dp Staff

  Brett Harker was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. When he was two years old, his grandfather taught him how to play baseball, and from that point on he knew that was what he was meant to do. He can remember in grade school when he was a child and his teacher would ask him what do you want to do when he grew up, he always answered “A baseball player”. Harker said, “They would always give a big smile and say ‘that’s great but not many people get to play baseball for a living, so you should have a back-up plan.’” Well, the good news is they were wrong, he went after his dream, and now, according to Harker, “Thanks to the big man upstairs–I’m living it.” DP-Please list any college/pro statistics of importance, awards won: BH-Philadelphia Phillies 5th round draft pick in 2005, 2005 Lousville Slugger All-American, 2005 Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year, 2004-2005 First Team All-Southern Conference, All-time saves leader for a season (15) at the College of Charleston, All-time saves leader for a career (29) at the College of Charleston, All-time career saves leader for the Southern Conference (29), Went 5-0 with 15 saves (third in the country) in 2005, Three-time Pitcher of the Week in the Southern Conference, Southern Conference Pitcher of the month DP-Please list any major high school accolades: BH-All-State South Carolina 2002, North Carolina versus South Carolina all-star game MVP in 2002. All-Region 2002.   DP-What is your greatest high school thrill? BH-My greatest thrill was the last high school game I ever got to pitch in. I couldn’t have written a better script. I played for Hillcrest High School and we were playing Mauldin High (our cross town rivals) in an elimination game in the playoffs. They had beaten us three times that year. I pitched a complete game and we beat Maudlin in front of the biggest crowd of the year. The best part was we sent them home for the season on their own field.  DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school? BH-My greatest thrill came in the last time I got to pitch against my cross-town rivals-The Citadel. It was my junior year at the College of Charleston; we were in the Southern Conference tournament in an elimination game against the Bulldogs. I was brought into the game with the lead in the top of the eighth to close out the game. Joe Riley Park was packed with about 5,000 people, and I got to beat the Bulldogs for one last time in front of all the Citadel Alumni.  DP-Who are the three toughest hitters you faced in high school and the three toughest after high school? BH-I can’t remember any exact names but my senior year in high school I felt like I couldn’t get anybody in Easley Green Waves line-up out.  The toughest hitters in college were some of the boys I faced in the LSU regional in 2004. Haufpair was one of the toughest hitters I have ever faced, and with their line-up you can’t let up for one hitter.  DP-What was your toughest adjustment after high school? BH-I had to learn real quick that a 91-92 MPH fastball didn’t mean all that much in college. You have to work DOWN in the zone and consistently throw another pitch for a strike to be successful. Ohh yeah, and not getting to hit anymore really sucked too! DP-What is the biggest crowd you’ve ever performed in front of and where? BH-It might be a tie between LSU and playing against the Orioles A-ball team, the Iron Birds. Both experiences were awesome. DP-In one sentence, describe the experience of playing in a Regional at LSU. BH-It was the incredible experience of my life, it still gives me goose bumps when I think back to it.  DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a person and why? BH-Coach Scott Foxhall, the pitching coach for the College of Charleston. He gets my vote for the pitching coach of the year. He always knows how to balance being your coach and someone that you can always come to with a problem.  DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball player and why? BH-John Smoltz, Not only is he my favorite pitcher ever, but the way he lives his life off the field give me great respect for the man. He is a strong Christian believer, and one of the few true class acts in baseball. DP-Who is your favorite athlete (non-baseball)? BH-Danny Marshall–All-time best field goal kicker for Furman. DP-Who is your favorite MLB pitcher and position player and why? BH-Smoltz, I don’t have a favorite hitter-I hate hitters.  DP-Who is your favorite MLB team? BH-Phillies, they write my checks! DP-What is your favorite sport to play other than baseball? BH-Tennis, Golf DP-What is your favorite sport to watch other than baseball? BH-College Football!!! DP-What goals do you have for yourself in and out of baseball? BH-I want to be pitching in the Phillies bullpen in two years. With the exposure and resources of being a Big League player, I want to be able to impact kid’s life’s in a positive way (actually have good role models) and be able to spread the Gospel to them.  DP-If you could have dinner with three people in history, who would they be and why? BH-Joshua, because I think he is the biggest stud in The Bible. Albert Einstein, I’m sure that would be pretty interesting. My Grandpa, because he was the best man I ever knew. DP-Where do you see yourself in 10 years? BH-I see myself being the closer for the Phillies, having my wife sitting in the box seats with my kids running around that park like they own the place. DP-Your thoughts on what Diamond Prospects can do for kids in South Carolina versus when you came through the prep ranks? BH-I’m happy to hear that there is …

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  Jeremy Plexico is a 1998 graduate of Chapin High School. After a stop at the University of South Carolina following his prep career, Plexico found a permanent home at Winthrop. Two All-American seasons for the Eagles led to him being taken in the 19th round by the Montreal Expos in the 2003 draft. Presently the left-handed pitcher is in Spring Training with the Washington Nationals, enjoy his story on the twists and turns of his career that have led him to where he is today.   DP-Please list any high school, college and pro statistics of importance, awards won: JP-I graduated from Chapin High School in 1998. I lettered two years in basketball and four years in baseball. Won the state baseball championship in 1996 and was runner up in 1998. Was named as an All-Region selection four times and was the Region Player of the Year as a senior. All-Area and All-State as a senior. Was named to North-South Team as a senior. Selected to Sports Report Mini Camp three times. Went to South Carolina on a baseball scholarship from 1999 though 2001. Transferred to Winthrop University and played there the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Was a two-time 3rd Team All-American as a senior. Named to All-Big South Conference as a senior. Named Big South Male Scholar Athlete of the Year as a senior. Drafted in the 19th round by the Montreal Expos in the 2003 draft. Compiled a college record of 21-8 in two years at Winthrop.  Threw over 100 innings in both seasons at Winthrop. My first year in pro ball I played for the Vermont Expos in the New York Penn League. Led the team with 70 innings as a starter/reliever. Spent 2004 with the Savannah Sand Gnats in the South Atlantic League. Led the team in wins and appearances out of the bullpen as a middle reliever/set-up man with an 8-5 record.  Threw 82 innings, and had 49 appearances.  Academically was a member of the Beta Club and National Honors Society in High School. Graduated with around a 3.6 GPA in college.    DP-What are some of your nicknames? JP-I have had a few nicknames throughout my career.  When I played basketball in high school, my nickname was Jayhawk because I had pictures of Kansas Jayhawk center Raef Lefrentz all over my locker.  Scott McLeod, my high school baseball coach, always called me P$. That has evolved into Plex$, which is what a lot of my teammates call me today.   DP-What is your greatest high school thrill? JP-My greatest high school thrill is, without a doubt, winning the state championship in 1996. It was my sophomore year, and we beat a pretty good Bishop England High School team.    DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school? JP-My greatest thrill beyond high school would have to be pitching against LSU my senior year at Winthrop.  It is probably the best game that I have ever pitched.  We were beating them 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs. I walked the next batter, and then the following hitter, after fouling off 3 or 4 pitches, hit a low and away fastball over the right field fence. We ended up losing that game in a true heartbreaker, but I still say it was the best game that I have ever pitched. Another moment that I will never forget is hearing my name called out on Draft Day in 2003.  I ended up getting drafted in the 19th round by the Montreal Expos/Present day Washington Nationals.  I didn’t care where I got drafted though, I was just thrilled that someone was going to give me a chance.   DP-Who are the three toughest pitchers you faced in high school and the three toughest after high school? JP-The toughest hitter that I faced in high school would have to have been Drew Meyer, from Bishop England. I faced him my sophomore and senior year in the State Championship. Not only is he a great hitter but an extremely fast runner from the left side of the plate. He ended up having a great career at South Carolina, and getting drafted in the first round by the Texas Rangers. Another tough hitter that I faced was Reggie Taylor, from Newberry. I faced him when I was a freshman, and he was a senior. I can remember him hitting a homerun off of me the first time I faced him. I wasn’t used to giving up homeruns and it was a real eye opener to me. I can remember Coach McLeod watching me very closely after I gave up the bomb to see how I would react to it. It was a learning experience for sure. A tough hitter that I have faced in pro ball is Delmon Young, of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was the first overall pick in the 2003 draft out of high school. His brother Dimitri Young is a major league veteran, and is compiling a terrific career. Delmon is a great hitter because he can hit for average and power alike. He was the Minor League Hitter of the year last year, and could crack the Big Leagues this year. The hitter that has given me the most trouble in pro ball is a guy in the Orioles organization named Nick Markakis. He is a left-handed hitter that, for some reason, seems to have my number. I think I have only faced him like three or four times but he has two doubles against me. He could also see time in the “Bigs” this year for the Orioles.    DP-Do you have any good, but clean, locker room or road trip stories? JP-One of the funniest things that goes on at least a time or two every year, is giving the batboy a hard time. About anytime a new batboy comes to the locker room the players will all give him a hard time, joking around with him and stuff. Every now and then, we will get him good though. Someone will tell the batboy that he needs to run to the other locker room to find the “key” to the …

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  Billy Sylvester is entering his tenth professional season and his second as a member of the Washington Nationals organization. Sylvester attended the Hudgens Academy before playing two record-breaking seasons at Spartanburg Methodist College. He signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1997 as a free agent. The 6-5/220-pound right-hander is married to his high school sweetheart, Jodie and the couple reside in Turbeville, SC with their three-month old baby girl Sara Beth. DP-Please list any pro statistics of importance, awards won, led league or organization, honors, etc: BS-2000: Carolina League All-Star, 16 saves; 2001-Southern League All-Star, Double-A All Star, Futures Game participant, 23 saves; 2002- Southern League All-Star, Double-A All Star, 26 saves; 2003-18 saves; 2004- Texas League All-Star, 12 saves; Greenville Braves all-time saves leader (55) DP-Please list any major high school/college accolades? BS-High School: All-State junior and senior year; All-Region junior and senior year; Player of the Year SCISA in senior year; No-hitter in SCISA/Low Country Challenge; All-Region during sophomore year at Spartanburg Methodist College; Single-season record holder for wins and innings pitched in a season; Signed letter of intent with Clemson University DP-What are some of your nicknames? BS-B Sly, BSlizzy DP-What is your greatest high school thrill? BS-Playing for the state championship! DP-What is your greatest thrill, or two, beyond high school? BS-1) Beating Brevard to win Region X Tournament, 2) Signing first pro contract, 3) When I was put on the Braves 40-man roster and 4) Winning championship in Myrtle Beach and Frisco. DP-What was your toughest adjustment (in and out of baseball) after high school? BS-Just being away from home and learning to adjust without any supervision, it was harder to make the adjustment off the field than on, there is no one to push you but yourself and that was the hardest part; on the field, once I knew I belonged and was as good as the rest it was easy because it was just playing ball like I had done since I was a child. DP-What is the biggest crowd you’ve ever performed in front of and where? BS-30,000, not counting TV, at Turner Field in Atlanta and about 20,000 wild maniacs in the Caribbean Series in Caracas, Venenzuela. DP-Tell people out there what it feels like to sign a professional contract: BS-It was very special because since I’ve been playing baseball that was my goal and to accomplish it was a great feat. DP-As a successful closer for a number of years, take us through what allows you to recover quickly: BS-I believe the time I put in running, long tossing and doing flat ground work gets me prepared physically and mentally to perform on a daily basis. DP-Give us an idea of a typical day at the park (start to finish) in which you close a game out for a save: BS-I’ll get there about two hours before the team stretch so I can take my time getting my work in, I hate to be rushed. First, I’ll run poles or sprints then sit-ups, long toss and flat ground. Then I’ll come in and shower and put on my BP uniform and hangout until time for the team stretch. Then I go out for team stretch and BP, during BP I usually hit fungos or catch the infielders at 1B for the first two groups, during the third group I’ll go shag in the outfield. After BP I’ll go in and eat and play some cards until 30 minutes before game time, then I’ll take another shower and put my uniform on and go to the dugout for the national anthem. During the game I watch from the dugout until the third inning and then I go to the pen and hang out during the eighth. I start throwing with the outfielder between innings to get ready for the ninth. When I get the call, I’m fairly loose so I get the catcher down and throw as hard as I can for ten throws then I start working location and breaking balls. When I get into the game, my goal is to get the hitters out as fast as I can so I’ll be available the next night to do it again. After the game I’ll ice for 20 minutes and eat then I shower and leave. DP-You have knocked on the door of MLB and have faced many of the games greats. What keeps you enthusiastic and will not allow you to walk away from baseball? BS-My arm feels great and I’m getting hitters out and I’m making money playing a game I would play for free! DP-Who have you gotten out that has a shot of making the Hall of Fame? BS-Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Cal Ripken Jr. DP-Who has made the greatest impression on you as a baseball player and why? BS-Eddie Watt, he was my first pitching coach. He taught me how to go about my business, get my work done and not to worry about what other players are doing because I can only control one player and that’s myself. That information has been the best piece of advice I’ve gotten. He also treated everyone the same whether it was a non-drafted guy or a first round pick or the clubby or the GM, he treated everyone with respect. DP-You signed as a free agent out of a workout with some of your buddies, tell us that story: BS-I was going to summer school at Francis Marion University before I went to the Cape Cod League. My buddy, Jerry Waller, and I went to the field at the school to work out after classes. We worked out for about an hour when we were leaving and some guys started showing up. We found out it was a Braves tryout so we stayed. That was on Friday and on Wednesday I was playing Rookie Ball in Orlando, Florida. DP-What has been the biggest difference between professional baseball and the college ranks? BS-After going …

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