St. John's College High School senior Hugh Adams (BT 2006-8) has committed to Florida Atlantic University. The right-handed hurler has compiled an 11-1 record in two seasons at St. John's and has pitched ten scoreless innings for the Big Train over the last two summers. This Fall, he is pitching for Dean Albany's Oriolelanders. FAU, located in Boca Raton, Florida, plays in the Sun Belt Conference. In June, eight FAU players signed professional contracts, including Justin Martin (BT 2004).
Coach Kevin Cooney (718-453) has sent many top players to the Big Train, including his son Jim Cooney who pitched for the Big Train in 1999 and 2000 before playing professionally in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Hugh was the Big Train bat boy during Jim's two seasons in Bethesda.
According to Big Train Manager Sal Colangelo, "Standing 6'5", Hugh Adams has the makings of a future big leaguer -- power, movement, and, most importantly, he's not afraid to throw inside. Nothing bothers him when on the pitching mound. With a little maturing, Hugh will help FAU get back to the regionals. The coaching staff at FAU is outstanding. Over the years, they have developed more ball players for the professional ranks than most teams on the east coast."
Posts: 144 | Location: Maryland | Registered: November 12, 2006
Daniel Marrs, James River, Wake Forest Austin Stadler, James River, Wake Forest Chad O'Connor, Western Branch, UVA Will Roberts, Maggie Walker, UVA John Austin Hicks, Goochland, UVA Danny Hultzen, St. Alban's, UVA Justin Thompson, Tunstall, UVA LJ Hoes Saint Johns, NC Scott Silverstein, UVA Carl Travers, Riverdale Radford Matt Mac, Saint Johns, Radford Shane Halley, Lake Braddock, UVA Peter Verdin, Pope Paul VI, U. Georgia Levi Hyams, Colonial Forge, U. Georgia Brett Bowers, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina Phillip Clark, Collegiate, East Carolina Taylor Buran, Benedictine, Maryland Zack Hegelson, Hidden Valley, Maryland Cole Shain, Broad Run, William & Mary Tadd Bower, Cosby, William & Mary Matthew Snyder, Westfield, Ole Miss Michael Snyder, Westfield, Ole Miss Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina Dustin Galbraith, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia Ronnie Shaban, Cosby, VA Tech Jonathan Watson, LC Bird, Longwood Will Lamb, Seaford, Clemson Gary Ward, Hickory, Miami Andrew Deal, LC Bird, VMI Jackie Bradley, Prince George, South Carolina Kyle Long, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Posts: 144 | Location: Maryland | Registered: November 12, 2006
Daniel Marrs, James River, Wake Forest Austin Stadler, James River, Wake Forest Chad O'Connor, Western Branch, UVA Will Roberts, Maggie Walker, UVA John Austin Hicks, Goochland, UVA Danny Hultzen, St. Alban's, UVA Justin Thompson, Tunstall, UVA LJ Hoes Saint Johns, NC Scott Silverstein, UVA Carl Travers, Riverdale Radford Matt Mac, Saint Johns, Radford Shane Halley, Lake Braddock, UVA Peter Verdin, Pope Paul VI, U. Georgia Levi Hyams, Colonial Forge, U. Georgia Brett Bowers, Pope Paul VI, East Carolina Phillip Clark, Collegiate, East Carolina Taylor Buran, Benedictine, Maryland Zack Hegelson, Hidden Valley, Maryland Cole Shain, Broad Run, William & Mary Tadd Bower, Cosby, William & Mary Matthew Snyder, Westfield, Ole Miss Michael Snyder, Westfield, Ole Miss Daniel Bowman, Turner Ashby, Coastal Carolina Dustin Galbraith, Douglas Freeman, West Virginia Ronnie Shaban, Cosby, VA Tech Jonathan Watson, LC Bird, Longwood Will Lamb, Seaford, Clemson Gary Ward, Hickory, Miami Andrew Deal, LC Bird, VMI Jackie Bradley, Prince George, South Carolina Kyle Long, St. Anne's-Belfield, Florida State
Tyler Hibbs, Arundel, Florida State
Posts: 31 | Location: Anne Arundel County | Registered: May 16, 2006
Keeping it Md 08's - I don't think I saw these players listed yet:
Tommy Winegardner, Riverdale Baptist, Coastal Carolina Jeff Kemp, Archbishop Spalding, Radford University Matt Hilsinger, Archbishop Spalding, Radford University
Can't think of any more at the moment.
Posts: 28 | Location: Maryland | Registered: March 21, 2005
I cannot quantify it, but there is a ton of MD kids playing D1 baseball. The problem, in my opinion, is that there isn't much promotion/exposure being given from the papers (at least the Baltimore Sun, which unfortunately is my local paper). The Sun will highlight the top player's signing for that particular year (i.e., Hibbs to Fla. State a few weeks ago), but for the most part, these kids are mired in obscurity outside of the local baseball circles.
Posts: 62 | Location: Maryland | Registered: June 10, 2004
All mentioned are great players and deserve it. From what I have seen they have put in the time and hard work. Some great 08"s still not signed. Let's look ahead at the 09"s I have seen several 09"s that will be getting all the attention they want next summer. anyone know 09's worth mentioning?
Posts: 37 | Location: frederick | Registered: June 11, 2007
What age group are you looking for Bill? I watch alot of baseball in the fall and summer. There are teams that will give you all the competition you need. Some that come to mind are the Frederick Hustlers, Baltimore Buzz and Maryland Hillcats.
Posts: 37 | Location: frederick | Registered: June 11, 2007
Originally posted by tarheelfaninmd: All mentioned are great players and deserve it. From what I have seen they have put in the time and hard work. Some great 08"s still not signed. Let's look ahead at the 09"s I have seen several 09"s that will be getting all the attention they want next summer. anyone know 09's worth mentioning?
tarheelfaninmd- Frederick High has a couple nice 09's... Brady Wilson Jimmy Lanning
Posts: 6 | Location: Maryland | Registered: September 06, 2007
It was just a general comment. My son is playing U12 and 90'bases are just around the corner.
You look at signings and there are some kids from Maryland but very few that go to top college programs. Pitchers mostly, a few catchers and almost no position players unless they pitch too.
We are even considering commuting back and forth to Richmond just to have more at bats against top notch pitching and to have to play defense against teams that can really hit through their entire lineup. Not to mention pitch against teams that can really hit.
The Hustlers had a couple of really nice teams via the Maine kids but their U11 was okay and carried by a couple of kids and the Buzz program is certainly at or near the top in MD. It just seems that the talent is really watered down with too many teams so the kids in Maryland are really fighting an uphill battle versus the competition from Virginia on down. Our kids are lucky to have 4-6 at bats a week against top pitching in almost any league here in MD, including Baltimore Metro. The boys do not even play baseball in public middle school here in MD.
I just find it interesting to follow as my son gets older and starts talking about playing baseball in the ACC. Little does he know the long odds of playing for one of those type programs and the incredible amount of work and God given ability required to even have a chance.
Bill
Posts: 61 | Location: Maryland | Registered: September 25, 2006
Originally posted by Bill L.: It was just a general comment. My son is playing U12 and 90'bases are just around the corner.
You look at signings and there are some kids from Maryland but very few that go to top college programs. Pitchers mostly, a few catchers and almost no position players unless they pitch too.
We are even considering commuting back and forth to Richmond just to have more at bats against top notch pitching and to have to play defense against teams that can really hit through their entire lineup. Not to mention pitch against teams that can really hit.
The Hustlers had a couple of really nice teams via the Maine kids but their U11 was okay and carried by a couple of kids and the Buzz program is certainly at or near the top in MD. It just seems that the talent is really watered down with too many teams so the kids in Maryland are really fighting an uphill battle versus the competition from Virginia on down. Our kids are lucky to have 4-6 at bats a week against top pitching in almost any league here in MD, including Baltimore Metro. The boys do not even play baseball in public middle school here in MD.
I just find it interesting to follow as my son gets older and starts talking about playing baseball in the ACC. Little does he know the long odds of playing for one of those type programs and the incredible amount of work and God given ability required to even have a chance.
Bill
Bill,
you're boy is 12 years old.....focus on teaching him the fundamentals of the game and being the best ball player and student he can be. Keep making things fun and develop a strong work ethic in him and things will work out. There is a place to play for everybody if they want to. I agree with your last statement but anything is possible if you work hard enough w/ a little god given ability. Best of luck to your kid !
Posts: 439 | Location: Virginia | Registered: June 10, 2007
Originally posted by Bill L.: ....Our kids are lucky to have 4-6 at bats a week against top pitching in almost any league here in MD, including Baltimore Metro. The boys do not even play baseball in public middle school here in MD.
I just find it interesting to follow as my son gets older and starts talking about playing baseball in the ACC. Little does he know the long odds of playing for one of those type programs and the incredible amount of work and God given ability required to even have a chance.
Bill, I might find it interesting to exchange emails with you. Let's name the subject: Minor Leagues Major Dreams, as I also find it interesting to have watched these 'lucky' younger Maryland pre-teens learn the craft of baseball:
- from the field, to the classroom, - from the local leagues thru the travel leagues, - from Fox Hill thru Colonial Heights thru DC thru Maryland and Delaware - from the Middle Schools thru the High School - From the Summer Ball thru Legion. - From the Fall Ball thru the Wood Bat Leagues - from the ACC thru the Collegiate Summer Leagues - and now from the Minor Leagues with Major League dreams.
I think I can discuss those very few "Maryland" pre-teens that I have watched over the last 40+ years who maintained or seeked Minor League and Big League experience, either as a position player or a pitcher.
And each one that I crossed paths with cared very little nor knew of the long odds of playing at the highest of levels and yielded not to the incredible amount of work taken while improving the God given talent, while overtaking the many adversities before them, while seeking the opportunities they created when presented.
cheers
Posts: 1519 | Location: Fairland, Maryland USA | Registered: December 26, 2002
Is there some connection between Spalding and Radford? One of the Radford coaches have a connection with the school?
I know that Radford has a new staff, new direction and new commitment from the administration, it just seems a bit unusual that so many players from 1 HS would be commiting to one university, particularly out of state.
Posts: 606 | Location: Northern VA | Registered: August 05, 2003
It is interesting to me that Radford has been able to attract some real blue chip players in light of having a brand new coaching staff. It certainly bodes well for their future.
Posts: 140 | Location: Walkersville, Maryland, USA | Registered: March 17, 2004
