MIF04

You're killing me...go Ole Miss !!!! Locals in the regionals: Miami regional: West Brook's Tim Ferguson (Ole Miss) opens with Mizzou. Hosting is the #1 ranked team (Miami Hurricanes). Ferguson has won starting SS job for Rebels and is .290-3-23. Texas A&M regional: LCM's Clayton Ehlert (Texas A&M) as the Aggies host Houston, Dallas Bapt and Ill-Chicago. Tough regional as Aggies sluming at the end of the year, Houston just won CUSA tourney and Dallas Bapt is a potential surprise (2 wins this year vs. Rice and another vs. A&M). Ehlert is 6-2, 3.25 and should start one of regional games. West Brook grad David Murphy won't play as he continues his medical redshirt. UH freshman Chase Dempsay (Baytown Sterling) is the Cougar closer this year (6-3, .250 with 11 saves). LSU regional: BC's Johnny Dishon (LSU) claimed a national seed as the Tigers have now won 20 in a row. They host Southern Miss, New Orleans and Texas Southern. This regional has a lot of local flavor: Dishon (.239-1-10 but .318 in SEC conference play) along with Southern Miss's brotherly tandem from West Brook: James Ewing (.369-5-43, leading the Golden Eagles in hitting) and Michael Ewing (.200-10-22, 2nd on the team in HR) and UNO's Jake Henderson (Kelly) at 7-1, 3.99. At the Houston regional, hosted by Rice, Braeden Riley (Woodville) will represent our local Southland Conference for Sam Houston State. Braeden is .241-0-14 with 20 starts this year for the Bearkats. PNG grad Zac Harwood represents Rice. Harwood is 0-0 in limited action (2 appearances, 1 IP). Fun for all...especially me !!!!

usually wait until after last district team is eliminated before announced. sterling still playing (although down 1-0 to Westside)

I will weigh in with advice to play in your local league until he is 12...he needs the local influence, the friends, the chasing foul balls, etc...Nothing (and I mean nothing) beats your Little League years. Is select more competitive? Sure. Is the talent level higher? Sure. But, at that age, it really isn't that important. The other things are. If he is really interested, let him take a couple of lessons a week as he grows. Now, after his 12 y/o year, then you can evaluate if select is, or is not, for him. By then, the boy may have decided he wants to play golf...or soccer...or whatever. Once he gets to that age, you can start getting some real use out of the select programs. One note: I disagree wholeheartedly with the comment that, by age 14, the athlete takes over. They need the teaching and experience more at that age than ever. Been there, seen it, know it. Another note: as usual, I agree with The Voice. He, too, has been down the road (some of it with me). The kids needs a break every now and then. Sometimes, a day off is the best thing a coach can do... Good luck.

REBELS’ FERGUSON NAMED SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK Rebel shortstop Tim Ferguson didn’t get many swings in the weekend series against Auburn, but the ones he got counted for a lot as the infielder was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced on Monday. Ferguson hit a 3-run walk-off home run against Auburn on Friday night in his only at bat to give the Rebels a win in the series opener and set the stage for the Rebels to win the final home series in SEC play for the 2008 season. The Beaumont, Texas, native entered the game in the eighth inning as a defensive substitute before making his one at bat in the game count. Ferguson hit .500 for the weekend and did not commit a single fielding error at shortstop as he helped the Rebels to the series win over the Auburn Tigers. He is the third Rebel to earn Freshman of the Week honors this season as Matt Smith and Drew Pomeranz also earned the Weekly Honor earlier this season. Five Rebels have garnered weekly honors from the Southeastern Conference this season as Lance Lynn and Scott Bittle have both been named Pitcher of the Week selections this season as well. The Rebels will return to action this Thursday when Ole Miss will close out the regular season on the road at Kentucky. First pitch in Friday’s game is set for 5:30 p.m. CDT and the game will be televised by Fox Sports Net in the state of Mississippi.

Wow... First, great location. Nederland's field is a great HS field and the people down there are 'baseball' people. Good pick by Coach Bryant. Second, a one gamer. Usually, when you pick one game, that means you are the 'weaker' team. I am not buying it here. I think this is just Coach Mixon trying to put a little pressure BC's way. Also, note that Jasper is the home team. In a close game, that is an advantage. Third, BC has gotta throw Hicks. He's their ace and you never want to face elimination without throwing your #1. I would expect Parsons for Jasper. Jasper will try to put a lot of pressure on early. They'll bunt, run, etc. Last, get there early. I expect it to be packed Friday night.

Well, the 'prediction' of BC in three just got tossed out the window when Jasper chose a 1 game, winner take all on Friday in Nederland. Gotta give Mixon credit...it may or may not work for him but his has got some 'guts'.

Yes, I’m back…well, maybe not back, but making a special playoff appearance with an edition of the long-lost RANDOM THOUGHTS. Today’s RANDOM THOUGHTS come to you from beautiful Oxford, Mississippi as I await Game 3 of the three-game series between Ole Miss and Auburn. For those of you who don’t know, Game 1 was won by the Rebels when a certain former West Brook player slammed a 3 run walk-off in the bottom of the 9th to complete a 7-6 Ole Miss rally. Game 2 (won by the interlopers from Alabama) does not deserve any further mention… Kudos to District 21-3A as all three teams advance. Jasper rolls in two games while both BC and HJ rallied from a game 1 defeat to defeat Needville and Sweeny respectively. One 21-3A team will go home this week as BC-Jasper hook it up in a “its déjà vu all over again†matchup. If it is anywhere as intense as last year’s regional final, it will be a treat for all. Unlike last year, BC is the district champ (advantage Cards) but it is hard to pick against Mixon (advantage Bulldogs). The line? Too close to call but I’m going with Joe Robertson and the Cards in 3 (this should make the ‘Dogs faithful happy: I took BC last year, too). In the HJ series with Giddings (a 3 game winner over Katy Park), I’ll take the Hawks in 3, although the Buffaloes can swing it. HJ will need a big weekend from Rogers, Monse, et al. In 4A, PNG rolled last week riding Eric Harrington in Game 1 and cruising to a 5-2 win in Game 2, eliminating Katy Seven Lakes. It gets a little rougher for Jay Stone and the Indians as they take on the Lamar Cons. Mustangs. The Mustangs (for those of you who have been asleep for the past week), swept LCM from the playoffs, a tough loss for the Bears in the 2nd round. I pause to note this: LCM will wear that loss if they get a “win†with Coach Griff’s son, Gage. Our prayers remain with that family. The shocker in 4A is the early exit by Barbers Hill, a preseason contender to make it to Austin. Boasting one of the finest pitching staffs in the area, BH imploded the last 2 weeks of the season and were sent home in 3 games by the Bay City Blackcats. Don’t get me wrong, Bay City is a fine team but the Eagles really looked loaded. I do not understand what happened here. Next year will be a year to reload for the Hill, losing (among others) Hales, Thamm, and Silva (good players AND great kids)… Runner up shocker? The Pirates from Vidor...I really thought they'd blow and go through a couple of rounds. Still, what a rejuvenated program the past couple of years. Congrats to Coach Green. Finally, in 5A…oops, no one left as the Brook lost a 3 game set last week to La Porte. Still, a great year for the over-achieving Bruins who will wonder ‘what if’ starting C Todd Wallace hadn’t blown a knee. To the west, Baytown Sterling stayed “in it to win it†by sweeping Clements behind their firethrowin’ duo of Hunter Cervenka and Brett Marshall. The Rangers draw long-time power Elkins in the Regional Quarters. There…some RANDOM THOUGHTS. Now, its off to the old ballpark. Go Rebs. Hoddy Toddy !!!!

TASO does good work here... their scholarship efforts are one of the best things in SE Texas. Thanks guys.

OXFORD, Miss. – It was a night for home runs at Swayze Field on Friday - the Rebels and Tigers combined for five round-trippers - but none was bigger than freshman Tim Ferguson’s three-run walk-off home run that propelled Ole Miss (32-19, 13-12 SEC) to a 7-6 win over Auburn (26-24, 10-15 SEC) in the series opener. LINK: [Hidden Content]

Prayers and thoughts to Gage and his family. Class act...all of 'em.

Doing well as LSU. Has started some games. Played quite a bit, especially for a freshman in the SEC. The Tigers are on a good roll, lead SEC West and might host a regional.

I think my post did show that DD's performance was in 2007 summer showcase. And Ross Hales was upper 80s...which means he was 5-8 mph more than Lott...plus he signed with A&M off his spring/summer. I'm not saying was DD is, or is not, throwing now...just I haven't heard it and I showed where I got my information. I know the kid and his family. They're good people and I wish them the best...whether it be in the draft or in college.

This is an example of where I had my information confirmed from this summer. If he is throwing 90s now, that is different than I knew...of course, you would think there would be a huge buzz on that kind of velocity out of a LHP...for him, I hope so...I just haven't heard it: 2007 Sunshine South Showcase Player: Albert Lott Position: LHP Height: 6-2 Weight: 220 60 Yd: 7.52 OF Velo: IF Velo: 1B Velo: 79 C Velo: Pop Time: Fastball: 84 Curveball: Slider: 75 Split: Knuckleball: Change-up: FB Range: 81-82 PG Grade: 8.5 Sparq Vertical: Sparq Shuttle: Sparq Thirty: Sparq Powerball: Sparq Rating:

That's actually a good point that I forgot...the end of "draft and follow" with JUCO kids may have a material impact. Since this is the 1st year, how much of an impact remains to be seen.

Lott is a big bodied LHP but, with all due respect, I don't think he throws in the 90s. I saw him pitch this summer and he was in the lower to mid 80s. None of the scouts I have talked with has indicated differently this spring. With that being said, he does have some projectiblity with his size and being a LHP. He is a very, very late draft choice (as a project) if at all.

I would think the legitimate pro prospects (i.e., who is going to get drafted out of H.S.) would be: (1) Anthony Fazio (Kelly) -- 90+ fast ball, Rice signee (2) Ross Hales (BH) -- LHP who touches 90 and can flat out pitch, Texas A&M signee. (3) Trey Haley (Nac. Central) -- low 90s, hard thrower, Rice signee. (4) Hunter Cervenka (Baytown Sterling) -- LHP who throws in 90s, U of Texas signee (5) Brett Marshall (Baytown Sterling) -- RHP who throws in low 90s. San Jac signee. I also think a couple of other pitchers from BH (Thamm and Silva) have a shot at being drafted. Thamm is a LHP with above averge vecocity. Silva throws hard as well but is probably the least polished. Both have signed with jucos. Haley is (per the scouting services) the highest ranked of these players. I really do not see any position players being 'draftable' out of this year's HS class. Marshall is the one moving up the fastest...he came from nowhere. In the juco ranks, I think Kevin Angelle (San Jac) will probably get drafted somewhere in the mid rounds. I haven't seen Kevn pitch this year but his numbers are good. One thing to remember about draftability: "signability". MLB is not going to draft a kid that simply won't sign, or wants too much to sign. For example (and this is only a hypothetical example): Anthony Fazio is projected to go in the 4th round. To sign (and give up his scholarship to Rice), he wants $1,500,000. That amount is well above the 4th round slot money. MLB will back off the kid completely and he may go undrafted...completely. Another thing is "projectability". MLB really does not care if a kid is 10-0 on the mound, or hit .475 for his HS team. They grade players out on where they will be at some point in their future (the so-called 5 tools). That impacts much more than performance at the HS level. Good luck to all...it is always a treat at this time of the season.

While this is not finalized and we expect to pick up a few additional players, this would be the older Sun Devils team (listed by those who played varsity ball this year): 1. Hunter Cervenka (Baytown Sterling) LHP/OF (committed to Texas) 2. Tommy Collier (Cy Fair) RHP/1B (committed to San Jac) 3. Ryan Gephart (Midway McGregor) OF (committed to Missiouri) 4. Ross Hales (Barbers Hill) LHP (committed to Texas A&M) 5. Trey Haley (Nac. Central Heights) RHP (committed to Rice) 6. Brett Marshall (Baytown Sterling) RHP/SS (committed to San Jac) 7. Hunter Silva (Barbers Hill) RHP/3B (committed to San Jac) 8. Landon Steinhagen (Kelly) C/1B (committed to Howard JC) 9. Kendall Thamm (Barbers Hill) LHP (committed to Angelina) 10. Shawn Blackwell (Clear Creek) RHP (Jr. – nationally ranked #192) 11. Ryan Gunhouse (Clear Creek) C/3B (Jr. – nationally ranked #384) 12. Brady Landry (Sulphur) 3B (Jr. – nationally ranked #284) 13. Dane Phillips (Nac. Central Heights) C (Jr. – nationally ranked #40) 14. Alex Rocha (Barbers Hill) RHP (Jr. – nationally ranked #300) 15. Taylor Terrasas (Santa Fe) MIF (Jr.) 16. Kirby Bellows (Nederland) LHP/IB (Soph) 17. Jacob Felts (Orangefield) C (Soph) 18. Will Henderson (West Brook) INF (Soph) 19. Trae Hester (Vidor) LHP (Soph) 20. Aaron Morgan (West Brook) C (Soph) 21. Joe Robertson (Bridge City) INF (Soph) 22. Jace Statum (Orangefield) OF (Soph) 23. Shane Waddell (LCM) RHP (Soph) 24. Manny Rodriguez (Van Fleck) RHP/C (Frosh) 25. Ronnie Sanchez (PA Memorial) RHP/3B (Frosh) I am sure that I have missed some (as I am doing this by memory and late at night). One of our coaches this summer has been asked (and accepted) a role as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. Another ‘new’ hand is a former scout for the Cincinnati Reds (scouted Jay Bruce, for example). We also have the son of the Director of Scouting for the NY Mets…the head guy. This will amplify what is already an outstanding learning experience for all these players as well as our younger “up and coming" 14U group.

Some of the current 18's are Hales, Silva, and Thamm from Barbers Hill Marshall and Cervanka from Baytown Sterling Steinhagen from Beaumont Kelley. To name a few. The MLB draft in June could change the roster some. That's a solid bunch of players right there. While this is not finalized and we expect to pick up a few additional players, this would be the older Sun Devils team (listed by those who played varsity ball this year): 1. Hunter Cervenka (Baytown Sterling) LHP/OF (committed to Texas) 2. Tommy Collier (Cy Fair) RHP/1B (committed to San Jac) 3. Ryan Gephart (Midway McGregor) OF (committed to Missiouri) 4. Ross Hales (Barbers Hill) LHP (committed to Texas A&M) 5. Trey Haley (Nac. Central Heights) RHP (committed to Rice) 6. Brett Marshall (Baytown Sterling) RHP/SS (committed to San Jac) 7. Hunter Silva (Barbers Hill) RHP/3B (committed to San Jac) 8. Landon Steinhagen (Kelly) C/1B (committed to Howard JC) 9. Kendall Thamm (Barbers Hill) LHP (committed to Angelina) 10. Shawn Blackwell (Clear Creek) RHP (Jr. – nationally ranked #192) 11. Ryan Gunhouse (Clear Creek) C/3B (Jr. – nationally ranked #384) 12. Brady Landry (Sulphur) 3B (Jr. – nationally ranked #284) 13. Dane Phillips (Nac. Central Heights) C (Jr. – nationally ranked #40) 14. Alex Rocha (Barbers Hill) RHP (Jr. – nationally ranked #300) 15. Taylor Terrasas (Santa Fe) MIF (Jr.) 16. Kirby Bellows (Nederland) LHP/IB (Soph) 17. Jacob Felts (Orangefield) C (Soph) 18. Will Henderson (West Brook) INF (Soph) 19. Trae Hester (Vidor) LHP (Soph) 20. Aaron Morgan (West Brook) C (Soph) 21. Joe Robertson (Bridge City) INF (Soph) 22. Jace Statum (Orangefield) OF (Soph) 23. Shane Waddell (LCM) RHP (Soph) 24. Manny Rodriguez (Van Fleck) RHP/C (Frosh) 25. Ronnie Sanchez (PA Memorial) RHP/3B (Frosh) I am sure that I have missed some (as I am doing this by memory and late at night). One of our coaches this summer has been asked (and accepted) a role as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. Another ‘new’ hand is a former scout for the Cincinnati Reds (scouted Jay Bruce, for example). We also have the son of the Director of Scouting for the NY Mets…the head guy. This will amplify what is already an outstanding learning experience for all these players as well as our younger “up and coming" group.

In the past, we have had Mid County players: Blake Buchanan (PNG) Cody Mire (PNG) Branden Powell (PNG) Eric Harrington (PNG) Jon Carnahan (PNG) Mattison Smith (Ned) Aaron McFarland (Ned) Justin Richard (Ned) Some stayed with us, some left for what they thought were greener pastures. We simply don't have the access that we once did. It seems that the coaches down there encourage their kids to go elsewhere. We do, however, have some Mid County guys on our 14U team. They play good baseball down there and we are always looking to find a kid talented enough and committed enough to play for us...if they'll let him. Over the years, I think we have had at least 1 kid from every local HS at some point in time. As time has passed, our net has broadened some (particularly as various colleges have sent us their incoming recruits for the summer). But, again...we're always looking. btw: if I left anyone off the list, I apologize. Its late...I am in Athens, GA for the Ole Miss-Georgia series this weekend.

Nice article...FYI: Hunter Cervenka and Tommy Collier will be playing with SE Tx Sun Devils this summer as will Ross Hales, Hunter Silva and Kendall Thamm Purke is a 'maybe'.

As you might guess, I take issue with this. This is not what we do, never have. If we had a player with a bad or sore arm, I would know, our coaches would know, etc. And, by the way, we "underpitch" our players. We have lost games/tournaments for that reason. I even remember a game where our pitchers hit their pre-determined pitch count and we forfeited. Simple as that. But, since you don't want to publicize it, send me a PM. I will assure you I will check on it.

For talent, one should consider ’05 West Brook team: P Brandon Castolenia UH-Victoria NAIA (5-0 with 1.55 ERA) C Patrick Ford-Sr. UH-Victoria NAIA (hitting .500 with 9 HRs) 1B John Michael Falgout-Jr. Air Force (football scholarship) 2B Tim Ferguson-Soph. U. of Mississippi (hitting .308, starting at SS) 3B David Murphy-Soph. U. of Houston (medical redshirt) SS James Ewing-Sr. Southern Mississippi (starting 2B, hitting .361, freshman All American) LF Michael Ewing-Sr. Southern Mississippi (4 HRs, freshman All American) CF Jay Bruce-Sr. 1st round (Cincy Reds); rated #1 minor league prospect in professional baseball by Baseball America (hitting .333 for AAA Louisville) RF Mark Serna-Soph. Angelina JC(hitting .330) Lot of talent on this team...and everybody in their 'starting 9' went on to play at the next level.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Tim Ferguson hit is first home run of the season in the ninth, Link: [Hidden Content]

A lot of good kids on here. Robertson and Steinhagen stand out...Steinhagen gets overlooked because of the Fazio buzz at Kelly while Robertson gets the same due to the Hicks buzz. Both are really good...wait and see, Robertson is not gonna be the underrated one for long. And, Statum and Felts shouldn't be on here...they are beyond overrated. They're just good.

Here is the link to the All American team: [Hidden Content] Here is the link to the Regional team: [Hidden Content] For the record, this is the 2nd year Rawlings has doen this. Last year, Tim Ferguson (West Brook/Mississippi) was named to the All American team, and both he and Johnny Dishon (Bridge City/LSU) were named to 1st team All Region. Congrats to the guys who made it this year. Tremendous accomplishment.