In their most recent issue, Baseball America announced their top 100 high school prospects for the 2009 draft. Among the 100 talented players named to the list are 44 Baseball Factory Alumni from across the nation, including this year’s top four selections: Donavan Tate (1), Tyler Matzek (2), Matt Purke (3) and Jacob Turner (4). In addition, Baseball Factory Alumni Donavan Tate (1), Brian Goodwin (9) and Jake Marisnick (21) have been recognized by Baseball America as the “Best Athletes,” while Tyler Matzek (2) has earned several titles including “Best Command” and “Closest to the Majors.”  Baseball Factory alums Mychal Givens (7), Bobby Borchering (8), Brian Goodwin (9) and Zach Wheeler (10) also deserve special recognition for ranking among the top 10.

 

Donavan Tate, an outfielder from Cartersville, Georgia, has been selected as Baseball America’s top high school prospect for 2009.  Tate was selected to play in the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory. The two-sport star has committed to the University of North Carolina on a football scholarship, where he hopes to contribute as a member of both the baseball and football teams.  

 

Tyler Matzek, a left-handed pitcher from Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California, has earned the number two ranking.  Recognized as one of the finest Southern California high school lefthanders, Matzek’s superior command of four pitches, including a 93 mph fastball, have earned him the accolades of “Best Secondary Pitch,” “Best Fastball,” “Best Command” and “Closest to the Majors.”  In August 2008, Matzek participated in the Under Armour All-America Game, and he recently committed to play at the University of Oregon.

 

Following Matzek as the third prospect is Matthew Purke, a lefty from Lufkin, Texas.  Purke also attended the Under Armour All-America Game in 2008. The lefty’s slider has attracted particular attention from scouts and he plans to continue his success on the mound at Texas Christian University next year.

 

Right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner, from Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, is ranked fourth for 2009.  Turner’s mid-70 mph curveball has been recognized as one of the best secondary pitches among all prospects.  Turner was a participant in the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game and has committed to play at North Carolina next year along with fellow prospect, Donavan Tate.

 

Mychal Givens, a multi-talented shortstop and pitcher from Tampa, Florida, has earned the seventh position on Baseball America’s top 100.  Givens attended the Under Armour Southeast Tournament in 2007 and represented Baseball Factory at the Under Armour All-America Game in 2008, where he won MVP honors. His 97 mph rising fastball and impressive junior year statistics–.421 batting avg., 5 doubles, 20 steals and 17 RBI’s—have attracted scouts’ attention and he plans to progress further as a pitcher at Oklahoma State University next year.  

Baseball Factory would like to recognize all our alumni who have been named to Baseball America’s Top 100 High School Prospects of 2009:

 
 

(1).Dovavan Tate (OF)

(2).Tyler Matzek (LHP)

(3).Matt Purke (LHP)

(4).Jacob Turner (RHP)

(7).Mychal Givens (SS)

(8).Bobby Borchering (1B/3B) 

(9).Brian Goodwin (OF)

(10).Zack Wheeler (RHP)

(13).Max Stassi (C)

(16).Matthew Davidson (3B)

(18).Austin Maddox (C)

(19).Madison Younginer (RHP)

(21).Jacob Marisnick (OF)

(23).Keyvius Sampson (RHP)

(24).Stephen Perez (SS)

(25).Slade Heathcott (OF)

(26.)Ian Krol (LHP)

(28).Deven Marrero (SS)

(29).Beau Wright (LHP)

(31).Nick Franklin (SS)

(33).Jonathan Walsh (C)

(34).Chad Thompson (RHP)

(35).Scooter Gennett (2B/SS)

(40).Michael Dedrick (RHP)

(43).Patrick Schuster (LHP)

(44).David Renfroe (RHP)

(46).Michael Heller (RHP)

(47).David Nick (SS/2B)

(49).Matt Graham (RHP)

(51).Michael Zunino (C)

(52).David Holmberg (LHP)

(54).Jeffrey Malm (1B)

(55).Jake Barrett (RHP)

(56).Todd Glaesmann (OF)

(58).Garrett Gould (RHP)

(59).Jacob Morris (OF)

(60).Kyrell Hudson (OF)

(62).Christopher Jenkins (RHP)

(69).James P Needy (RHP)

(70).Randal Grichuk (OF)

(83).Cody Stiles (OF)

(92).Nolan Arenado (3B/1B)

(96).Cade Kreuter (3B/1B)

(100).Felix Roque (RHP)