Baseball Recruting Class Ranked 13th Nationally by Collegiate Baseball
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. The Virginia baseball program has once again been honored for a stellar recruiting class, as the Cavaliers’ 2007 incoming group was rated among the best nationally by Collegiate Baseball in its rankings released Tuesday. Virginia’s class ranked 13th overall and third-best among Atlantic Coast Conference teams, behind only Florida State and North Carolina.
With associate head coach Kevin McMullan spearheading the recruiting efforts, this marks the fourth-consecutive season that the UVa recruiting class has been ranked among the nation’s best. The 2004 class was ranked 12th nationally, while the 2005 class rated 10th and the 2006 group was eighth.
“It is an honor to have our recruiting class ranked as one of the top in the country,” Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor said. “Coach McMullan and Coach (Karl) Kuhn worked very hard to bring this group of young men to UVa. This class has athletic position players and pitchers who have the ability to make an immediate impact in our program. I am looking forward to watching them develop over the next four years.”
The incoming class of 16 student-athletes is highlighted by four 2007 Major League Baseball Draft picks, including RHP Jake Cowan (Roswell, Ga.), a 14th round by the Boston Red Sox; Robert Morey (Virginia Beach, Va.), a 29th round selection by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; LHP Sean Tierney (Moseley, Va.), a 35th round pick by the Boston Red Sox; and Kevin Arico (Flemington, N.J.), a 45th round selection by the Minnesota Twins. The class also includes junior college transfer Franco Valdes (Miami, Fla.), who was a 15th-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2006.
The class also includes OF John Barr (Ivyland, Pa.), INF Tyler Biddix (Richmond, Va.), OF David Coleman (Richmond, Va.), INF Phil Gosselin (West Chester, Pa.), OF/LHP Dan Grovatt (Tabernacle, N.J.), LHP Sean Lucas (Fishkill, N.Y.), OF Jarrett Parker (Stafford, Va.), C J.C. Poma (Glen Allen, Va.), INF John Weaver (Lexington, Ky.) and RHP Tyler Wilson (Midlothian, Va.). The Cavaliers also welcome in Notre Dame transfer catcher Ryan Smith (Waldorf, Md.).
LSU was honored by Collegiate Baseball as having the top recruiting class this year, while Florida State and Oregon State rounded out the top three.
Virginia started fall practice Sept. 11 at Davenport Field. Fall practice culminates in the Orange and Blue World Series, beginning Oct. 9.