Recap: Wando-Ft Dorchester

    Recap: Sertoma Championship Game By: Austin Alexander-February 23, 2006   Diamond Prospects sat with the gnats at Riley Park in Charleston to take in a well-pitched, well-played championship game. Pitching and defense was the order of the day as #6 Wando and Fort Dorchester squared off in the championship game of the West Charles… 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

Recap: Richland Northeast-Dutch Fork

  Recap: Dutch Fork-Richland Northeast By: Austin Alexander March 14, 2006   It was a battle of the Bartolo’s in Columbia on Tuesday night. Two Colon clones battled tooth and nail and provided Diamond Prospects with a good game on this night at Richland Northeast High School. Chris Love (RNE) and Patrick Hall (Dutch Fork) dueled for sev… 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.

Recap: Hilton Head-Beaufort

  Recap: Hilton Head-Beaufort By: Austin Alexander-March 20, 2006   A cross-river match-up in the Southern tip of South Carolina attracted Diamond Prospects’ attention on Monday. The makings for a good pitcher’s dual were in place, not only with the starting pitcher’s, but with the two arms slated for relief. All four who toed the rubber … 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.

Recap: Lake City-Lakewood

  Recap: Lakewood-Lake City By: Austin Alexander March 21, 2006   On a day when rain blanketed the state and very little high school baseball was played, Diamond Prospects wandered into Lake City for a Region match-up between the hometown Panthers versus the visiting Lakewood Gators. Honestly, what compelled me to track this game down we… 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.

Recap: Dorman at Landrum

  Recap: Dorman-Landrum By: Austin Alexander-February 20, 2006   Monday night #1 Landrum, the defending 1A champion, squared off with perennial 4A powerhouse Dorman. Good pitching was ordered and delivered on this night at Landrum high School. Toeing the rubber was the Cardinals Alex Burrell, 1A Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2005,… 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.

Recap: Sumter at Conway

  Recap: Conway-Sumter By: Austin Alexander-March 10, 2006   It was all Sumter on Friday night as Diamond Prospects had a home game at nearby Conway High School. The #8 visiting Gamecocks scored early, often and several different ways, along with great pitching, en route to a 7-0 region win. After threatening in the first, Sumter got on… 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.

Recap: Barnwell-Edisto

  Recap: Barnwell-Edisto By: Austin Alexander February 28, 2006   Diamond Prospects made the trek to Barnwell on Tuesday night to check out a rivalry game between visiting Edisto and the host #8 Warhorses of Barnwell. South Carolina-signee, senior right-hander Blake Cooper stole the show early and exemplified why he is one of the to… 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.

Recap: Byrnes-Chesnee

  Recap: Byrnes-Chesnee By: Brandon McKillop February 20, 2006   The Chris Carter era at Byrnes got off to a good start Monday night in Chesnee as the Rebels took on the Chesnee Eagles in the season opener for both schools. The 4A Rebels scored in each of the first six innings and went on to take an 8-3 win over the 2A Eagles. Physically,… 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.

Where Are They Now: Dallas McPherson

  Los Angeles Angels third baseman Dallas McPherson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 44th round out of high school but he opted to attend The Citadel. Following his junior year with the Bulldogs, he was selected in the second round by the Anaheim Angels and signed. “Mac” shot through the organization’s farm system after having success at each level. To date, the 6-4/230-pound left-handed hitter has played in 77 major league games, including three more in the post-season. The 26-year old is now married to the former Jennifer Penn of Atlanta, the couple have a dog “Rookie” and live in Chandler, Arizona, the spring training site of the Angels. He has spent the majority of his break rehabbing an injury that ended his 2005 season early. McPherson spoke with Diamond Prospects on his way to take batting practice during the off-season, read his story about debuts, homeruns, the playoffs and rehab. DP-How did your experience at The Citadel prepare you for professional baseball? DM-It was very regimented, structured, everyone has their role. Being a rookie with the Angels was like being freshman at The Citadel, it really helped me handle all that a lot better. Just playing college baseball and the entire college experience made me grow up faster. DP-You were a two-way player in college, when you got to pro ball did you miss pitching? DM-I never missed pitching. The Braves drafted me out of high school as a pitcher and that was a big reason I didn’t sign, I wanted to hit. My whole life I knew I was a better hitter. In high school I threw hard but in college you’ve actually got to be good at it to have success. I also had some arm problems in college. DP-The day you got “the call” to the Big Leagues, what was that like for you and who did you call first? DM-It was pretty much expected. The Triple-A season had just ended and I’d had a very good season. My bags were packed already to either go home or to Anaheim. They called me into the office and told me I was going up…I was very excited. The first people I called were my fiancé at the time, who is now my wife, and my parents. DP-You got to the Major Leagues quickly and immediately found yourself in the post-season with the Angels, what was that whirlwind like for you? DM-I spent a year or less at every level and had some success and it did happen fast. Nothing totally prepares you for the Big Leagues. In the minors you ride buses for hours, stay in crappy hotels, always eating on the go, it’s not a bed of roses. Reaching the Majors is the big reward for all that. DP-Tell about your Big League firsts, your first game, first at bat and first hit: DM-Of all things I made my debut as a pinch-runner at second base. David Eckstein hit a little blooper behind me in front of the centerfielder. I wasn’t sure it was going to fall or not, I was so scared! I decided to take off, thankfully the ball dropped and I scored, I was so afraid I was going to screw up right off the bat, that would have been a disaster! The game is so fast. My first at bat was against some young reliever from the White Sox, I cannot even remember his name. I do remember who I got my first hit off of, I actually got three that first game I started off of Ryan Franklin (Mariners). DP-You’ve done something that most left-handed hitters never have or never will, hit a homerun off of Randy Johnson. Tell us what is was like as you got in the box and when you connected: DM-Well, my first at bat I felt like I was on a Playstation, he made me look silly with three sliders. Before my second at bat, I decided I couldn’t hit his slider so I told myself to lay off of it. The first two pitchers were sliders for balls, now the count was 2-0 and I knew I’d get a fastball. Sure enough, he left a fastball up and I hit it well. My third at bat I got a single off of him and my fourth at bat he hit me. I don’t think it was intentional, it was just a two-seamer that got away. He sent a note over to the clubhouse after the game to let me know he wasn’t throwing at me. I’ll always be able to tell people I was hit by a Randy Johnson fastball. DP-Following your breakthrough year with the Angels they move World Series MVP Troy Glaus to make room for you, what did that move tell you about the organiztions plans for you? DM-It said they believed in me, of course I came a lot cheaper price than him! DP-What are some of your nicknames? DM-Mac DP-Who are the three toughest pitchers you have faced? DM-The toughest guy for me to hit has been Jake Westbrook of the Cleveland Indians, I’m 0-for-8, or something like that against him, he’s got a good cutter. The toughest lefty is probably Barry Zito with that big curveball, I’ve only faced him once but he’s pretty tough. DP-Fill in the blank: With the infield in and you’re at the hot corner, you don’t want blank at the plate: DM-A-Rod. He pulls everything hard on the ground. You never get a chopper from him, they all have a ton of top spin. DP-What about Gary Sheffield? DM-He rolls over a lot of balls and you can get some big hops, not with A-Rod! DP-Where is your favorite place to play? DM-Anaheim, great playing surface and hitting background, it’s a beautiful park and my family tells me it is very fan friendly. Now, to walk into Yankee Stadium, I was shaking the first time I played there. The plaques and monuments …

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Where Are They Now: Brett Harker

  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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