Meridian Community College first year head baseball coach Chris Curry has announced his 2011 Eagle baseball signing class.
13 players have signed with MCC and will make their impact starting August of 2011 when they enroll at MCC. Mitchel Babb, Patrick Barnes, Cody Brewer, Andrew Chesteen, Alvin Franklin, Connor Goodspeed, Austin Greer, Austin Knight, Trey McPherson, Stanford Parks, Brandon Smith, Luke Stanley, Tanner Vandevere, Scott Votaw, and Gabe Wilson have all committed to play for the Eagles.
Babb, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder is from Batesville, MS where he played at South Panola H.S., Batesville, MS.
“Mitchel is an extremely athletic pitcher/outfielder that has some arm strength from the left side,” said Curry.
“He can run very well and will provide us with depth in the outfield. Mitchel excels in the classroom and is a true student-athlete.”
Babb was South Panola’s top arm this past season.
Barnes a shortstop from Clinton, MS where he is a senior at Clinton High School.
“Patrick is a hard-nosed infielder. He gets dirty every game and is a serious threat to hit for power at the plate. He will force other players around him to play hard with him,” said Curry.
Barnes has started at shortstop at Clinton for four years.
Brewer a right-handed pitcher from New Augusta, MS is a senior at Perry Central High School.
“Cody is a big, strong right handed pitcher with good arm strength. He has steadily increased his velocity over the past year and is on some professional radars. He has a good down-action curve ball to go with his fastball,” added Curry.
Brewer is regarded as one of the top pro prospects in the state.
Chesteen is a right-handed pitcher from Winona, MS where he plays at Winona High School.
“Andrew is another outstanding student-athlete who can pitch at a high level. He has good arm side movement to compliment a sharp breaking ball. Along with the ability to pitch, Andrew’s character is off the charts. He will immediately impact the integrity of our locker room,” said Curry.
Chesteen is an honor roll student, who was named All District his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons. In 2011 he won the Pitcher’s Award fro WHS and was named the District Pitcher of the Year.
Franklin, an outfielder from Jackson, MS, is a senior at Murrah High School.
“Alvin brings athleticism and a solid presence in the outfield. As a current player for former MCC All-American Scott Cheek, Alvin’s work ethic is impeccable. Alvin is another signee that is drawing pro interest,” said Curry.
Franklin has compiled a .406 batting average for his high school career and is a second year captain. He made the all district team as a junior as well as leading the district in batting average.
Goodspeed is a catcher and utility player from Madison Central High School in Madison, MS.
“Connor will bring power to the MCC lineup. He is a solid catcher with plus arm strength that can play other positions as well. Connor’s best tool is his bat,” said Curry.
Goodspeed was named to the 2010 Tournament of Stars.
Greer is a right-handed pitcher from Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham, AL.
“Austin is a physically mature pitcher from a great Alabama High School program. He has a great pitcher’s frame that projects well. He has a plus breaking ball that he can throw anytime to go along with outstanding fastball command,” said Curry.
Knight is a catcher from Sumrall High School in Sumrall, MS.
“Austin is one of the best catchers in the state. As the son of a great coach, he will bring leadership and knowledge behind the plate as well as outstanding defensive skills. Austin will help our pitching staff tremendously,” said Curry.
Knight played for the State champion Sumrall High School team in 2008, 2009 and 2010. He was a MHSAA 3A All State baseball team in 2010, an All Division 8-3A baseball team in 2009 and 2010. He was invited to the 2010 USA Baseball 18 and under Tournament of Stars and played for the 2009 and 2010 Jr. Sunbelt Classic for Team Mississippi.
McPherson is an outfielder from Meridian where he plays for West Lauderdale High School.
“Trey is from West Lauderdale H.S., and is accustomed to winning. He can really run and throw which are two skills that you can’t teach. We are excited about him coming to MCC,” said Curry.
McPherson is the starting centerfielder for West Lauderdale.
Stanford Parks is an outfielder from Madison Central High School in Madison, MS.
“Stanford is an extremely athletic outfielder. He runs well and can really handle the bat. He is another signee that brings speed and athleticism. He is the younger brother of former Eagle, Jared Parks,” said Curry.
Parks hit .444 leading the Jaguars during his junior year.
Smith is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman from Petal, MS where he plays for Petal High School.
“Brandon is a winner. He is a physical right handed pitcher that has won big games in his career. He is another signee from a great program that has command of three pitches for a strike. Is coached by a former MCC player Larry Watkins,” added Curry.
Smith was a 2010 All Division Team selection as well as a member of the Hattiesburg American All-Area High School Team. In 2011 he finished with an 11-1 record on the mound as he led Petal to the 2010 6A State Championship.
Luke Stanley is a catcher from Meridian where he played for Meridian High School.
“Along with his skills behind the plate, he brings all the intangibles that we look for in a catcher. Luke is another hard-nosed player who understands what it means to be an Eagle,” said Curry.
Stanley is a three year starting catcher and quarterback for the Cats football team.
Vandevere is an infielder from Calallen High School out of Corpus Christi, TX.
“Tanner is a Texas guy with Mississippi family ties. He was among the leaders in Texas high school baseball with fourteen homeruns last year. Along with being a presence at the plate, he is a solid infielder,” said Curry.
In 2010, Vandevere was named 4A All-District 1st team, All-South Texas 1st team, All-State 2nd team, UIL State baseball All-Tournament Team.
His junior season, Vandevere led Texas 4A baseball with 14 homeruns for the 2010 baseball season as he set the Calallen High School for homeruns in a season with 14, while driving in 46 and scoring another 45 runs and batted .327.
Votaw is a right-handed pitcher and infielder from Monticello, MS where he plays at Lawrence County High School.
“Scott is a big, hard nosed, physical athlete that is a legitimate dual player. With a 6’3” frame to go along with the ability to move well, he can play a few positions. On the mound he possesses great arm strength,” said Curry.
Votaw is one of the top players in the state leading his team in hitting and on the mound.
Wilson is an infielder from Brookhaven High School in Brookhaven, MS.
“Gabe is a perfect example of a consistency. He is solid infielder who can flat out hit. He’s the kind of guy that brings the same effort and work ethic every day. You know what you’re going to get from Gabe everyday,” added Curry.
In 2009 Wilson was named First Team All District 5A as well as the team’s Best Defensive Player of the Year. He also batted .400 with only five strikeouts in 120 plus at bats.
His junior season he was named First Team All District 5A as well Most Valuable Player of Year. He batted .410 with only two strikeouts in 110 plus at bats.
