Brian Jones of Score Atlanta fame broke down on Score Atlanta's The Official Visit last night. We weren't able to get to it, but he gave the top five recruits for each Georgia Tech and Georgia as of RIGHT NOW....
(Scott Janovitz offers insight for Big B's picks.)
Georgia Tech
5) Vad Lee: 6-2, 193-pound NC QB;
4) Chaz Cheeks: 6-3, 220-pound DE from East Hall. He seems like the perfect fit for OLB in 3-4;
3) Chris Milton: 6-0, 175 out of Charlton County. Electric athlete with the ball;
2) Errin Joe: Big, physical athlete who is a mauler at guard, and plays with good balance;
1) Jabari Hunt-Days: Tremendous athlete out of Hillgrove.
Missing: Airyn Willis, Dominique Noble, Tremayne McNair, and
UGA
5) Nick Marshall: 6-2, 185 out of Wilcox County;
4) Damian Swann: 6-0, 175 out of Grady;
3) Malcolm Mitchell: 6-1, 187-pounder out of Valdosta;
2) Jay Rome: 6-5, 255-pounder out of Valdosta;
1) Ray Dew: 6-5, 243-pounder out of Thomas County Central.
Missing: Corey Moore, Xzavier Ward, Amarlo Herrera.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Hey Richt, keeping doing the opposite
On one episode of Seinfeld entitled “The Opposite,” George Costanza came to the realization that everything he did was wrong. To remedy this situation, he did the opposite of every impulse he had, thus leading to a better life. Perhaps Mark Richt came to this realization himself immediately following the Liberty Bowl and maybe just maybe the Bulldog Nation will see OPPOSITE Mark Richt.
The reason I have surmised this is that the Georgia Bulldogs are CLOSING in recruiting for the first time seemingly ever during Richt’s tenure. The Bulldogs’ usual MO under Richt has been to get the class locked into place well before National Signing Day and just cruising towards the first Wednesday in February, maybe picking up a spare part or two but nothing major. National Signing Day 2011 will be different however. Not only will Georgia hear about tailback Isaiah Crowell, but defensive tackle John Jenkins will decide a few days after NSD. A few years ago, the drama would have been over around Labor Day but this year defensive end Ray Drew just declared last week, just days after Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome announced they too were becoming Bulldogs.
This late surge has led to the Bulldogs shooting up the recruiting rankings from the mid-teens to No.6 in one of the latest rankings, and the Dawgs could move up again should a combination of Crowell, Jenkins, Jeoffrey Pagan and/or a few others decide on Georgia.
And maybe the Bizzaro-Richt will continue into the season. Perhaps that means Georgia gets off to a HOT start instead of the slow start that killed the 2007 season with losses to South Carolina and Tennessee which cost the Dawgs a shot at the title. Perhaps that means Bizzaro-Richt will finally reverse the Georgia/Florida rivalry and get the upper hand on the Gators. Perhaps that means Richt will not kneel on the ball, up 14 with eight minutes to go against an overmatched FCS opponent. Perhaps he’ll want to run the score up the way he used to when he was OC’ing for Bobby Bowden and FSU. Perhaps he’ll take the SEC by storm by doing the opposite of what he’s been doing for the last few seasons.
It is worth a shot because the last two years have been awful. So far the opposite thing has worked for recruiting. Maybe it would work as well on the sidelines.
The reason I have surmised this is that the Georgia Bulldogs are CLOSING in recruiting for the first time seemingly ever during Richt’s tenure. The Bulldogs’ usual MO under Richt has been to get the class locked into place well before National Signing Day and just cruising towards the first Wednesday in February, maybe picking up a spare part or two but nothing major. National Signing Day 2011 will be different however. Not only will Georgia hear about tailback Isaiah Crowell, but defensive tackle John Jenkins will decide a few days after NSD. A few years ago, the drama would have been over around Labor Day but this year defensive end Ray Drew just declared last week, just days after Malcolm Mitchell and Jay Rome announced they too were becoming Bulldogs.
This late surge has led to the Bulldogs shooting up the recruiting rankings from the mid-teens to No.6 in one of the latest rankings, and the Dawgs could move up again should a combination of Crowell, Jenkins, Jeoffrey Pagan and/or a few others decide on Georgia.
And maybe the Bizzaro-Richt will continue into the season. Perhaps that means Georgia gets off to a HOT start instead of the slow start that killed the 2007 season with losses to South Carolina and Tennessee which cost the Dawgs a shot at the title. Perhaps that means Bizzaro-Richt will finally reverse the Georgia/Florida rivalry and get the upper hand on the Gators. Perhaps that means Richt will not kneel on the ball, up 14 with eight minutes to go against an overmatched FCS opponent. Perhaps he’ll want to run the score up the way he used to when he was OC’ing for Bobby Bowden and FSU. Perhaps he’ll take the SEC by storm by doing the opposite of what he’s been doing for the last few seasons.
It is worth a shot because the last two years have been awful. So far the opposite thing has worked for recruiting. Maybe it would work as well on the sidelines.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Hooters Magazine spoiler (article spoiler, no pics)
This is an upcoming Give a Hoot piece for Hooters magazine. No pictures included. Sorry.
Beer for a buck, hamburgers with doughnuts for buns, and sleepover at the stadium night. Heaven? Nope just promotions at minor league baseball games. No idea is too stupid, out of line or off the wall when it comes to getting people through the turnstiles at minor league baseball games, and between having the time of your life participating in the silly promotion and watching future all-stars mature into major leaguers, you should give a HOOT about Minor League Baseball.
Major League Baseball has so many advantages over minor league baseball in that it is televised, and you get to see the stars at every position whose jerseys and cards you collect. The MLB teams are all in major cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.)while the minor league teams are mostly in smaller cities whose grassroots run deep (Rochester, Buffalo, Chattanooga) but perhaps without the disposable income that MLB cities have. Minor league rosters are also made to be raided by the parent club. Either the team is made up of young future stars that are just marinating until ready for the call-up or filled with older players that are has-beens or never-was guys. Basically as soon as you start doing well, odds are you are moving on up.
Over the years, minor league baseball owners and leagues have looked at their product and realized that it needed a little something extra to get people to come out to the ballpark. Therefore the franchises started coming up with these “hooks” to get folks to come. These owners and GMs brought in marketing folks and PR honchos to brainstorm for ways to get fans to turn down a chance to watch the game on television or go to another sport and instead come out to their park. In most cases, the zanier the idea the better.
How else can you explain “Beer for a Buck!” night? Some Major League teams have started doing this but minor league baseball first started the tradition of selling beer for just one dollar on various nights and most franchises have this promotion at least once a month to get folks through the gates. One franchise, the Lake County Captains even did Nickel Beer Night once, honoring the history of the Cleveland Indians franchise, who used to only charge one nickel for a beer many years ago. True there are limits to how many cups you can get for $1 and the size of the cups is much smaller compared to the normal cups, but when you consider it is nearly $9 in some Major League parks for a serving of suds, you come to appreciate the beer for one dollar.
Ever go to buy a hot dog at a Major League park and come to find that you have to take out a second mortgage just to feed yourself and your two kids? Sorry to say that minor league parks aren’t exactly giving food away, but most are getting creative and giving you your money’s worth. The Gateway Grizzlies, just outside of St. Louis may have set the lowest low (or created the greatest thing EVER) when, in 2006, it debuted the Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger. The bacon cheeseburger was sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and served for $4.50, packing up to 1,000 calories. Since the introduction at the Grizzlies game, state fairs have picked up on the “delicacy” but you can rest assured that minor league baseball gave birth to that momma and you should GIVE A HOOT that minor league baseball is always looking to take food to the next level.
Fan interaction is also welcomed far more at minor league parks than at the stuffy Major League stadiums. Think about it: do MLB teams regularly have Jersey Shore Night, where fans are encouraged to dress up like DJ Pauly D or JWoww? The Omaha Royals did just that last May. Do MLB stadiums ask for all of the fat people in the crowd to come down onto the field in between innings for free liposuction? Hello Mahoning Valley Scrappers game. When was the last time you recall being able to sleep on the field after the game at a Major League stadium? The Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers have a night where fans are allowed to stick around after the ninth inning and roll out sleeping bags right on the outfield grass. And while Bark in the Park may be popular enough for Atlanta’s Turner Field to have two every season, the Colorado Springs SkySox started the tradition known as Puppypalooza in 1996.
And perhaps the most infamous promotion was Popsicle Night on June 3, 2003, a night invented by the Bisbee Copper Kings to honor the memory of the cryogenically frozen Ted Williams. When everyone heard about the promotion, usually it was met with a guilty laugh and a laughing “that’s terrible,” followed by more laughter.
Promotions are the only reason to give a HOOT about minor league baseball though. The last few seasons have been particularly fantastic for Gwinnett Braves fans as they have been treated to watching Tommy Hanson, now dominating for the Atlanta Braves after finishing just short of a Rookie of the Year award in 2009 and then Jason Heyward, the runner up for Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Last year, the team was able to watch Mike Minor and Freddie Freeman, both sure to be with the parent club in 2011 and this year, Gwinnett fans will likely get a glimpse at MLB.com’s No.10 prospect Julio Teheran before he too is called up to be with the big boys.
And that is what is so cool about attending a minor league game: you get to see the future before it becomes the present. You get to see the cream of the crop before it rises to the Major League level. On a personal level, I got to see Steve Avery, David Justice, and Mark Lemke in Richmond before they went on to the World Series with Atlanta. Then a new batch of future all-stars came through Richmond in Javy Lopez, Chipper Jones, Mark Wohlers, Ryan Klesko, Andruw Jones, Jermaine Dye, Jason Schmidt and Kevin Millwood. All of these people were on the minor league field at the same time or within two years of each other; all of these people would go on to be on a MLB all-star team at some point in their career. Along with many other minor league fans, I got to seem them grow into their all-star bodies by going to a minor league baseball game.
Minor league baseball is relaxed and fun and honestly pleased to get your business. The owners and executives know that you have options so they want to make you WANT to come out, be it to see the future or to enjoy a crazy promotion. Give a HOOT about minor league baseball and go to a game. Fun is guaranteed or you’ll get your money back...wait that sounds like a great promotion!
Beer for a buck, hamburgers with doughnuts for buns, and sleepover at the stadium night. Heaven? Nope just promotions at minor league baseball games. No idea is too stupid, out of line or off the wall when it comes to getting people through the turnstiles at minor league baseball games, and between having the time of your life participating in the silly promotion and watching future all-stars mature into major leaguers, you should give a HOOT about Minor League Baseball.
Major League Baseball has so many advantages over minor league baseball in that it is televised, and you get to see the stars at every position whose jerseys and cards you collect. The MLB teams are all in major cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.)while the minor league teams are mostly in smaller cities whose grassroots run deep (Rochester, Buffalo, Chattanooga) but perhaps without the disposable income that MLB cities have. Minor league rosters are also made to be raided by the parent club. Either the team is made up of young future stars that are just marinating until ready for the call-up or filled with older players that are has-beens or never-was guys. Basically as soon as you start doing well, odds are you are moving on up.
Over the years, minor league baseball owners and leagues have looked at their product and realized that it needed a little something extra to get people to come out to the ballpark. Therefore the franchises started coming up with these “hooks” to get folks to come. These owners and GMs brought in marketing folks and PR honchos to brainstorm for ways to get fans to turn down a chance to watch the game on television or go to another sport and instead come out to their park. In most cases, the zanier the idea the better.
How else can you explain “Beer for a Buck!” night? Some Major League teams have started doing this but minor league baseball first started the tradition of selling beer for just one dollar on various nights and most franchises have this promotion at least once a month to get folks through the gates. One franchise, the Lake County Captains even did Nickel Beer Night once, honoring the history of the Cleveland Indians franchise, who used to only charge one nickel for a beer many years ago. True there are limits to how many cups you can get for $1 and the size of the cups is much smaller compared to the normal cups, but when you consider it is nearly $9 in some Major League parks for a serving of suds, you come to appreciate the beer for one dollar.
Ever go to buy a hot dog at a Major League park and come to find that you have to take out a second mortgage just to feed yourself and your two kids? Sorry to say that minor league parks aren’t exactly giving food away, but most are getting creative and giving you your money’s worth. The Gateway Grizzlies, just outside of St. Louis may have set the lowest low (or created the greatest thing EVER) when, in 2006, it debuted the Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger. The bacon cheeseburger was sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts and served for $4.50, packing up to 1,000 calories. Since the introduction at the Grizzlies game, state fairs have picked up on the “delicacy” but you can rest assured that minor league baseball gave birth to that momma and you should GIVE A HOOT that minor league baseball is always looking to take food to the next level.
Fan interaction is also welcomed far more at minor league parks than at the stuffy Major League stadiums. Think about it: do MLB teams regularly have Jersey Shore Night, where fans are encouraged to dress up like DJ Pauly D or JWoww? The Omaha Royals did just that last May. Do MLB stadiums ask for all of the fat people in the crowd to come down onto the field in between innings for free liposuction? Hello Mahoning Valley Scrappers game. When was the last time you recall being able to sleep on the field after the game at a Major League stadium? The Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers have a night where fans are allowed to stick around after the ninth inning and roll out sleeping bags right on the outfield grass. And while Bark in the Park may be popular enough for Atlanta’s Turner Field to have two every season, the Colorado Springs SkySox started the tradition known as Puppypalooza in 1996.
And perhaps the most infamous promotion was Popsicle Night on June 3, 2003, a night invented by the Bisbee Copper Kings to honor the memory of the cryogenically frozen Ted Williams. When everyone heard about the promotion, usually it was met with a guilty laugh and a laughing “that’s terrible,” followed by more laughter.
Promotions are the only reason to give a HOOT about minor league baseball though. The last few seasons have been particularly fantastic for Gwinnett Braves fans as they have been treated to watching Tommy Hanson, now dominating for the Atlanta Braves after finishing just short of a Rookie of the Year award in 2009 and then Jason Heyward, the runner up for Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Last year, the team was able to watch Mike Minor and Freddie Freeman, both sure to be with the parent club in 2011 and this year, Gwinnett fans will likely get a glimpse at MLB.com’s No.10 prospect Julio Teheran before he too is called up to be with the big boys.
And that is what is so cool about attending a minor league game: you get to see the future before it becomes the present. You get to see the cream of the crop before it rises to the Major League level. On a personal level, I got to see Steve Avery, David Justice, and Mark Lemke in Richmond before they went on to the World Series with Atlanta. Then a new batch of future all-stars came through Richmond in Javy Lopez, Chipper Jones, Mark Wohlers, Ryan Klesko, Andruw Jones, Jermaine Dye, Jason Schmidt and Kevin Millwood. All of these people were on the minor league field at the same time or within two years of each other; all of these people would go on to be on a MLB all-star team at some point in their career. Along with many other minor league fans, I got to seem them grow into their all-star bodies by going to a minor league baseball game.
Minor league baseball is relaxed and fun and honestly pleased to get your business. The owners and executives know that you have options so they want to make you WANT to come out, be it to see the future or to enjoy a crazy promotion. Give a HOOT about minor league baseball and go to a game. Fun is guaranteed or you’ll get your money back...wait that sounds like a great promotion!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Whatever Drew does today, Richt is a MONSTER
As Teddy KGB once said in Rounders, "Lays down a monster." Over the last few weeks, Georgia head coach Mark Richt has been compiling a "Monster" recruiting class, snatching up big-time prospects left and right. So who would have ever thought that all Richt would need to do to ascend to the Urban Meyer/Pete Carroll/Nick Saban/Mack Brown-level of the college recruiting scene is have a losing record at Georgia (and wait for Meyer and Carroll to leave)? Shoot, if he needed to just lose in order to rake in a top flight recruiting class, shouldn’t he have done this a lot earlier in his career, perhaps during his honeymoon grace period, so he could save himself all of this “hotseat” talk that he is currently soldiering through?
The Georgia head coach is not-so-quietly-of-late putting together a recruiting class that is quickly rising and could get even hotter over the next few days as several Georgia targets declare their intentions and four have Georgia as finalists. Running back Isaiah Crowell recently dismissed Auburn and said it is between Georgia and Alabama, though the Tide have already received one pledge from a big-time back in Dee Hart. Defensive Ray Drew narrowed his list down from five to three and Georgia made the cut. Even if Drew doesn’t commit Friday morning, (in a recent interview he seemed high on Auburn and noted that Georgia was recruiting him as an OLB to play in the 3-4, something he said he was “not fond of,”) Georgia now seems ready to pounce on the recent Clemson de-commit Jeoffrey Pagan who told an Atlanta newspaper that he is “excited about Georgia.” Oh, and don’t forget that mountain of a man John Jenkins whom Georgia is calling “the missing link” for its defensive tackle position, a title Jenkins is liking according to reports.
If Georgia can wrangle two of these four, Richt would be looking at a top five recruiting class. If the Dawgs land three, perhaps top three. And in Mark Richt’s wildest dreams, if all four were to decide to come to Athens, suddenly the Bulldogs could be looking back at Alabama and/or Texas with a No.1 or 2 class. Richt does have the advantage of telling these young men they will have EVERY chance to come in and compete for a spot on the field when the Dawgs face Boise State in the Georgia Dome. Should Richt land these players, all of a sudden that hotseat cools down and he could ride this “Dream Team” to the SEC championship game.
That’s getting ahead of ourselves a bit, but who would have thought that after a losing season, Richt would still be able to assemble the class he has to date. Maybe Richt should have scheduled this 6-7 year back in 2001. If he had, would he already have a crystal football on display at Butts-Mehre? Hmmmm. And if he does wrangle in these final pieces, those Richt-haters might be muttering another Teddy KGB line, "Hanging around, hanging around. Kid's got alligator blood. Can't get rid of him." But why would you want to with this talent?
The Georgia head coach is not-so-quietly-of-late putting together a recruiting class that is quickly rising and could get even hotter over the next few days as several Georgia targets declare their intentions and four have Georgia as finalists. Running back Isaiah Crowell recently dismissed Auburn and said it is between Georgia and Alabama, though the Tide have already received one pledge from a big-time back in Dee Hart. Defensive Ray Drew narrowed his list down from five to three and Georgia made the cut. Even if Drew doesn’t commit Friday morning, (in a recent interview he seemed high on Auburn and noted that Georgia was recruiting him as an OLB to play in the 3-4, something he said he was “not fond of,”) Georgia now seems ready to pounce on the recent Clemson de-commit Jeoffrey Pagan who told an Atlanta newspaper that he is “excited about Georgia.” Oh, and don’t forget that mountain of a man John Jenkins whom Georgia is calling “the missing link” for its defensive tackle position, a title Jenkins is liking according to reports.
If Georgia can wrangle two of these four, Richt would be looking at a top five recruiting class. If the Dawgs land three, perhaps top three. And in Mark Richt’s wildest dreams, if all four were to decide to come to Athens, suddenly the Bulldogs could be looking back at Alabama and/or Texas with a No.1 or 2 class. Richt does have the advantage of telling these young men they will have EVERY chance to come in and compete for a spot on the field when the Dawgs face Boise State in the Georgia Dome. Should Richt land these players, all of a sudden that hotseat cools down and he could ride this “Dream Team” to the SEC championship game.
That’s getting ahead of ourselves a bit, but who would have thought that after a losing season, Richt would still be able to assemble the class he has to date. Maybe Richt should have scheduled this 6-7 year back in 2001. If he had, would he already have a crystal football on display at Butts-Mehre? Hmmmm. And if he does wrangle in these final pieces, those Richt-haters might be muttering another Teddy KGB line, "Hanging around, hanging around. Kid's got alligator blood. Can't get rid of him." But why would you want to with this talent?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The latest Score 44 Basketball version
Score Atlanta, GPB and I compiled a list of the top 44 senior football players and gave you a fluid list every week during this past football season. Well, we've decided to do a basketball list as well, which I will come up with every Thursday and you can check out on www.scoreatl.com and www.gpb.org/sports. (And here of course). We will be breaking up the Score 44 a bit, with 22 guys and 22 girls. That means MANY MANY MANY well deserving players will be left off every week. I have about 15 more guys that should be on the list based on this past Tuesday alone and it was SO tough to pick just 22 girls, but hey, that means this list is actually prestigious (well, I can think so at least). Enjoy the latest edition (you can check out the first two editions by heading to www.gaprepnews.com and click on WEEK ONE and/or WEEK TWO) and if you get Charter Sports, tune in tomorrow for the Newton/Stephenson boys and girls games as I'll make my Charter Sports debut, calling both the boys and girls games with Scott Janovitz.
Score 44 Week three
Boys
In: Karl Cochran, G Walton, Lanerryl Johnson, G Walton
Out: Alonzo Nelson-Ododa, PF Norcross, Nigel Snipes, SG Wheeler
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Greenville
Julian Royal, PF Milton
Dai-Jon Parker, G Milton
Nick Jacobs, PF South Atlanta
Shannon Scott, PG Milton
Malcolm Brogdon, SG GAC
Kevin Ware, G Rockdale County
E. Victor Nickerson, SF Norcross
Herdie Lawrence, SG, Collins Hill
Devon Provost, SF Miller Grove
Dominique McCoy, G/F South Atlanta
Rashaud Bell, SF South Atlanta
James White, SF Jonesboro
Dominic Early, PF Hillgrove
Ryon Riggins, PF North Gwinnett
Henry Brooks, PF Miller Grove
Nick Marshall, SG Wilcox County
KK Simmons, PG Wheeler
Josiah Moore, SG Norcross
Saah Nimley, G Collins Hill
Karl Cochran, G Walton
Lanerryl Johnson, G Walton
Girls
In: Tashayla Steede, PF Wheeler, Kristi Ware, G Mays
Out: Bria Bourgeois, W Walton, Jennifer Heider, F Marist
Grace Leah Baughn, W Wesleyan
Jasmine Camp, PG Chamblee
Katie Carroll, G Parkview
Aneesah Daniels, F Redan
Nikki Dixon, G Milton
Sarah Durdaller, G Walton
Erika Ford, G Chattahoochee
DeArica Hamby, F Norcross
Brittany Hodges, F McEachern
Elem Ibiam, C Fayette County
Brianna Jones, C Whitefield Academy
Katie Mallow, PG Brookwood
Chakecia Miller, PG Campbell
Jarae Savage, PG North Cobb
Erica Norwood, PG Campbell
Teanna Robinson, C Berkmar
Danielle Gazaway, PG Warner Robins
Kristina Wells, G Douglas County
Kayla Freeman, PF Madison County
Tori Waldner, P Milton
Tashayla Steede, PF Wheeler
Kristi Ware, G Mays
Score 44 Week three
Boys
In: Karl Cochran, G Walton, Lanerryl Johnson, G Walton
Out: Alonzo Nelson-Ododa, PF Norcross, Nigel Snipes, SG Wheeler
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG Greenville
Julian Royal, PF Milton
Dai-Jon Parker, G Milton
Nick Jacobs, PF South Atlanta
Shannon Scott, PG Milton
Malcolm Brogdon, SG GAC
Kevin Ware, G Rockdale County
E. Victor Nickerson, SF Norcross
Herdie Lawrence, SG, Collins Hill
Devon Provost, SF Miller Grove
Dominique McCoy, G/F South Atlanta
Rashaud Bell, SF South Atlanta
James White, SF Jonesboro
Dominic Early, PF Hillgrove
Ryon Riggins, PF North Gwinnett
Henry Brooks, PF Miller Grove
Nick Marshall, SG Wilcox County
KK Simmons, PG Wheeler
Josiah Moore, SG Norcross
Saah Nimley, G Collins Hill
Karl Cochran, G Walton
Lanerryl Johnson, G Walton
Girls
In: Tashayla Steede, PF Wheeler, Kristi Ware, G Mays
Out: Bria Bourgeois, W Walton, Jennifer Heider, F Marist
Grace Leah Baughn, W Wesleyan
Jasmine Camp, PG Chamblee
Katie Carroll, G Parkview
Aneesah Daniels, F Redan
Nikki Dixon, G Milton
Sarah Durdaller, G Walton
Erika Ford, G Chattahoochee
DeArica Hamby, F Norcross
Brittany Hodges, F McEachern
Elem Ibiam, C Fayette County
Brianna Jones, C Whitefield Academy
Katie Mallow, PG Brookwood
Chakecia Miller, PG Campbell
Jarae Savage, PG North Cobb
Erica Norwood, PG Campbell
Teanna Robinson, C Berkmar
Danielle Gazaway, PG Warner Robins
Kristina Wells, G Douglas County
Kayla Freeman, PF Madison County
Tori Waldner, P Milton
Tashayla Steede, PF Wheeler
Kristi Ware, G Mays
The Braves future looks bright according to MLB.com
MLB.com announced the 2011 version of its Top 50 Prospects and three Braves made the top 21. Pitcher Julio Teheran was named No. 10 while first baseman Freddie Freeman checked in at No. 17, followed by lefty Mike Minor at No. 21.
The site also announced baseball's top ten prospects at each position and the three made appearances at their respective positions.
For righthanded pitchers, Teheran was named No. 2. MLB.com said of the Braves righty:
Teheran jumped on the fast track in 2010, pitching across three levels. He's got a terrific three-pitch mix (fastball, changeup, curve), all of which are at least above-average. Just 20, his command on the mound belies his years and that, combined with his stuff, points to a future at the top of a rotation
Minor was named No. 4 on the list of top lefthanders.
Minor's stuff was pretty good at Vanderbilt, but he fit more of the sensible lefty mold. As a professional, though, his stuff has been much better than expected. His fastball has gained a few ticks, his changeup is a plus pitch and his curve has improved as well. He can throw all three pitches for strikes
Finally, Freeman was No. 2 on the list of first basemen
He belongs on any list for 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award candidates, and not just because he'll have the opportunity to play every day for Atlanta. He might not have the best power in this group, but there's plenty more than what he's shown to date (though he did have 35 doubles and 18 homers in 2010). His smooth left-handed swing should allow him to hit for average and drive in runs right out of the gate.
The site also announced baseball's top ten prospects at each position and the three made appearances at their respective positions.
For righthanded pitchers, Teheran was named No. 2. MLB.com said of the Braves righty:
Teheran jumped on the fast track in 2010, pitching across three levels. He's got a terrific three-pitch mix (fastball, changeup, curve), all of which are at least above-average. Just 20, his command on the mound belies his years and that, combined with his stuff, points to a future at the top of a rotation
Minor was named No. 4 on the list of top lefthanders.
Minor's stuff was pretty good at Vanderbilt, but he fit more of the sensible lefty mold. As a professional, though, his stuff has been much better than expected. His fastball has gained a few ticks, his changeup is a plus pitch and his curve has improved as well. He can throw all three pitches for strikes
Finally, Freeman was No. 2 on the list of first basemen
He belongs on any list for 2011 National League Rookie of the Year Award candidates, and not just because he'll have the opportunity to play every day for Atlanta. He might not have the best power in this group, but there's plenty more than what he's shown to date (though he did have 35 doubles and 18 homers in 2010). His smooth left-handed swing should allow him to hit for average and drive in runs right out of the gate.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Why Ray Drew WON'T be a member of the Dream Team
Fresh off winning a defensive player of the year award at a Thomas County Central (GA) awards banquet, Ray Drew appeared on Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit to discuss the recruiting process, which will end for him this Friday. Drew was recently passed by Monroe Area defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt as the top player in the state of Georgia according to one recruiting service, but the rankings don’t mean much to Drew. “I know what it takes to be great,” boasts Drew. “I’m going to go out each day and work...and play to the best of my ability.” Drew was still listed as the top player from the state of Georgia and one of the ten best in the nation by The Sporting News.
Drew is set to make his decision this Friday and one seeming favorite may already be out of the running. The Georgia Bulldogs would figure to lead for Drew’s services, especially since the recent commitments of Xzavier Ward (committed Monday afternoon), Damian Swann, Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell, but Drew admitted that Georgia had its drawbacks.
“They’ve gone to a 3-4 defense and that’s been weighing on me,” Drew revealed. “I’m not too fond of that idea (of playing standing up and not with a hand on the ground).”
Drew also broke the news that Georgia is looking at him as an outside linebacker and not a defensive end, his current position and his projected position at the next level. “I believe I play better in a 4-3, with my hand in the dirt.” That statement could be the final nail in Georgia’s bid to snag the defensive end.
“I have to do what is best for me, academically and football-wise. I’ll look at everything as a whole.” Drew did give Georgia’s journalism program some positive points though and praised the education aspect that UGA presented.
The new favorite might just be Auburn for Drew’s services as the defensive end used the term “family” to describe the Auburn program. “The coaches really stand out,” Drew gushed about Auburn. “They care about you as a person.” War Eagle Nation may also love to hear that Drew noted that “unless something miraculous happens (between now and Friday and eventually National Signing Day), odds are (Drew) will not be headed to Alabama.”
Clemson is making a late push for Drew’s services and Drew calls the Clemson Tiger program “the most peaceful.” He noted that head coach Dabo Swinney is trying to set up a visit before Drew makes his decision, but time is running out. Drew did like the possibility that he would “be able to get thrown into the (DE) rotation as a freshman,” with plenty of playing time on the table over the next three or four years.
LSU and Miami were also mentioned, each having positives. The LSU Tigers present a unique situation in that Drew’s faith could lead him to become team chaplain, taking over for Drake Nevis. Miami meanwhile has new coach Al Golden who, according to Drew, is “trying to get the program back to the glory days.” Drew calls Golden a genuine guy. Miami also features a family connection as Drew claims that 90% of his dad’s family is from the area.
In the end, Drew said he will have to weigh each school’s positives, which factors he considers to be the most important and whether he can see himself there. He gives Georgia the edge in education, Clemson the edge in being the “most peaceful,” LSU the edge in football and Auburn the edge in relationships and coaches. Drew will have to weigh their options quickly as he plans on announcing his selection this Friday. At this point, it could go any way, but you get the feeling that the Georgia Dream Team won’t be adding Drew to its haul.
Drew is set to make his decision this Friday and one seeming favorite may already be out of the running. The Georgia Bulldogs would figure to lead for Drew’s services, especially since the recent commitments of Xzavier Ward (committed Monday afternoon), Damian Swann, Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell, but Drew admitted that Georgia had its drawbacks.
“They’ve gone to a 3-4 defense and that’s been weighing on me,” Drew revealed. “I’m not too fond of that idea (of playing standing up and not with a hand on the ground).”
Drew also broke the news that Georgia is looking at him as an outside linebacker and not a defensive end, his current position and his projected position at the next level. “I believe I play better in a 4-3, with my hand in the dirt.” That statement could be the final nail in Georgia’s bid to snag the defensive end.
“I have to do what is best for me, academically and football-wise. I’ll look at everything as a whole.” Drew did give Georgia’s journalism program some positive points though and praised the education aspect that UGA presented.
The new favorite might just be Auburn for Drew’s services as the defensive end used the term “family” to describe the Auburn program. “The coaches really stand out,” Drew gushed about Auburn. “They care about you as a person.” War Eagle Nation may also love to hear that Drew noted that “unless something miraculous happens (between now and Friday and eventually National Signing Day), odds are (Drew) will not be headed to Alabama.”
Clemson is making a late push for Drew’s services and Drew calls the Clemson Tiger program “the most peaceful.” He noted that head coach Dabo Swinney is trying to set up a visit before Drew makes his decision, but time is running out. Drew did like the possibility that he would “be able to get thrown into the (DE) rotation as a freshman,” with plenty of playing time on the table over the next three or four years.
LSU and Miami were also mentioned, each having positives. The LSU Tigers present a unique situation in that Drew’s faith could lead him to become team chaplain, taking over for Drake Nevis. Miami meanwhile has new coach Al Golden who, according to Drew, is “trying to get the program back to the glory days.” Drew calls Golden a genuine guy. Miami also features a family connection as Drew claims that 90% of his dad’s family is from the area.
In the end, Drew said he will have to weigh each school’s positives, which factors he considers to be the most important and whether he can see himself there. He gives Georgia the edge in education, Clemson the edge in being the “most peaceful,” LSU the edge in football and Auburn the edge in relationships and coaches. Drew will have to weigh their options quickly as he plans on announcing his selection this Friday. At this point, it could go any way, but you get the feeling that the Georgia Dream Team won’t be adding Drew to its haul.
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