MACON, Ga. - The Mercer Baseball team revealed its 2010 fall signing class on Monday morning as announced by head coach
Craig Gibson.
Seven players signed national letters of intent, including five high school players and two junior college athletes. This very talented and highly touted class of three outfielders, two infielders, and two pitchers will make their way to Mercer in the fall of 2011.
“The young men in this class will help our program achieve its goal winning an Atlantic Sun championship,” Gibson said. “This group of student-athletes will enhance our program in all facets, while contributing to the quality of the Mercer community overall. The integrity and character of each player will be a joy to coach and watch develop at Mercer.”
2010 Mercer Baseball Signees
Derrick Workman
Position: Center fielder
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: Dominion Christian
High School Coach: Bob McDaniel
Travel Team: Georgia Knights
Club Coach: Bob McDaniel
Height: 6'0"
Bio:
Three-year letterwinner at Dominion Christian High School for head coach Bob McDaniel. Workman put together a dominant junior season statistically batting .667 with 46 hits, 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 25 games played on his way to a GISA Class 1-AAA All-State baseball team selection. Led his Dominion Christian team to a 30-2 overall record his junior season and a GISA 1-AAA State runner-up finish.Was featured in Sports Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd” section in the May 4, 2009 issue.
What they are saying about Workman:
“He is a left-handed hitter with big-time power that will make him a middle-of-the-lineup type hitter at our level. His power along with his speed and athleticism sets him apart from other outfielders in the state. He also might have the strongest arm in the state from the outfield position.”
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“Derrick is one of the finest baseball players that I have ever coached or been around. Derrick had one of the best years in the state last year and will be on every ones watch list. I look forward to watching Derrick develop over the next four years at Mercer.”
Bob McDaniel- Head Baseball Coach Dominion Christian
Daniel Cardwell
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Norcross, Ga.
High School: Wesleyan School
High School Coach: Michael K. Shaheen
Travel Team: 6-4-3 DP 18u Cougars
Club Coach: Danny Pralgo
Height: 6'3"
Bio:
Cardwell is the center fielder/left fielder at the Wesleyan School for head coach Michael Shaheen in Norcross, Ga. Daniel is a gifted two-sport athlete who also plays wide receiver on the football team. He has very good speed and can play all three outfield positions. Has led his Wesleyan squad to back-to-back GHSA Class A State Baseball Championships in 2008 and 2009.
What they are saying about Cardwell:
“We will look forward to Daniel adding a new dimension to our team. Daniel’s future has a very high ceiling and he will be an impact player in the A-Sun when it’s all said and done.”
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“Dan played a major role in helping win our second-straight State Championship in 2009. He makes the tough plays in centerfield look easy with his speed and great jumps on the ball.”
Michael K. Shaheen- Head Baseball Coach Wesleyan School
Aaron Shipman
Position: Outfielder/Pitcher
Hometown: Quitman, Ga.
High School: Brooks County
High School Coach: Robert Shipman
Travel Team: 5-Tool
Club Coach: Danny Slaughter
Height: 6'3"
Bio:
Shipman is an outfielder and left-handed pitcher at Brooks County and plays for his dad, Robert Shipman, in Quitman, Ga. Shipman played in the National Showcase in Minnesota along with the East Coast Showcase in Fla. Was named to the All-Region 1-AA first team in both 2008 and 2009. Was ranked in Top 180 players in the country according to perfectgame.org, and also generated a Perfect Game USA 3rd Team Preseason HS Underclassmen All American selection in 2009.
What they are saying about Shipman:
“Aaron is one of the most athletic players in the South East. His blazing speed, along with great instincts allows him to steal bases at will. Aaron will also be an asset on the mound and is the type of kid we want representing Mercer.”
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“I have had the opportunity to watch Aaron grow from being a great athlete to being a great baseball player. His skill set is better than any outfielder in the State of Georgia. I think his future is unlimited whether he pursues a career in baseball or becomes a leader in his community. Mercer University has signed a true student/athlete.”
Roger Wilkinson- Baseball Scoutz
D.J. Johnson
Position: Shortstop/Pitcher
Hometown: Adel, Ga.
High School: Cook High School
High School Coach: Bob Owsley
Travel Team: 5-Tool
Club Coach: Danny Slaughter
Height: 5'10"
Bio:
Johnson is a shortstop and right handed pitcher at Cook High School for head coach Bob Owsley in Adel, Ga. He is a two-sport athlete, starring as the point guard on the boys’ basketball team. Johnson has a career high school batting average of .418 to go along with a .517 on-base percentage. He has also clubbed 12 home runs and driven in 59 runs, all while being used primarily as a leadoff hitter. Johnson’s career pitching statistics includes a 21-3 overall record, a 0.76 ERA and 246 strikeouts. Johnson broke the single season strikeout record at Cook High during his junior season, striking out 148 batters in 2009. Just a few of Johnson’s other achievements and accolades include 2008 1-AA All-Region first team, 2008 All-Tift Area first team, 2009 1-AA Region Pitcher of the Year and 2009 Sunbelt Classic Tourney M.V.P.
What they are saying about Johnson:
“D.J. is a very gifted baseball player that can do special things on the field. He is very smooth in the field and makes the hard plays look easy. D.J. is near the top of everyone’s list when it comes to ranking players in the State of Georgia. He is very highly regarded and will make us better immediately.”
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“D.J. is one of the most talented baseball players I have ever coached at Cook County. He can do anything on the field he wants too and is a difference maker at the plate as well. We are looking forward to D.J. leading us to another state championship. Mercer got a good one in D.J. Johnson.”
Bob Owsley- Head Baseball Coach Cook County
Brandon Barker
Position: Pitcher
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
High School: Etowah High School
High School Coach: Greg Robinson
Travel Team: East Cobb Titans
Club Coach: Chance Beam
Height: 6'3"
Bio:
Barker is a right handed pitcher at Etowah High School for Greg Robinson in Woodstock, Ga. He is an outstanding student that plans to major in engineering upon his arrival at Mercer. This past year he was named a 5-AAAAA All Region first team selection and was the number one starting pitcher on an Etowah squad that captured the 2009 GHSA 5-AAAAA Regional Championship.
What they are saying about Barker:
“Brandon is a 6’3” righty with a great arm and will only get better as he gets stronger. We look forward to big things out of Brandon for the next four years.”
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“Brandon is the guy who you want to have on the mound in a must-win game. He is a tireless worker on the field and in the classroom. He will pound the zone with all three of his pitches and always give you a chance to win.”
Greg Robinson- Head Baseball Coach Etowah
Blaine Matthews
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Topeka, Kan.
High School: Washburn Rural High School
Previous School: Cloud County C.C.
College Coach: Greg Brummett
Height: 6’1”
Bio:
Matthews is the starting shortstop at Cloud County Community College for head coach Greg Brummett in Junction City, Kansas. He was a 2nd team all-conference selection last year after hitting a team-high .383 for the T-Birds. Matthews also led his team in at-bats (167), runs scored (54), total bases (82) and hits (64). He also showed some pop at the plate with 11 doubles, two triples, a home run and 38 runs batted in.
What they are saying about Matthews:
“Blaine will add experience in the middle infield for us along with leadership. Blaine has a strong arm and quick feet that allow him to make the all the plays in the infield. We will have Blaine for two years and we believe they will be two special years for our program.”
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“Blaine is the spark plug of our team and will be our leader this season. I couldn’t be more proud of Blaine to earn a Division I baseball scholarship for Mercer University. They are getting a quality student-athlete and a great kid.”
Greg Brummett- Cloud County Baseball Coach
Bronson Gagner
Position: Pitcher
Hometown: Lilburn, Ga.
High School: Parkview High School
Previous School: Chattahoochee Valley C.C.
College Coach: Adam Thomas
Height: 6’7”
Bio:
Gagner is a right handed pitcher at Chattahoochee Valley Community College for Adam Thomas in Phenix City, Ala. Gagner was used as a spot starter and reliever for the Pirates last season, compiling a 4-2 record with a 4.65 ERA. He appeared in 14 games overall, making five starts. He threw 40.2 innings allowing 21 earned runs, striking out 35 batters while touting a .267 opposing batting average. Was taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the 43rd round (1,289 pick) of the 2008 MLB Draft. Gagner was a fellow high school teammate of
Michael Langley at Parkview.
What they are saying about Gagner:
Bronson is very imposing when he is on the mound standing 6’7 and has a fastball to match. His fastball will sit in the low 90’s and will give us a power arm with experience. We are always happy to get Georgia kids with Bronson’s credentials.
Craig Gibson- Head Baseball Coach Mercer University
“I could not be more proud or excited for Bronson to continue his baseball career and education at Mercer. He is such a work horse and outstanding young man and the success he has achieved for us and for himself by earning a scholarship to Mercer is well deserved. He will be a good one for Coach Gibson.”
Adam Thomas- Chattahoochee Valley Head Coach