7/25/00 - A ninth player from Mississippi State University's NCAA Super Regional baseball team, second baseman Daron Wright, has become the latest MSU player to ink a professional baseball contract.

Wright, a two-year regular in the Bulldog infield and as a designated hitter, signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies and reported to the club's Class A team in the New York-Penn League, the Batavia (N.Y.) Muckdogs. He joins two other Diamond Dogs on the Batavia club, third baseman Travis Chapman and pitcher Kevin Donovan.

The Stockton, Calif., native carded a .307 batting average and earned all-tournament team honors in the 2000 NCAA Starkville Regional. Wright compiled a .311 batting average in two seasons at Mississippi State with 103 hits, 25 doubles and 63 RBI in 97 games. The Bulldogs finished the 2000 season with a 41-20 record and a No. 15 ranking in the final Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America polls.

Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department

7/20/00 - MSU has 206 campers at this week's baseball camp. I believe they are in the 11-14 age range. I watched the campers for a few minutes. They were having a great time even though it was close to 100 degrees.

7/18/00 - Just wanted to clear up a rumor. The lastest word is Germantown HS's outstanding lefthander Paul Maholm, an MSU signee, has not signed with the Minnesota Twins. Paul is currently pitching for the Pepsi Tigers.

7/15/00 - Former Diamond Dog Jamie Rock was named Northwest League Player of the Week this past week after hitting .375, with a double and his first career professional home run (a solo shot in the Rockies 8-0 win over Salem-Keizer on the 4th of July). On the season, Jamie is batting .245, with 3 doubles, 1 HR, and 7 RBI. Portland leads the South Division of the Northwest League(Class A-Short Season) with a 12-8 record.

BTW, it now appears that Ryan Carroll will not be signing with the pro team that drafted him. I at one time thought that he would go pro. I'm very happy to have been wrong on this one.

7/14/00 - I recently had the pleasure to talk to a couple of folks from Germantown, Tennessee. We talked about MSU's three Germantown HS signees and one Houston HS signee. They told me that LHP Paul Maholm throws his fastball in the low-90's and has a low-80's curve ball which breaks very late. In their opinion, he only needs to work on his control to be an excellent SEC pitcher. They expect him to suit up for MSU next season. They also said that Houston HS signee John Mungle can crush the ball and will be a great hitter. They were very surprised that he wasn't contacted by more schools because the kid can flat-out hit. They also said that Germantown HS signee Brent Lewis can also crush the ball. They expect him to be an excellent power-hitter who also hits for average while he is at State. They said all Brent lacks is a defensive position. They expect he will begin his career at State as a designated hitter. They said the fourth MSU signee, Michael Novarese, had arm problems for most of his senior year but has a canon for an arm when healthy.

7/10/00 - MSU baseball had approximately 150 campers at their pitcher/catcher camp this past weekend. I saw a few hours of the camp Friday night. Here are the names of several pitchers from my area that impressed me: New Hope HS (Columbus, MS.) Drew Jaudon and Caledonia (MS) HS Josh Johnson.

7/08/00 - Mississippi State University has signed Jon Mungle of Germantown, Tenn., to a national letter of intent, MSU head baseball coach Pat McMahon announced this week.

Mungle, a 6-2, 205-pound right-handed fielding, left-handed, power-hitting first baseman/outfielder, starred the past two seasons at Memphis' Houston High School, where he was coached by Layne McCarter. A two-time all-city selection, Mungle hit .387 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 34 RBI and 10 stolen bases, helping lead HHS to a 27-9 record and a second consecutive district title. As a junior he hit .430 with 15 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBI as the Mustangs posted a 32-5 record and a third place finish in the state.

"Jon has established himself as a hard-hitting, versatile defensive player," said MSU assistant baseball coach Jim Case. "He has the skills to be an outstanding offensive player in the Southeastern Conference."

Mungle, who also played football during his prep career, attended Christian Brothers High School prior to his junior year.

"I'm looking forward to being a Bulldog and being a part of a baseball program with a strong tradition," said Mungle.

The MSU baseball signee is the son of Dan and Connie Mungle of Germantown, Tenn.

Reprinted with the permission of the MSU Athletic Department

7/06/00 - Former Diamond Dog LHP Gary Rath is playing for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Ball. He is 1-0, with a 4.60 era. In 31.1 ip he has allowed 23 hits, walked 18 and struck out 33. Teams are hitting .207 against him. Long Island Ducks website....

7/02/00 - Did you know that MSU baseball signees Brent Lewis, Paul Maholm and John Mungle are playing for the Pepsi Tigers' Connie Mack team this summer? The Pepsi Tigers are located in Memphis, Tennessee.

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