(Nov. 20, 2000) — The University of Kentucky baseball program signed seven student-athletes to a national letter-of-intent, head baseball coach Keith Madison announced last week.
“If we can keep this class together, it may become our best recruiting class ever,” Madison said. “This class has a great combination of offensive power and strong pitching. This is a group of young men blessed with athletic ability, a strong work ethic, and overall these guys are great student-athletes. We feel we have put together three outstanding recruiting classes in a row. We are looking forward to these young men wearing the blue and white.”
The 2001 Wildcat recruiting class thus far consists of four pitchers and three position players.
The 2001 signees are Garrett Berger (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), Emory Davies (Louisville, Ky./Pleasure Ridge Park), Michael Ferris (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), Travis Foley (Louisville, Ky./Butler), Christopher O’Dell (Lexington, Ky./Bryan Station), James Rodriguez (Paris, Ky./Bourbon County), and Craig Snipp (Louisville, Ky./Pleasure Ridge Park).
Two players are rated among the top-100 high school prospects by Baseball America (No. 57 – Travis Foley and No. 69 – Garrett Berger).
The University of Kentucky baseball team will open its 2001 season Feb. 9 against Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
2001 WILDCAT SIGNEE BREAKDOWN
Total Players: 7 (7 High School Seniors)
States: 3 (Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio)
Kentucky Cities Represented: (Louisville – 3, Lexington – 1, Paris -1)
2001 KENTUCKY BASEBALL SIGNEE PROFILES:
GARRETT BERGER
RHP – 6-3 – 240 – R/R – Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS
Rated as the 69th best high school prospect by Baseball America…First Team All-County and All-Conference during 2000 season…Participated in the National Area Code Games…Posted 8-5 record with a 1.47 ERA…. Struck out 123 batters in only 81 innings…Fastball ranges between 88-91 mph.
Madison on Berger: “Garrett is a big, strong pitcher with unlimited potential. With improved fastball command, he could become a dominant pitcher in the SEC.”
EMORY DAVIES
C – 6-3 – 190 – R/R – Louisville, Ky./Pleasure Ridge Park
All-Jefferson County for 2000 season… Member of KHSBCA West All-Star team… During the 2000 season, hit .391 with 8 HR and 44 RBI… Slugging percentage of .713…Outstanding student who ranks 9th out of 410 with a 3.97 GPA
Madison on Davies: “Emory is a big catcher with outstanding power. With patience and hard work, he will eventually become a middle-of-the-line up type hitter with outstanding RBI potential.”
MICHAEL FERRIS
OF – 6-2 – 190 – L/L – Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS
Received the prestigious Cincinnati Player of the Year Award and First Team All-State honors following 2000 season…Following in the footsteps of current UK players Vince Harrison and Seth Morris, who also were selected as Cincinnati Player’s of the Year…As a junior, was selected First Team All-League, All-City and All-District…Participated in the National Team One Showcase…MVP Team at the Area Code Showcase…As a sophomore, was named First Team All-League and All-City…Hit .522 last season… Led the greater Cincinnati area with 15 home runs, 38 RBI, 42 runs scored and 14 doubles last season…Holds school record with 21 career home runs and 78 RBI.
Madison on Ferris: “Mike is one of the top hitting prospects in all of high school baseball. He is a gifted athlete and student. We are excited about Mike becoming a Wildcat.”
TRAVIS FOLEY
RHP – 6-2 – 180 -R/R – Louisville, Ky./Butler HS
Rated as the 57th top prospect in high school baseball by Baseball America…Hard throwing right-hander with good command of fastball…Fastball ranges between 86-88 mph on radar gun…Possesses excellent curveball movement with good command…Mixes pitches well.
Madison on Foley: “Travis is a young man with a great arm and good control. He has a chance to have an immediate impact on our team and become a dominant player in our league.”
CHRISTOPHER O’DELL
1B/OF – 6-5 – 215 – R/R – Lexington, Ky./Bryan Station HS
Lexington product received Second Team All-City honors following 2000 season… Batted .438 during junior campaign…Belted eight home runs and 41 RBI…Excellent defensive first baseman who also possesses the speed to play outfield…Outstanding student.
Madison on O’Dell: “Chris is a big buy with great raw power. As he gains experience and gets stronger, he could become an outstanding SEC hitter.”
JAMES RODRIGUEZ
RHP – 6-2 – 190 – R/R – Paris, Ky./Bourbon County HS
One of only three juniors to be selected First Team All-State in 2000…Went 7-1 during junior season with a 1.2 ERA… Has been clocked between 91-93 mph on the radar gun… Recorded 95 strikeouts while issuing only 12 walks…24 career victories ties him for school record…Lead team with .522 batting average…Member of the Kentucky Junior All-Star team…Outstanding student with a 4.0 GPA.
Madison on Rodriguez: “James is a gifted athlete with a smooth delivery. He has an explosive fastball with good control. We’re excited about having James in our program.”
CRAIG SNIPP
LHP – 6-0 -165 – L/L – Louisville, Ky./Pleasure Ridge Park HS
1999 and 2000 All-State selection…Three-year starter on varsity team…Starting pitcher in 1999 state championship game as a sophomore…Went 12-1 with a microscopic .69 ERA last season…Has posted 23-3 record over the last two seasons with 242 strikeouts…Crafty left-hander whose fastball ranges between 84-86 mph…Good command of pitches with breaking ball being his out pitch…Outstanding student.
Madison on Snipp: “Craig is an outstanding competitor who blends a good arm with outstanding finesse. We expect Craig to make an immediate impact on an already strong pitching staff.”
