The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team has added 14
players to its 2010-11 recruiting class with nine coming from the
junior college ranks and five from the preps. Combined with three
signees from last fall and the eligibility of Sean Hoelscher and
Justin Meza, 19 new players will don the Islander blue in
2010-11.
"I think this will be the most talented group of individuals
we've brought in since I have been here," said Islander head coach
Scott Malone. "Coach (Chris) Ramirez and Coach (Marty) Smith have
done an excellent job of putting together our roster for the fall
of 2010. We have a great mix of some veteran players from the
junior college ranks as well as some talented freshmen that can
come in and help us get better right away."
The latest group is pitching and catching dominant as the
Islanders look to shore up areas that were concerns a season ago.
Nine newcomers are pitchers with six righties and three lefties.
Three newcomers will work into the mix behind the plate, while two
other players will see action in the infield.
A pair of former All-South Texas players are in the new class.
Dan Sciantarelli played at Ray High School before heading to North
Central Texas College, while Arnold Alaniz just finished his career
at Hebbronville High School.
The 14 join Logan Nottebrok, Sean Washington, and Rolando
Botello, who inked in the fall. Also set to join the team in 2011
will be Sean Hoelscher, who sat out last spring after transferring
back to the Coastal Bend from TCU. Meza joins the active roster
after sitting out the past season.
Islander recruiting coordinator Chris Ramirez commented on each
of the signees.
Jon-Pierre
Garcia (Catcher) Jr., 6-3, 215/ Brooklyn, N.Y./Southeastern
CC
Garcia played at Southeastern Community College a season ago and
had a stellar campaign. Garica tied for the NJCAA the Division II
lead in home runs with 20 and was second with 91 runs batted in. He
finished with a .436 average, 15 doubles and 62 runs scored. As a
freshman, Garcia hit .381 at Connors State in Oklahoma with nine
home runs, 44 RBI and 13 doubles. In 25 games this summer Garcia
belted six home runs and drove in 20 for the Madison Mallards in
the Northwoods Collegiate Baseball League.
Ramirez on
Garcia: "Jumpy is coming off of a huge 2010 season
at Southeastern Community College where he earned All-America
honors. Garcia is a very talented offensive player that should fit
into the middle of our lineup and give us another guy who can drive
the ball with power to all fields."
Santiago Ruiz
(Catcher) Jr., 5-11, 190/ San Antonio/Blinn CC
Ruiz spent the past two seasons at Blinn Community College
batting over .300 each season. As a sophomore, Ruiz was second on
the team with a .371 average at the plate. He drove in 16 runs,
scored 17 and had five doubles. The Reagan High School graduate hit
.309 as a rookie with 22 RBI, six doubles and a pair of home runs.
In seven games this summer with the Vermont Mountaineers in the New
England Collegiate Baseball, Ruiz hit .400 with a pair of homers in
25 at bats.
Ramirez on
Ruiz: "Santiago is a guy who has been on our radar
since playing at Reagan High School. He has put together two very
strong season's at one of the better junior college programs in the
state. Santiago has the ability to be one of the top defensive
catchers in our league and will help solidify us behind the
plate."
Michael Valdez
(Catcher) Jr., 5-11, 185/Fort Worth/Texas Wesleyan
Univ.
Valdez spent two seasons at Texas Wesleyan before sitting out in
2010. In 2009, Valdez averaged .306 with 19 runs batted in. As a
freshman, Valdez hit .250. In high school, Valdez was named to the
Puma/Under Armour preseason All-America team and helped his team to
the 4A state finals.
Ramirez on
Valdez: "Michael is another talented defensive
catcher transferring from Texas Wesleyan after sitting out for a
season. We first saw Michael at one of our showcase camps this past
summer where he stood out as a guy who has the ability to play at
the Division I level."
Drew Vest
(Shortstop) Jr., 5-10, 160/Missouri City/Alvin
CC
Speedster hit .364 as a sophomore at Alvin Community College
scoring 24 runs and was perfect with 11 steals in 11 attempts. Vest
upped his average to a team-best .529 in the regionals as a senior.
Prior to spending a season at Grayson Community College, Vest
helped lead Elkins to three district crowns.
Ramirez on
Vest: "Drew just finished a very strong sophomore
campaign where he was the every day shortstop at Alvin Community
College. Drew will immediately help to meet one of our biggest
needs which is to increase our team speed and athleticism. His
ability to drag bunt, push bunt and steal a base will give our
offense another needed weapon."
Dan
Sciantarelli (Third Base) Jr., 6-0, 195/Corpus Christi/North
Central Texas CC
Sciantarelli played two seasons at North Central Texas Community
College. He averaged .360 as a sophomore with 15 doubles, four home
runs and a pair of triples earning a selection to the Texas
Community College All-Star Game. He was a .352 hitter as a
freshman. At Ray High School, Sciantarelli was the district MVP as
a senior, second-team all-state and All-South Texas.
Ramirez on
Sciantarelli: "Dan is a former standout athlete
from Corpus Christi Ray High School who just finished his sophomore
year at North Central Texas Community College. It's important for
us to continue to recruit and sign the top players from this area
whether it is directly out of high school or two years down the
road out of junior college. Dan has been a very consistent
offensive player at North Central the past two seasons hitting over
.350 each year and we look forward to watching Dan continue that
success as an Islander.
Alex Jack
(LHP) Jr., 6-4, 220/Arroyo, Calif./Chabot CC
Jack spent two seasons at Chabot Community College posting a
combined 11-2 record. Jack earned first-team all-league honors as a
sophomore after posting a 5-1 mark with a 3.44 ERA. He had 39
strikeouts in 55 innings while holding opponents to a .211 average.
As a freshman in 2009, Jack was 6-1 with a 3.24 ERA. He averaged
nearly a strikeout per inning with 58Ks in 58-1/3 innings, while
holding hitters to a .220 average at the plate.
This summer he pitched 17 innings for the Edenton Steamers in
the Coastal Plains Collegiate League striking out 13.
Ramirez on
Jack: "Alex is a tall, lanky left-handed pitcher
from Chabot Community College in California. Alex is a proven
winner at the college level posting an 11-2 record as a starter in
his two season at the junior college. We expect Alex to be a leader
on and off the field."
Arnold Alaniz
(LHP) Jr., 5-10, 180/Hebbronville/Hebbronville
HS
Alaniz had a stellar senior campaign for Hebbronville. He
finished 10-1 on the season with a 0.22 ERA after allowing just two
hits in district play. Alaniz was named district MVP and
second-team All-South Texas after striking out 135 hitters. Alaniz
was solid at the plate hitting .450. He is also strong academically
graduating eighth in his class.
Ramirez on
Alaniz: "Arnold is another very talented
left-handed pitcher from our surrounding area that will compete for
significant innings right away. Arnold brings a very strong and
live arm to our program with tons of potential."
Todd Simko
(LHP) Jr., 6-4, 225/Arroyo Grande, Calif./Cuesta
CC
Powerful lefty pitched two seasons at Cuesta College in
California. Simko helped lead team to first place in the league and
earned all-league honors as a sophomore in 2009. Simko was 5-5 with
a 3.73 ERA and 65 Ks in 99 innings. In high school, Simko was
first-team all-league and second-team all-county as a senior. He
teamed this summer with Marc Damon and Bobby Buckner.
Ramirez on
Simko:
"Todd comes to us from Cuesta Community College in California
and adds another power arm to our staff, with his fastball being
his most dominant pitch. He is yet another physically-gifted
athlete that has a chance to be one of the most talented
left-handed pitchers in our league."
Chance Bragg
(RHP) Jr., 6-1, 185/Abilene/Vernon CC
Bragg was a two-year member of the starting rotation at Vernon.
In his second season he tied for the team lead with three wins as
he went 3-7 and was second in strikeouts with 37 and in innings
pitched with 62. He was the team's top pitcher in 2009. He earned
all-district honors as a junior and senior at Wylie High
School.
Ramirez on
Bragg: "Chance has been in the starting rotation
the past two seasons at Vernon Community College. Chance has a live
fastball and very quick arm speed. Chance has a ton of upside and
we are excited about having him as a part of our program."
Michael Boyle
(RHP) Jr., 6-2, 185/Houston/Alvin CC
Boyle tossed 24 innings as a sophomore at Alvin fanning 18. He
recorded a won-loss record of 1-1. The righty was a two-time
all-district performer at Tomball High School.
Ramirez on
Boyle: "With a fastball in the low to mid 90's,
Michael is going to have one of the strongest arms on our team and
in our league. Our expectations as a coaching staff are extremely
high for Michael to play a major role on our pitching staff."
Bryce Zak
(RHP) Fr., 6-3, 175/Angelo/Central HS
Zak finished his high school career posting a 3-1 record at
Central High School. He received first-team all-district honors for
his performance. A two-way player, Zak hit .314 as a senior.
Ramirez on
Zak: "Bryce fits the mold for the type of young,
talented pitchers we want to surround ourselves with in our
program. He has a lean and projectable frame with a live arm that
will only continue to develop."
Garrett Guys
(RHP) Fr., 6-3, 220/La Vernia/La Vernia HS
A two-way player in high school, Guys will focus on pitching in
college. He was 7-1 as a senior with a 1.79 ERA to earn district
MVP accolades. He struck out 102 hitters in 58 innings.
Offensively, he hit .474 with 35 RBI, 12 doubles, four home runs
and 10 steals as a senior.
Ramirez on
Guys: "Garrett is a very strong, athletic right
handed pitcher out of La Vernia High School. Garrett is another guy
who stood out at one of our showcase camps with a fastball in the
mid to upper 80's and imposing frame on the mound."
Jake McNeil
(RHP) Fr., 6-5, 200/League City/Clear Creek HS
McNeil was an all-district performer as a reliever following his
senior campaign. He finished his senior season with seven
saves.
Ramirez on
McNeil: "With the addition of Jacob to our roster
we are continuing to follow our commitment to bring in very
talented and projectable pitchers from the high school level.
Jacob's fastball is straight downhill and he shows a plus slider
that should lead to success at any level."
Tanner Green
(RHP) Fr., 6-1, 180/Georgetown/Georgetown HS
Greene posted a 2-1 record with five saves as a senior. In 35
innings pitched, Greene had a 2.80 earned-run average and 29
strikeouts. He earned all-district honors as a senior.
Ramirez on
Green: "Tanner comes from one of the top high
school programs in the state of Texas. Tanner will bring deception
to our pitching staff by pitching out of the submarine arm slot.
His ability to throw multiple above average pitches for strikes
from down under adds another weapon to our bullpen."
