Photo by: GoBearkats.com
Kats ink nine on National Signing Day
11/10/2021 10:57:00 AM | Baseball
HUNTSVILLE - Sam Houston Baseball head coach Jay Sirianni and the Bearkat coaching staff announced the signing of nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, including six high school players and three from the junior college ranks, for the 2022 class.
"I can't say enough about the job the entire staff did in assembling this class," Sirianni said. "This was a total team effort as is everything we do here at Sam Houston. We were able to identify guys that fit our brand of baseball and all of these young men will represent the values and tradition of Sam Houston both on and off the field. Each of these newcomers brings a sense of toughness and competitiveness that is a staple of our program. Every signee fills a specific need, and we are excited about each one of them".
Scouting Report on incoming class provided by Recruiting Coordinator Fuller Smith:
Trey Acreman • INF • R/R • 5-11 • 170 • Montgomery, Texas / Montgomery HS
SCOUT: Acreman is a "throwback" type player who was identified early as a 3-year varsity starter for Chris Morris and Michael Starkey at Montgomery High School. He played summer baseball for Twelve Baseball, which is one of the best travel baseball organizations in the country. Acreman is ranked as the No. 22 best SS in the state of Texas according to Prep Baseball Report.Â
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Trey is a twitchy athletic shortstop who can play any position on the field. He has strength at the plate, rangy defensively with a strong arm across the diamond. All summer long we saw him wreak havoc on the bases playing with the gas pedal on the floor. Trey will make an immediate impact on our program, and we are excited to have his energy and competitiveness on our side."
Caleb Cotton • OF • L/R • 5-11 • 160 • Huntsville, Texas / Huntsville HS
SCOUT: Cotton is a homegrown player from Huntsville High School where he plays for head coach Justin Jennings. His father, Mario, played for the Bearkats under legendary coach John Skeeters from 1988-1991. Cotton had a great junior year as he hit .441 with 8 3Bs, 3HRs, and 21 SBs on his way to being named to the all-district firs team. He was also the District Offensive Player of the Year, Team MVP and led Huntsville to its first playoff appearance in over 10 years. Cotton also played summer baseball for Trosky Texas out of Houston.
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Caleb brings elite level speed and athleticism to our program that will impact the game in multiple ways. We are excited Caleb is joining us next fall and look forward to him donning the Bearkat uniform for years to come."
Carson Courtney • RHP • R/R • 6-4 • 185 • Lufkin, Texas / Hudson HS
SCOUT: Courtney is a big, projectible righty from Hudson High School where he was named to the all-district first team for head coach Glen Kimble. During his junior campaign he pitched at a 1.95 ERA with 84 K's in 64.2 IP. He played summer baseball for Nico Moran and Five Star Performance National out of Kilgore, TexasÂ
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Carson is a 3-pitch mix right-hander who suffocates hitters every time he throws. He has pitched in some big games in the spring and summers and always seems to find a way to win. He is a winner off the field as well as he is a member of the National Honor Society. We are excited about Carson as he has so much more room for growth as a pitcher. His best days are ahead of him as he matures into his 6'4" frame in the coming years here at Sam Houston."Â
Ryan Franden • INF • L/R • 6-1 • 170 • Katy, Texas / Seven Lakes HS
SCOUT: Franden is a sweet-swinging, left-handed hitter from Seven Lakes High School in the Katy area. He plays for the Twelve baseball organization in the summers as well.Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Ryan has an elite-level hit tool that was prevalent in the spring and summer seasons. He is a throwback type player who plays the game the right way and always seems to be in the middle of something good happening every time we have seen him. Ryan is an exciting player that will have an immediate impact on our team the minute he steps on campus."
Noah O'Farrell • RHP • R/R • 6-1 • 170 • R/R • Spring, Texas / Grand Oaks HS
SCOUT: O'Farrell is a very athletic arm coming to us from Grand Oaks High School, and his athleticism allows him to play shortstop for his high school and summer team when he is not on the mound. Noah's high school coach -former Bearkat, Lou Ferrell - speaks highly of Noah's makeup and competitiveness on and off the field. O'Farrell also played summer ball with Hunter Pence Baseball Academy, regarded as one of the best summer organizations in the country. He comes in ranked as the No. 23 right-handed pitcher in the state of Texas according to Prep Baseball Report. He has an 87-90 late life fastball with the ability to spin the breaking ball in the mid-high 70s, as well as a feel for a quality changeup.Â
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Noah's best days are ahead of him as he continues to mature and add strength to his athletic frame. Every time we saw Noah this summer he was pounding the zone and winning baseball games. We are excited for Noah to join the family, and we are looking forward to watching him in the orange and black for years to come."
Joseph Redfield • OF • L/R • 6-2 • 195 • Waco, Texas / Midway HS / Temple College
SCOUT: Redfield has been a guy that has been on Sam Houston's radar for several years now. He was an all-district and all-state player at Midway High School in Waco for head coach Eddie Cornblum. As a freshman at Temple College for coach Craig McMurtry, Redfield hit .344 with 7 2B, 4 3B, 33 RBI's and 13 stolen bases. He represented Temple JC at the annual TX/NM JC All-Star Game this fall and comes from a baseball pedigree as his father, Joe Redfield played, in the big leagues for the California Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 80's and early 90's.Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Joseph has continued to mature and blossom into a well-rounded baseball player the past year and a half. He brings a speed and strength combination that will allow him to impact the game in numerous ways to help us win. We are eager to get him on campus and continue to watch him grow and develop into a big-time player for us."
Zane Spinn • INF • L/R • 6-4 • 195 • Holland, Texas / Holland HS / Temple College
SCOUT: Spinn is a very interesting athletic player, according to Smith. He is another player the Kats have been following since his days as an all-state shortstop at Holland High School. He turned in a great summer in the Sunflower Collegiate League where he hit .377 (ranked fourth in SCL) with 35 RBI (ranked second in SCL).Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "We are looking forward to watching him have a breakout year at Temple College this spring. Spinn's speed, strength, and athleticism were some things we noticed when we saw him early this fall. Zane has the ability to play shortstop and we think he is just scratching the surface of his full potential. We are ready to get Zane on campus and watch his development over the next few years at Sam Houston."
Jake Tatom • INF • R/R • 6-1 • 160 • Kingwood, Texas / Porter HS
SCOUT: Tatom is an athletic, wiry infielder from Porter High School who has been a 3-year starter for the Spartans, previousky playing alongside current Bearkat Coltin Atkinson. He was a second team all-district shortop and Porter High school Team MVP during his junior campaign. Tatom also set the single-season PHS RBI record with 41 RBIs in 2021. He also played with the nationally recognized Marucci Elite organization in the summer.
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Jake can really swing it and has shown the ability to handle high caliber pitching at the plate. We are excited about Jake and can't wait to see what the future holds for him."
Marshall Wales • LHP • L/L • 6-2 • 190 • Waller, Texas / Faith West Academy / Odessa College
SCOUT: Wales is one of the best left-handed pitchers in the Texas/New Mexico junior college class and was named First Team Academic All-American at Odessa College for his excellence in the classroom. Wales had a good freshman campaign for head coach Kurtis Lay at Odessa College where he threw 59.2 innings with 55 strikeouts as a conference starter. He was also a member of the TX/NM Juco All-Star Game this fall.Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "He is a 3-pitch mix guy with a quality changeup and the ability to pound the zone with all three pitches. We are excited for Marshall as he continues to improve and develop this spring. He will be a big piece for Odessa this spring, and we are looking forward to him suiting up for us next fall."
"I can't say enough about the job the entire staff did in assembling this class," Sirianni said. "This was a total team effort as is everything we do here at Sam Houston. We were able to identify guys that fit our brand of baseball and all of these young men will represent the values and tradition of Sam Houston both on and off the field. Each of these newcomers brings a sense of toughness and competitiveness that is a staple of our program. Every signee fills a specific need, and we are excited about each one of them".
Scouting Report on incoming class provided by Recruiting Coordinator Fuller Smith:
Trey Acreman • INF • R/R • 5-11 • 170 • Montgomery, Texas / Montgomery HS
SCOUT: Acreman is a "throwback" type player who was identified early as a 3-year varsity starter for Chris Morris and Michael Starkey at Montgomery High School. He played summer baseball for Twelve Baseball, which is one of the best travel baseball organizations in the country. Acreman is ranked as the No. 22 best SS in the state of Texas according to Prep Baseball Report.Â
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Trey is a twitchy athletic shortstop who can play any position on the field. He has strength at the plate, rangy defensively with a strong arm across the diamond. All summer long we saw him wreak havoc on the bases playing with the gas pedal on the floor. Trey will make an immediate impact on our program, and we are excited to have his energy and competitiveness on our side."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
We wanted a class full of OKGs for #NSD22 and got just that with @AcremanTrey #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/BP0emjIk9V
Caleb Cotton • OF • L/R • 5-11 • 160 • Huntsville, Texas / Huntsville HS
SCOUT: Cotton is a homegrown player from Huntsville High School where he plays for head coach Justin Jennings. His father, Mario, played for the Bearkats under legendary coach John Skeeters from 1988-1991. Cotton had a great junior year as he hit .441 with 8 3Bs, 3HRs, and 21 SBs on his way to being named to the all-district firs team. He was also the District Offensive Player of the Year, Team MVP and led Huntsville to its first playoff appearance in over 10 years. Cotton also played summer baseball for Trosky Texas out of Houston.
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Caleb brings elite level speed and athleticism to our program that will impact the game in multiple ways. We are excited Caleb is joining us next fall and look forward to him donning the Bearkat uniform for years to come."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
We didn't have look far to keep this Bearkat legacy right here at home for our #NSD22 class.
Glad to keep @calebcotty right here in Huntsville #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/bSqmJsACYo
Carson Courtney • RHP • R/R • 6-4 • 185 • Lufkin, Texas / Hudson HS
SCOUT: Courtney is a big, projectible righty from Hudson High School where he was named to the all-district first team for head coach Glen Kimble. During his junior campaign he pitched at a 1.95 ERA with 84 K's in 64.2 IP. He played summer baseball for Nico Moran and Five Star Performance National out of Kilgore, TexasÂ
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Carson is a 3-pitch mix right-hander who suffocates hitters every time he throws. He has pitched in some big games in the spring and summers and always seems to find a way to win. He is a winner off the field as well as he is a member of the National Honor Society. We are excited about Carson as he has so much more room for growth as a pitcher. His best days are ahead of him as he matures into his 6'4" frame in the coming years here at Sam Houston."Â
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
We've been ready to officially announce this class, and today is the day!
Let's get #NSD22 started with a bang by saying Welcome Home to @cc_courtney2417 #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/u77QAk6FRu
Ryan Franden • INF • L/R • 6-1 • 170 • Katy, Texas / Seven Lakes HS
SCOUT: Franden is a sweet-swinging, left-handed hitter from Seven Lakes High School in the Katy area. He plays for the Twelve baseball organization in the summers as well.Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Ryan has an elite-level hit tool that was prevalent in the spring and summer seasons. He is a throwback type player who plays the game the right way and always seems to be in the middle of something good happening every time we have seen him. Ryan is an exciting player that will have an immediate impact on our team the minute he steps on campus."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
From Katy ?? Huntsville
Excited to welcome @RyanFranden to the Bearkat family #EatEmUpKats #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/xCtZPzNVt9
Noah O'Farrell • RHP • R/R • 6-1 • 170 • R/R • Spring, Texas / Grand Oaks HS
SCOUT: O'Farrell is a very athletic arm coming to us from Grand Oaks High School, and his athleticism allows him to play shortstop for his high school and summer team when he is not on the mound. Noah's high school coach -former Bearkat, Lou Ferrell - speaks highly of Noah's makeup and competitiveness on and off the field. O'Farrell also played summer ball with Hunter Pence Baseball Academy, regarded as one of the best summer organizations in the country. He comes in ranked as the No. 23 right-handed pitcher in the state of Texas according to Prep Baseball Report. He has an 87-90 late life fastball with the ability to spin the breaking ball in the mid-high 70s, as well as a feel for a quality changeup.Â
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Noah's best days are ahead of him as he continues to mature and add strength to his athletic frame. Every time we saw Noah this summer he was pounding the zone and winning baseball games. We are excited for Noah to join the family, and we are looking forward to watching him in the orange and black for years to come."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
We've added another big-time RHP to our #NSD22 class with @NoahOFarrell #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/9Apmk2KrDm
Joseph Redfield • OF • L/R • 6-2 • 195 • Waco, Texas / Midway HS / Temple College
SCOUT: Redfield has been a guy that has been on Sam Houston's radar for several years now. He was an all-district and all-state player at Midway High School in Waco for head coach Eddie Cornblum. As a freshman at Temple College for coach Craig McMurtry, Redfield hit .344 with 7 2B, 4 3B, 33 RBI's and 13 stolen bases. He represented Temple JC at the annual TX/NM JC All-Star Game this fall and comes from a baseball pedigree as his father, Joe Redfield played, in the big leagues for the California Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 80's and early 90's.Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Joseph has continued to mature and blossom into a well-rounded baseball player the past year and a half. He brings a speed and strength combination that will allow him to impact the game in numerous ways to help us win. We are eager to get him on campus and continue to watch him grow and develop into a big-time player for us."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
Added a bat that's ready to go.
Excited to see what @josepheredfield is going to do at The Don! #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/QsmQHxkyny
Zane Spinn • INF • L/R • 6-4 • 195 • Holland, Texas / Holland HS / Temple College
SCOUT: Spinn is a very interesting athletic player, according to Smith. He is another player the Kats have been following since his days as an all-state shortstop at Holland High School. He turned in a great summer in the Sunflower Collegiate League where he hit .377 (ranked fourth in SCL) with 35 RBI (ranked second in SCL).Â
Â
QUOTE FROM SMITH: "We are looking forward to watching him have a breakout year at Temple College this spring. Spinn's speed, strength, and athleticism were some things we noticed when we saw him early this fall. Zane has the ability to play shortstop and we think he is just scratching the surface of his full potential. We are ready to get Zane on campus and watch his development over the next few years at Sam Houston."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
We already know Spinn's make great Bearkats.
We think @zspinn10 is the next one. #EatEmUpKats #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/CzYXnGACk5
Jake Tatom • INF • R/R • 6-1 • 160 • Kingwood, Texas / Porter HS
SCOUT: Tatom is an athletic, wiry infielder from Porter High School who has been a 3-year starter for the Spartans, previousky playing alongside current Bearkat Coltin Atkinson. He was a second team all-district shortop and Porter High school Team MVP during his junior campaign. Tatom also set the single-season PHS RBI record with 41 RBIs in 2021. He also played with the nationally recognized Marucci Elite organization in the summer.
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "Jake can really swing it and has shown the ability to handle high caliber pitching at the plate. We are excited about Jake and can't wait to see what the future holds for him."
ÂSIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
Porter HS has been good to the Kats of late ??
Our next addition to #NSD22 comes from there. Welcome home @TatomJake #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/rnojtr9i6s
Marshall Wales • LHP • L/L • 6-2 • 190 • Waller, Texas / Faith West Academy / Odessa College
SCOUT: Wales is one of the best left-handed pitchers in the Texas/New Mexico junior college class and was named First Team Academic All-American at Odessa College for his excellence in the classroom. Wales had a good freshman campaign for head coach Kurtis Lay at Odessa College where he threw 59.2 innings with 55 strikeouts as a conference starter. He was also a member of the TX/NM Juco All-Star Game this fall.Â
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QUOTE FROM SMITH: "He is a 3-pitch mix guy with a quality changeup and the ability to pound the zone with all three pitches. We are excited for Marshall as he continues to improve and develop this spring. He will be a big piece for Odessa this spring, and we are looking forward to him suiting up for us next fall."
SIGNED ??
— Sam Houston Baseball (@BearkatsBSB) November 10, 2021
We've added a pair of righty's, but we also added a big-time LHP to #NSD22 with @marshall_wales #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/eBew4Hg6sY
Players Mentioned
RHP
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