Baseball: Agreste Named to Top Prospects List
October 20, 2009 01:19 PM | General
By Steve Stone for MSNsportsNET.com
October 20, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Former West Virginia University baseball player Joe Agreste has been tabbed as the seventh-best Independent League prospect by Baseball America, the North Carolina-based publication announced.
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| Former Mountaineer Joe Agreste has his sights set on a Major League organization.
Gateway Grizzlies Photo |
Agreste, who was a standout first baseman at WVU from 2008-09, was named the Gateway Grizzlies Newcomer of the Year this past season. The Chesapeake, Va., native batted .303 with five home runs, 33 RBIs, 18 doubles, four triples and 35 runs scored. He also committed just three errors in 46 games at first base.
"Joe Agreste is a great young talent," said Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren. "He has clearly made the transition from aluminum to wood with no setbacks. His approach at the plate is further along than his age might dictate."
Agreste was among the team’s leaders in nearly every category, including on-base percentage (.402) and slugging percentage (.537). He drew praise from several Major League scouts while playing in the Frontier League because of his defensive ability, his speed (6.7 in the 60-yard dash) and having a smooth, natural left-handed swing.
"He was here early and here late. He had a good left-handed swing and a good approach – a lot better then most kids you see his age," Warren added.
In his two-year career at WVU, Agreste batted .314 with 11 home runs, 96 RBIs, 30 doubles, eight triples and 118 hits in 105 games. He earned all-Big East third team honors in 2008, and was an integral part of WVU’s recording-breaking 2009 team that set school marks for batting average (.360), RBIs (491), doubles (161), extra base hits (242) and runs scored (525).
In 2006, he was drafted out of Potomac State by the Seattle Mariners in the 32nd round before opting to attend WVU for his final two seasons.
"As well as he is doing now, he will only do better once he reaches his body's strength potential and is able to pull the inside pitch with authority consistently, Warren continued. "He is the first player on the field and the last to leave. He works harder than anyone else. He is a great clubhouse presence and a great example for the rest of the team to emulate.
“I am excited to see what the future holds for Joe and his career playing baseball. I firmly believe he is deserving of his rank on the Baseball America list."
Agreste is tied for third on WVU’s single-season triples list, and is tied for seventh on the school’s career list despite playing just two seasons.
All 10 of Baseball America’s 2008 Independent League prospects are now playing in a Major League Baseball organization, with many of them reaching the upper levels of the Minor Leagues.
