Baseball America Recognizes Recruiting Class
10/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
HOUSTON - Houston Baseball was honored as having one of the Top 35 recruiting classes in the nation by Baseball America on Thursday. The Cougars were recognized on the outlet's next 10 list outside the Top 25.
The Houston Recruiting Class profile on Baseball America:
The Cougars say their 18-man class is the best they have brought to campus in the Todd Whitting era. The biggest names belong to a pair of juco transfers. In two years at Chipola (Fla.) JC Ian Rice (No. 303) developed into a strong defensive catcher who handles a staff well and excels at receiving and blocking. RHP Patrick Weigel (No. 183) has an enormous 6-foot-7 frame and enormous arm strength that produces 92-97 mph heat, giving him a chance to be a shutdown closer if Houston pitching coach Frank Anderson can help him overhaul his mechanics and harness his command. The top freshman in the class is scrappy 5-foot-10 Connor Wong, who has smooth infield actions and a quick, compact righthanded swing.
The Houston Baseball recruiting class is comprised of 18 newcomers, which is highlighted by 12 true freshmen and six junior college transfers.
This is one of the most talented classes Houston Baseball has brought on campus. The Cougars lost just one to the Draft and were able to retain several draftable players. This class shows a great mix of high school and JUCO players that will fill holes, while providing the most depth since this coaching staff took over at Houston.
Two members of this class in junior college transfers Ian Rice (C/Chipola JC) and Patrick Weigel (RHP/Oxnard JC) were both drafted in the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft in rounds 21 and 22, but chose to attend Houston and return to school to play for the Cougars.
This class has seven freshmen in which the coaching staff feels will make immediate impacts based on their success in the high school ranks as six were named to All-State teams during that high school laying careers. Among that list are Connor Wong (SS/Pearland HS), Aaron Fletcher (LHP/Langham Creek HS), Seth Romero (LHP/West Columbia HS), Michael Wisz (UTL/Lemont HS (Ill.)), Colin Butkeiwicz (C/Greendale HS (Wisc.)), and Chris Reed (RHP/Aledo HS).
The Cougars host the Red-White World Series at Cougar Field next Wednesday-Friday (Oct. 29-31). Games are set for 6:30 p.m. (Wed.), 6:30 p.m. (Thur.), and 2 p.m. (Fri.). The three-game series is open to the public.
BUY SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets online by visiting UHCougars.com/Basetickets and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.
To purchase tickets in person, fans can visit the Athletics Ticket Stadium Office located on the northeast corner of TDECU Stadium, just outside of Gate 1 off Cullen Boulevard. Parking is available in the TDECU Stadium parking garage with the first 30 minutes free of charge. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., to 5:30 p.m.
All UH main campus students are admitted FREE to regular-season baseball home games with a valid student ID.
A LOOK AT THE 2015 SCHEDULE
For the ninth consecutive season, Houston will open its slate at Cougar Field, having accumulated a winning record of 14-6, which includes three straight weekend sweeps the past three seasons under Whitting - who will begin his fifth season at the helm.
"I'm really excited about this year's schedule," Whitting said. "It is probably one of the most competitive ones we have made since our staff took over in 2010."
Houston will open the season hosting Minnesota on Feb. 13-15. The Cougars and Gophers will meet for the first time since 1987 as they have met 25 previous times.
The home slate for the Cougars will continue with their third straight weekend series at Cougar Field when it welcomes first-time opponent Columbia for a four-game series, set for Feb. 27-March 1.
"Our fans will have a great opportunity to see us play against great opponents here in our city," Whitting said.
QUICK HITS
OUR CITY
• 31 home games; 36 in the city of Houston
• First seven games of the season played at Cougar Field
• 19 of first 21 games played in the city of Houston
• First five weekends played in city of Houston - four at Cougar Field
OPENING WEEKEND
• Houston will host Opening Weekend for the ninth consecutive season
• Cougars are 14-6 all-time during Opening Weekend under Whitting
• Cougars have swept the last three Opening Weekend series under Whitting
A LOOK BACK AT 2014
Houston is coming off a 2014 season that saw it ranked No. 11 in the nation to finish the year and notch one of the best seasons in program history, tying a program-record with 48 wins and earning its first trip to the NCAA postseason since 2008. The Cougars were ranked nationally for 13 straight weeks during the season, polling in as high as No. 5 in the nation during week 17.
Houston captured the Baton Rouge Regional title with back-to-back wins over LSU to advance to the Austin Super Regional (vs. Texas) - a first since 2003. 2014 also saw Houston win the American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship tournament title with a win over Louisville. The Cougars posted the nation's No. 1 RPI in non-conference, regular-season play with an impressive 27-5 record.
The 27 regular-season, non-conference wins was the most since 27 in 2002 for the program. Houston posted a home record of 25-8 for the most home wins since Cougar Field was redone in 1995. The Cougars opened 2014 with four straight home weekend sweeps, marking the first time in program history to accomplish that feat. Houston saw itself earn a season sweep of Rice - first since 1991 to reclaim the Silver Glove trophy, which has been with the Owls since 2000.
The Cougars were led by one of the nation's top pitching staffs as senior relievers Chase Wellbrock (5-0, 12 SV) and Tyler Ford (9-0, 4 SV) combined for a 14-0 record and 16 saves. Freshman RHP Andrew Lantrip was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and the conference's Rookie of the Year, while eight other Cougars earned All-League honors.
The postseason saw sophomores Josh Vidales and Kyle Survance earn American Baseball Championship and Baton Rouge Regional Most Outstanding Player honors, respectively. Three Cougars were tabbed All-Region led by seniors Casey Grayson and Chase Wellbrock on the First Team and senior Tyler Ford on the Second Team. Off the field, the Cougars continued to excel in the classroom, led by sophomore Justin Montemayor, who was tabbed a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District award winner.
STAY CONNECTED
Stay up to date with all Houston Baseball news and highlights by following us on Twitter @UHCougarBB or on Facebook at /HoustonCougarBaseball. Fans can also follow head coach Todd Whitting @toddwhitting on Twitter.
