Cincinnati native Drew Schmidt, plays for his hometown Musketeers. Last season he batted .320 with 73 hits and 52 runs scored as the Musketeers made their first appearance in the Regionals last year. With the 2010 season still remaining, Schmidt already ranks in the top ten in school history in runs, walks and hit by pitches. His brother Zach is an assistant coach with the team. Check out his blog here.
Spotlight
Player of the Week James Simmons UC Riverside
It’s interesting the way a little “pub”
and recognition courtesy of the Cape Cod Summer League can
be the ticket to nationwide attention. University of California
– Riverside junior right hander James Simmons is getting
a taste after being named the Most Valuable Player for the
Cotuit Kettleers after posting a miniscule 1.18 earned run
average (ERA) in 53 1/3 innings pitched. That performance
added Simmons to numerous lofty lists.
Simmons was named one of the league’s top-10 prospects
by Baseball America, earned a preseason 2nd team All-American
nod from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, a slot on the preseason
All-Ping! 2nd team, and was added to the “watch”
lists for the Roger Clemens and Brooks Wallace Awards for
the country’s top collegiate pitcher and player, respectively.
In 2006, Simmons led the way for the Highlander pitching
staff, starting 16 games with a 9-5 record, 2.96 ERA, and
94 strikeouts in a team-high 109 1/3 innings pitched. Particularly
impressive is Simmons ability to get the ball over the plate
as he issued just 19 bases on balls last year. For his efforts,
Simmons was named 2nd-team All Big West Conference.
As a freshman, the strapping right hander gave UC-Riverside
a taste of his future success as Simmons made six appearances
– all starts – and went 3-1 with a nifty 2.95
ERA. Simmons gave the Highlanders a preview of his future
success, allowing just four walks in 36 2/3 innings pitched.
Simmons has not allowed the attention and accolades affect
his performance thus far in 2007. After six starts, Simmons
is 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA in a team-high 40 2/3 innings. Simmons
continues to pound the strike zone with 42 punch outs and
just nine free passes, but is missing more bats in his junior
campaign as opposing batters have managed just 30 base hits
and are hitting just .205 overall.
Simmons is hoping to help the Highlanders right the ship
after a recent slide, as UC-Riverside is just 2-6 after a
9-3 run to open the 2007 season.
It’s interesting the way a little “pub”
and recognition courtesy of the Cape Cod Summer League can
be the ticket to nationwide attention. University of California
– Riverside junior right hander James Simmons is getting
a taste after being named the Most Valuable Player for the
Cotuit Kettleers after posting a miniscule 1.18 earned run
average (ERA) in 53 1/3 innings pitched. That performance
added Simmons to numerous lofty lists.
