With the 2009 NCAA College World Series in full swing, it’s time to take a look at where some of the key players from each team came from and what paths they took to get to college baseball. All of the players listed are their team’s top pitchers and hitters statistically.
Arizona State
P Mike Leake – Leake attended Fallbrook High School in suburban San Diego. Leake quickly garnered the attention of local coaches and scouts, making the varsity team his freshman year and contributing immediately. Leake eventually would be named first team All-State in both his junior and senior seasons and was named the number 11 prospect in the west by TeamOneBaseball.com. Leake also garnered national attention when his summer ball team, the San Diego Sharks, won the 2003 USA baseball tournament. Leake was drafted out of high school in the 7th round of the 2006 draft by Oakland, but elected to attend ASU instead, where he became one of the premier pitchers in ASU history and set numerous Pac-10 records as well. He was picked 8th overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2009 draft.
OF Jason Kipnis – Kipnis attended Glenbrook North High School in Joliet, Illinois, where he played baseball and football and earned All-Conference honors in both sports. Kipnis was also named All-State in baseball his senior year. Kipnis went to Kentucky his freshman year before transferring to ASU for his sophomore season. Kipnis was drafted by the Padres in the 4th round in 2008, but elected to return to school. Kipnis was selected in the 2nd round by the Indians in the 2009 draft. He was not drafted out of high school.
Arkansas
1B Andy Wilkins – Wilkins attended Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma, where he was a two-time Louisville Slugger High School All-American and two-time All-State selection. Baseball America ranked Wilkins the number 11 prospect in the state of Oklahoma, despite his numbers being worthy of a number one ranking. Wilkins was selected out of high school in the 25th round by the Texas Rangers in 2007. He will be eligible to be selected in 2010 out of college.
P Dallas Keuchel – Keuchel attended Bishop Kelly High School in Oklahoma where he won two state championships and was twice named pitcher of the year. A three year started, Keuchel was also the quarterback of the football team, where he was named an All 5A East Region selection. Despite his accomplishments, Keuchel was not drafted out of high school. Keuchel became the ace of the Arkansas staff and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 7th round of the 2009 draft.
Cal-St. Fullerton
1B Jared Clark – Clark attended Valencia High School in suburban Los Angeles, where he was a four year varsity player both as a pitcher and position player. Clark set the Foothill League record for career home runs and earned All-State honors his senior season. He also was named All-CIF Southern Section twice. Clark was not drafted out of high school, and went to Fullerton where he pitched and played first base his first two seasons. An arm injury ended his pitching career, and he became a full-time position player during his junior season. Clark was drafted in the 21st round by the Cleveland Indians in 2007 and in the 45th round by the Los Angeles Angels in 2008. Clark elected to return to school both times and was eventually drafted in the 12th round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2009 draft.
P Daniel Renken – Renken went to Orange Lutheran High School in suburban Los Angeles where he was a three year letterman. Renken was a two-time all-league pitcher and earned the Trinity League Most Valuable Pitcher Award his senior season. Renken finished his high school career with a record of 17-7, and was drafted out of high school by the Colorado Rockies in the 35th round of the 2007 draft. Renken went to Fullerton and immediately made an impact, earning Freshman All-American honors from Rivals.com. Only a sophomore, Renken has become the ace of the Fullerton staff and is expected to be a first round draft pick in 2010.
Louisiana State
2B/LF Ryan Schimpf – Schimpf attended St. Paul’s High School in suburban New Orleans, where he was a three year letterman. Schimpf was named the MVP of the Greater New Orleans Area during his senior season and was All-State during his junior and senior seasons. He was not drafted out of high school, and went to collegiate powerhouse LSU, where he has been the Tigers best hitter for the past two seasons. Schimpf, listed at only 5’9” and 181 pounds, became a premier power hitter and was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 5th round of the 2009 draft
P Louis Coleman – Coleman attended Pillow Academy in Schlater, Mississippi where he was a two-way player. Coleman was on the varsity team all four years of his high school career. Coleman had a 0.51 ERA during his senior year in high school, and earned 2nd team All-State honors. Coleman was drafted in the 28th round of the 2005 draft out of high school by the Atlanta Braves, and again was drafted in 2008 in the 14th round by the Washington Nationals. Coleman returned for his senior season and dominated, and was rewarded by being selected in the 5th round by the Kansas City Royals.
Part 2 coming soon as we will examine the stars of North Carolina, Southern Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia.
