Missouri Signs 8
11/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 16, 2000
Columbia, Mo. -- University of Missouri head baseball coach Tim Jamieson announced the signing of eight players to letters-of-intent during the early signing period (Nov. 8-15). Three of the student-athletes come from the junior-college ranks.
They are:
Grant Hansen, Right-handed pitcher, Edmond, Okla. (Edmond Sante Fe HS)
Justin James, Right-handed pitcher, Yukon, Okla. (Yukon HS)
Chris Julo, Infielder, Lee's Summit, Mo., (Maple Woods CC)
Brent Lacy, Catcher/shortstop, Ballwin, Mo. (Lafayette HS)
Abel Newton, Right-handed pitcher, Russellville, Ark. (Russellville HS)
Derek Roper, Right-handed pitcher, Elk City, Okla. (Hutchinson CC)
Jody Roughton, Infielder, Carthage, Mo., (Maple Woods CC)
Travis Wendte, Right-handed pitcher, Moore, Okla. (Moore HS)
Hansen did not allow a run last season while pitching in 12 innings after missing part of the season with an injury. "I think he'll get better this season and use it as a springboard to Missouri," said Edmond head coach Lonnie Cobble of the 6-foot-5 Hansen. "He only started pitching in the summer of 1999 so he's still learning and his best years are ahead of him."
James has been ranked the nation's 93rd best prospect by Rivals.com. The 6-foot-2 pitcher has been measured throwing in the 90 to 92 mile-per-hour range. He recorded an 8-3 record with one save for Yukon, which went 38-8 in 2000. He struck out 76 batters in 61 and 2/3 innings and earned all-conference and all-city honors. "Depending on what type of season he has and if he stays healthy, he could be a pretty-high draft pick," said Larry McVay, Yukon's head coach. "I feel he could step right in at Missouri and be an impact player. He's that good."
Julo, a 6-foot-1 second baseman/shortstop, hit .409 with 17 home runs and 71 runs batted in last season at Maple Woods. He led the team in home runs and RBI. He will also serve as Maple Woods' closer this upcoming season.
Lacy was an all-state selection in 2000 after hitting .489 and driving in 24 runs. "He's the best defensive catcher we've had in my 29 years of coaching," said Lafayette head coach Rusty Ryan of the 6-foot Lacy. "He has an excellent work ethic. He practices harder than he plays because he wants to keep improving. Brent will have a positive impact at Missouri both in the classroom and on the field."
Newton, the 1999 National High School Baseball Coaches Association Sophomore of the Year, was a unanimous all-state pick in 1999 and was Arkansas' sophomore of the year. The 6-foot-2 Newton hit .562 in 1999 and hit .507 in 2000. He has hit 17 home runs and driven in 74 runs in two seasons. On the mound, Newton has won 13 games and recorded five saves. He also has thrown a no-hit game. A two-time all-conference selection, Newton has been named one of the nation's top 150 high school recruits.
Roper went 6-2 for Hutchinson, which was ranked 10th in last season's NJCAA Division I poll, last season. He struck out 51 batters and posted a 4.85 earned-run average in 59 and 1/3 innings. "He's going to make a big impact at Missouri. He could be a difference maker," said Hutchinson assistant coach Matt Podjenski, a former Tiger. "He is our number one starter. He's a great leader - that's the type of player he is."
Roughton, pronounced Roe-ton, hit a team-high .419 to go with 8 home runs and 53 RBI. A left-handed hitter, he was also a 46th-round pick of the New York Mets in the 2000 draft. "Both players can flat-out hit," said Maple Woods head coach Marty Kilgor on Julo and Roughton. "They're very similar to (Landon) Brandes and (Jon) Harris and will be frontline players. They had a lot of other people after them. I know the MU coaches are expecting a lot of production from them."
Wendte posted a 15-5 record the past two seasons in high school, highlighted by a 9-2 mark and an earned-run average under 2.00 in 1999. "He struggled a little last season but he made some improvements over the summer and got everything straightened out," said Chris Crosby, the head coach at Moore. "He's focused in the classroom and is focused in the locker room when it comes time for games or practice. There's no question in my mind he'll succeed at Missouri and in the Big 12."
"No question, this group is one of the talented groups we've signed," said Jamieson, who is in his seventh season. "We went up against several of the top programs in the nation and won for these kids. Our main focus with this recruiting class was to increase the number of quality arms we have on the mound. We also needed to bring in some quality hitters and we did that, too. We feel we've even gone beyond our goals. There are a number of people out there excited about Missouri and this class shows that."
The Tigers, who have won 30-or-more games nine times in the past 10 seasons, open the 2001 season in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Feb. 9 against Cal Poly.
