Nov. 17, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas Baseball received National Letters of Intent from two more high school student-athletes head coach Augie Garrido announced on Tuesday, bringing the total of players slated to join the team for the 2011 season to nine.
“We are excited about the nine players who have signed.” Garrido said. “Coach Harmon always does a solid job of identifying our needs and finding some of the best talent available to fill those needs.
The Longhorns’ most recent signees included Mike Foltynewicz, a right-handed pitcher from Minooka HS in Illinois and Erich Weiss an infielder from Brenham, Texas. Foltynewicz would become just the third player from Illinois to ever play for the Horns. He was ranked as the 129th best player eligible for the 2010 MLB draft by Perfect Game Cross Checker. Weiss was named an honorable mention Louisville Slugger All-American following a junior year in which he batted .457 with 17 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 35 RBI.
“Every year you try to fill your needs and each year brings a different need according to who you lost to the draft, or who graduated,” associate head coach Tommy Harmon said. “Baseball’s pretty unique in the fact that you have to recruit to your needs a couple years ahead of time, but we think we did that. We got a strong infield class; we have four infielders. We felt like we needed another right handed power hitter in the outfield and we got that. You need a catcher every year, and Felts can do that. Pitchers are right where Coach Johnson wants them to be. We bring in three or four pitchers each year; it’s kind of our formula. Overall, we’re very pleased with it obviously. It’s a quality group of guys; they’re good athletes, good students, and good people.”
Through three days, the Longhorns have had seven players sign National Letters of Intent, including a catcher, an outfielder, three infielders three pitchers and a pitcher/first baseman.
The early signing period ends on Nov. 18.
Mike Foltynewicz – RHP – Minooka, Illinois (Minooka HS)
• Named Most Valuable Player of the WJOL Area Baseball Invite
• Logged a 3-2 record with a 2.23 ERA as a junior
• Named second-team All-Area bykk the Herald-News as a junior
• Also hit .287 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 2009
• Ranked as the 129th best player eligible for the 2010 draft by Perfect Game Cross Checker
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon: Mike is probably the closest to coming in and pitching as a freshman. He’s very competitive and poised. He presents himself beyond his years.
Erich Weiss – IF – Brenham, Texas (Brenham HS)
• Named 2009 Louisville Slugger High School All-American honorable mention by Collegiate Baseball
• District 18-4A Most Valuable Player as a junior
• Named First-team Class 4A All-Texas by the Texas Sports Writers Association as a junior
• Named First-Team Class 4A All-Texas by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association as a junior
• Batted .457 with 17 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 35 RBI as a junior
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon: He needs to get stronger physically, but he has the potential to be a good left-handed hitter. He’s going to be big. He needs to grow into his frame, but he has a strong throwing arm and is hopefully an offensive second baseman.
2009-10 University of Texas Baseball signing class (as of Nov. 17, 2009)
Kirby Bellow – LHP/1B – Nederland, Texas (Nederland HS)
Jacob Felts – C – Orangefield, Texas (Orangefield HS)
Mike Foltynewicz – RHP – Minooka, Illinois (Minooka HS)
Dex Kjerstad – OF – Canyon, Texas (Randall HS)
Alex Silver – IF – Houston, Texas (Bellaire HS)
Christian Summers – IF – San Angelo, Texas (Central HS)
Trevor Teykl – RHP – Fort Bend, Texas (Kempner HS)
Nathan Thornhill – RHP – Cedar Park, Texas (Cedar Park HS)
Erich Weiss – IF – Brenham, Texas (Brenham HS)
|
|
 |
