University of Memphis Athletics
Baseball's 2009 Recruiting Class Earns National Recognition
Sep 23, 2008 | Baseball
Sept. 23, 2008
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For the second time since taking the controls of the University of Memphis baseball program, head coach Daron Schoenrock will welcome one of the top recruiting classes in the country as selected by Collegiate Baseball in the publication's yearly evaluation of NCAA Division I baseball recruiting classes.
"Obviously we are very excited about the 2009 recruiting class we landed at campus," said Schoenrock. "It reflects the hard work my two recruiter, Michael Federico and Jerry Zulli have put forth to sign this class. We truly expect this group to make an immediate impact in our lineup and in our pitching rotation this year as we continue to build and move forward from the huge amount of experience we lost off the 2007 team."
The recruiting class for the 2009 showcases a total of 10 talented newcomers, including seven true freshmen and three junior college transfers.
Among the true freshmen are five of Memphis' top talents in outfielder Drew Martinez and Bartlett graduates utility player Heith Hatfield (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett), catcher Trey Turner (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett) and infielder Jacob Wilson (Arlington, Tenn./Bartlett). Former DeSoto Central hurler Ben Paullus (Olive Branch, Miss./DeSoto Central) was a late addition and bolstered an already solid class. Hatfield, Martinez, Paullus and Wilson represent four of the five 2008 Commercial Appeal Best of Preps finalists. Other incoming freshmen in the 2009 class include pitchers Brandon Showmar (Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Central), who garnered 2008 Pro-Day Baseball High School All-American honors, and CBHS product Michael Wills.
Schoenrock's class also features top level juco transfers, highlighted by pitcher Ryan Fraser (Cleveland, Tenn./Gulf Coast CC), who was a 49th round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in the 2006 Major League Draft. Also joining the Tigers is catcher Shawn Ablett (Van Alstyne, Texas/Richland JC). Ablett hit .380 with 23 homers, 116 RBI, 33 doubles and five triples in junior college. Former Northwest Mississippi Community College Josh Ross rounds out the Tigers' juco signees. Ross went 10-4 with 102 strikeouts in two seasons at NWCC and earned Second Team MACJC All-State honors in 2008.
Memphis' 2006 recruiting class was tabbed one of the nation's top-50 signing classes. That class was composed of 25 newcomers--five juco transfers, four, four-year transfers and 17 freshmen. Current Tigers that were in that class are Marc Ashley, Brach Davis, Zach Clark, Garrett Hachtel, Mark Jobe, Brennon Martin, Chris Novikoff, Chase Sain, Trey Wiedman and Matt Yokley.
Shawn Ablett • 6-0 • C • Van Alstyne Texas/Richland JC
Two-year letterman for Head Coach Joe Wharton at Richland...Hit .380 with 23 homers, 116 RBI, 33 doubles and five triples in juco career...Hit .360, banged out 17 homers, 20 doubles and drove in 71 runs in 2008...Helped Richland to a 47-16 finish and a third-place showing in the 2008 NJCAA World Series
Ryan Fraser• 6-3 • RHP • Cleveland, Tenn./ Gulf Coast CC
A 49th Round Draft Pick of the Tampa Bay Devils Rays in the 2006 First Year Player Major League Draft...Pitched in both the starter and reliever roles in two years at Gulf Coast Community College...Posted a 11-10 record with a 5.21 ERA...Fanned 111 batters in 138.2 innings of work.
Heith Hatfield • 6-3 • RHP/UTIL • Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS
Two Tennessee All-State performer...2007 TBCA Class AAA State Player of the Year...Was 23-1 on the mound in his prep career...Was a perfect 9-0 in 2008 and had an ERA under 1.00...Helped Bartlett advanced to its third consecutive Class AAA state-title game in `08... Set the Shelby-Metro single-season home run mark with 14 in '07...A dual-position athlete, hit 18 home runs in 2007 and 2008...Two-time All-District and All-Region IV selection...A four-year letterwinner for Phil Clark...All-TBR Two-Way Team in 2007.
Drew Martinez• 5-10 • OF • Collierville, Tenn./CBHS
Two Tennessee All-State standout...Earned All-Region and All-Metro accolades...Was tabbed a 2007 TSWA DII All-State performer...Joined current Tiger freshmen Heith Hatfield, Ben Paullus and Jacob Wilson as finalists for the 2008 Commercial Best of Preps award...Named to the 2007 TCBA AAA/DII All-State Team with current Tigers Marcus Barnes, Robby Graham and Ryan Holland...Was a Division II West All-Region and All-Metro selection in 2006...Batted .442 and was 7-2 as a pitcher in 2008...Helped the Purple Wave to D2-AA West Region regular-season and tournament titles... Was a four-year letterwinner in the outfield and on the pitcher's mound for head coach Buster Kelso...Hit over .400 with 67 doubles and more than 100 stolen in his prep career.
Ben Paullus• 6-2 • RHP • Olive Branch, Miss./DeSoto Central HS
First Team All-Chickasaw Conference...Clarion Ledger First Team All-State...All-Shelby Metro...Was a 2008 Commercial Appeal Best of Preps finalist along with Tiger signees Heith Hatfield, Drew Martinez and Jacob Wilson...A four-year letterman for Head Coach Shane Faulkner at DeSoto Central...Set DCHS single-season records with a perfect 11-0 record and 94 strikeouts in just 68.2 innings...Helped the Jaguars to a 23-8 finish and a District 1-5A championship...Recorded three shutouts and was nearly unhittable with a 1.56 ERA...Also recruited by Navy and Mississippi State
Josh Ross • 6-0 • RHP • Southaven, Miss./Northwest Mississippi CC
Had two impressive seasons for Head Coach Mark Carson at Northwest Mississippi Community College...Made starts in 19 of the 22 games he pitched in...Went 10-4, with 102 strikeouts in 98 innings...Finished juco career with a 3.79 ERA...Ace of the Rangers' staff in the 2008...Tabbed a Second Team MACJC All-State performer...Led the Northwest pitching staff with a 5-1 record and 48 strikeouts in 47.1 innings...Recorded a 4.14 ERA and was selected as the team's best pitcher...Was a high school teammate of current Tigers pitcher Brach Davis.
Brandon Showmar • 6-3 • RHP • Little Rock, Ark./Little Rock Central HS
A dual-position player for Head Coach Mike Johnson at Little Rock Central...Saw time at shortstop as well as on the hill...Posted a 1.44 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 127 innings in 39 outings in his prep career...Held opponents to a lowly .189 batting average...Struck out 53 in 50 innings of work in '08...Hauled in 2008 Pro-Day Baseball High School All-American honors after posting a stifling 1.28 ERA in 13 appearances (nine starts)...Tossed five complete games as a junior.
Trey Turner • 6-3 • C • Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS
Two-time All-Shelby Metro selection...Was a four-year letterman for BHS skipper Phil Clark...Known more for his defensive tools behind the plate...Hit .330, drove in 27 and scored 21 runs to help the Panthers finished 40-5 and capture the Tennessee Class AAA State title in 2007...Also banged out six doubles, two homers and two triples on his way to garnering All-District and All-Region accolades.
Michael Wills • 6-1 • LHP • Germantown, Tenn./CBHS
High school teammate of Drew Martinez...All-Shelby Metro selection.
Jacob Wilson • 6-0 • INF• Arlington, Tenn./Bartlett HS
Two-time Tennessee All-State pick...2007 TSWA AAA All-State...TBR First Team...Two-time Shelby Suburban All-Metro...Two-time Commercial Appeal Best of Preps finalist...All-District MVP and All-Region performer...2006 TBR Super Soph Team...Led Bartlett to district and region championships in 2008...A three-year letterman for former Tiger baseball player, Phil Clark at BHS... Led the Panthers to the pinnacle of the Tennessee State AAA ranks with a 40-5 mark and the school's first-ever baseball State championship in 2007...Led the state of Tennessee with 71 RBI in 2007 and finished his prep campaign with 170 RBI...Hit .488 with six home runs as a senior and .437 with 13 home runs as a junior...Hit 23 homers and 37 doubles in high school career.
