PITT BASEBALL SIGNS EIGHT DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
11/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 27, 2006
PITTSBURGH - Head baseball coach Joe Jordano has announced the signing of eight players during the early signing period including Ricky Breymier of Clarks Summit, Pa.; Kevin Dooley of Doylestown, Pa.; Hugh Henry of Mount Vernon, N.Y.; David Kaye of Oakmont, Pa.; Joe Leonard of Connellsville, Pa.; John Schultz of West Lawn, Pa.; Josh Smith of West Lawn, Pa., and Cole Taylor of Lower Burrell, Pa.
"Firstly, I am very pleased with this class," Jordano said. "All of these student-athletes will have an immediate impact on our program. Coach Moran did an outstanding job identifying these individuals and each of them fulfill a specific need for the 2008 squad.
"In order for us to take our program to an even higher level, these are the types of kids we need. This class coupled with the relatively young group already in the program bodes well for us to continue the success that we have established over the past several years. These players are not only solid baseball players, but they are, more importantly, solid people of great character. Personally, I cannot wait to get these players on campus. Today is a very good day for the Pitt Baseball program with these additions to our team."
Breymier, a 6-1, 205-pound right-hander, has the potential to play at both first base and on the mound. He projects as a closer/set up man due to his competitive makeup. Breymier played at Abington Heights High for Lou Melluci, the father of former Panther star Lou Melluci.
Dooley, listed at 6-1, 175 pounds, is a left-handed pitcher, as well as an outfielder from Central Bucks East High. A 2006 Carpenter Cut selection, Dooley was also a member of the prestigious All-Star Academy program in West Chester. Dooley will join former CB East teammate Bryan Trymbiski on the Panther team.
Henry, a 6-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher, was listed as a First Team All-Journal News as a junior. He had an eye-popping 101 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings of work. Henry was ranked by Perfect Game as one of their top 50 Northeast Prospects at No. 37. He will join fellow Mount Vernon High alums Keith Benjamin, a member of the Pitt basketball team, and Lowell Robinson, a member of Pitt's football squad as a Panther.
Kaye, a powerful right handed pitcher from Riverview High played fall ball with the Allegheny Pirates, coached by Fred Albert. The 6-2, 210-pound pitcher was teammates with Joe Leonard from the Pirates.
Leonard, from Connellsville High School, is considered by many as the best 2007 hitter in the WPIAL. The 6-4, 200-pound right-handed shortstop will be a mainstay in the middle of the Panther lineup as a freshman.
Schultz is a two-time Carpenter Cup selection for Berks County who has also advanced to the PA American Legion All-East game, The 5-11, 175-pound outfielder is an outstanding student at Wilson High School, who intends on a Pre-Med major at Pitt.
Smith, a 6-2, 200-pound right-handed pitcher from Wilson High is an outstanding athlete, who received Division I football offers as a receiver and defensive back. Smith is a fierce competitor with tremendous upside on the mound. He has been ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 41 Northeast Prospect and has played in the Baseball Express Cape Cod High School Classic.
Taylor rounds out the early signee class. The 5-9, 175-pound left-handed pitcher advanced to the 2006 PA American Legion All-West game. The Burrell High School pitcher is a fierce competitor who is a tough left-hander with two plus pitches.
Pitt begins its 2007 season Feb. 16 at Coastal Carolina in a 4 p.m. game at the Coastal Carolina Tournament.