-Quite a few rules have changed the recruiting game over the past 5 years. Which rule changes do you like, not like and how has it altered your approach to recruiting? I’m glad to see the NCAA do away with the 4-2-4 rule. This rule states that a player attending a four year institution (we will call this institution A) that wishes to transfer to a two institution is only eligible to transfer out of that two institution to another four institution (we will call this institution c) other than that of institution A is eligible only if they graduate from the two year institution. Even, if they were a qualifier out of high school. If you could follow the explanation of that rule then college baseball may be for you. People may not believe me, but I don’t like the roster …

All-Decade Team

Diamond Prospects All-Decade Team: 2000 – 2009 It’s only every ten years that an opportunity arises to assemble an All-Decade Team. It has been our privilege to sift through a ton of deserving players to finalize a 1st and 2nd Team! Each one of the nominees were worthy of the ‘Holy Grail’ but we were forced to narrow it down to 30 very prominant people, plus the teams and coaches that made the biggest impact on the years between 2000-2009 in each classification. Our process of labeling any one of these individuals to a team of this magnitude has been a humbing honor for DP! But so much fun to assemble too… -First Team- Pitchers (5) Matt Campbell – Hillcrest HS, South Carolina: 1st Round Draft pick by the Kansas City Royals. Had a 28-7 record at Hillcrest and posted a 20-11 record at USC. Brett Harker – Hillcrest HS, College of Charleston: C of C’s all-time leader in saves with 29. 5th Round pick by the Phillies. 4.14 career Minor League ERA. Currently in Triple-A with the Marlins. Steven Jackson – Summerville HS, Clemson: USA Today Honorable Mention selection at Summerville. 19-8 career record at Clemson. 10th Round pick by the D-Backs. Debuted in the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 2009 and posted a 3.14 ERA. Jordan Lyles – Hartsville HS, South Carolina signee: Won a State Championship in 2007. 1st Round Draft pick by the Houston Astros out of Hartsville. Named the Astros Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009. Rated the 3rd best prospect in the Astros organization in 2009. David Marchbanks – Mauldin HS, South Carolina: Named Mr. Baseball in SC in 2000. High School record of 23-6. Posted a 24-7 record at USC. Was a 7th Round pick of the Florida Marlins. Won a State Championship in 2000. Catchers (2) Dock Doyle – Conway HS, Coastal Carolina: Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee. MVP of North/South game. Hit .370 with 16 HR in his senior season at Coastal. Was a 5th Round pick by the New York Mets in 2008. Named Big South MVP in 2008. Doug Hogan – Irmo HS, Clemson: Captain at Clemson during his senior season where he hit 25 homeruns in his career. 18th Round pick by the Rangers in 2008. Played in the Arizona Fall League in 2009. First Base Justin Smoak – Stratford HS, South Carolina: Co-Mr. Baseball in 2005 with Havens. Baseball America High School All-American. Named MVP of the Cape Cod League. Hit 62 homeruns in three seasons at USC. 1st Team All-American in his Junior season. 11th overall pick by the Texas Rangers in 2008. MVP of the gold medal winning Team USA in the 2009 World Cup. Rated as the #4 prospect in the minor leagues by Baseball America. Won a State Championship in 2005 at Stratford. Middle Infield (2) Reese Havens – Bishop England HS, South Carolina: Won two State Championships (2003, 2005). Co-Mr. Baseball in 2005 with Smoak. Baseball America High School All-American. Hit .359 with 18 HR in his junior season at USC. 22nd overall pick in 2008 by the New York Mets. Christopher Owings – Gilbert HS, South Carolina signee: Won two State Championships (2006, 2008). 1st Round pick (41st overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009. Two-time AA Player of the Year. Batted .306 in his first professional season. Third Base Brandon Waring – Airport HS, Wofford: 7th Round pick by the Reds out of Wofford after setting several school records including 27 HR in 2007. Named the Carolina League (A+) MVP in 2009. Also named the Baltimore Orioles Minor League Player of the Year in 2009. Outfield (3) Brad Chalk – Riverside HS, Clemson: Won two State Championships (2003, 2004). 2004 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. Preseason First Team All-American at Clemson in 2007. Career .357 hitter for the Tigers. 2nd Round draft pick by the San Diego Padres. Hit .301 this season with the Lake Elisnore Storm (A+). Tyler Colvin – North Augusta HS, Clemson: 13th overall pick by the Cubs out of Clemson in 2006. 1st Team All-American in his Junior season with the Tigers. Debuted in the Major Leagues with the Cubs in 2009. Brett Gardner – Holly Hill HS, College of Charleston: 3rd Round pick by the Yankees out of C of C. All-time record holder in runs at C of C. Led the SoCon in stolen bases in 2005. Debuted with the Yankees in 2008 and helped win a World Series in 2009. Utility Matt Wieters – Stratford HS, Georgia Tech: All-American selection at Stratford in 2004. Two-time All-American at Georgia Tech. 5th overall pick in 2007 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2008. Rated the top prospect in the MLB in 2009. Debuted with the Orioles in 2009 and hit .288 in his rookie season. -Second Team- Pitchers (5) Drew Cisco – Wando HS, Georgia signee: Ranked as the 38th best prospect in the nation for the 2010 class by Perfect Game and #1 in South Carolina by DP. Won PG World Woodbat with the Diamond Devils and was named the tourney’s Most Outstanding Pitcher… Member of 2009 Wando’s State Runner-Up team. Jay Jackson – Christ Church HS, Furman: Named All-State in 2005. Led the SoCon with 9-1 record in 2008. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 9th Round in 2008. Was tabbed by Baseball America as the 9th best prospect in the Cubs organization in 2009. Kevin Pucetas – Broome HS, Limestone: Drafted in the 17th Round by the San Francisco Giants. Has dominated the Minor Leagues to the tune of a 42-13 career record and a 3.20 ERA. Participated in the 2008 Futures Game. Currently in AAA with the Giants and on their 40-man roster. Aaron Rawl – Lexington HS, South Carolina: All-State at Lexington. Finished with a 35-15 career record at USC. Drafted in the 21st Round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005. Won a State Championship in 1999. Adam Westmoreland – Brookland-Cayce HS, South Carolina: Named Mister DP in 2008. AAA All-State and Player of the Year. Drafted by the Dodgers in 35th Round but elected to attend USC. Had a 4-2 record in 2009. Won a …

Region Rankings: Spring 2010

-Class 4A- Region I High School W-L *Wren 9-1 -Easley 8-2 -TL Hanna 4-5 Laurens 3-6 Westside 2-7 -Greenwood 2-7 Region II High School W-L *Hillcrest 8-2 -Byrnes 5-5 -Mauldin 5-5 -Dorman 5-5 Spartanburg 4-6 Boiling Springs 3-7 Region III High School W-L *Northwestern 7-3 -Clover 6-4 -Gaffney 6-4 -York 6-4 Nation Ford 3-6 Fort Mill 2-8 Region IV High School W-L *Spring Valley 10-0 -Rock Hill 7-3 -Blythewood 6-4 -Ridge View 4-6 Lancaster 2-8 South Pointe 1-9 Region V High School W-L *White Knoll 14-0 -Lexington 10-4 -North Augusta 9-5 -Irmo 7-7 -Dutch Fork 7-7 Richland Northeast 4-10 Aiken 3-8 Orangeburg-Wilkinson 0-14 Region VI High School W-L *Sumter 9-1 -Hartsville 8-2 -South Florence 5-5 -Carolina Forest 4-6 Conway 4-6 West Florence 0-10 Region VII High School W-L *Wando 8-0 -Stratford 5-3 -James Island 4-4 Berkeley 2-6 Goose Creek 1-7 Region VIII High School W-L *Summerville 7-1 -Beaufort 6-2 -West Ashley 4-4 Fort Dorchester 3-5 Colleton County 0-8 -Class 3A- Region I High School W-L *Belton-Honea Path 9-1 -Seneca 6-4 -Daniel 6-3 Woodmont 3-6 Pickens 3-6 West Oak 1-8 Region II High School W-L *JL Mann 7-2 -Eastside 6-3 -Greenville 6-3 -Wade Hampton 6-3 Travelers Rest 1-8 Berea 1-8 Region III High School W-L *Riverside 9-1 –Blue Ridge 7-3 -Union 5-5 -Clinton 5-5 Greer 4-6 Chapman 0-10 Region IV High School W-L *Chapin 9-1 -Lugoff-Elgin 9-1 -AC Flora 6-4 -Chester 3-7 Fairfield Central 3-7 Lower Richland 0-10 Region V High School W-L *Airport 9-1 -Brookland-Cayce 7-3 -South Aiken 5-4 –Dreher 4-5 Swansea 3-7 Midland Valley 1-9 Region VI High School W-L *Marlboro County 9-1 -Camden 7-3 -Darlington 6-3 Lakewood —- -Wilson 4-4 Crestwood 2-7 Region VII High School W-L *St. James 8-1 -Lake City 8-2 -Socastee 7-3 -Myrtle Beach 3-7 Georgetown 2-7 N. Myrtle Beach 1-9 Region VIII High School W-L *Hilton Head 8-2 -Bluffton 8-2 -Battery Creek 5-5 -Lake Marion 5-5 Stall 4-6 North Charleston 0-10 –Class 2A- Region I High School W-L *Walhalla 8-2 -Pendleton 7-3 -Emerald 6-4 -Abbeville 5-5 Liberty 4-6 Crescent 0-10 Region II High School W-L –Chesnee 7-0 -Palmetto 4-1 Broome 1-2 Woodruff 1-4 Southside 0-2 Carolina 0-4 Region III High School W-L *Mid Carolina 9-0 -Gilbert 6-3 Batesburg-Leesville 4-5 Saluda 4-5 Strom Thurmond 4-5 Newberry 0-9 Region IV High School W-L Columbia 2-0 Andrew Jackson 0-0 Eau Claire 0-0 Central 0-0 Keenan 0-1 Lee Central 0-1 Region V High School W-L *Wade Hampton 8-2 -Barnwell 7-3 -Pelion 6-4 -Silver Bluff 5-5 Edisto 4-6 Ridgeland 0-10 Region VI High School W-L *Bishop England 8-0 -Ashley Ridge 5-3 –Cane Bay 4-4 -Woodland 3-5 Burke 0-8 Garrett 0-0 Region VII High School W-L *Hanahan 9-1 -Waccamaw 8-2 -Timberland 6-4 -Andrews 4-6 Manning 3-7 Kingstree 0-10 Region VIII High School W-L -Dillon 7-2 -Cheraw 8-2 -Marion 6-3 Aynor 3-7 Loris 3-6 Mullins 1-8 -Class 1A- Region I High School W-L *Ninety-Six 10-0 -Ware Shoals 6-3 -Dixie 6-2 Calhoun Falls 3-6 Brashier 4-5 Tamassee Salem 2-7 McCormick 0-11 Region II High School W-L *Christ Church 8-2 -Landrum 6-3 -Blacksburg 5-3 -Southside Christian 4-3 Whitmire 1-7 Greenville Charter 1-7 Region III High School W-L *Lewisville 10-1 Great Falls 5-4 Chesterfield 4-5 Buford 3-3 Indian Land 3-6 North Central 3-6 McBee 1-9 Region IV High School W-L *Fox Creek 13-1 -Williston-Elko 12-2 -Wagner-Salley 11-3 -Ridge Spring-Monetta 8-6 North 0-0 Blackville-Hilda 0-0 H.K.T. 0-0 CA Johnson 0-0 Region V High School W-L Bamberg-Ehrhardt 0-0 Branchville 0-0 Calhoun County 0-0 Bethune-Bowman 0-0 Allendale-Fairfax 0-0 Denmark-Olar 0-0 Estill 0-0 Region VI High School W-L Military Magnet 6-3 Academic Magnet 1-0 Cross 0-0 Hardeeville 0-1 Lincoln 0-0 Baptist Hill 0-2 St. Johns 0-2 Region VII High School W-L Lamar 0-0 Hannah-Pamplico 0-0 East Clarendon 0-0 Timmonsville 0-0 CE Murray 0-0 Scotts Branch 0-0 Region VIII High School W-L *Johnsonville 10-0 Lake View 8-2 Latta 8-3 Carvers Bay 4-5 Hemingway 2-6 Green Sea-Floyds 2-9 Creek Bridge 1-10 – Clinched playoff berth * Region Champions DP Notes: The W-L column represents team’s Region Record To submit records, please email Sterling Dye at: [email protected] Updated: 4/26 5:40 pm

Diamond King Watch List: 2010

-Pitchers- Name High School Class W-L ERA SV IP H BB SO xTaylor Alvarez Chapin 2011 7-5 2.90 1 55.1 48 19 57 xJosh Bowers Rock Hill 2010 9-1 1.60 1 61.1 47 26 79 xJesse Brewer Rock Hill 2010 5-5… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

Jason’s Little Play Page

Picture Link ‘ Create Table

Spring Preview: Batesburg-Leesville Panthers

By: Matt Covington – January 11, 2010 The 2010 version of the Batesburg-Leesville Panthers baseball team is one that will see every starter return from a 2009 squad that went 18-8 and fell to Walhalla in the District 1 finals. The Panthers finished third (6-4) in Region III-AA in 2009, losing two games apiece to Mid-Carolina and Gilbert. Al… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

Spring Preview: Greenwood Eagles

By: Brad Richardson – January 11, 2010 We are excited about this upcoming season and hope to contend for the region championship. We return seven starters from last seasons team that finished 3rd in Region 1 AAAA. Our pitching should be our strength with 3 of 4 regular starters returning. Nathan Bridges, (Sr) committed to Wofford, should… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

Spring Preview: Barwell Warhorses

By: Joel Vaughn – January 8, 2010 The 2010 Barnwell Warhorse Baseball team returns eight players from a 2009 team that finished (13-7) overall, (9-1) in Region V-AA, and won a fourth consecutive Region V-AA title. Key returners are as follows: Dylan Griffith, Trey Still, William Johnson, Tyler Boyleston, Willie Williamson, Jamie Strock… The new DP website is here. For all the great DP content, subscribe. If you have any login/subscription issues, please contact our support team. Your feedback on the new experience is appreciated as well.

Diamond Devils – Cyclones

Diamond Devils and Cyclones Shock Travel Baseball World with Merger: In a move that nobody anticipated, the long heralded South Carolina Diamond Devils have combined forces with the South Carolina Cyclones. The teams will play under the veteran standing Diamond Devils name, which is now entering their 16th year in the AAU/Travel Baseball Circuit. The Cyclones bring players from four different states and arguably the top talent pool in the United States to the Diamond Devils with five national championships under their belt and freshly coming off a 3rd place finish in the World Wood Bat Championships in Jupiter, FL this past October. The Diamond Devil program has produced over 400 college baseball players and more than 100 professional players including 6 first round draft choices in the MLB draft.