11-17-2015, 10:33 AM
http://www.ragincajuns.com/news/2015/11/...h=baseball
LAFAYETTE, La. –The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team has signed nine players to a national letter of intent for the 2017 season, head coach Tony Robichaux announced on Monday.
The Cajuns have inked Josh Aguilar (Dallas, Texas), Caleb Armstrong (Monroe, La.), Oliver Campbell (Monroe, La.), Haden Erbe (Lafayette, La.), Eric Moll (Kingwood, Texas), Todd Lott (Jacksonville, Fla.), Colten Schmidt (Houston, Texas), Tremaine Spears (Alexandra, La.), and Josh Taylor (Breaux Bridge, La.) to the 2016 signing class.
"The first thing you have to do any time you bring in a good signing class is to commend your coaches," Robichaux said. "Coach (Anthony) Babineaux and coach (Jeremy) Talbot spent a lot of time on the road and worked really hard to bring in a good group of players. Head coaches now spend so much time fund raising and everything else and don't get a chance to go out as much as the recruiting coordinator. These guys spend a lot of time in 100 degree heat watching games and I give them a lot of the credit."
"We think this class, like all of the ones we have brought in recently, is very good. We have signed a lot of these kids more on potential, and once they get here we will see the performance. You don't win on potential or get to Omaha on potential, but we feel like these guys address the needs that we will have. We believe that we will be hit by the draft in the following year, and because of that we want to get some seasoning starting now so that guys are ready so that we don't have to go through big rebuilding years."
The breakdown of the class includes four position players and five pitchers. Five of the nine signees come from Louisiana, while three hail from Texas and one is from Florida.
Aguilar, a 5-10 catcher, comes to the Cajuns from Bishop Lynch High School where he led the state of Texas hitting .561 while setting a school record for average. A two-time all-state selection, Aguilar was named the 1-5A District MVP. He has played all three seasons at Bishop Lynch earning the starting position as a freshman.
Robichaux on Aguilar
"Josh is a physical catcher with above average arm strength. For a player with a stocky build, he has surprising quickness and an advanced ability to receive and block. We feel he has been flying under the radar, and will continue to develop in our program. Josh is an excellent student, and high character guy who loves to work. At some point in his career, he could develop into a middle of the order power bat."
Armstrong, a 5-11 right-handed pitcher, is a three-year letterwinner from Ouachita Parish High School. A Perfect Game All-American, Armstrong hit .390 with 17 doubles, three triples and 24 RBI as a junior. He helped lead Ouachita to its first postseason win in over a decade while being tabbed an all-district performer the last two years. Armstrong was named to the 2014 Under Armor Preseason All-American team and to the 2014 All-Northeast Louisiana squad. He is also the No. 1 rated middle infielder in Louisiana.
Robichaux on Armstrong
"Caleb is a good sinker/slider pitcher who operates anywhere from 86-89. He might have the best mental make-up in this class. He's simply a tough, throwback winner who will fit our culture perfectly. Caleb has aspirations to become a Special Forces soldier after baseball."
Campbell, a 5-9 left-handed pitcher, also comes to the Ragin' Cajuns from the Monroe, La. area where he plays for Neville High School. Campbell is the fifth rated left-handed pitcher in the state and a Perfect Game All-American. As a sophomore, Campbell went 7-2 with a 1.54 ERA and tossed a complete game in the state semifinals to send Neville to the 4A championship game. Campbell had an even better junior campaign striking out 94 in 64 innings while only walking 24 to earn all-district and all-state honors. He is coming off of a summer campaign that saw him allow just one run in 30 innings of work.
Robichaux on Campbell
"Oliver is a pitchability lefty who ranges 84-86 with good ability to spin the breaking ball. He addresses our need to finally have some depth on the left side of the mound."
Erbe, a 6-3 right-handed pitcher, is a local product from Crowley High School where he is ranked the seventh best right-handed arm in the state of Louisiana. Prep Baseball ranks Erbe's fastball the best power fastball in the state of Louisiana. Erbe was selected to take part in the USA Baseball 2015 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) with a chance to represent Team USA in 2016.
Robichaux on Erbe
"Haden was highly recruited and we were fortunate to have locked him up. Haden projects as a power righty with 90-plus mph velocity and late movement to go along with a swing and miss slider. He's a high academic guy who also has a future in professional baseball. Haden is the seventh ranked RHP in the state, but we feel he is one of the best arms that were available."
Moll, a 6-1 first baseman, comes to Louisiana from Kingwood High School where he has been tabbed a two-time Perfect Game All-American. This summer, Moll hit .467 with 10 home runs in 34 games. He was selected to play with both the Dodgers and Yankees scout teams.
Robichaux on Moll
"Monroe is a bomber pure and simple. Monroe has very strong leadership qualities and should be a clubhouse magnet for the rest of our players. He's also demonstrated excellence in the classroom."
Lott, a 6-4 outfielder, hails from Trinity Christian Academy where he is the sixth ranked outfielder in the state of Florida, and the 31st ranked outfielder in the nation.
Robichaux on Lott
" Todd is the best hitter we saw this summer anywhere in the country. He has an advanced approach with very clean mechanics, and big power. He will obviously project well in the draft in his career. In Atlanta this summer, he wore it out hitting .620 at the PG National Tournament. He is another Perfect Game All-American who can provide instant impact to our offense as a freshman."
Schmidt, a 6-0 left-handed pitcher, joins the Ragin' Cajuns from San Jacinto College where he was instrumental in guiding the Gators to the Junior College World Series. He was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Schmit prepped at La Porte High School in Texas.
Robichaux on Schmidt
"Colten is a key signee to this class and will be an impact, versatile lefty. He's an upper 80's lefty with superb command of three pitches that he will throw in any count and can locate it anywhere in the zone. This would not be a fun guy to gameplan against as an offense, which makes us very fortunate to have him on our side."
Spears, a 5-11 first baseman/outfielder, is two-sport star at Tioga High School playing both baseball and football. Spears guided Tioga to the 3A state semifinals as a freshman hitting six home runs and driving in 30 runs. A Central Louisiana MVP honoree, Spears has been named all-state and all-district twice. Spears is the fourth ranked outfielder in Louisiana and was a part of the 40-man National Team Development Program for Team USA last summer.
Robichaux on Spears
"Tremaine is another physical power bat in this class. He probably has the best raw power in the 2016 class in the state of Louisiana, and will continue to get better as his approach to at-bats improve. He's a physically mature athlete who also excelled in football as a linebacker where he received some interest from several college football programs."
Taylor, a 5-11 right-handed pitcher, comes from Teurlings Catholic High School where he was named the 4A Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Pitcher of the Year in 2015. Taylor is the 11th ranked infielder in Louisiana and has received all-state and all-Acadiana honors.
Robichaux on Taylor
"Josh is an upper 80's righty with an above average slider and a feel for a change up. He throws strikes, is hard nosed, and loves to compete. He is another athletic pitcher who actually was ranked high in Louisiana as an infielder."
LAFAYETTE, La. –The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team has signed nine players to a national letter of intent for the 2017 season, head coach Tony Robichaux announced on Monday.
The Cajuns have inked Josh Aguilar (Dallas, Texas), Caleb Armstrong (Monroe, La.), Oliver Campbell (Monroe, La.), Haden Erbe (Lafayette, La.), Eric Moll (Kingwood, Texas), Todd Lott (Jacksonville, Fla.), Colten Schmidt (Houston, Texas), Tremaine Spears (Alexandra, La.), and Josh Taylor (Breaux Bridge, La.) to the 2016 signing class.
"The first thing you have to do any time you bring in a good signing class is to commend your coaches," Robichaux said. "Coach (Anthony) Babineaux and coach (Jeremy) Talbot spent a lot of time on the road and worked really hard to bring in a good group of players. Head coaches now spend so much time fund raising and everything else and don't get a chance to go out as much as the recruiting coordinator. These guys spend a lot of time in 100 degree heat watching games and I give them a lot of the credit."
"We think this class, like all of the ones we have brought in recently, is very good. We have signed a lot of these kids more on potential, and once they get here we will see the performance. You don't win on potential or get to Omaha on potential, but we feel like these guys address the needs that we will have. We believe that we will be hit by the draft in the following year, and because of that we want to get some seasoning starting now so that guys are ready so that we don't have to go through big rebuilding years."
The breakdown of the class includes four position players and five pitchers. Five of the nine signees come from Louisiana, while three hail from Texas and one is from Florida.
Aguilar, a 5-10 catcher, comes to the Cajuns from Bishop Lynch High School where he led the state of Texas hitting .561 while setting a school record for average. A two-time all-state selection, Aguilar was named the 1-5A District MVP. He has played all three seasons at Bishop Lynch earning the starting position as a freshman.
Robichaux on Aguilar
"Josh is a physical catcher with above average arm strength. For a player with a stocky build, he has surprising quickness and an advanced ability to receive and block. We feel he has been flying under the radar, and will continue to develop in our program. Josh is an excellent student, and high character guy who loves to work. At some point in his career, he could develop into a middle of the order power bat."
Armstrong, a 5-11 right-handed pitcher, is a three-year letterwinner from Ouachita Parish High School. A Perfect Game All-American, Armstrong hit .390 with 17 doubles, three triples and 24 RBI as a junior. He helped lead Ouachita to its first postseason win in over a decade while being tabbed an all-district performer the last two years. Armstrong was named to the 2014 Under Armor Preseason All-American team and to the 2014 All-Northeast Louisiana squad. He is also the No. 1 rated middle infielder in Louisiana.
Robichaux on Armstrong
"Caleb is a good sinker/slider pitcher who operates anywhere from 86-89. He might have the best mental make-up in this class. He's simply a tough, throwback winner who will fit our culture perfectly. Caleb has aspirations to become a Special Forces soldier after baseball."
Campbell, a 5-9 left-handed pitcher, also comes to the Ragin' Cajuns from the Monroe, La. area where he plays for Neville High School. Campbell is the fifth rated left-handed pitcher in the state and a Perfect Game All-American. As a sophomore, Campbell went 7-2 with a 1.54 ERA and tossed a complete game in the state semifinals to send Neville to the 4A championship game. Campbell had an even better junior campaign striking out 94 in 64 innings while only walking 24 to earn all-district and all-state honors. He is coming off of a summer campaign that saw him allow just one run in 30 innings of work.
Robichaux on Campbell
"Oliver is a pitchability lefty who ranges 84-86 with good ability to spin the breaking ball. He addresses our need to finally have some depth on the left side of the mound."
Erbe, a 6-3 right-handed pitcher, is a local product from Crowley High School where he is ranked the seventh best right-handed arm in the state of Louisiana. Prep Baseball ranks Erbe's fastball the best power fastball in the state of Louisiana. Erbe was selected to take part in the USA Baseball 2015 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) with a chance to represent Team USA in 2016.
Robichaux on Erbe
"Haden was highly recruited and we were fortunate to have locked him up. Haden projects as a power righty with 90-plus mph velocity and late movement to go along with a swing and miss slider. He's a high academic guy who also has a future in professional baseball. Haden is the seventh ranked RHP in the state, but we feel he is one of the best arms that were available."
Moll, a 6-1 first baseman, comes to Louisiana from Kingwood High School where he has been tabbed a two-time Perfect Game All-American. This summer, Moll hit .467 with 10 home runs in 34 games. He was selected to play with both the Dodgers and Yankees scout teams.
Robichaux on Moll
"Monroe is a bomber pure and simple. Monroe has very strong leadership qualities and should be a clubhouse magnet for the rest of our players. He's also demonstrated excellence in the classroom."
Lott, a 6-4 outfielder, hails from Trinity Christian Academy where he is the sixth ranked outfielder in the state of Florida, and the 31st ranked outfielder in the nation.
Robichaux on Lott
" Todd is the best hitter we saw this summer anywhere in the country. He has an advanced approach with very clean mechanics, and big power. He will obviously project well in the draft in his career. In Atlanta this summer, he wore it out hitting .620 at the PG National Tournament. He is another Perfect Game All-American who can provide instant impact to our offense as a freshman."
Schmidt, a 6-0 left-handed pitcher, joins the Ragin' Cajuns from San Jacinto College where he was instrumental in guiding the Gators to the Junior College World Series. He was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Schmit prepped at La Porte High School in Texas.
Robichaux on Schmidt
"Colten is a key signee to this class and will be an impact, versatile lefty. He's an upper 80's lefty with superb command of three pitches that he will throw in any count and can locate it anywhere in the zone. This would not be a fun guy to gameplan against as an offense, which makes us very fortunate to have him on our side."
Spears, a 5-11 first baseman/outfielder, is two-sport star at Tioga High School playing both baseball and football. Spears guided Tioga to the 3A state semifinals as a freshman hitting six home runs and driving in 30 runs. A Central Louisiana MVP honoree, Spears has been named all-state and all-district twice. Spears is the fourth ranked outfielder in Louisiana and was a part of the 40-man National Team Development Program for Team USA last summer.
Robichaux on Spears
"Tremaine is another physical power bat in this class. He probably has the best raw power in the 2016 class in the state of Louisiana, and will continue to get better as his approach to at-bats improve. He's a physically mature athlete who also excelled in football as a linebacker where he received some interest from several college football programs."
Taylor, a 5-11 right-handed pitcher, comes from Teurlings Catholic High School where he was named the 4A Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Pitcher of the Year in 2015. Taylor is the 11th ranked infielder in Louisiana and has received all-state and all-Acadiana honors.
Robichaux on Taylor
"Josh is an upper 80's righty with an above average slider and a feel for a change up. He throws strikes, is hard nosed, and loves to compete. He is another athletic pitcher who actually was ranked high in Louisiana as an infielder."