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Steckenrider, considered one of nation's top recruits, to play baseball for UT
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Momentum appears to be gaining steam for University of Tennessee baseball recruiting.
First came the news Cody Hawn of South-Doyle and Walters State would be enrolling this fall. Then came word an AFLAC High School All-American has committed.
Drew Steckenrider of Lawrenceville, Ga., is the newest 2010 commitment for the Vols.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound outfielder/pitcher is heading into his senior year at Greater Atlanta Christian High School and considered one of the top recruits in the nation.
"He’s that natural kid," GAC coach Cliff Shelton said. "He’s 6-4 and has potential to be huge. He has quick feet and all the intangibles you wish all your players had."
Most people project Steckenrider as an outfielder, but Shelton thinks pitching might be his future.
"Everybody talks about his hitting, but I think his greatest strength is as a pitcher," he said. "He throws 90 with great control and great off-speed stuff."
Steckenrider is currently in Los Angeles to compete for the East team in Saturday’s AFLAC All-American game.
He picked the Vols ahead of Ole Miss, Clemson, Florida and North Carolina.
As a junior, Steckenrider hit .387 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. The righthander also had a 1.17 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched.
"He’s definitely the real deal," Shelton said.
Former Vol dies: Marcus Dee Dee Cannon, a former Tennessee player in the early 1990’s, died July 24 and was buried last week in Nashville. He was 38.
Cannon graduated from Brentwood Academy in 1988, spent two years at Chipola Junior College and landed at UT for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. He was a utility outfielder who played in nine games as a junior and 25 games as a senior, hitting .259 with one home run and six RBIs.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by TommyJack on August 8, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
6'4", 200#, huh? Hmmm
Posted by utvolz on August 8, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep em' coming to UT coach!
Frank in Miami
Posted by byobbio on August 8, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can he play DT?
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on August 8, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!!!! Funny how all these top players keep comitting to Todd Raliegh despite his "tough" coaching.
Posted by SemperVol on August 8, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
byobbio--clever. I like it.
Posted by GoshDarnGoodFootballPlayer on August 8, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe a top notch player would play for such a jerk coach.
*rolls eyes*
Keep up the good work Coach Raleigh.
Posted by WVVOLFAN on August 8, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i hope he can keep him.
Posted by EricBerryIsYourFather on August 8, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't get your hopes up. This kid is getting drafted.
Posted by smitbo7 on August 8, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Question is... Will he be drafted high enough that he will sign a major league contract right out of high school? Still great that coach makes an impact on a kid to get him to commit to UT. Well done Todd.
Posted by Vol2Die4nLC on August 8, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he's that good, he will never see the ballfield at U.T. !!!!!!!! Another one that we will lose to the draft !!!!!!!
Posted by tnvolfan30 on August 9, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What's up with everyone and the pessimistic views of the baseball program?? Raleigh has been here for one season and now you guys want to crucify him??? Delmonico is gone and it takes time to mold a new system. And just because someone commits doesn't mean they are going to get drafted before they set foot on campus. Either have some hope for the future or pick something else to watch.
Posted by jawbreaker on August 9, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
6'4", 90 mph fastball with great control and great off-speed stuff? It's a miracle if he ever makes it to campus; but, maybe the kid will not be ready or will want to have the "college experience", or maybe the dollar signs will just not be big enough.
Posted by JohnAdamsIsTrash on August 9, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like Coach is getting this thing turned around. We probably will never see this kid though. These type of player always sign pro contracts.
Posted by RichRollin on August 9, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Give coach Raleigh a break, the guy is busting his Ba!!s to put a winning product on the feild. I'm a huge baseball fan, so I'm pulling for coach.
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on August 9, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think most of these comments are being said in jest. It's in response to the 2 or 3 idiots that complain about Raleigh and his so-called tough tactics.
More likely, they (or their kids) were not offered a scholly by Raleigh.
BOJ
Posted by BAMABLOWS on August 10, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i said it before and ill say it again, give coach a couple of years and we will be competing for championships . GO DIAMOND VOLS !!!!!!!
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