Baseball Recruiting Class

vubballfan · November 15, 2012, 08:51:23 AM

Article up on Prep Baseball Report about baseball recruiting classes at Indiana's Div. I schools:

http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/news/IN/A-Breakdown-of-Indianas-Division-One-Schools-Recruiting-Classes-7095342186

"...Valparaiso: The Crusaders currently have one of the most talented players in the state committed to their program, Matthew Gatewood (South Decatur). Gatewood is the No. 26 ranked player in the 2013 class. He is one of the most athletic player in his class, running a 6.65 sixty, and has been up to 91 on the mound from the left side. If Coach Woodson can harness that velocity in the strike zone, he could have a high draft pick in Gatewood."

Looks like a great pickup for the baseball program!!!

jetz · November 15, 2012, 10:11:50 AM

This kid lives near us here in southern Indiana. It's amazing that he just kind of appeared out of nowhere--even for us locals. I think he comes from a small town (Westport) that has a field that my son used to call their home for summer travel ball in the 12-13 age group. The high school he attends has never been known for their sports, so this kid should become a local phenom this spring. Great find for Coach Woodson and the Valpo staff...

valpotx · November 15, 2012, 11:40:43 AM

Hopefully everyone signs their NLI! I will again commend Woodson on his recruiting, but it seems like he is able to develop the players really well too. I hope he stays for a long time, but imagine it is only so long before a big player comes along to convince him/his wife to finally leave.

vu72 · November 15, 2012, 11:47:26 AM

Nice story on Gatewood:

http://greensburgdailynews.com/sports/x1200641169/South-s-Gatewood-committing-to-Valparaiso

jetz · November 15, 2012, 12:42:45 PM

Quote from: valpotx on November 15, 2012, 11:40:43 AM
Hopefully everyone signs their NLI! I will again commend Woodson on his recruiting, but it seems like he is able to develop the players really well too. I hope he stays for a long time, but imagine it is only so long before a big player comes along to convince him/his wife to finally leave.

Agree on the bigger schools coming after Woodson/Schmack. I just hope they hold off for another few years to get my son through there...

On another subject, I think signing day for baseball and a few other sports was yesterday (Nov.14). Can anyone confirm?

vu72 · November 15, 2012, 01:32:00 PM

Quote from: jetz on November 15, 2012, 12:42:45 PM
Quote from: valpotx on November 15, 2012, 11:40:43 AM
Hopefully everyone signs their NLI! I will again commend Woodson on his recruiting, but it seems like he is able to develop the players really well too. I hope he stays for a long time, but imagine it is only so long before a big player comes along to convince him/his wife to finally leave.

Agree on the bigger schools coming after Woodson/Schmack. I just hope they hold off for another few years to get my son through there... On another subject, I think signing day for baseball and a few other sports was yesterday (Nov.14). Can anyone confirm?

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Not sure, but the Valpo website has announced the signing of a women golfer, so I think yesterday was the day for all sports.

valpotx · November 15, 2012, 01:36:24 PM

Yes, I believe the early signing period for all NCAA sports is 11/14-11/21

Valposter · November 20, 2012, 08:19:49 AM

Quote from: valpotx on November 15, 2012, 01:36:24 PMYes, I believe the early signing period for all NCAA sports is 11/14-11/21

Yes, the NLI early signing day was November 14th.

I'm a new poster........how do I post a link?

FWalum · November 20, 2012, 08:51:22 AM

Quote from: Valposter on November 20, 2012, 08:19:49 AM
Quote from: valpotx on November 15, 2012, 01:36:24 PMYes, I believe the early signing period for all NCAA sports is 11/14-11/21

Yes, the NLI early signing day was November 14th.

I'm a new poster........how do I post a link?

As a spammer security measure, the forum requires new members to post a minimum number of posts before they can add links to a post. I believe it to be 3 posts.

Valposter · November 20, 2012, 09:13:26 AM

Quote from: FWalum on November 20, 2012, 08:51:22 AM
Quote from: Valposter on November 20, 2012, 08:19:49 AM
Quote from: valpotx on November 15, 2012, 01:36:24 PMYes, I believe the early signing period for all NCAA sports is 11/14-11/21
Yes, the NLI early signing day was November 14th. I'm a new poster........how do I post a link?
As a spammer security measure, the forum requires new members to post a minimum number of posts before they can add links to a post. I believe it to be 3 posts.

Thanks FWalum!

valporun · November 20, 2012, 10:18:51 AM

Valposter, the minimum is 5 posts before links are allowed.

Valposter · November 20, 2012, 10:27:55 AM

Quote from: valporun on November 20, 2012, 10:18:51 AMValposter, the minimum is 5 posts before links are allowed.

thanks Valporun!!!

Valposter · November 20, 2012, 11:00:26 AM

Listed below is a link to a well-respected baseball website, Perfect Game USA, that lists the 2013 college baseball commitments for each D1 college baseball program. Just click "Valparaiso" in the drop down box to see Valpo's baseball commits for the 2013 recruiting class. Coach Woodson and staff have six commits from six different states so far: Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan with most coming from high-profile travel programs. Click on the individual plalyer for baseball background info. Looks like a good recruiting class based on rankings, etc. This list is not all-inlcusive, but is pretty close and gives a good benchmark as to who will be joining Valpo Baseball next year. Website announcement should be coming soon.

http://www.perfectgame.org/College/CollegeCommitments.aspx

valpotx · November 20, 2012, 12:41:27 PM

I haven't checked that site in awhile, thanks for posting. Did you notice that we now have someone from Venezuela?? I will say again that Coach Woodson and his coaches are excellent recruiters

Valposter · November 20, 2012, 01:01:46 PM

Quote from: valpotx on November 20, 2012, 12:41:27 PMI haven't checked that site in awhile, thanks for posting. Did you notice that we now have someone from Venezuela?? I will say again that Coach Woodson and his coaches are excellent recruiters

Actually, the Venezuela commit is a reporting error......lol!!! Valpo will still only have a domestic flavor on the roster! But Coach Woodson and staff are excellent recruiters with both traditional and juco recruits, and by all accounts player development is excellent as well. Can't wait for baseball season and the opportunity to defend the HL regular season and tourny championships!

StlVUFan · November 20, 2012, 01:57:42 PM

Quote from: Valposter on November 20, 2012, 11:00:26 AM
Listed below is a link to a well-respected baseball website, Perfect Game USA, that lists the 2013 college baseball commitments for each D1 college baseball program. Just click "Valparaiso" in the drop down box to see Valpo's baseball commits for the 2013 recruiting class. Coach Woodson and staff have six commits from six different states so far: Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan with most coming from high-profile travel programs. Click on the individual plalyer for baseball background info. Looks like a good recruiting class based on rankings, etc. This list is not all-inlcusive, but is pretty close and gives a good benchmark as to who will be joining Valpo Baseball next year. Website announcement should be coming soon.

http://www.perfectgame.org/College/CollegeCommitments.aspx

Well played, Valposter

Valposter · November 24, 2012, 01:33:21 PM

Quote from: jetz on November 15, 2012, 12:42:45 PM
Quote from: valpotx on November 15, 2012, 11:40:43 AM
Hopefully everyone signs their NLI! I will again commend Woodson on his recruiting, but it seems like he is able to develop the players really well too. I hope he stays for a long time, but imagine it is only so long before a big player comes along to convince him/his wife to finally leave.

Agree on the bigger schools coming after Woodson/Schmack. I just hope they hold off for another few years to get my son through there... ; On another subject, I think signing day for baseball and a few other sports was yesterday (Nov.14). Can anyone confirm?

Coach Woodson signed a contract extension a few months a ago. Anyone know what year the extension runs through? I think the previous contact ran through 2014. I too hope we can keep Coach Woodson as long as possible.....the baseball program is headed for VERY good things IMO.

valpotx · November 24, 2012, 06:04:25 PM

I thought it was for 3 additional years, but not 100% sure

Valposter · November 26, 2012, 02:13:24 PM

I know it's early, but I wanted to talk a little Valpo baseball Hot Stove if anyone is interested. Does anybody close to the program (or not) have any thoughts or insights on how the roles are developing for next year, especially pitching? I know Worm will be one weekend starting pitcher, but who does it look like has the inside track for the other two weekend starting spots? Lots of new arms and young arms in the program to chose from. Bullpen closer to replace Wild? Any insights on starting line-up? Manning returns for one OF position. Who replaces Scoby and Hagel in the OF? Looks like a competition between Hara, Mark Johnson and Michael Morman (coming back from injury) for the other two spots? Infield has everyone back with Martin at 3rd, Mahoney at SS, Vavra at 2nd, and Loeffler at 1st with Cribbs catching and Bain at DH. Anybody coming hard to get into the mix in the infield as a position player? Burns (coming back from injury)? Yoder, who showed some nice pop off the bench as a freshman? Any new position players making a play for significant time like Mahoney did last year? Anybody have any early thoughts or insights?

valporun · November 26, 2012, 03:04:57 PM

I believe Morman was playing 2nd in 2011? If he's changing positions, that would be interesting. Even in high school, he was mostly playing 2nd.

Valposter · November 26, 2012, 04:05:23 PM

Quote from: valporun on November 26, 2012, 03:04:57 PMI believe Morman was playing 2nd in 2011? If he's changing positions, that would be interesting. Even in high school, he was mostly playing 2nd.

Valporun, that's just guesswork on my part. Morman is listed on the roster as an IF/OF and I know he has a good stick. With the infield solidified with returning starters, I was thinking he may get a look in the OF to get his stick in the lineup. No inside information here, just me trying to have some fun putting the puzzle pieces together.

Enrico Palazzo · November 26, 2012, 07:32:22 PM

Glad to see the interest in VU baseball this time of year. I'll be one of the interns in the Sports Information Department effective next week. In addition to baseball, I'll also be covering men's/women's tennis as well as men's/women's swimming this spring. I've got some ideas as to how to keep our growing fan base even more informed and connected than ever before. Once Aaron Leavitt and I can sit down and discuss logistics, I'll pass it along. You'll be happy to hear I'm a big baseball guy.

Valposter - I'm putting the finishing touches on a preview that addresses all of your questions and more. The preview typically isn't released until just before the season, so I hope you understand that I'm going to hold off for right now. However, depending on demand, a weekly/biweekly/monthly online chat is one idea I'd like to see come to fruition - soon. As to where that would take place, that's one of the things we'll have to iron out. Hope to have some information for you in the next week or so.

Thanks,
Brad

Valposter · November 26, 2012, 08:04:07 PM

Brad-

Welcome aboard!!!! Glad to hear about some of the new ideas you are working on to help promote Valpo baseball! It's awesome to have a fellow baseball guy helping cover the program. I will be participating in all of the interactive opportunities as I am a life-long baseball fan and a big Valpo baseball fan! Hopefully you can put together interviews, chats, media guides, lots of web articles, etc.

A quick question. Do you know how many baseball games will be video web-casted this season with the new, smaller, portable HD video equipment to support the HL Network? I am not local and I have to follow the program via internet and the website.

Thanks!

Enrico Palazzo · November 26, 2012, 08:15:50 PM

Thanks.

Good question about the webcast. With the roster beginning to represent states from all over the country, I imagine this will be of growing interest. I'll look into it. It's certainly an exciting time to be a Crusader fan. The talent coming in continues to get better year after year.

The full sked was just released this afternoon. Hope we'll be coming to your neck of the woods.

vu72 · November 26, 2012, 08:28:10 PM

Quote from: Enrico Palazzo on November 26, 2012, 08:15:50 PM
Thanks.

Good question about the webcast. With the roster beginning to represent states from all over the country, I imagine this will be of growing interest. I'll look into it. It's certainly an exciting time to be a Crusader fan. The talent coming in continues to get better year after year.

The full sked was just released this afternoon. Hope we'll be coming to your neck of the woods.

Enrico,

Are you a new hire to the AD? If so, welcome aboard, it should be an exciting place to work!