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

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