The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Recruiting Class Receives High Marks
9/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Sept. 22, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB baseball program's 2010 signing class has been recognized in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's recruiting rankings, which were released Tuesday.
The newspaper ranked the top 40 classes in the country and included the Blazers in its list of "other top recruiting classes."
UAB's incoming group features 18 players with an even mix of nine freshmen and nine transfers, including eight of the junior college variety. Of the 18 newcomers, 11 are pitchers.
The Blazers' 2010 signing class includes sixth-round draft pick Ivan De Jesus from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 190th overall pick by the Chicago Cubs in the recent June draft, De Jesus opted instead to enroll at UAB, where he will be a freshman outfielder in the spring.
Additionally, UAB's freshman class includes shortstop Matt Morse, a two-time Illinois all-state selection and former Rawlings Preseason High School All-American, local product Tyler Mims, an Alabama all-state catcher at Hoover High School this past spring, and pitcher Aaron Warren, a 6-foor-7 right-hander from Tyrone, Ga.
From the junior college ranks, the Blazers added NJCAA All-American Dillon Napoleon (RHP), a previously drafted player in Patrick Palmeiro (INF/OF), and former Mississippi State and Hinds Community College transfer Michael Busby (RHP/INF).
Several other junior college signees will look to bolster the Blazer pitching staff, as well. UAB added former Homewood High School left-hander David Hayes (Shelton State CC), Wallace State Community College right-hander Wes Holley, and right-hander Ryan Nance, a teammate of Busby's at Hinds in Mississippi.
Here is a complete listing of the 2010-11 UAB baseball newcomers:
Coy Arrowood, Jr., OF, Northport, Ala. (Shelton State CC)
Michael Busby, Jr., RHP/INF, Vicksburg, Miss. (Hinds CC)
Ivan De Jesus, Fr., OF, San Juan, Puerto Rico (Cupeyville HS)
Tyler Hamby, Fr., INF, Moody, Ala. (Moody HS)
David Hayes, Jr., LHP, Homewood, Ala. (Shelton State CC)
Wes Holley, So., RHP, Moulton, Ala. (Wallace State CC)
Sam Kelley, Fr., LHP/1B, Greensboro, Ala. (Southern Academy)
Chase Mallard, Fr., RHP, Cullman, Ala. (Cullman HS)
Tyler Mims, Fr., C, Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS)
Matt Morse, Fr., SS, Sandwich, Ill. (Sandwich HS)
Ryan Nance, Jr., RHP, Brandon, Miss. (Hinds CC)
Dillon Napoleon, Jr., RHP, Winnetka, Ill. (Heartland CC)
Patrick Palmeiro, Jr., INF/OF, Colleyville, Texas (Howard College)
Ryan Prinzing, Fr., OF, Oswego, Ill. (Oswego HS)
Edwin Reyes, Fr., RHP/INF, Madison, Ala. (Bob Jones HS)
Tom Sawyer, Jr., LHP, Robertsdale, Ala. (Alabama Southern CC)
Ruben Tresgallo, So., RHP, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico (Central Methodist)
Aaron Warren, Fr., RHP, Tyrone, Ga. (Sandy Creek HS)
