2017-18 EAST CAROLINA BASEBALL NEWCOMER BIOS
Zach Barnes RHP – 6-1 – 205 – R/R – Jr. San Jacinto, Ca. (Iowa Western CC)
Iowa Western Community College (2017): Played for coach Marc Rardin helping the Reivers to a 44-16 record as a sophomore … Appeared in 20 games posting a 3-0 record with three saves … Struck out 43 while walking nine in 31.1 innings … Allowed six runs (five earned) on 19 hits for a 1.44 ERA … Held opposing hitters to a .178 (19-for-107) composite batting average … Notched wins against Seminole State and Southwestern (twice) … Worked two or more innings of relief six times (three-plus twice) with a season- best 3.2 against Southeast (April 26) … Fanned multiple batters in a game 13 times with a personal-best six against Southeast (April 26) and Southwestern (May 1) … Registered saves against Crowder (twice) and Indian Hills … San Jacinto High School: Four-year letterwinner for Rick Zepek … Three-time All-Mountain Pass League selection (2013-15) … Team captain for senior year … Named Team MVP as a senior and Offensive MVP as a junior … Named Bill Gray and Hemet Sportsman’s Club Pitcher-of-the-Year … Batted .332 (62-fo-187) with three home runs and 23 doubles with the Tigers … On the mound posted an 11-8 record with six saves … Sported a 1.76 ERA allowing 73 runs (31 earned) in 123 innings … Recorded 130 strikeouts to just 51 walks … Tossed five complete games during senior year … Held opposing hitters to a .219 composite batting average … Batted .390 while posting a 7-4 record with a 1.29 ERA in 70.2 innings on his way to first-team all-league honors …Played travel ball for San Gabriel Valley Arsenal … Named 2015 California Regional Honorable Mention selection by Perfect Game … Tabbed as the 92nd-best pitching prospect in California (No. 327 overall) by Perfect Game … Participated in 2013 PG/Evoshield Upperclassman National Championship (Goodyear, Ariz.), 2014 WWBA World Championships (Jupiter, Fla.) and 2014 California World Series (Los Angeles, Calif.) … Personal: Full name is Zachary Taylor Barns … Born in Riverside, Calif. … Son of Susan and James Barnes … Has three siblings (April, Brandy and Kaylee) … Intended major is communications.
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Cole Beavin RHP – 6-5 – 175 – R/R – Fr. Ocoee, Fla. (West Orange HS)
West Orange High School: Two-year letterwinner for coach Jesse Marlo that helped the Warriors to a 53-7 two-year record … Member of two District and Metro Championship Teams (2016-17) … 2016 Regional Champions … Runner-Up in Regional as a senior in 2017 … As a junior, sported an 8-0 record with a 1.55 ERA … Struck out 72 batters while walking 11 in 49.2 innings of work … Allowed 14 runs (11 earned) on 14 hits … Registered three saves … Won Team Cy Young Award … Credited with a save against Orange County University that gave the Warriors their first-ever FHSAA Final Four appearance – finished season 27-3 record … Named First-Team All-Orlando Sentinel as a senior after posting a 10-3 record with a 1.33 ERA … Recorded 95 strikeouts to 15 walks in 73.2 innings of work … Surrendered 21 runs (14 earned) on 51 hits … Played travel ball for Matt Gerber and the Orlando Scorpions … Posted a 1-0 mark with a 0.50 ERA in 14 innings while fanning 18 … Tossed a complete game four-hitter with seven strikeouts against Olympia (5-1) clinching the top seed for the Class 9A, District 3 Tournament … Named 2016 Underclass Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Second-team All-Florida Regional and Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American in 2017 … Rated as the 39th right-handed pitching prospect (118 overall) in the state of Florida … Tabbed as No. 229 righty and No. 500 national ranking as a senior by Perfect Game … Named to nine all-tournament teams and selected as to Top Prospect Team at the 2015 Junior National Showcase at several Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcase events including 2014 14U Super25 (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 PG 14U Florida State Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 14U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014-15 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 16U Perfect Game World Series (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2017 or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2016 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 Jr. National Showcase (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015-16 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.), 2015-16 WWBA Florida Qualifier (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 17U Perfect Game World Series (Mesa, Ariz.), 2016 17 U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads or 17 U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2016 National Showcase (Fort Myers, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Cole Thomas Beavin … Born in Orlando, Fla. … Son of Stacey and Scott Beavin … Has one sibling (Scott) … Intended major is athletic training.
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Alec Burleson LHP/1B – 6-1 – 215 – L/L – Fr. Denver, N.C. (East Lincoln HS)
East Lincoln High School: Two-sport athlete who earned five letters (4 baseball, 1 basketball) … Helped the Mustangs to a 50-27 three-year varsity record under coach Chris Matile … Four-time all-conference selection … Three-time North Carolina 2A All-State Team honoree (2015-17) … Named 2016 Greater Charlotte Hot Stove High School Player-of-the-Year … Two-time Denver Weekly and 2017 SD-7 Conference Player-of-the-Year … Twelve-time MaxPreps.com Player-of-the-Game selection … Struck out just eight times over the last three years … During sophomore season batted .403 with three home runs and eight doubles … Drove in 36 run and walked 11 times … Posted a 7-3 record with a 0.77 ERA … Struck out 83 batters and walked 11 in 63.0 innings … As a junior stood second on the team with a .390 batting average and led the club with 30 RBI – second-most in program history … Laced seven doubles and hit six home runs, which tied him for fifth most in a season at East Lincoln … On the mound won a school record eight games, which is tied for second in a single-season following his seven-win campaign as a sophomore … Fanned a program-best 104 batters while sporting a 0.83 ERA (third on single-season charts) … Punched out 16 batters in a 3-1 playoff win over Mountain Heritage … Closed out prep career hitting at a .430 clip with three home runs and nine doubles … Drove in 23 runs and walked 15 times … Sported a 4-0 record with a 0.45 ERA where he struck out 53 batters and walked just two in 31 frames …Played travel ball for Don Hutchins of the South Charlotte Panthers … Batted .454 with 40 RBI, 17 extra-base hits while posting a 4-1 record with a 1.33 ERA … Fanned 48 batters while walking 17 in 40 innings … Two-time Underclassman Honorable Mention All-American (2015-16) … Second-Team All-Atlantic Region by Perfect Game (2017) … Named 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American … Rated at the seventh-best left-handed pitcher and 48th-best prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Also tabbed as the 137th-best lefty overall by Perfect Game … Named to five all-tournament teams at several Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcase events including 2014-16 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.), 2014 WWBA 2015 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2014 WWBA 2016 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2014 WWBA 2017 Grads or 15U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2016 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 17U WWBA Elite Round Robin (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) … Personal: Full name is Alec Michael Burleson … Born in Charlotte, N.C. … Son of Betty and Jason Burleson … Has one sibling (Bradley) … Intended major is sports studies.
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Seth Caddell C/INF – 5-10 – 195 – R/R – Fr. Carthage (Pinecrest HS)
Pinecrest High School: Four-year letterwinner and starter for head coach Jeff Hewitt … Helped the Patriots to a 71-34 four-year record … Owns a career .356 (104-for-292) career batting average with 16 home runs, 27 doubles ad 82 RBI … Scored 55 runs while walking 61 times … On the mound he appeared in 14 games sporting a 3.78 ERA … Allowed 13 runs (nine earned) with 17 strikeouts in 16.2 innings … Four-time Southeastern All-Conference selection (2014-17) … As a true freshman batted .338 (25-for-74) with a pair of homer, eight doubles and 19 RBI and earned the first of four-straight all-conference honors … Followed rookie season batting .302 (19-for-63) with three round trippers, three doubles and 12 RBI … As a junior helped the Patriots win the SEC Tournament Championship after he batted .345 (30-for-87) … He belted four home runs, laced seven doubles and drove in 23 runs while scoring 12 … Selected to play for the Atlanta Braves squad in the South Atlantic Border Battle under former ECU Assistant Coach and ECU Hall of Famer Billy Best following junior campaign … Named First-Team N.C. Baseball Coaches Association 4A All-State as senior after batting .441 (30-for-68) with seven home runs, nine doubles and 28 RBI … Scored 14 runs while drawing 18 walks to just eight strikeouts … Played travel ball for Jeff Petty and the Evoshield Canes where he batted .330 with five home runs and 28 RBI … Two-time Underclassman Honorable Mention All-American (2015-16) … First-Team All-Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game (2017) … Named 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American … Rated as the third-best catcher and 19th-best prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Also tabbed as the 45th- best catcher and 440th overall prospect in the county by Perfect Game … Listed as the No. 33 pro prospect by Baseball America … Named to six all-tournament teams at several Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcase events including 2013 13U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2013-14 14U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2013 PG Super25 15U North Florida Qualifier (Auburndale, Fla.), 2014 14U Perfect Game MLK Championship (Phoenix, Ariz.), 2014 14U Perfect Game-East Cobb Invitational (Cartersville, Ga.), 2014-16 WWBA 2017 Grads National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2014 WWBA 2018 Grads or 14U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2014-16 14-15U Perfect Game World Series (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014-16 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 16U National Invitational (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 15-16U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 17U Perfect Game World Series (Mesa, Ariz.) and 2016 East Coast Professional Showcase (Tampa, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Seth Steven Caddell … Born in Pinehurst, N.C. … Son of Drema and Steven Caddell … Intended major is undecided.
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Austin Covers LHP – 6-3 – 195 – L/L – Jr. Crystal Lake, Ill. (Heartland CC)
Heartland Community College (2017): Helped head coach Brian Furlong and the Wolves to a 39-18 record … Appeared in nine games making one start … Posted a 4-3 ledger with a 1.80 ERA … Struck out 31 batters and walked 14 in 45.0 innings pitched … Allowed 24 runs (nine earned) on 49 hits … Opposing hitters batted .274 against him … Picked up first win at Prairie State (Mar. 14) tossing three innings where he allowed four runs (two earned) with one strikeout … Notched other wins against Danville Area, Lincoln and Spoon River … Struck out multiple batters in a game six times with a season-high seven twice – both against Parkland … Worked a career-high seven innings allowing four runs (one earned) with four punch outs in a 5-4 win against Danville Area (May 6) … Southern Illinois (2015-16): Made one appearance tossing a shutout inning of relief against TCU (Feb. 15, 2015) before missing the remainder of the season due to injury (Tommy John) … Returned from surgery midway through the 2016 season appearing in eight games – all in relief … Worked 7.2 innings where he allowed seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits for a 5.87 ERA … Struck out six and walked three … Prairie Ridge High School: Helped coach Glen Pecoraro and the Wolves to the IHSA Class 4A State Finals as a senior finishing fourth in the state … Two-year letterwinner … First-Team All-Northwest Area selection (2014) after posting a 3-0 record with a 0.63 ERA in final prep season … Named 2014 All-Central Regional Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Listed as the No. 5 left-handed pitching prospect and 63rd overall prospect in the state of Illinois … Tabbed as the 163rd- best lefty in the nation by Perfect Game … Participated in 2013 Sunshine East Showcase (Fort Myers, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Austin Covers … Born in Barrington, Ill. … Son of Carla and Ronald Covers … Has two siblings (Tayler and Tyler) … Intended major is economics with a minor in business management.
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Chandler Jenkins OF – 6-1 – 180 – L/L – JR. Lincolnton, N.C. (Catawba Valley CC)
Catawba Valley Community College (2016-17): Two-year letterwinner for head coach Paul Rozzelle … Helped the Red Hawks to a 61-50 two-year record … As a freshman played in 13 games batting .241 (7-for- 29) with five RBI … Laced two doubles and drew a pair of walks … During sophomore season batted .460 (87-for-189) with 18 home runs and 74 RBI … Laced 21 doubles and one triple to go along with 19 walks … Slugged at an impressive .868 while posting a .516 on-base percentage … Scored 55 runs while swiping five bases in 55 games … Named ABCA/NJCAA Division II National Player-of-the-Year … Earned a pair of First-Team All-America honors (NJCAA and ABCA/Rawlings) … NJCAA All-Academic Team … Selected as NJCAA Region X Player-of-the-Year … First-Team All-Region X selection ... Became first student-athlete at Catawba to earn National Player-of-the-Year honors for their respective sport … Claimed Region X regular season Triple Crown … Set seven offensive single-season records for the Red Hawks … Ranked in the Top 10 nationally in seven NJCAA offensive categories … Hit multiple home runs against Lakeland Community College (Mar. 10) and New River Community College (May 6) … Opened 2017 season with a 16-game hitting streak, which included 10 multi-hit contests … Tallied a personal-best five hits against Lakeland CC (Mar. 10) … Registered at least one hit in 48 of 55 games played (multiple 26 times) … Registered a career- best five RBI on two occasions (Surry CC/Feb. 12, Pitt CC/Mar. 25) … Drove in at least one run in 33 games (multiple 20 times) … Accounted for four or more RBI in a game seven times … Gardner-Webb University (2015): Redshirted … West Lincoln High School: Four-time letterwinner for Allan Chapman … Three-time SD7 All-Conference selection (2012-14) … Won a pair of Silver Slugger Awards (2013-14) … Finished career with 105 hits – fifth most in school history … Helped the Rebels win 69 games and a pair of conference titles (2011, 2013) during his four-year prep career … Holds school-record with 11 saves … Career leader with a .330 hitter … As a junior led the club in hits (33), doubles (nine), home runs (two), RBI (33), total bases (48) and batting average (.370) … Batted .448 as a senior … Three-time Honor Roll selection … Played for coach Bobby Reynolds of Cherryville Post 100 … Also played travel ball for coach Andy Partin and the Dirtbags … Named All-Atlantic Regional Honorable Mention in 2014 … Listed as the 13th-best outfielder and 69th overall prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Participated in a pair of showcase events 2012 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla) – named to All-Tournament Team and 2013 WWBA 2014 Grads or 17U National Championship (Marietta, Ga.) … Personal: Full name is Chandler Brian Jenkins … Born in Lincolnton, N.C. … Son of Carmen and Keigh Jenkins … Has two siblings (Caitlin and Landon) … Intended major is communications.
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Noah Jones RHP – 5-11 – 165 – R/R – Fr. Greenville, N.C. (D.H. Conley HS)
D.H. Conley High School: Two-time letterwinner for coach Jason Mills … Named team captain senior season … Two-time N.C. 4 All-State selection (2016-17) … Two-time all-conference honoree (2016-17) … Teammate of current Pirate Bryant Packard … Participated in the NC Powerade State Games for Region 1 in 2016 … For his career, batted .430 (65-for-151) with a home run and 11 doubles … Drove in 35 runs while scoring 37 over 48 career games … Sported 10-4 record with a 2.12 career ERA … Struck out 120 batters while walking 22 in 89.0 innings … Allowed 43 runs (27 earned) on 75 hits … As a junior earned Daily Reflector All-County (first-team) honors after batting .469 and collecting a team-high 40 hits … On the mound went 5-1 with a pair of saves … Sported a 0.58 ERA … Struck out 51 batters while walking eight in 36.1 innings … Two-time MaxPreps.com Player-of-the-Game selection … During senior season struck out 12 batters over five innings in a 10-0 win over Wakefield (Mar. 7) … Took home second consecutive Daily Reflector All-County (first-team) accolades after posting a 5-3 record with a 3.08 ERA … Struck out 78 batters while waking 14 in 59.0 innings … At the plate batted .403 driving in 18 runs and scoring 21 runs … Play traveled ball for Joey Worley and the Evosheild Canes … Named 2016 Underclass High Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Second-team All-Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game … Earned 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-America accolades … Listed as the 17th-best right-handed pitching and 47th overall prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Named to five all- tournament teams and to Top Prospect Team at several Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcases including 2013 WWBA 2017 Grads 14U National Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 WWBA 2017 Grads 15U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 National Underclass Showcase-Main Event (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2016 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Chandler Noah Hunter Jones … Born in Greenville, N.C. … Son of Kellie and David Jones … Has four siblings (Matthew, Savanna, Summer and Luke) … Intended major is undecided.
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Jake Kuchmaner LHP – 5-11 – 185 – L/L – Fr. Waxhaw, N.C. (Marvin Ridge HS)
Marvin Ridge High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Mark Mennitt … Helped the Mavericks to a pair of N.C. 3A State titles (2015-16), four conference titles, two conference tournament crowns and a 104- 22 four-year record … Two-time team captain (junior, senior) … Two-Time First-Team N.C. Baseball Coaches Association 3A All-State selection (2016-17) … Three-time all-conference and Charlotte Area Pitcher of the year … Two-time conference pitcher-of-the-year (junior, senior) … Named Union County Pitcher-of-the-Year during junior and senior season … Posted a 28-4 career record with 291 strikeouts to 72 walks in 233.2 innings (2015-17) … Did not record any stats as a freshman for the Mavericks … As a sophomore, posted an 8-1 record with a 1.92 ERA … Struck out 92 batters while walking 31 in 76 innings of work … At the plate he batted .290 with five doubles … Named Preseason All-America by Collegiate Baseball before junior campaign … Sported an 11-3 record with a 1.70 ERA … Fanned 105 batters while walking just 23 in 85 innings on his way to Collegiate Baseball Honorable Mention All-America accolades … Batted .302 with a home run and eight doubles … Closed out prep career earning First-Team All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball as a senior … Named All-South Charlotte Pitcher-of-the-Year … Second- Team All-State selection by USA Today … Southern Carolina Conference Player-of-the-Year … Posted a 9- 0 record with 94 strikeouts and a 0.58 ERA – all three leading Union County High School Baseball … At the plate, hit at a .284 clip with two home runs, 27 RBI, 10 doubles, 19 runs and 8 stolen bases … Graduated with a 4.7 GPA … Member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and National English Honor Society … Played travel ball for On Deck Baseball Academy … Named 2016 Underclass Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Second-Team All-Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game … Earned 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-America accolades … Listed as the third-best left-handed pitching prospect and No. 22 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Tabbed as the 74th-best lefty in the country by Perfect Game … Named to three all-tournament teams at Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcases including 2013-14 WWBA 15U National Championship (Marietta, Ga.), 2014-15 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015-16 WWBA 16-17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2015-16 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Jacob Kuchmaner … Born In Youngstown, Ohio … Son of Sue and Vic Kuchmaner … Has three siblings (Makenzie, Vic and Zac) … Father played baseball at Akron … Mother ran track at Kent State … Brother Zach is an outfielder/pitcher at UNC Greensboro … Sister Makenzie plays volleyball for NC State.
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Connor Litton INF – 6-2 – 217 – L/R – Jr. Big Cove Tannery, Pa. (Cowley County JC)
Cowely County Junior College (2016-17): Two-year starter for Dave Burroughs … Helped the Tigers to an 87-36 two-year record that included a pair of Region VI Championships, a third place finish at the 2017 JUCO World Series (Grand Junction) and a No. 3 National Ranking in 2017 … Batted .358 (148-for-414) with 11 home runs, 39 doubles, 105 RBI and scored 110 runs during his tenure with the Tigers … Tallied 47 multi-hit and 29 multi-RBI games … During freshman season, batted .379 (92-for-243) with four home runs and 63 RBI … Laced 23 doubles, two triples while walking 18 times and scoring 53 runs … Participated in the Kansas JUCO All-Star Game … Ranked among the nations leaders in at-bats (fourth), hits (17th) and doubles (21st) … Registered at least one hit in 51 of 60 contests (multiple 31 times) with a career-high four twice … Plated at least one run in 33 of 60 games (multiple 18 times) … Drove in four or more runs in a game five times with a career-best five at Western Oklahoma State (Feb. 27) … As a sophomore earned First-Team Jayhawk East All-Conference and Second-Team All-Region VI honors after batting .327 (56-for- 171) with seven home runs and 42 RBI … Laced 16 doubles and one triple, while drawing 35 walks and scoring 57 runs … Sported a .927 fielding percentage recording 41 putouts, 73 assists and nine errors in 123 total chances earning Region VI Gold Glove Team accolades … Recorded at least one hit in 36 of 50 games played (multiple 16 times) with a season-high three on four occasions … Drove in at least one run 26 contests (multiple 11 times) with a season-high four against Coffeyville (March 25) … Southern Fulton High School: Two-sport athlete and seven-time letterwinner (baseball 4, basketball 3) … Helped the Indians and coach Dustin Fischer to a 74-18 four-year record which included a pair of District 5 Championships (2014-15) … Batted .430 with seven home runs and 88 RBI during his four-year prep career … Collected 125 hits, scored 113 runs, laced 26 doubles and swiped 58 of 60 bases in 90 games … Three- time all-district selection (2013-15) … Named second-team all-state … Team captain … On the mound, sported a 12-5 record with four saves in 35 appearances (nine starts) … Allowed 37 runs (21 earned) on 60 hits for an impressive 1.52 career ERA … Struck out 161 batters while walking just 49 and held opposing hitters to a .174 composite batting average … Threw three complete games, one shutout and a no-hitter during his senior year … Three-year starter at point guard … Two-time all-district player in basketball (2014- 15) … Earned Public Opinion Men’s Basketball Player-of-the-Year honors in 2015 … Averaged a double- double during senior campaign and closed out his career scoring more than 800 points for the Indians … Eleven-time MaxPreps.com Player-of-the-Game selection … Also named USA Baseball Player-of-the-Game … Played travel ball for Post 421 under coach Robert Koontz … Personal: Full name is Connor Blake Litton … Born in Hagerstown, Md. … Son of Maureen and Ryan Litton … Has one sibling (Brayden) … Intended major is parks & recreation with a minor in business.
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Josh Netterville OF – 5-11 – 183 – S/R – Fr. Germantown, Md. (Northwest HS)
Northwest High School: Three-year starter for coach Todd Varesco … Three-sport athlete and eight-time letterwinner (baseball 4, football 1, track 4) … Member of the Jaguars Maryland 4A State Championship team in 2017 as a senior … Helped Northwest to a 36-18 three-year record … Named team captain his senior year … Named Second-Team Washington All-Metro … Earned 4 A West All-Conference accolades … 2017 MSABC First-Team All-District 2 selection … Selected to participate in the 2017 Senior All-Star Game … In track, was county and regional champion in the 300m dash and regional champion for 55m dash in Indoor Track during the 2015-16 season … Member of the 4x200 Regional Indoor and Counties Indoor Champion relay team (2015) … Played travel ball for the Mid-Atlantic Red Sox under the direction of coach Allen Haines … Listed as the 11th-best prospect in the state of Maryland by Baseball America … Second-Team All-Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game … Earned 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-America accolades … Listed as the third-best outfield and sixth overall prospect in the state of Maryland by Perfect Game … Tabbed as the 106th-best outfield prospect in the country by Perfect Game … Named to a pair of all-tournament teams at Perfect Game events … Participated in 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2016 PG Super25 Northeast Super Qualifier (Vineland, N.J.) and 2016 WWBA 2018 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) … Personal: Son of Jessica Netterville … Born in Atlanta, Ga. … Has two siblings (Andre and Janelle) … Intended major is education with a minor in mathematics.
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Spencer Smith C – 6-0 – 195 – R/R – Fr. Bahama, N.C. (Northern Durham HS)
Northern Durham High School: Four-year starter for coach Greg Pruitt … Two-sport athlete and five-time letterwinner (baseball 4, football 1) … Drafted in the 37th round (pick 1,124 overall) in the 2017 Major League First-Year Player Draft by the Texas Rangers … Three-time All-PAC 6 selection (2014-16) … Two- time N.C. 4A Baseball Coaches Association All-State honoree (2015-16) … Named PAC 6 Conference Player-of-the-Year as a junior … Finished career batting .459 (118-for-257) with 23 home runs and 100 RBI in 84 career games … Laced 29 doubles and six triples to go with 41 walks … Scored 84 runs and stole 33 bases … Fielded at a .981 clip recording 545 putouts, five assists and nine errors in 468 chances … Batted .406 (28-for-69) with one home run and nine RBI during freshman season … Tallied seven doubles, a pair of triples and scored 18 runs … Followed rookie campaign by hitting an impressive .508 (32-for-63) with five round trippers and 31 RBI on his way to all-state honors … As a junior, he batted .507 (34-for-67) with 10 home runs, six doubles and 35 RBI … Scored a career-high 26 runs while walking 13 times on his way to all-state and conference player-of-the-year accolades … Named Preseason All-Impact Team heading into senior season … Closed out prep career leading the Knights with a .414 batting average … Belted seven home runs, drove in 25 and laced 10 doubles … Played one year of football (tight end) … Four-time scholar- athlete … Listed as a Top 200 prospect (No. 151) by Baseball America heading into the MLB Draft … Played travel ball for Evoshield Canes under the direction of coach Jeff Petty … Two-time (2015-16) Underclass Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … First-Team All-Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game … Earned 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Third-Team All-America accolades … Tabbed as the top catching prospect and No. 8 overall player in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Rated as the 11th-best catcher in the nation by Perfect Game … Named to three all-tournament teams at Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcase events including 2013 WWBA 2017 Grads or 14U National Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 WWBA 2017 Grads or 15U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2016 17U Perfect Game World Series (Mesa, Ariz.), 2016 East Coast Professional Showcase (Tampa, Fla.) and 2016 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Spencer Smith … Born in Durham, N.C. … Son of Corrie and Harman Smith … Has three siblings (Dillon, Dustin and Kassidy) … Intended major is criminal justice.
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Willy Strong RHP – 5-11 – 202 – R/R – So. Richmond, Va. (Florence Darlington Tech)
Florence Darlington Tech College (2017): Helped head coach Preston McDonald to the Region X Regular season title and an appearance in the JUCO World Series (Grand Junction) … As the No. 2 starter, posted an 8-3 record with a 4.39 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts) … Tossed three complete games and a pair of shutouts … Allowed 44 runs (34 earned) on 74 hits in 69.2 innings … Struck out 75 batters while walking 25 … His two shutouts stood 12th nationally, while his eight win ranked 48th … Struck out 10 batters in a game three times (Patrick Henry and USC Lancaster/twice) … Recorded complete game shutouts against Patrick Henry (Feb.18) and USC Lancaster (March 25) … Other complete game was against USC Salkehatchie (April 14) … Recorded multiple strikeouts in 13 of 14 outings … Patrick Henry High School: Three-year letterwinner and starter for coach Sammy Hart … Three-time All-Conference 16 selection (twice named a first-teamer) … As a sophomore batted .402 with eight home runs, while posting a 3-1 record on the mound on his way to second-team all-conference honors … Named Richmond Times Player-of-the-Week (May 23) after going 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI vs. Deep Run … Also threw a two-hitter and struck out nine batters … During junior campaign, went 7-2 on the mound earning second-team all-state and first-team all-conference accolades … Closed out prep career taking home First-Team VHSL Group 5A All-State accolades as a first baseman … Named 5A North First-Team All-Region … Named First-Team All- Conference 16 as a pitcher after posting an 8-1 record as team captain … Also garnered First-Team All- Metro honors … Played travel ball for Evoshield Canes North under Mike Petty as well as American Legion for Post 175 under coach White … Named 2015 Underclass Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Earned 2016 All-Atlantic Region Honorable Mention … Listed as the No. 23 right-handed pitcher and No. 53 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Named to a pair of all-tournament teams at Perfect Game events … Participated in several showcases including 2013 16U WWBA East Memorial Day Classic (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2013 WWBA 2016 Grads or 15U National Championship (Marietta, Ga.), 2013 15U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2013 15U Perfect Game World Series (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2013-14 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 WWBA 2016 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2015 WWBA 2016 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) … Personal: Full name is William Robert Strong, but prefers to go by Willy … Born in Richmond, Va. … Son of Susan and Jerry Strong … Has one sibling (Andrew) … Brother played baseball at Lynchburg College in 2015 … Intended major is business.
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Collin Watt INF – 6-1 – 188 – R/R – Fr. Asheville, N.C. (TC Roberson HS)
TC Roberson High School: Three-year letterwinner for coach Eric Filipek … As a sophomore batted .225 with 16 RBI … Led Rams to a 24-4 record during junior campaign … As a junior, earned All-Mountain Athletic Conference honors as an infielder/pitcher … Batted .346 with 15 RBI, eight doubles one home run and stole six bases … On the mound recorded a pair of saves with a 5.41 ERA and nine strikeouts in 10.1 innings … Helped Rams (31-3) capture NCHSAA 4A State Championship with a two-game sweep over New Hanover … Belted a two-run homer against New Hanover in Game 1 of the N.C. State Championship series … Earned Ingles Athlete-of-the-Week honors (April 2) … Named MAC Player-of-the-Year … Named team captain and batted .391 with nine home runs … Played travel ball for the Dirt Bags under the direction of Andy Partin … Named 2016 Underclass High Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Second-Team All- Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game … 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All- American … Listed as the third-best third baseman prospect and No. 30 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina by perfect Game … Rated as the 36th-best prospect in the nation at the hot corner by Perfect Game … Played in six Perfect Game showcase events including 2014 15U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 18U WWBA Memorial Day at LakePoint (Cartersville, Ga.), 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2016 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Alexander Collin Watt … Born in Abbeville, S.C. … Son of Brenda and Johnny Watt … Has three siblings (Kami, Kaylan, Kirsten) … Intended major is physical therapy.
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Jeremy Whitehead OF – 5-8 – 142 – L/R – Fr. Huntersville, N.C. (Lake Norman Charter)
Greater Cabarrus High School (2017): Lettered as a infielder and helped the Stallions to a 26-9 record … Batted .388 (26-for-67) with a home run and five RBI … Laced three doubles and two triples to go with 20 runs scored … Walked six times and swiped 4 of 6 bases … Lake Norman Charter High School (2014- 16): Three-year letterwinner for coach Josh Russell … Helped the Knights to a 38-23 record, which included a conference title in 2016 … As a freshman, played in five games on the varsity squad batting .375 (3-for-8) with a triple and three RBI … During sophomore campaign batted .229 (16-for-70) with a home run, three doubles and nine RBI … Scored 14 runs, walked 12 times and swiped a pair of bases … Named All-Big South Conference Player-of-the-Year as a junior where he batted .425 (31-for-73) with a .517 on-base percentage … Scored 33 runs, stole 17 bases and had nine extra base hits (five doubles, four triples) … First-Team All-Big South Conference selection … Finalist for Greater Charlotte Hot Stove “Gamer”-of-the- Year … Named to 14U USA National Team Development Program in 2013 … Played travel ball for the Dirtbags under the direction of Andy Partin … Two-time (2015-16) Underclass High Honorable Mention by Perfect Game … Second-team All-Atlantic Region selection by Perfect Game … 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American … Listed as the fourth-best outfielder and 34th-best player in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Rated as the 146th-best outfield prospect nationally by Perfect Game … Named to three all-tournament teams at Perfect Game events … Participate in several showcases including 2013 PG Super25 2016 Grads or 16U Coastal Qualifier (Greenville, S.C.), 2014 15U Perfect Game World Series (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 16U Perfect Game World Series (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 17U PG Evoshield Classic (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.), 2016 18U WWBA Memorial Day at LakePoint (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) … Personal: Full name is Jeremy Andrew Whitehead … Born in Beaufort, N.C. … Son of Harrella Wedington and Tony Whitehead … Has two siblings (Hannah and Morgan) … Intended major is business with a minor in sports communication.
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Gavin Williams RHP – 6-6 – 200 – R/R – Fr. Fayetteville, N.C. (Cape Fear HS)
Cape Fear High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Wendell Smith … Drafted in the 30th round (pick 889) in the 2017 Major League First-Year Player Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays … During four-year career, sported an 18-1 record with two saves in 29 appearances … Sported a miniscule 1.06 ERA with 212 strikeouts to 74 walks in 132.0 innings … Allowed 29 runs (20 earned) on 63 hits while holding opposing hitters to a .138 batting average … Batted .354 (67-for-189) with two home runs, 13 doubles and five triples … Drove in 52 runs while scoring 54 in 63 games … Walked 33 times while striking out 16 … As a freshman made just one start striking out 13 batters with four walks and allowed just one hit over six innings … Followed rookie campaign with a 6-1 record with one save in 12 appearances … Sported a 1.70 ERA allowing 14 runs (12 earned) with 83 strikeouts to 36 walks in 49.1 innings … Hit a t a .370 (27-for-73) clip with a home run, 23 RBI and 20 runs … As a junior went 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA in eight appearances … Surrendered 11 runs (six earned) on 26 hits while striking out 51 and walking 22 in 37.0 innings … Batted just .292 (21-for-82) with a home run, seven doubles, 16 RBI and 22 runs in 22 games … Missed first half of senior season with an injury … Posted a 6-0 record with a 0.35 ERA … Struck out 65 batters while walking 12 in 39.2 innings … Allowed four runs (two earned) on nine hits … Held opposing hitters to a .070 composite batting average … Threw three consecutive no-hitters to start senior campaign and did not allow a hit in his first five outings … First of three consecutive no-hitters came in a 4-0 win over Pine Forest (April 11) where he fanned 12 batters … Tossed second no-hitter against Scotland in a 2-0 win where he struck out 16 batters over seven innings (April 18) … Hurled third no-hitter in a 2-0 victory against Jack Britt (April 26) where he struck out 11 and allowed three runners to reach base on walks … First-Team All-Regional selection by Fayetteville Observer … Named Mid-South Player-of-the-Year … Two-time Fayetteville Observer Athlete-of-the-Week (April 19, May 3) … Listed as the No. 114 prospect by Baseball America for the 2017 MLB Draft … Played travel ball for Evoshield Canes under the direction of Jeff Petty … Named Second-Team Underclass All-American (2016) by Perfect Game … First-Team All-Atlantic Region selection (2017) by Perfect Game … 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American … Listed as the second-best right-handed pitcher and seventh overall player in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Rated as the 50th-best righty and 141st overall prospect nationally by Perfect Game … Named to six all- tournament teams in Perfect Game events … Played in several showcase events including 2013 PG Super25 14U Coastal Qualifier (Lewisville, N.C.), 2014 PG Super25 14U Coastal Regional (Wilmington, N.C.), 2014 14U BCS Finals (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 WWBA 2018 Grads or 14U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads of 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2018 Grads of 15U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015-16 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2016 WWBA 2017 Grads of 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.) and 2016 East Coast Professional Showcase (Tampa, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Gavin Scott Williams … Born in Fayetteville, N.C. … Son of Cheryl and Laurice Williams, Jr. … Has one sibiling (Whitney) … Intended major is athletic training.
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Bryson Worrell UTIL – 6-2 – 198 – S/R – Fr. Sims, N.C. (Hunt HS)
Hunt High School: Two-sport athlete that earned six letters (baseball 4, football 2) … Started three years for coach Jon Smith helping the warriors to a pair of conference regular season titles (2016-17) and a conference tournament crown (2014) … Three-time All-Big East selection (2015-17) … Posted an 11-7 record in 23 appearances (18 starts) with a 2.10 ERA during four-year career with the Warriors … Allowed 44 runs (27 earned) on 65 hits with 92 strikeouts to 47 walks in 90.0 innings … Hit at a .254 clip (52-for-205) with five home runs, 10 doubles and three triples … Drove in 27 runs while scoring 43 in 69 games … As a sophomore went 2-4 with a 3.79 ERA … Registered 17 strikeouts and walked eight in 20.1 innings … Allowed 15 runs (11 earned) on 20 hits … Batted .338 (24-for-82) with a home run and 18 RBI … Laced four doubles, one triple while drawing six walks and scoring 18 runs … During junior season went 1-2 in four starts with a 4.40 ERA … Allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits with 13 strikeouts in 14.1 innings … Belted three home runs while hitting .264 (14-for-53) with two RBI and 11 runs scored … Named Big East Pitcher-of-the-Year after collecting eight wins in 12 appearances (10 starts) … Tossed three complete-game shutouts … Sported a 0.92 ERA where he allowed 18 runs (seven earned) on 28 hits in 53.1 innings … Struck out 60 and walked 27 … At the plate batted .187 (14-for-75) with one home run, four doubles and one triple … Drove in seven runs while scoring 14 and drawing 11 walks … Played travel ball for the Dirtbags under the direction of Andy Partin … Also played for Wilson Post 17 (American Legion) under coach Johnson … Listed as the sixth-best catcher and No. 32 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina by Perfect Game … Rated as the 80th-best catcher in the nation by Perfect Game … Two-time (2015-16) Underclass High Honorable Mention selection by Perfect Game … 2017 Second-team All-Atlantic Region pick by Perfect Game … 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American … Named to Top Prospect and All-Tournament Team at the 2015 Atlantic Coast Underclass Showcase … Also participated in 2013 WWBA 2017 Grads or 14U National Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 15U Perfect Game World Series (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2014 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.), 2015 WWBA 2016 Grads or 17U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA 2017 Grads or 16U National Championship (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 16U Perfect Game World Series (Cartersville, Ga.), 2015 WWBA Underclass World Championship (Fort Myers, Fla.) and 2015-16 WWBA World Championship (Jupiter, Fla.) … Personal: Full name is Bryson Worrell … Born in Wilson, N.C. … Son of Dawn and Greg Worrell … Has one sibling (Nick) … Intended major is biology.
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