FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
George Mason head baseball coach Bill Brown is pleased to announce the early signings of seven high school players to National Letters-of-Intent to become student-athletes at Mason beginning with the 2009-10 academic year. Nick Allen of Marlton, N.J., Ben Carson of Coal Center, Pa., Chris Cook of Riva, Md., Nick Kendrick of Cranberry Township, Pa., Brandon Kuter of Fairfax, Garrett Marin of Fredericksburg and Anthony Montefusco of Medford, N.J. will join the Patriots beginning with the 2010 season.
“We are extremely excited to have this group of young men in our program,” Brown said. “It is a very talented class, each one of them has a chance to have an impact athletic career at Mason and they will all be a positive part of the university community. We are confident they will be outstanding on the field and in the classroom.”
Allen is a second baseman and outfielder from Cherokee High School. Perfect Game rated him as the top second baseman in New Jersey and he played for the traveling team Tri-State Arsenal. He comes from the same high school as current Patriot Chris Henderson and he is expected to come in and contribute early due to his positional versatility.
“Nick is a versatile athlete who has a chance to be an impact offensive player,” Brown said. “The ability to play multiple positions combined with his offensive capabilities will give him the opportunity to play right away.”
Carson is a 6-foot, 2-inch outfielder from California High School. The talented and athletic left-hander can hit to all fields and is aggressive on the bases. A very instinctual player who has the tools to become a top CAA talent played this fall for Chuck Faris and the KC Royals Scout Team.
“Ben is a physical left handed hitting outfielder with great instincts for the game,” Brown said. “He is a polished player with a well rounded game who will be ready to contribute as a freshman.”
Cook, a switch-hitting shortstop from DeMatha Catholic High School, is poised to become the next freshman to take over as the team’s starting shortstop. A talented fielder, Cook will follow in the footsteps of current four-year starter Brent Weiss, former player and coach Jeff Palumbo and former alum Mark Gibbs, who coaches Cook in the summer for Diamond Skills Baseball. Playing in the talented WCAC, Cook was an all-conference honorable mention as a junior and was part of the 2008 WCAC Championship Team coach by Sean O’Connor.
“Chris is an accomplished shortstop who was one of the heaviest recruited players in the area,” Brown said. “His athleticism and skills put him in a position to be an everyday player as soon as he gets to campus.”
Kendrick, a 6’7″ left-handed pitcher from Seneca Valley High School has the potential to become one of the premier lefties in the conference. As one of the top pitchers in the Western Pennsylvania area, he throws in the high 80s and is still developing his off-speed pitches. Nick played on the Allegheny Pirates, a top showcase team, for Coach Fred Albert. The Patriots will hope Kendrick is not selected in the 2009 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
“Nick is a 6’7″ left handed pitcher with a fantastic upside and the chance to be a dominant arm in the league,” Brown said. “He is one of the top high school pitchers in the Pittsburgh area and he will fill various roles for us as a freshman.”
Kuter, a 6’6″ right-handed pitcher form Robinson High School is a local talent who plays for Coach J.D. Detweiler. He comes from the same high school as current Patriot Spencer Wiggins. Playing in the fall for Virginia Barnstormers and Coach Chris Warren, Kuter has a fastball that tops out in the low 90s.
“A top local prospect, Brandon is a 6’6″ right handed pitcher whose fastball has already touched 90+ mph,” Brown said. “Widely considered to possess unlimited potential, he will be ready to assume a big role for us as a freshman.”
Marin, a right-handed pitcher from Colonial Forge High School has tremendous upside. A top pitcher on the 2008 state runner-up team coached by Shawn Szakelyhidi, he was instrumental in the team’s playoff run. Marin throws three pitches for strikes and his fastball sits in the mid-80s. He played in the fall for Coach Jonathan Jenkins and Blue Ridge Baseball.
“Garrett is a polished right handed pitcher with command of three pitches,” Brown said. “He is a proven winner who will be counted on to throw quality innings for us as a freshman.”
Montefusco comes from Shawnee High School and he is a third baseman and right-handed pitcher. One of the top prospects on the East Coast, Perfect Game ranked him among the top 10 right-handed pitchers in New Jersey. He played on Tri-State Arsenal for coach Bob Barth and his fastball hits the low 90s. He has command of his breaking ball and he has the potential to step in immediately as an impact pitcher in the CAA.
“One of the top prospects on the east coast, Anthony possesses a 90+ mph fastball and outstanding secondary pitches,” Brown said. “In addition to being counted on to have a big role for us on the mound, his bat will give him the chance to be an impact two way player.”
