Horned Frog baseball announces fall signees
11/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 9, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas - TCU head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle announced the signing of the fall class of 2007. In all, TCU signed 13 recruits to National Letters of Intent. The 13 players, which includes seven high school players and six junior college transfers, will join the Horned Frogs in fall 2007. Nine of the 13 members of the class hail from the state of Texas and features a player ranked eighth in the state of Texas by Texas Baseball News."I am very pleased with the guys that we were able to attract this fall," remarked Schlossnagle. "Coach Todd Whitting and Coach Randy Mazey, along with the rest of the staff, did a good job of identifying good players and good students. With so many draft eligible players on our current roster and six seniors, this needed to be a larger class than normal and, depending on the outcome of the draft in June, could continue to grow in the spring."
Among the 13 signees are Texas natives Chris "Boogie" Anagnostou (RHP, LaPorte), Sean Hoelscher (RHP, Robstown), Aaron Schultz, (IF, Spring), Relly Mercurio (IF/OF, Bellaire), Taylor Parr (IF, The Woodlands) and Zac Jordan (OF, Sugarland). Making his way south from Loudenville, N.Y. is right-handed pitcher Greg Holle. Transferring to TCU next fall are three right-handed pitchers Matt Coburn, a product of San Jacinto Junior College, Andrew Cashner of Angelina College and Trey Lips from Navarro Junior College and left-handed pitcher Gabriel Sandersius from Phoenix College. Also transferring is Josue Peley, a shortstop at Seminole College and outfielder Chris Ellington from Grayson College.
Cashner, a native of Conroe, Texas, was selected in the 18th round of the 2006 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies. He is an all-star pitcher at Angelina College. He spent the summer with the Clarinda A's of the MINK League, posting a 2.90 ERA in 60 innings pitched with 44 strikeouts.
"Andrew is one of the elite junior college pitchers in The State of Texas," remarked Associate Head Coach Todd Whitting. "He has a live arm with great command and should make an immediate impact in our rotation for the Frogs in 2008."
Coburn hails from Humble, Texas and currently pitches at San Jacinto Junior College. He was a 47th-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers this past summer and was selected to play in the Texas JUCO All-Star game this past spring.
"Matt is a strong power right-hander from San Jacinto College, which is one of the premier junior college programs in the nation," Whitting said. "Matt is a player that we have been tracking since he was at Humble High School and we are very excited about what he will bring to our pitching staff next year."
Hoelscher, one of the top prospects in the state of Texas, is an outstanding pitcher at Corpus Christi Calallen. He is the eighth-ranked prospect in Texas by Texas Baseball News.
"Sean is a right-handed pitcher who is a tremendous athlete," said Whitting. "He is currently a wide receiver at Corpus Christi Calallen and will anchor the pitching staff for one of the top 4A teams in the state."
Anagnostou, a native of La Porte, Texas, is a talented athlete at La Porte High School. Signed as a pitcher, he has posted a 24-12 record to go along with a 2.09 career ERA the last three seasons. He has been an all-district performer all three years, including district MVP as a freshman.
"Boogie is a right-handed pitcher from La Porte High, which is, year in and year out, one of the top programs in the Houston Area," remarked Whitting. "He has pitched on the varsity level as a starter since he was a freshman and should be an immediate impact player for us next year."
Holle, an all-area pitcher at Christian Brothers Academy in Loudanville, N.Y., has had a decorated prep career. He has been invited to multiple Showcase Tournaments around the country, including the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in Joplin, Mo. and the Perfect Game National Showcase in Fayetteville, Ark. He was ranked 25th in the nation by Perfect Game As a member of the South Troy Dodgers summer ball team, he helped lead the squad to a fifth-place showing at the Connie Mack World Series.
"Greg, a 6' 8" right handed pitcher, was a high profile player this summer while competing in various national showcases," said Whitting. "He is a good athlete who chose TCU over some of the top programs in the nation."
A native of Spring, Texas, Schultz is a talented infielder from Klein Collins High School. He has been a first-team all-district performer and earned third-team All Greater Houston recognition. As a junior, he led his team in hits, home runs, doubles and RBIs. As a member of the Houston Heat, he helped his squad to a runner-up finish at the World Wood Bat Championships.
"Aaron will bring a big stick to the Frogs lineup in 2008," remarked Whitting. "He is a high energy, versatile player who can play multiple positions. His high school (Klein Collins, Spring, TX ) will be one of the top teams in Texas in 2007."
Sandersius comes to TCU from Laveen, Ariz. He was an all-star at Phoenix College on the strength of a season that produced 12.91 strikeouts per nine innings and an opponents batting average of .198.
"Gabe will bring immediate help as a left-handed arm," stated Whitting. "He played in the Arizona JUCO All Star Game in October and will be one of the top JUCO players to come out of Arizona this spring."
A local product from Weatherford, Texas, Ellington is a second-team all-region performer at Grayson College. As a freshman he was selected to play in the Texas JUCO all-star game. He has also been named to the Grayson County College Dean's List.
"Chris will be an immediate impact in the middle of the order for the Frogs in 2008," said Whitting. "He is a tireless worker and very competitive."
Peley was born in Venezuela and went to high school in Quebec. He has played for Team Canada in various competitions and was drafted in the 25th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.
"Josue is slick fielding, top of the order shortstop from perennial powerhouse Seminole State College in Oklahoma," remarked Whitting. "Josue is not only a great player but brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and excitement to our program. He is a fun guy to watch play as well as being a superior student."
Lips is a native of Terrytown, La. He is a right-handed pitcher/utility player at Navarro College.
"Trey is a right-handed closer-type who competes like crazy," said Whitting. "He goes right at hitters with a low to mid 90's fastball and a good slider. He could also see time at TCU as a position player."
Mercurio comes to TCU from Bellaire High School, the alma mater of current Frog catcher, Andrew Walker. He has been a three-year letterwinner and is a two-time first-team all-district performer. He was ranked No. 61 among the Perfect Game's National Top 100 position players. He was selected to the HABCA Junior All-Stars following his junior campaign as well as being invited to the Perfect Game National Showcases at the University of Arkansas and in San Diego. Baseball America ranked him among the top 300 2007 graduates.
"Relly brings a power left handed bat and runs well for a corner player," said Whitting. "He is an extremely hard worker from Bellaire High School in Houston, which continues to produce high caliber Division I players."
Jordan out of Fort Bend Baptist in Sugarland has been a team captain each of the last two years. He is a two-time first-team all-district performer and a two-time TAAPS all-state honorable mention. As well as performing on the field, Jordan has done the job in the classroom earning the distinguished scholar honor.
"Zac is a strong athletic player who projects to be a corner outfielder for us in the future," remarked Whitting. "He has a great feel for the game and hits for average and power."
Parr was a member of the 2006 National Championship, The Woodlands High School team, as named by USA Today and Baseball America.
"Taylor is a strong right-handed hitter who has shown tremendous power potential during the recruiting process," stated Whitting.
"We all anxiously await the arrival of this group to campus next fall," commented Schlossnagle. "Although our work is not finished, I believe this class will continue to help us maintain and grow our program at the Top 25 level as well as represent TCU at the highest level in the classroom and in the community.
