Vanderbilt and Oregon Programs Powered By Former Baseball Factory Standouts
It’s been quite a start for last year’s College World Series runner-up Vanderbilt University and the University of Oregon Ducks to begin the 2016 season and both programs are being carried by former Baseball Factory standouts.
Vanderbilt’s potent offense is led by three Factory alums from three different classes: Sensational sophomore outfielder Jeren Kendall, Junior outfielder Bryan Reynolds and Freshman infielder, Alonzo Jones.
Kendall has followed up a fantastic freshman season with incredible numbers through the first 11 games of his sophomore season. The Holmen, WI native leads the Commodores in batting through this past weekend (.442), good for sixth-best in the SEC. His 16 runs scored, 19 hits, three homers and 16 RBI also lead the team and he’s getting it done on the base paths as well, stealing 10 bases in 14 chances.
Jeren attended two Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryouts in Oak Creek, WI and Minnetonka, MN in 2011 and 2012 and was a two-time Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament selection in 2012 and 2013.
Reynolds was named to the 2015 Spring SEC Academic Honor Roll and was named to the Nashville NCAA Regional all-tournament team last summer. In 11 games this season, Reynolds is second in average (.385) with 14 runs scored, a team-leading four doubles, two homers and 11 RBI. Reynolds attended an Under Armour Baseball Factory College PREP event in Germantown, TN in November of 2011 and just two months later, was a Pre-Season All-American, running his fastest 60-time to date at 6.97.
The switch-hitter was impressive in his last event; the Team One South showcase as a junior in June of 2012 and showed well in the infield with his arm and accuracy across the diamond. Now playing the outfield at Vandy, the athletic and dynamic Reynolds can play up to six positions, according to Head Coach Tim Corbin.
In his freshman season, Jones, the Columbus, GA native, has fit right in for second-ranked Vandy providing solid defense and a game-changing bat. Jones, a 2014 Under Armour All-American was one of the fastest athletes to come out of the 2015 class, clocking in at 6.33 with his 60, providing elite speed. He was also one of the most dynamic players of the class with the ability to switch-hit and bringing versatility and plus attributes to his defense with good instincts and soft hands.
Being used primarily as the designated hitter to begin the season, Jones has helped Vandy get off to a 10-and-1 start, while collecting four multi-hit games through his first 10 starts, hitting .351 with two doubles, triple, one homer, 14 RBI and seven runs scored.
Starting Pitching Commanding Respect: Ninth-ranked Oregon is led by three starters with outstanding stuff who have helped the Ducks get off to an 8-and-2 start.
Redshirt junior, Cole Irvin, Redshirt Sophomore, Matt Krook and Sophomore David Peterson have been absolutely dominant in their starts so far for the Ducks and that continued into last weekend’s slate of games. Oregon’s starting pitching hasn’t allowed an earned run in their last 34 1/3 innings pitched, led by Irvin who has allowed just two earned runs in 22.0 innings pitched (0.82 ERA) with 27 strikeouts, holding hitters to a .176 average. In a 13-1 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Friday, March 4th, the 2011 Under Armour All-American pitched eight innings, striking out six and allowing just five hits.
On Saturday, Krook struck out a career-high 12 hitters in the Ducks’ 1-0 loss in 14 innings to UCSB. Overall, he’s allowed only three earned runs in 17.0 innings and 26 strikeouts (second-best on team). Krook has participated in a variety of Baseball Factory events, starting with a College PREP event in Oakland, CA back in December of 2010. In 2011, Krook was named a Pre-Season All-American and participated in high-level events such as the 16U USA Baseball Championships and Team One West Showcase where he showed an upper-80s fastball with sink and a power breaking ball that scouts felt could get hitters out at the next level.
Saving perhaps the best start of the weekend for last, David Peterson went to the hill on Sunday and defeated UCSB, 3-1 to take two-of-three from the Gauchos. Peterson went seven innings, striking out 13 hitters, one short of Oregon’s modern day single-game record, allowing just one unearned run on six hits and one walk. Peterson attended nine events during his time with Baseball Factory, starting with a College PREP event in Lakewood, CO in May of 2011 and ending with a selection to the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.
The trio are in the Top 5 in strikeouts for Pac 12 pitchers and Krook’s .107 opponent average is tops in Pac 12 ranks.