Pittsburgh Baseball Inks Four In Early Signing Period
10/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
University of Pittsburgh head baseball coach Joe Jordano announced P.J. Hiser, Brooks Williams, Mark Rager and Jim Blue have signed national letter-of-intents during the early signing period, which ended on Nov. 8, to be student-athletes in 2001-02. The fourth-year coach landed three talented pitchers and a middle infielder that will compliment his team well.
"I was very happy with the players we signed," Jordano said. "I believe each of them can contribute right away to our program. This class is continuing our trend of getting not only solid baseball players, but kids that have great attitudes and work ethic. I cannot wait to get these guys into our program."
Hiser is currently a sophomore at Hagerstown (Md.) Community College. The 6-1, 180-pound right-hander will play both as an outfielder and pitcher. He posted a 3-1 record last season at Hagerstown and was 6-3 with a 1.32 ERA for his Funkstown American Legion team. For Funkstown, he struck out 106 batters in 63 innings and only allowed seven hits in his three losses combined. At the plate, Hiser posted a .437 average with eight home runs and 30 RBI last season. During American Legion action, he hit an impressive 19 home runs with 55 RBI and a .483 average.
"P.J. is definitely one of our top recruits," Jordano said. "We are looking for him to one of our top guys on the mound and also utilize him in the outfield as well. He is too good of a position player not to be in the lineup. P.J. could have chosen any number of schools and we are pleased he will be joining us. He is a great kid with a winning attitude."
Williams, also at sophomore at Hagerstown Community College, will contribute as both a short stop and second baseman. He led Hagerstown with a .456 batting average last season and had 22 RBI. Williams played his high school ball at South Williamsport, in Williamsport, Pa.
"I was very pleased to get Brooks," Jordano said. "He is exactly what we were looking for up the middle. Brooks will provide us with some options on both sides of the bag and we feel he will be an impact player early. He has great foot work and a quick bat. Brooks fits our system perfectly."
Rager (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown Area) is a 6-2, 180-pound right hander coming from a program under the direction of legendary coach Dee Dee Osborne. Rager has posted a 3.54 career ERA with 84 strikeouts and only 30 walks in 65.1 innings. During the 2000 AAABA season, he was 4-1 with a 3.03 ERA and 35 K's in earning the league's top rookie pitcher award.
"I really like Mark," Jordano said. "He has great upside, but I believe he can pitch right away for us. He has a great body that will develop under our strength and conditioning program, making him that much better. Coach Osborne is a great coach and really cares about his kids. I am glad Mark choose us."
Blue sat out last season at Trinity High School after sustaining a serious knee injury. After successful surgery, he experienced a quick recovery and was back to throwing off the mound this fall.
"I have no doubt that Jimmy is going to do very well here," Jordano said.
"I feel strongly that his knee is healed and that he will have an immediate impact on our program. Jimmy, like Mark, are our pitchers of the future."