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Baseball Signs Six 11/17/2005 Nashville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin announced the signing of six student-athletes to national letters of intent during the early signing period. The Commodores recruiting class has a local flavor to it, as all of the signees are from Tennessee, including four from the Nashville area. “We did a lot of research and spotted these guys early in the spring and summer,” said head coach Tim Corbin. “Erik, D.J. (assistant coaches Erik Bakich and Derek Johnson) and myself were able to see each kid and compare notes on them. We are very pleased with all of these kids. Rarely in Tennessee do you get a group as good as this one and we are excited to get all of them.” Kyler Burke (OF/LHP)- Burke is the No. 1 ranked player in Tennessee and the 79th ranked player in the country by Perfect Game and Baseball America. He was also an all-state selection in football as a linebacker at Ooltewah High in Chattanooga. Corbin Quote: “Burke is a big and strong athlete that has a chance to be a two-way player here. He throws the ball in the low 90?s off of the mound. He runs real well and has a chance to hit for a lot of power. In someways, he could be comparable to Stephen Head, who was a two-way player for Ole Miss the last three years.” Caleb Cotham (RHP/SS)- Cotham is one of the top power pitchers in the state, topping out at 94 miles per hour last season. He joins current Commodores Matt and Stephen Shao as the third player to sign with VU from Mt. Juliet High School. He was a first-team All-State selection last year after going Corbin Quote: “Cotham has played well as a two-way player in high school. We are bringing him in as a pitcher because he is more advanced with a good arm and can throw in the low 90?s with a good breaking ball. We saw him in our camp and we also got to see him a lot over the course of the summer.” Richie Goodenow (LHP)- Goodenow was named Tennessee Baseball Reports Pitcher of the Year last season after leading Overton High to the state finals. He went 14-0 with a 0.79 ERA and struck out 135 batters in 80 innings. He is the No. 3 ranked player in the state and the 118th ranked player in the nation according to Perfect Game and Baseball America. Corbin Quote: “Richie is probably one of the more dominating left-handers in the state. We got to see a lot of him in the spring and summer seasons. We have always liked him and thought we would like to get him early in the process.” Steve Liddle (OF)- Liddle was an All-State pick a year ago at Franklin High. Corbin Quote: “Liddle has been in our camps the last two years. He is a very advanced hitter for being a high school kid. He has a very good chance to play any outfield position as well as first base.” Mike Minor (LHP)- Minor is the No. 2 ranked player in Tennessee and the 102nd ranked player in the country by Perfect Game and Baseball America. He went 10-2 last season with a 1.36 ERA with 127 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 84 1/3 innings. He, along with fellow Vanderbilt recruit Steve Liddle, led Team Tennessee to the Sun Belt Tournament championship. Minor competed in several high profile showcase camps over the summer including the Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif., and the East Coast Pro Showcase in Wilmington, N.C. Corbin Quote: “Minor?s recruiting was similar to Goodenow in that we saw him in our camps and in the spring and like Richie he is one of the most dominating left handers in the state. He was highly recruited and got to play in the East Coast Showcase. We wanted him badly and targeted him early in the process.” Jordan Wormsley (OF)- Wormsley was an All-State selection at The Webb School in Knoxville. He played for his dad Clark at Webb and helped lead them to the state finals last year. He hit .407 with eight doubles and 12 stolen bases as a centerfielder, and compiled a 6-0 record on the mound with a 2.25 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 46 innings. He is currently playing cornerback and wide receiver for the 8-2 football team. Wormsley was also named Division II East Co-Player of the Year and Region Co-Player of the Year in 2005. In addition, he earned All-PrepXtra and All-KIL First Team honors during his junior year. Corbin Quote: “We identified him early through our camps and in the spring. 2005 Baseball Signees (Early Signing Period) Name Pos B/T Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School |
