UPDATE: PerfectGame has since redacted their declaration that Dennis has signed with the Rays.  I’ll work this into another post later in the summer so it’ll show up on top.

Consider this the first update on the status of our incoming freshmen.  Starting with the highest draft picks:

Daniel Fields (6th Tigers):  He is still unsigned by all indications, but he does have until August to make up his mind.  Much of the rumor mongering I’ve heard is the Tigers are expected to throw a 6 figure signing bonus at him, which doesn’t particularly bode well for Michigan.

Derek Dennis (10th Rays):  We’ve got conflicting stories here.  MLive reported on the 18th that Dennis was offered a trip to Tampa to take batting practice with All Star caliber third baseman Evan Longoria.  Dennis was quoted then saying he was leaning toward college and unlikely to be swayed by the trip.  The article claims:

Dennis said he is considering taking the trip, but added the strategy is not likely to work…

A career .438 hitter at Forest Hills Central, Dennis technically has until mid-August to make his decision. But after mulling over his options with his family, he said he wants to attend Michigan to pursue a degree in sports science or meteorology.

Then comes rumors this week from PerfectGame that he has in fact signed with the Rays (HT: commenter Ballfan).  They don’t have details on the signing like they do for many of the other players, but it is unlike PerfectGame to jump the shark on these sort of things.  Perhaps the trip to Tampa swayed him?

Patrick Biondi (35th Tigers): Sounds like he’s in with Michigan no matter what.  He was recently interviewed by the Press & Guide with quotes like this:

“I wasn’t too concerned about the draft because I had let them know that I was planning on going to U-M,” said Biondi, “but obviously it’s a great honor to be drafted and it’s exciting to be drafted by your hometown team.”

The 2009 Draft was never the main prize.

Biondi will be eligible again after his junior season in Ann Arbor and that’s when things could get interesting.

So yeah, sounds like a Michigan lock.  I’ll update as I hear things.  Getting accurate information on draft signees doesn’t come with many solid sources, at least not easily found ones.

Posted under Baseball

MGoBlue confirms the report on John DiLaura as well as introduces us to new commit Zach Johnson today.  This brings the recruiting class to 9 freshman.  For DiLaura, see our previous post.  As for Johnson, he’s listed as an infielder/right handed pitcher.  Google searching tells me he played  catcher in high school, so maybe we’re looking at third or first base in Ann Arbor.  To quote MGoBlue:

Johnson comes to the Wolverines after six varsity letters with one in football, two in baseball and three in basketball at Grandville. As a senior, he was named a first team all-conference and first team all-district baseball selection after leading the OK-Red League with a 2.21 earned run average and .550 batting average.

Sounds solid.  The article also mentions both players had fathers who played collegiate ball, DiLaura’s at Toledo, Johnson’s at State.

Still no word on the commitment status of Fields (6th round to Tigers), Dennis (10th to Rays), or Biondi (35th to Tigers).  I’m sure we’ll find out by September.

Posted under Baseball

Derek Dennis as taken by Phil Niekerk

Via The Grand Rapid Press, Michigan is close to signing Forest Hills shortstop Derek Dennis.  Dennis visited this last week, talked with Coach Maloney, Lloyd Carr, John Beilien, and Red Berenson to discuss the benefits of college.  The GRP makes it sound like if he’s not taken in the top 3 rounds, he will forgo signing and come to Michigan.  This may bode well, as if a team suspects he may not sign, he may get drafted even lower, increasing his odds of coming to Ann Arbor.

Shortstop isn’t a huge need as Toth still has two years of eligibility left, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dennis started working into games as a freshman in the same fashion as Kevin Cislo.  The guy is currently the #6 SS out of high school (#9 overall SS) according to Baseball America.

Second related GRP article

Also, I’m a sucker for great photography of amatuer sports, so go check out more pictures like the on above at Phil’s Pics.

Posted under Baseball, Recruiting

Via MgoBlue:

University of Michigan head baseball coach Rich Maloney announced today (Thursday, May 28) the addition of RHP Ben Ballantine (Napa, Calif./Napa) to the team’s 2009 recruiting class. Ballantine becomes the seventh prep to commit to the program and the first hailing from outside the state of Michigan.

He’s a tall pitcher with the goal of becoming the next Chris Fetter. Solid pickup.

Related Post: Baseball Recruiting: Ben Ballantine

Posted under Baseball, Recruiting

Update: I fixed the spelling. Apparently I started the article one way and finished another. It is DiLaura.

from De La Salle's picasa

The newest preferred walk-on to the Michigan baseball team is reported to be John DiLaura.  DiLaura is a catcher for De La Salle Collegiate High School.  I haven’t found much as far as stats on the internet.  The MaxPrep page for De La Salle hasn’t been updated with player stats this year.  So we’re left with just what the report of his preferred walk-on status tells me.

DiLaura is a four-year starter in baseball, the last two as a catcher. This season he’s batting .442 with two home runs.

That sounds pretty solid.  DiLaura had played second base (and occasionally third) before the move to catcher.  I’m not sure where Maloney has him slated in the future lineup.  We recruited 2 catchers last season and we’re unlikely to lose Berset this year.  He may fill the role of Timmy Kal.  The utility player extraordinaire.  Who knows.

Not really important but also interesting is the fact DiLaura is more known for his bowling on campus than his baseball.  He’s been Catholic High School League All-League or Honor list each of the last 3 years.  Impressive.

On a side note, those looking for my recap of Indiana, I had a death in the family yesterday morning, and I just haven’t felt up to it yet.  I’ll get it out when I get to it.  I’ll also be missing most of this weekend’s series due to the funeral.  Don’t expect too much from be between now and then.

Posted under Baseball

Injury List

The Daily has been covering baseball really well this year.  In an article in today’s edition, staff writer Ryan Kartje listed some injury notes:

Sophomore relief pitcher Tyler Burgoon threw Wednesday for the first time after injuring his shoulder against Oakland on Mar. 31st. Junior catcher Chris Berset, who started in 37 games last season, played catch before the game. He suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand against Jacksonville in February. Maloney said both players should be ready for action next weekend against intrastate rival Michigan State.

The article also talks about how inexperienced Vangheluwe is as a starter.  He, like Lorenz, missed his entire senior year recuperating from surgery (including removing a rib).  Good stuff, go take a peak at the article.

Baseball Recruiting

Don’t expect any recruiting board for baseball, but I will pass along the news that the baseball team has signed a preferred walk on in left handed pitcher Rick Samuel of White Lake, Michigan’s Lakeland H.S.  He’s the 7th player to sign with the Wolverines this year, and may or may not be the last.  We are currently slated to lose at least 6 seniors, but could use some depth at other positions.  Due to the slow nature of baseball recruitment, I’ll recap the recruits after the season is over.

Also, for those wondering, its not uncommon for many of the players to be preferred walk-ons.  I believe D1 baseball teams are only allowed 11.78 scholarships, which means most players only get partial scholarships, with two or three big name players potentially getting full rides.

Posted under Baseball