Baseball: Van Zant Signs Nine
November 24, 2003 07:30 PM | General
November 24, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University baseball coach Greg Van Zant today announced the signing of nine players during the early signing period.
“This could be one of our top recruiting class since I’ve been here,” says Van Zant. “We needed pitching and signed three quality lefthanders and one of the top righthanders in the country. We needed infielders and were able to sign four, a third baseman, two shortstops and a first baseman. We also found a good young catcher in Mike Schmidt, one of the best prospects in Pennsylvania.”
The group consists of four players from the state of West Virginia, two from Pennsylvania, two from Connecticut and one from Kentucky.
A complete alphabetical list of the nine early signees follows along with some of their credentials and comments from Van Zant.
Michael Burger (Blackhawk High) 1B, 6-1, 210
Pure hitter who hits for power … plays 1B but is fast and athletic enough to play a corner outfield position … has a good stroke that is strong the ball jumps off his bat … played with Blackhawk American Legion Team that won the Pennsylvania state championship … could be a middle of the lineup power hitter for WVU … attended 2003 WVU Fall Baseball Camp … hometown is Beaver Falls, Pa.
Burger Stats in 2003: 70 AB, .386 BA, 5HR, 32 RBI
Van Zant on Burger: “We are very fortunate to sign a power hitter the caliber of Mike. He could be something special for us at the plate as a Mountaineer.”
Kenny Durst (Point Pleasant High) LHP, 6-0, 185
Very competitive LHP with a mid-80s fastball and good curveball … throws a lot of strikes … excellent mound presence … has the chance to pitch as a freshman … 2003 team MVP and all-SEOAL for Mason County Post 23 American Legion Team … plans on majoring in Engineering at WVU … attended 2002 WVU Winter Baseball Camp … hometown is Point Pleasant, W.Va.
Durst Stats in 2003: 11-2, 2.07 ERA, 81 IP, 141 K
Van Zant on Durst: “Kenny Durst is an excellent addition to our pitching staff. He throws a lot of strikes and is difficult to hit.”
Ryan Gisolfi (Norwalk High) LHP, 6-2, 225
Big, strong LHP with a good arm … throws a mid 80s fastball with a good curveball … high school teammate of signee Mark Wyner … will challenge for innings as a freshman … played for Norwalk Post 12 American Legion Team … played in Perfect Game Northeast Showcase at Cape Cod over the summer … All-State selection in 2003 … Attended the 2003 Mountaineer Fall Baseball Camp … plans on majoring in finance … hometown is Norwalk, Conn.
Gisolfi Stats in 2003: 3-2, 3.38 ERA, 38 IP, 40 K
Van Zant on Gisolfi: “Signing Ryan is a big plus for our pitching staff. He is very talented on the mound and could pitch in big games for us as a freshman.”
Justin Jenkins (Potomac State JC) 3B, 6-2, 200
Very athletic corner infielder who has a chance to become an excellent hitter … plays 3B and hits in the middle of the lineup for Potomac State … above average defensive infielder with very good hands … power potential at the plate … runs well for a big guy … named NJCAA 1st team All-Region 20 … JC coach is former WVU assistant Doug Little … hometown is Ridgeley, W.Va.
Jenkins Stats in 2003: 46 G, .413 BA, 4HR, 34 RBI, 12 SB
Van Zant on Jenkins: “Justin is a quality infielder who comes to us from one of the top junior college programs in the country.”
Tyler Kuhn (Trinity High) SS, 5-10, 165
Outstanding young infielder … arguably the best middle infielder in the senior class in Kentucky … above average runner who can steal some bases … very good hands in the field with potential to play 2B early in his career … Left-handed hitter who could hit for a high average … played in Kentucky East-West All-Star game for juniors … hit three home runs in one game at Trinity … attended 2003 WVU Summer Baseball Overnight Camp … hometown is Louisville, Kent.
Kuhn Stats in 2003: 28 G, .495 BA, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 10 SB
Van Zant on Kuhn: “Tyler is the type of infielder that we like to sign – good hands, fast runner, left-handed hitter with some bat speed.”
Mike Schmidt (Bethel Park High) C, 6-2, 200
Big, strong, talented catcher with good hands and a strong arm … throws 1.8 to 2.0 sec. on steal attempts … has a chance to be an offensive catcher … strong hitter who can hit the ball out of the park … named WPIAL all-Section in 2003 … selected for Keystone State Games and played for the NABF World Series championship team …hometown is Bethel Park, Pa.
Schmidt Stats in 2003: 20 G, .444 BA, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 54 AB
Van Zant on Schmidt: “Mike has a bright future ahead of him behind the plate and in the batters box. We are happy his future is at West Virginia University.”
Dusty Woodring (Allegany JC, Md.) SS, 5-11, 170
Slick fielding shortstop with great actions … above average runner who led off for Allegany JC … very good hitter who has the ability to hit for a high average … named 1st team all-Region 20 shortstop in 2003 … JC coach is legendary Steve Bazarnic … hometown is Philipsburg, Pa.
Woodring Stats in 2003: 51 G, .379 BA, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 17 SB
Van Zant on Woodring: “Dusty is an excellent lead-off hitter and shortstop, both of which we’re looking for. We are elated he will be a Mountaineer next year.”
Mark Wyner (Norwalk High) RHP, 6-6, 225
One of the top RHP on the East Coast … throws a hard, heavy fastball in the 88-92mph range … high school teammate of signee Ryan Gisolfi … could make a big contribution to the WVU pitching staff as a freshman … plays for Norwalk Post 12 American Legion Team … was selected to pitch in prestigious East Coast Professional Baseball Showcase in Wilmington, N.C. this past summer … No. 1 rated player in state of Conn. by Perfect Game … all-State pitcher in 2003 … hometown is Norwalk, Conn.
Wyner Stats in 2003: 7-2, 1.38 ERA, 61 IP, 77 K
Van Zant on Wyner: “Mark is one of the best right-handed pitching prospects we have signed since I have been at WVU. He has a chance to be a very good pitcher for us.”
Matt Yurish (Hedgesville High) LHP, 6-2, 200
Big, strong LHP with a high upside … throws a mid-80s fastball and has a solid curve ball … excellent, loose arm action … expected to contribute as a freshman … plays for the Charles Town American Legion Post 71 Team … also played quarterback for high school football team … chose WVU over Richmond and N.C. State … plans on majoring in political science … hometown is Martinsburg, W.Va.
Yurish Stats in 2003: 4-4, 2.12 ERA, 43 IP, 81 K
Van Zant on Yurish: “We are extremely excited to sign Matt. He has a chance to pitch right away for us.”
“We may add another couple of pitchers and hitters in the spring,” adds Van Zant. “It should be a lot of fun watching this group of players develop in our program.”
