Taylor Bennett - RHP, 6-4, 225, Covington (TN) HS. A hard thrower (89-92 with a top speed of 94 mph), Taylor has been a four-year starter playing for coaches Alan Pavatte and Geno Miller. He is a four-time all-district and all-region standout at Covington, and earned Commercial Appeal All-Shelby Metro Team honors as a junior after posting a 6-5 record with a team-best 94 strikeouts and a remarkable 0.89 earned run average. He tossed a pair of no-hitters notched a 4-3 record with a 2.13 ERA during an injury-shortened sophomore campaign. As a freshman, Bennett compiled an 8-5 record with a team-best 88 strikeouts and a 2.51 earned run average in helping lead the CHS Chargers to a runner-up finish in the 2000 Tennessee Class AA state playoffs. Bennett also enjoyed a successful summer of baseball competition in 2002, posting an 8-0 record and earning the win for the Dulin Dodgers in the title game of the AAU 18-and-Under National Championship Tournament in Ft. Myers, Fla. He is the son of Dewayne and Charl Lynn Bennett of Covington, Tenn.
Jeremiah Boling - LHP, 6-2, 175, Rome (GA) HS. Boling earned all-area honors as a junior after setting school single-season records in 2002 with eight wins and 105 strikeouts. He compiled an 8-1 record with three saves and a 1.31 earned run average in 67 innings of mound work. He posted a 4-3 record as a sophomore and led the RHS junior varsity team with as 5-1 record and 2.09 ERA as a freshman in 2000. He also enjoyed success pitching in the highly-competitive East Cobb baseball league last fall, tossing a pair of one-hitters and posting a 5-1 worksheet. Boling has also lettered in basketball at Rome High School, where he is the recipient of the Scholar-Athlete Award and is a member of the Good Earth Society. He is the son of Gary and Cindy Boling of Silver Creek, Ga.
Jesse Carver - LHP, 6-1, 180, Starkville (MS) HS. His fastball is in the 86-88 range and curveball in the 77 mph range. Carver was a three-year letter-winner playing for coach Danny Carlisle. As a senior, he compiled a 6-3 record with a 1.72 earned run average as a senior, registering 104 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched. For his efforts, he was honored as the Class 5A, Division 2 Player of the Year. A two-time all-area selection, Carver was named to the MHSAA All-Star Team and for the second time in his career was named the recipient of SHS's Mo Samford Pitching Award. Carver posted a 6-3 record with a 3.14 ERA in 2002, leading the Yellowjacket pitching staff with 70 strikeouts. Following his junior season Carver competed in the State Games of Mississippi and earned all-tournament honors in the Dizzy Dean World Series. Carver also lettered three years in soccer, earning best defensive player honors as a senior at Starkville High School where he was an honor student. He is currently playing summer league baseball for the West Point-based Bryan Packers. He is the son of Jimmy and Jeanette Carver of Starkville.
Jon Crosby - RHP, 6-3.5, 190, Christian Brothers HS in Germantown, Tenn. (Georgia Tech transfer). Throws in the 88-89 mph range, topping out at 92. Will be able to play immediately this coming season after redshirting his freshman season at GT due to a couple of injuries. As a senior in high school, he was recruited by Tennessee, Memphis, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Tulane, Michigan, Vanderbilt, among others. Jon was an All-State selection his junior and senior seasons. According to scouting service Prospects Plus, he was considered a 4-star player out of high school. A 4-star player, and I quote Prospects Plus, "is one who projects to have the physical ability to be drafted in the top 10 rounds of the draft. As a college player, this type prospect would be considered a cornerstone to a college program if he reaches his projection." Prospects Plus went on to write that, at the end of his senior season, "Crosby made a name for himself at Perfect Game's National Showcase at Tropicana Field. He showed a mid-80's (fastball) from up top, but when he dropped down things got interesting. We saw fastballs with plus life in the high 80's and he projects to get much better. Once he develops a slider, he will be basically unhittable in short spurts, especially against righthanders."
Todd Doolittle - RHP, 5-10, 170, West Lauderdale (MS) HS (Meridian CC). As a freshman in 2002 Todd compiled a 6-2 record with 74 strikeouts and a 3.17 earned run average in 71 innings, earning All-Miss-Lou Conference honors. Doolittle was an all-state performer and four-year starter playing for coach Jerry Boatner at West Lauderdale High School. He capped his prep career with a remarkable senior season, posting a 13-0 record with a miniscule 0.97 earned run average and 126 strikeouts in 74 innings. Doolittle earned all-district honors and was MVP of the WLHS Chargers baseball team in 2001. A principal's list scholar, he also starred in soccer, earning all-state honors and team MVP designation as a senior. The MSU signee is the son of Jimmy Doolittle and Debbie Bresnahan of Meridian, Miss.
Eric Ebers - LHP, 6-0, 185, John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL. This past season, he was 8-4 with an ERA of 2.90. In 79 innings, he allowed 88 hits, 21 walks and struck out 81. During his freshman season, he was 9-4 with a 1.42 ERA. In 89 innings, he struck out 81 walked 22 and gave up 63 hits. Eric throws his fastball 85 to 88 mph. He was honored as the Great Rivers Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year. Ebers also earned all-conference and All-Region 24 Tournament Team honors in his first season at John A. Logan College. He is the son of Rick and Donna Ebers of Steeleville, IL.
Trent Hill - RHP/INF, 6-2, 200, Walker High School (Jasper, Ala.). Also plays third base and shortstop. Batted .401 with 7 home runs and 77 RBI during his career. Had a 22-9 record with 7 saves during his career. His ERA was 2.10. His honors included ASWA Super All-State team, two-time Birmingham News All-State 5A-1A SS. Honorable mention the other two years; two-time Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Top 100 Showcase selection and Baseball America-Perfect Game selection to Tropicana Top 100 Prospects Class of 2003. Pitches: Fastball 88-90 w/tail (topped 93), Slider 80 mph, Curve 75 mph, Change up 71 mph. Hill is a member of the Key Club and was voted "Mr. Walker High". He is the son of Roger and Vicki Hill of Jasper, Ala.
Josh Johnson - RHP, 6-0, 175, Caledonia (MS) HS. Josh has been a four-year regular playing for coach Kent Farris' CHS Confederates. As a junior he posted an 8-3 record with 126 strikeouts and a 1.18 earned run average, earning all-district and Columbus Commercial Dispatch All-Area Team honors. Johnson starred for the Bryan Packers last summer, helping lead coach Frank Portera's team to the championship of the 2002 American League World Series in Danville, Va. He was named MVP of the ALWS, earning all-tournament designation and receiving the Bob Feller Pitching Award. He notched an 8-3 pitching record and earned all-area honors as a sophomore in 2001 and was a member of the 2000 North State championship CHS team that took runner-up honors in the state playoffs. The MSU signee is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, the Art Club, and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He the son of Gayden and June Johnson of Caledonia, Miss.
Justin Pigott - LHP, 6-0, 175, Picayune (MS) Memorial High School. Justin, over the course of his career, was 29-6 with an ERA of 2.42. Teams hit .216 against him. This past season, he was 9-3 with an ERA of 2.13. Opposing teams hit .190 against him. He struck out 96 batters while walking just 15 in 71.2 innings. As a junior, he was accorded first-team all-state and Biloxi Sun Herald Gulf Coast Player of the Year honors. A member of the National Honor Society member and a four-time Superintendent's Scholar at Picayune Memorial HS, the MSU signee is the son of John and Dot Pigott of Picayune, Miss.
Andy Wilson - LHP, 6-1, 175, Columbus (GA) HS. During his junior season, Andy compiled a 7-0 record with three saves and a splendid 1.14 earned run average. He registered 51 strikeouts and allowed but eight earned runs in 50-2/3 innings. Wilson earned letters in baseball the past four at Columbus High School and was a member of the Blue Devils' team that posted a 36-3 record and captured the 2000 Georgia 3A state title. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club, the Spanish Honor Society and is a multiple recipient of the Alpha Scholar Award at CHS. He the son of Olin and Debbie Wilson of Columbus, Ga.
Bunky Kateon - SS, 6-0, 190, St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, AL. Bunky earned first-team all-state honors as a senior (Super All-State) and junior and second-team all-state and all-city honors as a sophomore. Also named 5A Player of the Year his senior season. During the past three seasons, he has hit .513, .528 and .507. ng a team-leading .528 with 44 RBI and 27 extra-base hits (seven home runs) in 35 games. He was a first-team all-city selection and was honored as the Optimist Club Player of the Year in Mobile. Kateon is a Headmaster's List honoree. The MSU signee is the son of John and Donna Kateon of Mobile, Ala.
Alex McIntosh - 1B/RHP, 6-6, 225, Northwest Rankin High School (Brandon, MS). Named The Clarion-Ledger Metro Player of the Year his senior season after hitting .417 with 4 home runs and going 6-1 with a 0.99 ERA as a pitcher. An excellent student who is very active in his community and school, Alex was awarded one of two Schillig Scholarships offered by Mississippi State University.
Jeffrey Rea - 2B/SS, 5-9, 160, Nettleton (MS) HS. The Clarion-Ledger Player of the Year his senior season. Jeffrey hit .676 with 41 RBI and 6 home runs. He also was 28 for 28 in steals. He batted .558 for his career. Also earned Clarion-Ledger "Dandy Dozen" and second-team all-state honors as a junior, hitting at a remarkable .613 clip. He was honored as the most valuable player in Division 2-3A in 2002. The MSU signee also hit .494 as a sophomore. The right-handed hitting Rea is a member of the Beta Club, the NHS Student Council and the National Society of High School Scholars. He is the son of Charles and Sandra Rea of Nettleton, Miss.
Michael Rutledge - 3B/SS, 6-3, 195, Cullman (AL) HS. After hitting .452 with 14 home runs and 52 RBI, Michael was selected the Birmingham News 2003 State Player of the Year. He was also chosen ASWA Super All-State team as a senior and ASWA All-State honors as a junior. Rutledge was also named to the Birmingham News Scholar-Athlete All-State honor squad as a junior. During his career, he hit 28 home runs. Rutledge was selected in the 40th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox. A member of the National Honor Society member and active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth for Christ, the MSU signee is the son of Tony and Cheryl Rutledge of Cullman, Ala.