Nov. 20, 2008
BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University athletics department, along with men's baseball Head Coach John McCormack, announced Monday the signing of 10 athletes to National Letters of Intent.
All 10 signees come from the state of Florida, including three of the top junior college players in the state - Santa Fe Community College outfielder Andy Mee (Palm Beach/Palm Beach Gardens High School), Tallahassee Community College RHP Taylor Everist (Apopka/Apopka, High School) and power-hitting first baseman Dan Scheffler (West Palm Beach/Seminole Ridge, High School) out of Palm Beach Community College.
The incoming class is expected to attend FAU in the Fall 2009 semester and play for the Owls in Spring 2010.
"Recruiting is the life-blood of any program," says McCormack, who will enter his 19th season coaching at FAU this spring. "It is vital that you not only get talented players, but also players who understand the concept of being a student-athlete and that they are individuals who are willing to put the team above self."
FAU also has received commitments from seven high school standouts: RHP Kevin Alexander (Coral Springs/J.P. Taravella High School), RHP R.J. Alvarez (Royal Palm Beach/Cardinal Newman High School), LHP Jason Boyer (Longwood/Bishop Moore High School), OF Mark Nelson (Orlando/Dr. Phillips High School), Nathan Pittman (Bradenton/Bradenton High School), C Mike Spano (Naples/Golden Gate High School), INF Chase Vergason (Lake Mary/Bishop Moore High School).
"These young men will make a huge impact on Florida Atlantic University baseball over the next couple of years," said McCormack. "They all come from winning programs and there is a nice blend of youth and experience. The overall theme of the class would be athletic and versatile."
Kevin Alexander, RHP
6 feet 1 inch/160 lbs./Coral Springs/J.P. Taravella High School
NOTES: Went 6-2 with a 1.63 ERA earning all-state recognition as a junior at J.P. Taravella last season... potential to be on the mound in big situations next year... Went 8-1 with 1.54 ERA and fanned 64 for the Florida Bombers this past summer, earning the team's MVP and Cy Young honors.
R.J. Alvarez, RHP
6 feet 1 inch/180 lbs./Royal Palm Beach/Cardinal Newman High School
NOTES: Top pro prospect out of this FAU recruiting class... 3A All-State honorable mention as a junior prep player, striking out 96 in 70 innings... All-area pick by the Sun-Sentinel... huge potential, only been pitching for a few years... stuff is capable of dominating at Division I level right away.
Jason Boyer, LHP
6 feet 1 inch/155 lbs./Longwood/Bishop Moore High School
NOTES: Left-handed pitcher with abundance of natural ability... posted 1.90 ERA with 39 K's in 33 innings as Bishop Moore's Cy Young award winner in 2008... second-team all-state honoree... has just scratched the surface of his talent, will be fun to watch develop... potential to help the FAU pitching staff in a number of different ways.
Taylor Everist, RHP
6 feet 4 inches/205 lbs./Apopka/Apopka High School/Tallahassee Community College
NOTES: Big-time starting pitcher... has won at every level and is expected to immediately contribute at FAU... possesses the ability both on the mound and as a natural team-leader to add a positive presence to FAU's team in 2010.
Andy Mee, RHP/OF
6 feet/190 lbs./Palm Beach/Palm Beach Gardens High School/Santa Fe Community College
NOTES: Hit .415 with 35 RBI, went 6-2 with 65 K's in 59+ innings as a true freshman at Santa Fe CC... MVP of Florida Collegiate League, Most Outstanding Relief Pitcher, totaling 13 saves in FCL (Summer 2008)... MVP Palm Gardens HS Junior and Senior... MVP of Santa Fe Community College... one of the most accomplished JC players in the state of Florida... two-way player that will bat in the middle of the order and could be pitching staff's closer.
Mark Nelson, OF
6 feet 2 inches/165 lbs./Orlando/Dr. Phillips High School
NOTES: Possibly the most versatile player in this recruiting class... pure left-handed swing, has a chance to be an excellent college player... can also play the infield... competed on Orlando Scorpion summer-league team with FAU recruits Vergeson and Boyer.
Nathan Pittman, OF, LHP
5 feet 10 inches/165 lbs./Bradenton/Braden River High School
NOTES: Lefty, hit .321, stole 22 bases in 22 attempts and went 5-2 on the mound with a 1.68 ERA as a junior prep player helping Braden River win the Class 4A-District 10 championship... high energy, very aggressive outfielder...plays centerfield with a passion that reminds FAU fans of Gabe Somarriba.
Dan Scheffler, 1B
6 feet 4 inches/225 lbs./West Palm Beach/Seminole Ridge High School/Palm Beach Community College
NOTES: Pro-type right-handed hitter... hit .315 with 10 home runs and had 55 RBI as an all-conference player at Palm Beach CC as a true freshman... potential middle of the lineup player, possible future offensive leader at FAU.
Mike Spano, C
6 feet /190 lbs./Naples/Golden Gate High School
NOTES: Left-handed batter with the ability to play a number of positions... accomplished offensively... projected to primarily play behind the plate... four-year varsity starter as catcher at Golden Gate High School... also played quarterback for Golden Gate football team... older brother, Bobby Spano, played at FAU from 2000-02.
Chase Vergason, INF
5 feet 11 inches/165 lbs./Lake Mary/Bishop Moore High School
NOTES: Hit .390, with 28 stolen bases and posted a .985 fielding percentage at Bishop Moore as a junior... extremely athletic player... one of the best middle-infielders in Florida... expected to make an immediate impact offensively and defensively.
