Oct. 10, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. — With a recruiting class consisting of 11 players – including five high school All-Americans in 2008 – the Kentucky baseball team has had its 2009 incoming class ranked No. 4 nationally, the best ranking in the 104-year history of the program, Baseball America announced Friday.
“We are very excited about our new group,” Kentucky coach Gary Henderson said about his first recruiting class as head coach. “These young men are very gifted physically, but even more impressive as people and competitors. We are ecstatic about this group and we expect several of them to contribute in SEC play immediately.”
The 2009 Wildcats are bolstered by a class that includes five high school All-Americans in 2008, including two Aflac All-Americans – right-hander Alex Meyer and middle infielder Andy Burns. Infielder and right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn, catcher Michael Williams and outfielder Cory Farris all earned Louisville Slugger High School All-America honors, in addition to Meyer and Burns.
“What might be a surprise is that Kentucky is No. 4, by far its highest spot ever in these recruiting rankings,” Baseball America college writer Aaron Fitt detailed in his class breakdown. “Despite facing significant disadvantages (compared with the rest of the conference) in facilities, tradition and weather, the Wildcats landed the conference’s best recruit in right-hander Alex Meyer, the centerpiece of a banner haul … Meyer leads an impressive group of blue-chip recruits heading into the SEC.
“Despite losing second-round arms Robbie Ross and Seth Lintz (who both signed late as second-round picks) and Daniel Webb (who failed to qualify academically and took the junior college route), the Wildcats landed the best recruiting class in school history.”
Meyer and Burns headline the group which consists of several of the top high school players in the nation and three sought-after junior college transfers – Gunner Glad, Will Campbell and Nick Kennedy.
“Meyer’s plus fastball, plus curveball and athletic 6-foot-7 frame seem to make him a can’t-miss college superstar.” Fitt said. “Burns was one of the best prep hitters to come out of the state of Colorado in years, and he held his own in the Northwoods League this summer. He should hit for power and average at UK.”
Farris, a slugging 6-foot 195-pound left-handed hitting outfielder, has tremendous power and is a supreme athlete. While at Boone Co. High School, Farris set school career records for average (.437), runs (170), walks (85), stolen bases (90-for-93), doubles (39), triples (8) home runs (34) and RBI (151). With excellent athleticism, Farris – who totaled a bench-press max of 430 pounds before UK’s fall practice started – finished his high school football career with the second-most rushing yards in Boone Co. history (5,656), second to only former NFL star running back Shaun Alexander.
“Farris, a standout high school running back who turned down Division I football offers, has gargantuan power, a simple stroke and plus speed,” Fitt said.
Williams, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound catcher, will step in and compete for a role behind the plate with returning catchers Marcus Nidiffer, Brian Suerdick and T.J. Daughtery. Kapteyn and Glad bring two-way players to the class with each polished pitchers and positional players who will have an immediate impact on the 2009 roster.
“Williams stands out more for his catch-and-throw skills than his bat, but he does flash good opposite-field power,” Fitt detailed. “Kapteyn touched 95 with his sinking fastball this fall to go along with a quality slider, and he could also hit for some power as Kentucky’s first baseman. The versatile, gritty Glad brings solid tools to seven different positions, including pitcher, and Bouthilette could be a midweek starter as a freshman thanks to an 88-92 mph fastball and an excellent 12-to-6 curve.”
Kennedy, a submarine righty, will step into the bullpen after transferring from East Los Angeles College last year. Paducah, Ky., native, Chad Wright will join his brother Brock in the UK outfield, an outfield that is deep with returnees Keenan Wiley, Troy Frazier and Bryan Rose highlighting the lineup. Nicholasville, Ky., native, right-hander Chase Greene will be a factor in the Wildcat bullpen in 2009.
The Wildcats had their 2008 class ranked No. 31 by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, as well as earning the distinction as the “best of the rest” of the schools in the Midwest by Baseball America. In 2007, Baseball America tabbed UK’s class No. 23.
UK, which checked in third in the conference behind Vanderbilt and Georgia, were among the six SEC schools ranked in the top-12 nationally.
“As anyone affiliated with the Southeastern Conference will quickly tell you, it’s not easy to keep up in a league loaded with baseball powers from top to bottom,” Fitt said. “As a simple matter of survival, SEC teams must reload every single year, so they work the recruiting trail hard and take full advantage of their unrivaled facilities and fan support. So it shouldn’t be surprising to find four SEC schools among the top five in these rankings, and six SEC schools in the Dandy Dozen.”
Baseball America’s Top-25 Recruiting Classes
1. Arizona State
2. Vanderbilt
3. Georgia
4. KENTUCKY
5. Florida
6. Texas A&M
7. UCLA
8. Arkansas
9. Texas Christian
10. Oregon
11. Mississippi
12. Texas
13. Clemson
14. Virginia
15. Cal State Fullerton
16. Wichita State
17. Fresno State
18. Stanford
19. Oklahoma State
20. Louisville
21. Pepperdine
22. Southern California
23. North Carolina State
24. Florida State
25. Duke
2009 UK Baseball Newcomer Bios
#19 • Sean Bouthilette
6-2 • 195 • Fr. • R/R • RHP
Elizabethtown, Ky. (Elizabethtown HS)
High School
One of the top right-handed pitchers in the state, earned first-team all-state, and a senior and second-team all-state as a junior … As a senior, posted a 1.07 ERA and a 8-2 record, striking out 84 in 65.1 innings, walking just 22 , while saving three games … As a junior on the mound, posted a 0.43 ERA in 65.1 innings of action, striking out 111 and notching a 10-2 record … During his junior season, earned all-district, all-region, and second-team all-state honors … As a sophomore earned a 1.89 ERA, an 8-2 record, striking out 56 in 56 innings, walking only four and saving four games … On the mound as a freshman for Elizabethtown, posted a 4-2 record, a 2.98 ERA, striking out 40 in 40 innings, saving six games … Four-year letterman for coach Don Pitts at Elizabethtown High School … A standout two-way player in high school, hit .346 with 11 doubles, three homers and 18 RBI, stealing 29 bases as a senior … Stole 82 bases during his three years as a position player … Helped lead team to the district championship as a senior, junior and freshman … A four-year letterwinner in basketball, as well as running cross country sophomore year … Led basketball team to a district runner up finish as a senior.
Personal
Full name is Sean Patrick Bouthilette … Son of Brian and Shauneen Bouthilette … Born September 17, 1989 in Northampton, Mass. … Has a younger brother, Beau (16).
#8 • Andy Burns
6-2 • 185 • Fr. • R/R • INF
Fort Collins, Colo. (Rocky Mountain HS)
* 25th round draft pick in 2008 (Rockies)
* Ninth-Best Prospect in the Northwoods League by Baseball America (2008)
Summer
As one of the few 17-year old high school seniors playing in a collegiate summer league, Burns held his own, earning the Baseball America distinction as the ninth-best prospect in the highly competitive Northwoods League … Batted .225 (46-for-204) with six doubles, two homers, 19 RBI and 13-for-19 stolen bases.
High School
Aflac All-American, two-time Colorado Player of the Year, Louisville-Slugger All-American and Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year … Rated as the No. 38 prospect in high school baseball by Baseball America as a senior … First-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association … Named the Colorado State Tournament MVP in both his junior and senior seasons, while leading team to the state championships … Participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase, as well as the 2007 Area Code Games, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds team … As a senior, hit .488 with 39 hits, 45 runs, eight doubles, 10 homers and 34 RBI … Three-year letterwinner for coach Scott Bullock at Rocky Mountain High School … In 2007, Burns was named MVP of the Colorado 5A tournament after leading Scott Bullock’s Rocky Mountain High School team to the State Championship … Burns batted .546 as a junior, setting school records for runs (45), hits (39), RBI (43), walks (34) and home runs (13) … Burns finished his junior year with a staggering 1.181 slugging percentage and an equally impressive .649 on-base percentage … During sophomore season, batted .500 with 30 runs scored, seven doubles, eight homers and 27 RBI … Played football for three seasons and as a sophomore in 2006 he was named first team All-State and the team MVP … Named Rocky Mountain High School Senior of the Year in 2008 … A three-year Honor Roll Student and two-year academic all-state, Burns finished with a 3.92 GPA.
Personal
Full name is Andrew David Burns … Son of Pat and Kim Burns … Has one sister, Emily (13) … Born in Clemson, S.C., Burns lived in Lexington, Ky., for four years before moving to Fort Collins when he was eight … Father got his post-doctorate degree at Kentucky … At the age of eight, Burns went to the MLB All-Star Game in Boston and competed in the MLB diamond skills championship and won the 7-8 year old level in 1999.
#33 • Will Campbell
6-5 • 265 • Jr. • R/R • 1B/OF
Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue CC)
Junior College
Becomes UK’s third recruit in the last three years from the state of Washington, joining 2006 SEC Player of the Year Ryan Strieby and right-hander Dewayne Oxford … In 2008, hit .337 with 32 hits, 25 runs, nine doubles, four homers, 21 RBI and 12 stolen bases … In his 2006 season at Bellevue, had 90 at bats, including seven doubles, two triples, and two home runs while driving in 16 RBI and reaching base at a .417 clip … Redshirted during the 2007 Bellevue season … Played for coach Mark Yoshino at Bellevue.
High School
A four-year letterwinner at Bishop Blanchet High School for coach George Monica … Batted .572 with seven doubles, five triples, and eight home runs, complementing 37 RBI as a senior … Earned first team all-metro and all-state honors as a high school senior … Played basketball as a freshman and junior.
Personal
Born March 23, 1987 in Seattle, Wash. … Son of Robert and Cheryl Campbell … Has a sister, Jewel (23).
#44 • Cory Farris
6-0 • 195 • Fr. • L/R • OF/C
Florence, Ky. (Boone, Co. HS)
* 43rd round draft pick in 2008 (White Sox)
High School
A Louisville Slugger High School All-American as a catcher and outfielder for Boone Co. High School … Named the 13th best draft prospect (including HS and College) in the state by Baseball America before the 2008 MLB Draft … Attended the East-Coast Professional Showcase in 2007 and 2006 … A first-team all-state selection, as well as a member of the Kentucky State Senior All-Star Team and the Northern Kentucky Senior All-Star Team … Had a streak of stealing 60 consecutive bases without a caught stealing, ranking as second in Kentucky high school baseball history … Holder of school career records for at bats (400), average (.437), runs scored (170), walks (85), stolen bases (90-for-93), hits (175), doubles (39), triples (8), home runs (34), and RBI (151) … As a senior, hit .469 (38-for-81), with 42 runs, nine doubles, nine homers, 33 RBI … Drew 26 walks and struck out only seven times in 2008, stealing 16-of-18 bases … Named to MVP of the district tournament … As a junior, earned all-state honors, batting .444 (44-for-99) with 49 runs, 13 doubles, one triple eight homers and 45 RBI … Stole 26-of-27 bases as a junior … Earned Region Player of the Year honors in 2007 … In 2006 as a sophomore, hit .474 (46-for-97), with 44 runs, eight doubles, four triples, 10 homers and 37 RBI, swiping 34-of-34 bases … Stole 14-of-14 bases and hit .377 as a freshman in 2005, leading team to the district championship … Set season school marks for triples (4), home runs (10), RBI (45), walks (36) and stolen bases (34) … Played summer baseball for the Midland Redskins, which won the Connie Mack World Series in Farmington, N.M. in 2007 and advanced to the 2008 championship game … In the 2007 tournament, was named to the All-tournament team and was the MVP of the Championship Game … A pure athlete, Farris was selected to the Kentucky Tremendous 26 as a football player and currently ranks second in Boone County’s all-time rushing list (5,656 yards) to Shaun Alexander … As a senior, Farris led the state of Kentucky in regular season rushing yards with 288 carries for 2,250 yards … A first-team all-state running back and the district player of the year … Named by the Louisville Courier Journal to the All-State team and by the Lexington Herald-Leader as one of the Class of the Commonwealth … Also played basketball as a freshman and sophomore.
Personal
Full name is Cory Tyler Farris … Son of Bill and Tami Farris … Born on December 29, 1989 in Cincinnati, Ohio … Has a brother, Adam (21) … Brother played collegiate baseball for Huntington University.
#21 • Gunner Glad
6-0 • 185 • Jr. • R/R • INF/OF/RHP
Pahlequah, Okla. (Eastern Oklahoma)
Junior College
A first-team All-Region and All-Conference selection … As a freshman was named first-team All-Conference … Owns Eastern Oklahoma school records for career homers (30), single season homers (18), season hits (89) and career hits (163) … Hit .363 with 55 runs, 12 doubles, 18 homers as a sophomore, slugging .681 and reaching base at a .429 clip … Stole 17-of-20 bases, fielding at a .941 percentage … Was 6-1 with a 5.16 ERA on the mound, working 58 innings, striking out 44 … As a freshman in 2007, hit .409 with 40 runs, 20 doubles and 12 homers, driving in 60 RBI … Stole 33 bases during his two year career … Earned a 4.96 ERA and a 6-4 record on the mound in 2007 … Led Eastern Oklahoma State College to a 30-22 record in 2007 … During the 2007 season, hit .406 with 19 doubles, one triple, and 12 home runs, driving in 58 runs … Slugged for a .681 percentage, and reached base at a .430 clip … In the summer of 2007, played for the Alexandria Beetles in the Northwoods League, earning All-Star honors … Glad spent the 2006 season redshirting at San Diego State University after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
High School
Four-year letterwinner for coach Bill Springman at Tulsa Union High School … Was regarded as the No. 2 high school prospect in Oklahoma and was a member of the White Sox Area Code team in 2005 … Named MVP of the AABC Mickey Mantle Word Series in 2003 … Named MVP of the Cuba World Series in 2002 … Three-year member of the track team, competing in high and long jump.
Personal
Full name is Gunner Colby Glad … Born August 14, 1986 in Houston, Texas … Son of Randy and Vicki Glad .. Has two brothers, Robby (26) and Houston (12) and a sister, Kristy (32).
#28 • Chase Greene
6-1 • 180 • Fr. • R/R • RHP
Nicholasville, Ky. (West Jessamine HS)
High School
Five-year letterwinner for coach Jody Hamilton at West Jessamine High School … Named All-State as a senior and junior … An All-District and All-Regional selection in 2007 and 2008 … Member of the BETA Club and Honor Roll, as well as a Wendy’s High School Heisman School winner … Led team to the district and junior championship as a junior and senior.
Personal
Full name is George Chase Greene … Born September 29, 1989 in Lexington, Ky. … Son of Gaines and Paula Greene … Mother attended Kentucky.
#30 • Braden Kapteyn
6-4 • 215 • Fr. • R/R • INF/RHP
Lansing, Ill. (Illiana Christian HS)
* 39th round draft pick in 2008 (Giants)
High School
Louisville-Slugger High School All-American … Named all-state, all-conference MVP, all-conference and all-area as a senior … Four-year letterwinner of the Illiana Christian High School baseball team, playing for coach Dave Beezehold … Led team to the district championship as a senior … Stole a total of 163 bases during his four-year career … School-record holder for career average (.492) … Hit .552 with 46 runs, 16 doubles, seven homers and 44 RBI as a senior … On the mound as a senior, earned a 8-2 record and a 0.99 ERA, striking out 93 in 56 innings … Participated in the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Area Code Games for the Chicago White Sox team … Totaled a .468 batting average during his junior year in 2007, with 15 doubles, four home runs, and 35 RBI, stealing 22 bases … As a sophomore, batted .500 with 13 doubles, six home runs and 52 RBI, also earning a 1.43 ERA on the mound, along with a 5-2 record … As a freshman in 2005, batted .429 with 20 doubles, four home runs, and 44 RBI … On the mound in 2005, earned a 6-0 record, striking out 40 in 27 innings … A member of the all-conference team each year of high school … Played basketball for three years … An honor roll student.
Personal
Full name is Braden Scott Kapteyn … Born September 28, 1989 in Munster, Ill. … Son of Scott and Julie Kapteyn … Has a brother Wade (21), currently a pitcher for Evansville, and a sister, Katie (23).
#14 • Nick Kennedy
6-3 • 170 • Jr. • R/R • RHP
Los Angeles, Calif. (East Los Angeles College)
Junior College
Right-hander with a submarine delivery, coached by James Hines … Played the past two seasons at East Los Angeles College where he led team to a 31-13 record … During the 2007 season, was 8-1 with five saves and a 2.00 ERA … In 85.2 innings Kennedy struck out 48 and only walked 18 in 2007 … Named first-team All-South Coast Conference in 2007.
High School
Two-year varsity letterwinner for coach Sean McCorney at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, Calif. … Named second-team All-Pacific as a junior and first-team All-Pacific as a senior in 2006.
Personal
Full name is Nicholas Robert Kennedy … Born September 1, 1988 in Houston, Texas … Son of John Kennedy and Rebecca Troonson … Has a sister, Merrit Kennedy (22).
#17 • Alex Meyer
6-8 • 205 • Fr. • R/R • RHP
Greensburg, Ind. (Greensburg HS)
* 20th round draft pick in 2008 (Red Sox)
High School
Aflac All-America and Louisville Slugger High School All-American … Rated as the No. 5 prospect in all of high school baseball by Baseball America … Ranked as the No. 2 prospect by Baseball America at Perfect Game’s National Showcase in Cincinnati … Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year and Louisville Slugger Indiana Player of the Year … Named Indiana Mr. Baseball and first-team all-state … Posted a 0.95 ERA and a 8-0 record in 51 innings as a senior, striking out 108 and walking 30 … Holds school records for most strikeouts in a season and career and lowest season ERA … Earned EIAC Conference MVP honors and EIAC All-Conference accolades in 2008 … A member of the Indiana Bulls travel team over the summer, Meyer played in the East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland, Fla., in August … As a junior, Meyer went 3-4 with two saves and a 3.45 ERA … In 47 innings in 2007, he allowed 28 hits, 27 of which were singles, and held his opponents to a .172 batting average … Of the 206 total batters faced, Meyer struck out 72 as a junior … In 2006, as a sophomore, Meyer went 6-2 with a 1.92 ERA … Three-year letterwinner for coach Scott Moore at Greensburg High School … A two-time all-conference basketball player, played all four years, playing football as a freshman.
Personal
Full name is Alex John Meyer … Born January 3, 1990 in Greensburg, Ind. … Son of David and Sandy Meyer … Has a brother, Eric (16) and a sister, Kristen (21) … Has a cousin, P.J., that played college basketball at Mount Saint Josephs.
#4 • Michael Williams
6-2 • 210 • Fr. • R/R • C Knoxville, Tenn. (Farragut HS)
High School
Louisville Slugger High School All-American … Received a four-star rating by Baseball America … Named first-team All-State as a senior … Four-year letterwinner for coach Tommy Pharr at Farragut High School … Hit .415 with 16 doubles, 10 homers and 62 RBI as a senior … As a junior, hit .420 with 12 doubles, four homers and 35 RBI … Led team to the state championship twice and the district championship three time … Member of the Academic Honor Roll.
Personal
Full name is Michael Joseph Williams … Born April 30, 1990 in Indianapolis, Ind. … Son of Mike and Elaine … Has a brother, Nick (16) and a sister, Taylor (15).
#24 • Chad Wright
5-11 • 180 • Fr. • L/R • OF
Paducah, Ky. (Heath HS)
High School
First-team All-State selection and brother of current UK outfielder Brock Wright … Two-time All-State honoree, earning the distinction as a junior … Hit .418 with 51 runs, 15 doubles, five homers and 34 RBI, stealing 32 bases as a senior … Batted .472 with five doubles, nine home runs, 32 RBI, and a school-record 60 stolen bases … As a sophomore, hit .412 with 46 runs, eight doubles, three homers, 34 RBI and 41 stolen bags … Owns school records for single-season stolen bases, career triples, and career stolen bases … Led team to the regional championship in three of four years, including a state championship appearance in 2007 … Five-year letterwinner, coached by Jimmy Long … A pure athlete, owns football school records for career rushing yards (5,813) and single-game rushing yards (357) … Was a first-team All-Western Kentucky selection as a football player junior and senior years … Member of the National Honor Society and honor graduate.
Personal
Full name is Chad Everett Wright … Born July 27, 1989 in Paducah, Ky. … Son of Greg and Trina Wright … Brothers Bryce (14) and Brock (22), also an outfielder for UK.
