Baseball Factory Players Named to Baseball America’s Top 25 List
The October issue of Baseball America featured top 25 lists for both college and high school prospects entering the 2009 season. This talented group of players make up the top prospects eligible for next year’s draft, including 21 Baseball Factory and Team One participants. There are 14 Baseball Factory players in the top high school prospect list together with seven former players in the top college prospect list.
Top College Prospects
Among the former Baseball Factory and Team One participants on the top college prospects list is Notre Dame standout A.J. Pollock (Hebron, CT). Pollock, who participated in the 2005 and 2006 Baseball Factory Pre-Season All America Tournament, earned third-team All Big East honors as a freshman and was named a 2007 Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He became only the fourth freshman ever to lead Notre Dame in batting average, hitting .327. Pollock followed his outstanding collegiate debut season with another excellent year in 2008. The infielder/outfielder led Notre Dame in batting average (.352), hits (76), total bases (109), at bats (216), games played (55), and stolen bases (28).
The other Baseball Factory and Team One players to make the list include: Blake Smith(10), Mike Leake(11), Jason Stoffel(12), Ryan Jackson(14), Brett Jackson(18), Shawn Tolleson(23).
Top High School Prospects
Heading the top 25 high school prospects is Tyler Matzek, a left-handed pitcher from Mission Viejo, California. The 6’3″ senior at Capistrano Valley High School represented Team One in the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game, powered by Baseball Factory, which took place at Wrigley Field this past August. Ranking third is Matt Purke, another left-handed pitcher and Baseball Factory player. The lefty from Klein High School (Spring, Texas) represented the Baseball Factory in the 2008 Under Armour All-America Game. Other Baseball Factory and Team One alumni featured on the top 25 high school prospect list include: Donovan Tate(2), Jacob Turner(4), Mychal Givens(5), Zack Wheeler(6), Ian Krol(7), Brian Goodwin(9), Bobby Borchering(11), Max Stassi(12), Deven Marrero(15), Austin Maddox(17), Jacob Marisnick(18), and Jonathan Walsh(25).