Uncategorized – Page 32 – Diamond Prospects

Summer Showcase-Invitation

Diamond Prospects Showcases Ben Lippen High School June 11-12, 2007 Diamond Prospects announces a two-day showcase on Monday and Tuesday, June 11-12, 2007 at Ben Lippen High School for 2008, 2009 and 2010 graduates. This showcase is designed for the player who possesses the abilities to play at the collegiate level or beyond. If you think you are that caliber of player, it would strongly benefit you to attend this event! TheDiamondProspects.com now provides the #1 coverage of high school baseball in the state of South Carolina. We watch more prep baseball than anyone and write articles about the teams and players we see. We also conduct interviews with the top players across the Palmetto State, past and present. Our goal is to ensure that no player in our state gets overlooked! Diamond Prospects has quickly become highly regarded among college coaches and professional scouts in the Tri-State area, many staff’s and scouts across the Carolina’s have told us that checking the site’s contents have become part of their morning routine! How can DP Showcases assist you? q Unmatched exposure to the top decision-makers in our area, we’ll give you the opportunity to display your talents to the people who matter! Over 60 different schools or professional clubs attended at least one of our events in the past year. q It puts you on the radar for Diamond Prospects to further publicize yourself and your high school team. Following the showcase, we’ll list the top 60 and Pop times, peak velocity’s and put together a top prospect list, all of this will be posted on the website! q The top traveling teams in the Carolina’s will be on hand looking for players. Understand this, it is never too early, or too late, to showcase yourself to coaches and scouts. Most colleges have a ‘follow list’ of players for each class, even freshman! Kids are committing to schools earlier and earlier each year, make sure you don’t let this time in your life pass you by. The showcase was full last year a week before the event. It will, again, be limited to the first 140 players who sign-up. At our very first event a year ago, we had over 30 college coaches and pro scouts in attendance. If you have baseball in your future beyond high school, you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity that could alter your career forever! The application is on the second page, please return ASAP to ensure yourself a spot. Registration will begin at 9:00 AM on June 11th, we hope to see you there. Good luck in 2007, Austin Alexander Diamond Prospects Bonus: Following the morning workout, as the coaches and scouts are eating lunch, Diamond Prospects will provide you with the option of sitting in on “Recruiting 101”, a crash-course on the recruiting process. We will take approximately 45 minutes to counsel you through the maze that is often very confusing for players and their families. For more information on aspects that we will cover, please go to TheDiamondProspects.com. The cost for the seminar is $25 for the entire family. Payment details are on the second page. www.TheDiamondProspects.com Diamond Prospects PO Box 1262 Conway, SC 29528 .

Round-Up: February

February Round-Up By: Austin Alexander–March 1, 2007 The spring is in full swing and Diamond Prospects has been there to cover it like no one else! Today, we’ll run down the highlights of the first month in the 2007 baseball season and hand out our DP accolades. Diamond Prospects Statistics: High School teams covered-57 High School games seen-36 College games seen-10 Fields-17 Rainouts-0! Miles traveled-2,798 DP Accolades: Quickest game: Sumter at Lexington, 1:29 Best game: Sumter 1 Lexington 0 Weirdest play: The oddest play came in a Lancaster/Lugoff-Elgin game. With the Bruins already leading 1-0, Steven Neff lifted a medium range flyball to centerfield with Derek Parker tagging at third, normal bang-bang play at the plate, right? The centerfielder caught it and threw home as Parker took off and headed in the same direction. About two-thirds of the way toward his destination, Parker tripped and fell. Meanwhile the catcher was battling the short-hop throw from the outfield. Parker crawled, regained his balance and started home again. Lugoff-Elgin’s Josh Phipps corralled the ball in time to lunge at Parker who was leaping over and around him. Phipps just missed the tag and Parker somehow got a hand on the plate to make the score 2-0. It was bang-bang but not in the traditional sense! Worst call by an umpire: Belton-Honea Path’s lead-off hitter in the first inning swung and hit the TL Hanna’s catchers mitt, knocking it three feet into the left-handed batters box. The TL Hanna catcher picked up his mitt and neither umpire called catchers interference. Dumbfounded, BHP skipper Steve Williams asked for help, neither saw or heard the mitt whacked and driven one yard away from the catcher’s hand. The hitter ended up striking out. Best home to first time: Jerrod Phillips (Pickens) 3.56 on a bunt Best home to first time (turn): Adam Matthews (White Knoll) 4.26 Best pop time: Drew Wingo (Mauldin HS) 1.81 Longest homerun: Ross Hanna (Dorman) Best defensive play: Josh Owens (Barnwell), playing centerfield he made a diving catch in left-center field. Best pitcher’s duel: Cory Hopper (Easley) and Matt Ramey (Pickens) Most dominant pitching performance: Matt Price (versus Lexington in the Michelin Classic) Hardest fastball: Kyle Deese 93 MPH Best baseball name: Brooks Robinson (Spartanburg Methodist) Asa Still (Barnwell) Cleanest round of pre-game: White Knoll HS Top Fungo Guy: Mark Bonnette (White Knoll) Best Catcher’s Pop-up: Brooks Shumake (Sumter) Best Argument with an Umpire: A Greenville assistant coach while talking on a cell phone. Best Dressed Evaluator: Gary Randall (MLB Scouting Bureau) Attendance Award: Matt Williams (Spartanburg Methodist) and Chad Amidon (Erskine) Best line from a mom in the bleachers: “Woooooooohh, you gonna get that cell phone back baby!” following her son’s swinging bunt single that traveled about 20 feet. Best Playing Surface: Mauldin High HS Best pre-game tunes: Belton-Honea Path HS Hospitality Award: Waccamaw HS .

DP Watch List: 2007

-DP Diamond King Watch List: 2007- Pitchers Name High School Class W-L ERA SV IP H BB SO Hamilton Bennett Fort Mill 2007 10-3 1.74 1 76.2 50 16 111 Alex Burrell Landrum 2007 11-1 1.45 1 66 42 20 79 Travis Burnside Laurens 2009 11-2 1.47 0 85.2 18 42 108 Brett Godwin Midland Valley 2007 8-1 0.93 0 58 – 17 70 Kyle Deese Chapman 2007 1-0 0.53 2 13.1 4 8 25 Marty Gantt North Augusta 2008 9-2 1.33 2 84.1 48 28 161 Bobby Streisel Bishop England 2007 11-0 1.00 0 70 45 11 68 Greg Harrison Hilton Head 2009 8-2 2.10 1 70 31 21 100 David Haselden Spartanburg 2008 4-5 1.43 2 44 38 13 68 Cole Rakar Wando 2007 5-1 2.14 0 39.1 33 16 48 Ben Henry Loris 2007 10-2 0.94 3 84 27 18 165 Justin Hopper Lexington 2007 5-1 1.32 2 53 35 18 65 Anthony Markham Summerville 2007 6-3 1.56 0 49.1 39 17 49 Brandon Miller Emerald 2007 9-1 0.93 1 75.1 35 26 130 Joseph Moorefield Byrnes 2008 4-2 2.74 0 46 46 26 35 Richard Mounce Blythewood 2008 6-2 2.13 1 52.2 41 18 62 Steven Neff Lancaster 2007 7-4 1.38 0 76.1 36 29 117 Tyler Vick Waccamaw 2007 5-3 2.39 1 44 41 14 64 Mat Ramey Pickens 2007 – – – – – – – Atlee Pearson Byrnes 2007 5-1 1.04 1 60.1 40 15 73 Matt Pegler Riverside 2009 6-3 2.75 0 56 51 20 69 Matt Price Sumter 2008 4-4 0.82 0 51.2 39 17 57 James Rawls Batesburg-Leesville 2008 6-6 2.21 0 76 46 35 101 Michael Roth Riverside 2008 8-2 0.85 1 57.1 35 15 56 Cash Collins Barnwell 2008 4-4 2.50 0 61.2 56 29 73 Matt Talley Wilson Hall 2007 – – – – – – – Adam Westmorland Brookland-Cayce 2008 6-4 1.39 0 70.1 44 17 114 Alex Downing Carolina Forest 2007 9-0 1.29 0 54 35 11 42 Logan Munson AC Flora 2007 10-0 1.63 0 56 47 21 65 John Cornely Bishop England 2007 8-2 1.88 0 74.2 63 20 96 Name High School Class W-L ERA SV IP H BB SO CJ Curry White Knoll 2007 – – – – – – – Colby Holmes Conway 2009 5-2 2.21 1 63.1 47 15 77 Alex Gilstrap Easley 2007 – – – – – – – Nick Osterman Stratford 2007 6-2 2.39 0 67.1 67 37 99 Madison Younginer Mauldin 2009 4-1 2.03 0 31 15 19 40 Drew Cisco Wando 2010 8-1 1.05 0 53.1 31 10 68 Jordan Lyles Hartsville 2008 6-1 0.95 0 44 29 7 42 Jason Cochcroft Gilbert 2007 6-2 1.93 0 54.1 44 11 45 Cory Hopper Easley 2007 – – – – – – – Sammy Nix Easley 2010 – – – – – – – Daniel Palka Greer 2010 – – – – – – – Gus White Lexington 2008 6-4 1.35 1 72.1 49 25 87 Patrick Mincey Hartsville 2007 9-1 0.66 1 63.2 32 16 98 Toland Sams Beaufort 2007 3-3 1.90 0 52 – 18 52 Brett Thomas AC Flora 2007 7-1 1.70 0 53.2 37 31 52 Position Players Name High School Class AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Daniel Aldrich Wando 2009 .430 86 25 37 9 0 8 34 12 16 0 Austin Ashmore Greer 2008 – – – – – – – – – – – Brett Godwin Midland Valley 2007 .468 94 37 44 13 1 2 26 – – 22 Cody McElhaney Midland Valley 2008 .489 88 27 43 9 2 5 34 – – 15 Konstantine Diamaduros Spartanburg 2008 .469 98 28 46 10 1 2 30 7 6 10 John Gump Carolina Forest 2008 .393 89 27 35 10 1 8 26 12 15 – Marty Gantt North Augusta 2008 .486 109 19 53 16 1 3 22 26 13 10 John Long TL Hanna 2008 .456 90 36 41 9 0 9 24 10 8 13 Rob Harding Spring Valley 2008 .347 – 16 – – – 4 16 – – 2 Brian Harrison Hilton Head 2007 .451 102 38 46 9 4 6 45 26 11 1 Adam Matthews White Knoll 2008 .406 64 30 26 2 3 4 17 14 13 16 Derek Fulmer Pelion 2007 – – – – – – – – – – – James Rawls Batesburg-Leesville 2008 .418 91 20 38 6 0 8 39 – – – Chris Owings Gilbert 2009 .386 83 24 32 8 3 3 18 13 13 17 John Nester Riverside 2007 .333 108 24 36 9 1 4 36 14 12 1 Jarred Phillips Pickens 2007 – – – – – – – – – – – Tyler Boyd Laurens 2008 .440 100 29 44 8 2 5 29 11 12 4 Michael Roth Riverside 2008 .398 103 34 41 12 0 5 28 16 10 12 Nick Aranas Lexington 2007 .406 101 32 41 14 0 4 26 7 15 14 Rhett Stafford Cheraw 2007 .424 66 20 28 5 0 2 19 21 9 3 Dylan Cole Dorman 2009 .342 79 19 27 7 0 4 25 13 18 0 Sean Sullivan AC Flora 2007 .387 111 41 43 8 2 5 31 12 9 19 Brett Thomas AC Flora 2007 .385 104 26 40 10 0 7 24 20 12 5 Jay Wilson AC Flora 2008 .433 90 13 39 8 1 3 34 12 10 1 Scott Wingo Mauldin 2007 .405 79 – 32 7 4 4 21 – – 5 Kevin Childs TL Hanna 2007 .429 84 22 36 8 0 5 30 5 13 3 Alex Dozier Dorman 2007 .402 87 30 35 8 2 0 12 9 13 17 Cole Rakar Wando 2007 .545 99 46 54 10 5 3 23 17 3 21 Corey Holmes White Knoll 2009 – – – – – – …

Scout Day: 2007

-DP Scout Day- January 28-Heathwood Hall Pitchers Name High School MPH Scout Notes John Bolding Pickens 88 Good arm strength with plenty of upside Kyle Deese Chapman 88 Plus change-up to complement upper 80’s fastball Marty Gantt North Augusta 83 Quick, darting slider is a quality out-pitch Alex Gilstrap Easley 86 High slot with flat fastball but downhill Ben Henry Loris 86 Loose arm and easy delivery are very projectable Cory Hopper Easley 85 Lanky right-hander with heavy sinking action Drew Mahaffey Summerville 84 Solid three-pitch guy with command Anthony Markham Summerville 84 Improved breaking pitch to go along with out-pitch change-up Brandon Miller Emerald 87 Fastball/change-up guy that pounds the bottom of the zone Richard Mounce Blythewood 89 Pure arm strength righty with improved off-speed stuff and heavy fastball Steven Neff Lancaster 88 Good feel for three pitches and sturdy body spell pro interest Nick Osterman Stratford 86 Sharp curveball serves as his out-pitch James Rawls Batesburg-Leesville 87 Command issues on this day but has a loose and live arm; very projectable Neal Strange Irmo 83 Off-speed stuff and frame could be tighter Adam Westmoreland Brookland-Cayce 86 Much improved curveball and change-up round out arsenal of the upper-80’s southpaw Hamilton Bennett Fort Mill 85 Locates like a champ with plus change-up and durable arm Rob Harding Spring Valley 85 Late movement and tight slider from a low 3/4 slot Austin Stuart North Augusta 85 Tight curveball to go with good command Brian Harrison Hilton Head 85 Heavy fastball with a quality slider; good frame Drew Wingo Mauldin 90 Moved from behind the plate to the rubber and sat at 88-90 with tailing action Note: Velocity is from a Stalker Radar Gun, we have listed their peak MPH Catchers Name High School 60 Pop Scout Notes Tony Micklon Sumter 7.50 2.01 Quality catch/throw guy in junior class Rhett Stafford Cheraw 6.79 1.96 Unique blend of power and speed; has improved behind the dish Trey Wimmer Greenwood 8.07 2.05 Quality receiver and blocks well; good power Drew Wingo Mauldin 7.32 1.99 Plus arm strength is obvious; must improve receiving and throwing accuracy Note: Pop time listed was their top time Infielders Name High School 60 Scout Notes Taylor Black Easley 7.14 Very solid defensive performer who can do the little things at the plate and on the bases; projects as a 2B Michael Dangerfield Berkeley 7.48 Reliable hands and good footwork in the middle; projects as a 2B Chance Farr White Knoll 7.30 Scrappy player with good instincts; projects as a 2B Rob Harding Spring Valley 7.80 Solid defensive 3B with good arm and actions at the corner; middle-of-the-order bat Arturo Mogrezutt Easley 6.86 Combines speed, pop and arm strength; projects as a 3B Larry Perry Fairfield-Central 6.78 Slick fielding infielder with 2B arm; good feet and actions Austin Stuart North Augusta 6.94 Good enough arm to play on left-side of infield, projects as a plus 2B Sean Sullivan AC Flora 7.16 Steady in every phase of the game; very projectable body Brett Thomas AC Flora 8.18 Great balance, swing and pop; better defensively at 1B than given credit for Scott Wingo Mauldin 6.97 It’s a quick discussion on who the best defensive shortstop is; handles the bat well too Outfielders Name High School 60 Scout Notes Austin Ashmore Greer N/A Good swing with power to all fields; throws well; very projectable frame Thomas Brittle Berkeley 6.97 Slashing hitter with occasional pop; throws well Nick Cassidy Hillcrest 8.00 Some pop in his bat and showed more arm strength on this day Patrick Dolan Summerville 7.24 Legit arm strength, ball has plenty of carry and is accurate; has juice in his bat Konstantine Diamaduros Spartanburg 7.23 Live drive machine; doubles will become homeruns as body continues to mature Alex Dozier Dorman 6.94 Singles hitter to all fields; good baserunner with improved throwing arm Brian Harrison Hilton Head 7.29 Pure swing from the right side with power to both fields; good athlete with arm strength Bennett Jordan York 7.07 Good athlete with energy; swung the wood well; solid arm Adam Matthews White Knoll 6.78 Plus runner with average arm but gap power from a strong frame Jarred Phillips Pickens 6.85 Runs well, has pop in his bat and shows arm strength; plays with energy Jonathan Scott Spartanburg 6.77 Good runner with solid arm strength; un-signed guy who opened some eyes on this day Jonathon Sharpe Conway 6.98 Linebacker body with speed and pop in his bat Brandon Sills Lexington 6.80 Makes solid contact, can run, throws well enough to play both outfield corners; has pro body right now Travis Witherspoon Sumter 6.98 Good balance and swing; could hit with more power as body fills out; good defensive outfielder Nick Ferguson Lancaster 7.25 Good swing with pop in his bat; has become a better runner Jay Rich Hillcrest 7.45 Sturdy body with good swing; sports an arm good enough for RF -Top Prospects- Pitchers Rank Name High School Class Committed 1 Steven Neff Lancaster 2007 South Carolina 2 Richard Mounce Blythewood 2008 Clemson 3 Brandon Miller Emerald 2007 South Carolina Catchers Rank Name High School Class Committed 1 Rhett Stafford Cheraw 2007 Marshall 2 Drew Wingo Mauldin 2007 Presbyterian 3 Tony Micklon Sumter 2008 Uncommitted Infielders Rank Name High School Class Committed 1 Scott Wingo Mauldin 2007 South Carolina 2 Arturo Mogrezutt Easley 2007 Uncommitted 3 Brett Thomas AC Flora 2007 North Carolina Outfielders Rank Name High School Class Committed 1 Austin Ashmore Greer 2008 South Carolina 2 Jarred Phillips Pickens 2007 Clemson 3 Adam Matthews White Knoll 2008 South Carolina Overall Rank Name High School Class Committed 1 Steven Neff Lancaster 2007 South Carolina 2 Rhett Stafford Cheraw 2007 Marshall 3 Austin Ashmore Greer 2008 South Carolina 4 Richard Mounce Blythewood 2008 Clemson 5 Jarred Phillips Pickens 2007 Clemson 6 Scott Wingo Mauldin 2007 South Carolina 7 Adam Matthews White Knoll 2008 South Carolina 8 Brandon Miller Emerald 2007 South Carolina 9 Arturo Mogrezutt Easley 2007 Uncommitted 10 Brett Thomas AC Flora 2007 North Carolina Note: Projections and …

Diamond Polls

-2012- Poll Date Pre-Season: SCISA January 17 Pre-Season: 1A January 24 Pre-Season: 2A January 25 Pre-Season: 3A February 2 Pre-Season: 4A February 6 DP Power Rankings February 8 Region Standings Spring 2012 District Predictions April 25 State Finals Preview May 14 -2011- Poll Date Pre-Season Poll: AAAA January 18/27 Pre-Season Poll: AAA January 19/26 Pre-Season Poll: AA January 20/25 Pre-Season Poll: A January 24 DP Power Rankings January 28 Pre-Season Poll: SCBCA January 28 Pre-Season Poll: SCISA February 15 Region Standings Spring 2011 District Predictions April 27 State Finals Preview May 15 SCBCA: Final Poll May 25 -2010- Poll Date Pre-Season Poll: A January 19 Pre-Season Poll: AA January 19 Pre-Season Poll: AAA January 20 Pre-Season Poll: AAAA January 21 DP Power Rankings January 24 Pre-Season Poll: SCBCA January 25 Pre-Season Poll: SCISA February 10 -2009- Poll Date Pre-Season Poll: A January 19 Pre-Season Poll: AA January 20 Pre-Season Poll: AAA January 21 Pre-Season Poll: AAAA January 22 DP Power Rankings January 23 Pre-Season Poll: SCBCA January 26 Pre-Season Poll: SCISA January 30 SCBCA: Final Poll May 28 -2008- Poll Date Pre-Season Poll: AAAA January 14 Pre-Season Poll: AAA January 15 Pre-Season Poll: AA January 16 Pre-Season Poll: A January 17 DP Power Rankings January 18 Pre-Season Poll: SCISA January 21 Pre-Season Poll: SCBCA January 22 SCBCA: In-Season Poll 2 March 17 DP Mid-Season Poll April 1 District Preview: 4A April 22 District Preview: 3A April 22 2006-2007 Poll Date SCBCA: Final Poll May 2006 Pre-Season Poll: AAAA January 2007 Pre-Season Poll: AAA January 2007 Pre-Season Poll: AA January 2007 Pre-Season Poll: A January 2007 DP Power Rankings January 2007 SCBCA: Pre-Season Poll January 2007 Pre-Season Poll: SCISAA February 2007 Best Tools: Senior Class February 2007 SCBCA: In-Season Poll 2 March 2007 SCBCA: In-Season Poll 3 April 2007 SCBCA: Final Poll May 2007 fu.

Overcoming the odds: Parts I thru IV

Overcoming the odds By: Brian Hensen-January, 2006 My name is Brian Hensen. I am 23 years old, 6’4”, 170 lbs. and a left-handed pitcher playing minor league baseball in the “High A” Florida State League in Lakeland, Florida. I was drafted in the 28th round of the 2004 draft by the Detroit Tigers, after having pitched two years at Elon University, and prior to that, for two years at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. The second day of that 2004 draft was probably the best day of my life, because you see, according to most experts, I was simply not qualified to pitch professionally. I can only throw a baseball about 84 mph top speed. I just plain don’t throw a baseball hard enough to make it to the next level, whether that be college or whatever. Then you may ask, how in the world did you ever get drafted? Do you have a killer knuckleball, or is your dad a former Major League player? No, it was neither of those things. I’ve never tried seriously to throw a knuckleball, and the zenith of my dad’s athletic career was the high school BOWLING team. Rather, my getting drafted was probably more about luck, and being in the right place at the right time, and maybe about God smiling down on me. But it was also a lot about determination, skill development, being a student of the game and listening to the best teachers I could find in the game of baseball. I have played amateur ball with probably 500 or more players, some of them great players with far more athletic ability, or “tools” in the pro scout jargon, than I have. And very few if any of them are fortunate enough to still get to play this great game. So how did I get so lucky? In my case, the luck was at least partially made from the following factors: I associated with the best teachers and coaches we could find. These coaches knew the game, physical and mental, were great teachers, and gave me great opportunities to play baseball in the most competitive atmosphere possible. I developed an understanding and appreciation that pitch speed is probably only the 5th most important ingredient to successful pitching (behind general mental outlook, location, movement and what pitch to throw in the count). This is totally contrary to the theory of most scouts at all levels who focus first and foremost on pitch speed. I believed in myself and was willing to follow my heart even when I was told by many coaches and scouts that I didn’t have what it took to succeed at their level. As a high school senior, throwing about 81 miles per hour top speed, my chances to get into a good college baseball program were pretty bleak. I had played three years of summer and fall travel ball with various upstate South Carolina teams and had a good deal of success as a pitcher against the best competition I could find. And I had three good years of pitching for Daniel High School in my hometown of Clemson, South Carolina. I had also attended several showcases, including a Perfect Games showcase in the dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. But no Division I school was interested in me as a scholarship baseball player. One Division I South Carolina school offered me space as a walk-on, but held out no hope for a scholarship in years 2, 3 and 4 of college (even, they said if I were to become their #1 starting pitcher). Finally in June after I graduated from high school, one of my very good travel ball coaches, Karl Schilling, got me a tryout with Coach Gary Calhoun at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. After the tryout, but primarily on the recommendation of Coach Schilling, Coach Calhoun offered me a scholarship. Hillsborough CC was a former National Champion JUCO program under Coach Calhoun, and the level of baseball in a Florida JUCO was, and is very, very good. So I enrolled at HCC and took off that August for Florida, just hoping I would get my chances to pitch, and hoping to make good when I got the opportunity. Part II Wouldn’t you know, at the beginning of fall practice that year, there were 15-20 pitchers lined up trying to get one of five starter positions on the team. In junior college ball, teams are allowed to play an actual season in the fall against other JC’s, so we knew we would get several chances to throw against live competition in games. But in practice, the curve ball I could get most high school hitters out with was being hit pretty hard by my teammates, so I worked on the side on my own to develop and improve my change-up. It was a good thing I did, because to get through JC hitters down in Florida, I could not count on striking them out. I just had to learn to make them hit the ball, but hit it poorly. If, before I had believed a perfect game was 27 strikeouts in a row, now I had come to believe a perfect game was 27 consecutive first pitch ground ball outs. The change-up was just what the doctor ordered, and helped me to keep my team in the games during that fall. Also it was important not to give up any “free” base runners, so I worked hard to get ahead in the count, pitch on the corners, and not to walk anybody. Ultimately, at the end of fall ball, the coaches told me I had done well enough to earn the #4 or #5 starter spot for the spring season, so I was pumped. Then, the grade reports came in, and we lost one of our top five starters, and by the time February rolled around, another of the top five starters had arm trouble, so at that point I was a solid #3 …

Signees By High School: Top 20

As we look ahead to the upcoming spring and pre-season rankings begin to trickle out, one way to make some safe picks to click may be which high schools already have players committed to play in college. DP takes a look at the Top 20 schools with 2007 signees through November 29… -Commitments by High School- Rank High School Players 1 Lexington 5 2 Pickens 4 Hillcrest 4 Lancaster 4 5 South Aiken 3 Lewisville 3 Gilbert 3 Wando 3 Carolina Forest 3 AC Flora 3 Riverside 3 Waccamaw 3 13 Emerald 2 Easley 2 Summerville 2 Mauldin 2 Landrum 2 Byrnes 2 Northwestern 2 Fort Mill 2 To view a complete listing of 2007 commitments, click here. .

Hit, Run & Throw: Invitation

Diamond Prospects Presents… Hit, Run & Throw: A Pre-Season Skills Contest You’ve heard of football’s Punt, Pass and Kick contest…Diamond Prospects is putting together a skills contest baseball-style! Think you can hit, run & throw? Then you are invited to participate in our statewide pre-season All-Skills event. ——————————————————————————————————— Participants will compete individually in: Ø Homerun Derby Ø Arm strength competition Ø Throwing accuracy contest Ø 60-yard Dash Ø Baserunning contest Each player will choose four events to compete in. You may sit out more than one contest if concern exists over an injury. ——————————————————————————————————— We will also have two team events, the “4 Corners Drill” and “Rocket Relay.” Five players from the same high school must sign up to qualify for this event. Players do not have to be in the same grade. ——————————————————————————————————— So who is the state’s top homerun hitter? Who has the most speed in the Palmetto State? Who has the best arm in South Carolina? What prep team has the quickest set of hands? Signed and un-signed seniors will be present and, of course, Diamond Prospects will chronicle the entire event on TheDiamondProspects.com. Winners will be given trophies and Diamond Prospects apparel for every event in every grade level. We will also crown an overall champion for each class. This event is open to every player in grades 9-12. Each player will represent his high school by wearing his prep uniform. Please make every attempt to obtain your high school jersey. Diamond Prospects will use this day to take pictures of prospects to have on file for the upcoming spring and future stories, a “media day” of sorts. The Hit, Run & Throw event will also allow lesser-known players to be identified by Diamond Prospects. The cost of the event is only $30 for seniors who have signed, $40 for un-signed seniors and underclassman. Lunch will be provided for every player. Discounts: DP website members receive $5 off. If 8 players from the same high school team attend, you will receive $10 off (please send applications in together). The event will be held in Columbia’s Heathwood Hall High School athletic complex on Sunday, January 28. Check-in will begin at 10:00 a.m. The alternate weather date will be February 11. This is not a showcase. It is a day to promote high school baseball in South Carolina! Stay tuned to Diamond Prospects for details. In the meantime, round up your buddies and plan on spending a day with us! Bonus: Following the Sunday workout, Diamond Prospects will provide you with the option of sitting in on “Recruiting 101”, a crash-course on the recruiting process. We will take approximately 45 minutes to counsel you through the maze that is often very confusing for players and their families. For more information on aspects that we will cover, please go to TheDiamondProspects.com and click on Recruiting 101. The cost for the seminar is $25 for the entire family. Payment details are on the second page. .

Hit, Run & Throw: Application

Tentative Schedule for January 28, 2007 10:00 AM Check-in at Heathwood Hall 10:45 All players report to the playing field 11:00 Event Begins 4:00 PM Event Ends (time approximate depending on number of participants) 4:00 Recruiting Seminar (45 minutes) *Note-Lunch will be provided for players. A concession stand will be available throughout the day. ———————————————————————————————————— Diamond Prospects Hit, Run & Throw Application Please PRINT the following form neatly. Detach this section and mail back with payment to: Diamond Prospects : PO Box 1262 : Conway, SC 29528 Stay tuned to TheDiamondProspects.com in the days leading up to the event for hotel information, directions, rosters, last second announcements, etc. Name ____________________________________ High School ___________________________ Grad Year _________ Address ___________________________________ City __________________________ State ______ Zip __________ Home # _______________________ Cell # ______________________ Email _________________________________ DOB __________________ Fall/Summer team ___________________________________________________________ Events you wish to enter: 1) ____________________ 2) _______________________ 3) _________________________ 4) _______________________ Team event? Yes or No________________ *HS Uniform #________________ DP Members Only: User name______________________________ (Please subtract $5.00 from your event tuition) *If you do not know your uniform number, leave that line blank. Medical Waiver: I waive and release Diamond Prospects, its staff and/or Heathwood Hall officials from any injury that may occur during the camp to the above-mentioned camper, on site or involving travel to and from the event. I also take responsibility for any expenses that incur during the camp due to necessary treatment of injury. I also give permission for emergency treatment if needed. I understand by signing this waiver, I give consent to participation in the event and assume all risk arising from it. Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________ Date ______________ Recruiting 101: If you wish to attend the Recruiting Seminar, please check the corresponding box below. _____ Yes, I would like to attend the Recruiting Seminar. In my family, _____ person(s) will attend. Please include an additional $25 to your event tuition. Be sure to pick up a seminar ticket at the check-in table. ——————————————————————————————————— Signee Fee: $30 * Non-signee Fee: $40 * Registration Deadline: January 24, 2007 Please make checks payable to Diamond Prospects Note: DP Members receive a $5 discount. Players who are one of eight from the same high school receive a $10 discount-Please mail your applications in together. Due to insurance, site fees and other expenses involved that are paid-in-full prior to the showcase, this event is NON-refundable. In the event of inclement weather, we will move the event to February 11. Note: Event application and tuition must be received, not post-marked, by the posted deadline. Total amount enclosed: $_______________ www.TheDiamondProspects.com Diamond Prospects PO Box 1262 Conway, SC 29528 .

Pitching Lessons

Pitching Lessons with David Marchbanks Accomplishments: Drafted by the Florida Marlins Played 3 years in the Florida Marlins Organization 2003 Collegiate Baseball First Team All-American 2003 SEC Pitcher of the Year 2003 First Team All-SEC selection Two-Time SEC Pitcher of the Week Recipient 2003 USC Pitcher’s Award Recipient 2000 South Carolina Mr. Baseball Recipient 2000 USA Today State High School Player of the Year Selection 5th place in Career Wins at the University of South Carolina Offering your son of any age instruction on all aspects of pitching… Physical: I believe every pitcher should know how to prepare their body for every outing and know how to keep themselves in good physical condition so their body can stand the rigors of an entire season. Mechanical: I do not believe there is one way to pitch because everyone’s body and delivery is different, but I do believe that there are certain checkpoints every pitcher must have to get the most efficient delivery. Mental: Pitching is 90% mental and every pitcher must be totally confident in their ability to be successful. I will teach your son the mental aspect of the game as well as how to prepare for their opponent. Pricing: 1 pitcher: $35 for 45 minute session 1 pitcher package deal: $150 for 5 lessons 2 pitchers: $60 for 45 minute session For information call David Marchbanks at 864-320-8328 or e-mail at [email protected] * All lessons are held at the Zone Indoor Facility at Abundant Life Church. * The Zone features 2 indoor pitchers mounds and 3 indoor batting cages. .