posted August 21, 2008
As classes officially begin at Lee University and coach Mark Brew prepares to start fall baseball practice, the skipper announced the signing of six position players who will be battling for playing time during the 2009 season.
Said coach Brew, "We return some key guys from last year’s squad, but were hit particularly hard in the outfield, losing all three starters. Red-shirt Michael Brown and Ross Collins will help fill that void along with five new outfielders.
“In the infield All-American first baseman Chris Warters returns along with NAIA National Tournament Gold Glove Winner Brian Bistagne at shortstop. Previously signed Tyler Roberts (transfer from University of Memphis) will be joined by transfer Trey Burstrom (University of Tennessee/Chattanooga State CC). This group of guys will allow us to be very good on the bases again. We have the ability to put up offensive numbers comparable to our 2008 team."
The newcomers are:
Julian Alvarez – Senior, outfield - transfer from Bacone College (Okla.) – 6-foot-3, 200 pounds - Hometown - Boston, Mass. - Julian was a second- team NAIA All-American and led the NAIA with 26 home runs in 2008.
Statistics - 2008 - .419 batting average, 26 home runs, 87 runs batted in.
Brew’s comments - "Julian will provide us a great opportunity to protect returning All-American Chris Warters in the line-up. That tandem has the ability to be one of the top back-to-back hitting combos in the NAIA. He is a very athletic player and provides another dimension on the bases. He should have another banner season in 2009."
Jeff Ramirez- Junior, outfield - Skyline College (Calif.) – 6-foot, 185 pounds - Hometown - South San Francisco – He played for Coach Dino Nomicos at Skyline and was named player of the year in the Coast Conference and Northern California All-American in 2008. Drafted in the 43rd of the 2006 draft by San Diego Padres
Statistics - 2008 - .406 batting average, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, 23 stolen bases.
Brew’s comments - "Jeff will provide us with a dynamic player who can hit for power and average in the lead-off spot. He is a great runner and should develop into a great centerfielder. He has the ability to be a top-tier player on our level."
Rashad Taylor- Junior, outfield - Skyline College (Calif.) – 6-foot-4, 220 pounds - Hometown - San Francisco, CA – Rashad played for Coach Dino Nomicos at Skyline College – He was a 2007 Northern California All-Star and was drafted in the 44th round by Philadelphia Phillies in 2005, and again in the 35th round in 2006.
Statistics - 2007 - .441 batting average, 10 home runs. 43 RBI, 13 stolen bases
2008 - .329 batting average, 2 home runs, 34 RBI, 12 stolen bases
Brew’s comments - "Rashad is a physical specimen on the field and possibly the top athlete in our program. He runs a 6.6 60 yard dash and has plus ability at the plate. He should compliment an already talented line-up and could post great numbers in 2008."
Trey Burstrom – Junior, second baseman - Chattanooga State CC – 5-foot-10, 180 pounds - Hometown - Maryville, Tenn. – Trey played for Coach Greg Dennis at Chattanooga State and was an All-TJCAA infielder in 2007.
Statistics - 2007 - .386, 2 home runs, 41 RBI, 32 stolen bases.
Brew’s comments - "Trey is hard-nosed player who will fight for the second base spot. He is a bat-control type of player who can really run the bases. He played for a Chattanooga State team that posted records for wins and was one game away from the NJCAA World Series. We are looking forward to him being a solid defensive second baseman playing alongside Brian Bistagne."
JD Pullen- Freshman, outfield - Providence Christian Academy (Lilburn, Ga.) – 5-foot-6, 140 pounds - Hometown - Lilburn, Ga. Pullen played for coach Adam Cantrell at Providence and was All-Gwinnett County, All-Region 5A and played in GHSA 1A final four.
Statistics - 2008 - .426 batting average, 52 hits (a school record)
Brew’s comments - "JD's name was given to us from a coach at a NCAA Division I school. Once we saw him workout and I could see why he liked him. JD can flat move on the bases and from the left-handed side of the plate, he will be a tough out. He will only get better with maturity and experience and is a solid all-around player."
Trey Camp- Freshman, outfield - Brighton High School (Brighton, Tenn.) – 6-foot-1, 190 pounds – Camp played for Coach Brian Oswalt at Brighton – He was named MVP of the West Tennessee All-Star game.
Statistics - 2008 - .423 batting average
Brew’s comments - "Trey has great physical size for a freshman. He is a well-rounded person (finished 13th in his graduating class) and should develop into a solid outfielder in the future."
Brew closed by commenting on his overall recruiting of offensive and defensive players: "We feel very good where we are right now with our team. We have a great blend of speed, power, and a solid defensive team. Depth should also be a key heading into fall practice. A lot of the credit has to go to Coach (Travis) Watson. He worked extremely hard, manning the phone and gathering names of potential players. The result is another crop of talented players who will try to maintain the high level of play established by past teams. Time will tell how good we will be, but the potential is there."
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