December 3, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky.–Seth Morris of Hamilton, Ohio, Robert Corrado of Dayton, Ohio, GordonTyler of Robards, Ky., and Joseph Blanton of Franklin, Ky., have signednational letters-of-intent to play baseball for the University of Kentucky,coach Keith Madison announced today.
Morris, a 6-3, 190-pound senior at Hamilton High School, has been athree-year starter on the varsity. As a junior, he was named the CincinnatiEnquirer Division I Co-Player of the Year, along with Kentucky freshmanVince Harrison. Morris received All-Conference and All-Academic honors ashe excelled as both a pitcher and an outfielder. He has recorded a careerrecord of 13-2 with a 1.95 ERA at Hamilton. He also batted .386 with ninehome runs and 41 RBI during 1998. Morris gives Kentucky a versatile playerwho will be able to fulfill many different roles for the Wildcats.
“Seth was a very important sign for us, especially since he’s pitcher andan outfielder,” said UK head coach Keith Madison. “He has a chance tocompete for a starting spot at both positions. He also has the best powerof any player I saw play this summer. The fact that he’s a 4.0 studentmakes him an even more valuable player.”
Corrado was named team MVP at Oakwood High School as both a sophomore anda junior. In 1997, the 6-5, 210-pound pitcher led Oakwood to its firststate championship, winning six of the seven tournament games. As a junior,Corrado posted a stellar .537 batting average and eight home runs. The sameyear, he notched a 5-1 record with a 1.70 ERA, striking out 100 batters in49.1 innings.
“Rob has everything that college coaches and professional scouts look forin a pitcher,” Madison said. “He has size, athletic ability and anoutstanding arm. We expect Rob to be another in a long line of pitchingprospects in the Kentucky program.”
Tyler has earned All-District honors since the eighth grade at WebsterCounty High School. He was named team MVP his sophomore and junior years,batting .461 during his junior season. Tyler was also a member of the 1993U.S. national team at 13 years old. The 6-2, 185-pound OF/3B will add depthat both positions for Kentucky.
“We feel that Gordon Tyler is one of the best baseball prospects in thestate of Kentucky,” said Madison. “With his work ethic and ability, he hasa chance to challenge for a starting position as a freshman.”
Blanton is a native of Edmonson County, the same hometown as CoachMadison. The 6-3, 220-pound right-handed pitcher has lettered for thevarsity team for the past five years. Blanton was a three-year starter atEdmonson County High School before transferring to Franklin-Simpson. Heholds a career 1.99 ERA with 232 strikeouts in 145 innings pitched. As asophomore, Blanton recorded 92 strikeouts along with a .417 battingaverage. He was also named all-district in both his sophomore and junioryears.
“Joseph is a big, strong pitcher that has outstanding ability,” Madisonsaid. “He will continue to improve and has a chance to be in the SECrotation here at UK before he graduates.”
