Nov. 24, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -
The University of North Carolina baseball program continued its strong showing on the recruiting trail by signing 16 of the nation's top prep baseball student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, head coach Mike Fox announced Tuesday. Included in this class are five of the nation's top 50 prospects and seven of the top 20 players in the state of North Carolina, according to various rankings.
The 16 student-athletes will enroll at UNC in August 2010 and will take the field for the Tar Heels in the 2011 season.
"We are very excited about this recruiting class. Coach Forbes, Coach Jackson and Coach McCay did a wonderful job putting this group together," said Fox. "Chad Flack, our undergraduate assistant coach last season, also deserves credit as he spoke to many of these young men on their visits and gave them great perspective on being a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina.
"My assistants work very, very hard at recruiting, and this class is evidence of their continued efforts to keep our program at the highest level. We believe we have met many of our needs for the future with this group."
On the national level, Carolina has signed five of the nation's top 50 players according to Perfect Game USA: No. 8 Stetson Allie (Infielder/Right-hander, Olmstead Falls, Ohio), No. 37 Andrew Smith (Right-hander, Roswell, Ga.) No. 39 Connor Narron (Infielder, Goldsboro, N.C.), No. 47 Sean Coyle (Infielder, Chalfont, Pa.) and No. 49 Jake Cole (Right-hander, Tuscon, Ariz.).
UNC also landed five of Baseball America's top 100 high school prospects - Allie, Coyle, Narron, Smith and Matt Roberts (catcher, Graham, N.C.). Carolina is one of only five programs to sign at least five of the top 100 with Florida, LSU, Miami and San Diego joining the Tar Heels in this exclusive group.
The Tar Heels also continued their success in the Old North State by inking five of the state's top 12 players and seven of the top 20 in the early period, according to various rankings. In addition to Narron, who is rated No. 1 in North Carolina by Perfect Game, Roberts is ranked as the state's No. 1 prospect by Impact Baseball.
According to Perfect Game, other top-20 North Carolina prospects signing with the Tar Heels include: No. 6 Parks Jordan (Infielder, Winston-Salem, N.C.), No. 11 Hobbs Johnson (Left-hander, Rocky Mount, N.C.), No. 17 Tate Parrish (Left-hander/Utility, Smithfield, N.C.), No. 19 Jeff Bouton (Outfielder, Wilmington, N.C.) and No. 20 Brian Holberton (Catcher, Charlotte, N.C.).
Outside North Carolina, the Tar Heels signed nine players from five different states, including the top player in Ohio (Allie) and Arizona (Cole).
In Coyle, the brother of UNC freshman Tommy Coyle, UNC landed the No. 2 player in Pennsylvania. Rye, N.Y., infielder Colin Moran, the brother of former Carolina All-America Brian Moran, also signed with UNC and is ranked as the No. 10 player in New York.
The Tar Heels continued their success in the Northeast, signing three of New Jersey's top seven players: No. 3 Jordan Tabkaman (Right-hander, Pompton Plains, N.J.), No. 4 Thomas Zengel (First Baseman/Outfielder, High Bridge, N.J.) and No. 7 Shane Taylor (Right-hander, Mullica Hill, N.J.).
Carolina also added two of the top players in Georgia: Smith, who is ranked No. 6 in the state, and No. 39 Kent Emanuel, a left-hander out of Woodstock, Ga.
2010 NORTH CAROLINA BASEBALL SIGNEES
| Name |
Hometown (High School) | Pos. | Ht./Wt. |
| Stetson Allie | Olmstead Falls, Ohio (St. Edward) | IF/RHP |
6-4/225 |
Jeff Bouton | Wilmington, N.C. (Hoggard) | OF |
6-1/205 |
Jake Cole | Tuscon, Ariz. (Sahuaro) | RHP |
6-3/220 |
Sean Coyle | Chalfont, Pa. (Germantown Academy) | IF |
5-8/170 |
Kent Emanuel | Woodstock, Ga. (Woodstock) | LHP |
6-4/180 |
Brian Holberton | Charlotte, N.C. (Myers Park) | C |
5-10/180 |
Hobbs Johnson | Rocky Mount, N.C. (Rocky Mount) | LHP |
6-0/190 |
Parks Jordan | Winston-Salem, N.C. (Glenn) | IF |
6-1/175 |
Colin Moran | Rye, N.Y. (Iona Prep) | 1B/3B |
6-3/175 |
Connor Narron | Goldsboro, N.C. (C.B. Ayock) | IF |
6-3/190 |
Tate Parrish | Smithfield, N.C. (Smithfield-Selma) | LHP/1B/OF |
6-0/170 |
Matt Roberts | Graham, N.C. (Graham) | C |
6-1/195 |
Andrew Smith | Roswell, Ga. (Roswell) | RHP |
6-2/190 |
Jordan Tabakman | Pompton Plains, N.J. (Pequannock Township) | RHP |
6-4/200 |
Shane Taylor | Mullica Hill, N.J. (Clearview Regional) | RHP |
6-1/175 |
Thomas Zengel | High Bridge, N.J. (North Hunterdon) | 1B/OF |
5-11/190 |
Stetson Allie, Olmstead Falls, Ohio, St. Edward, IF/RHP, 6-4/225
Athletic corner infielder hits for average and power from the right side • On the mound, hard-throwing right-hander pitches in the upper 90s • Rated as the nation's No. 8 prospect and the No. 1 player in Ohio by Perfect Game • Also ranked No. 8 by Baseball America • Named a preseason All-America by Perfect Game • Selected for the 2009 Aflac All-America High School Classic at PETCO Park • Perfect Game National Showcase participant • Coached by Danny Allie, his father, at St. Edward High School.
Jeff Bouton, Wilmington, N.C., Hoggard, OF, 6-1/205
Physical right-handed hitter that can really run • Athletic outfielder • Rated the No. 14 prospect in North Carolina by Impact Baseball • Also ranked No. 20 in the state by Perfect Game and No. 442 nationally • Three-year letterman and team captain as a senior • Earned Perfect Game All-America honorable mention honors • North Carolina State Games participant • Ranks in the top 10 percent of high school class and has been a member of the "A" honor roll all six semesters • Brother is a senior right-hander at Wake Forest • Plays for coach Jeep St. Ledger at Hoggard High School.
Jake Cole, Tuscon, Ariz., Sahuaro, RHP, 6-3/220
Strike-thrower with an outstanding sinking fastball that reaches the low 90s • Can also swing bat with power • Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Arizona by Perfect Game and No. 4 by Rivals • Also rated No. 49 nationally by Perfect Game • Earned first-team all-star honors from the Arizona Daily Star and Tuscon Citizen in 2009 after claiming second-team honors in 2008 • Team captain in 2009 • Also a standout hockey player that was drafted by the WHL's Portland Winterhawks in the 2006 supplemental player draft • Member of the National Honor Soceity and an honor roll student • Coached by Mark Chandler at Sahuaro High School.
Sean Coyle, Chalfont, Pa., Germantown Academy, IF, 5-8/170
Versatile infielder can really run • Plays the game at a high level with intensity and grit • Rated the No. 2 prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 47 national prospect by Perfect Game • Also ranked No. 44 by Baseball America • Named Won a gold medal with the U.S. Under-18 National Team in the Pan Am Games • Earned first-team All-Area Code honors at the Area Code Games Showcase • 2009 All-Philadelphia Daily News selection and two-time All-Intelligencer and Times Herald pick • Brother of Carolina freshman Tommy Coyle • Coached by John Duffy at Germantown Academy.
Kent Emanuel, Woodstock, Ga., Woodstock, LHP, 6-4/180
Owns outstanding pitchability and loves to compete • Outstanding athlete • Ranked as the No. 39 prospect in Georgia and the No. 493 prospect in the country by Perfect Game • All-county and all-region pick as a junior in 2009 and was named Cherokee County male athlete of the year • Participated in the East Coast Professional Showcase • Named county pitcher of the year and earned all-county honors as a sophomore • Also a standout basketball player • Three-year member of the honor roll and won the Superintendent's Key Scholar Award as a junior • Plays for coach Scott Krug at Woodstock High School.
Brian Holberton, Charlotte, N.C., Myers Park, C, 5-10/180
Hard-nosed catcher that loves to compete • Left-handed hitter with a lot of power • Rated as the No. 12 prospect in North Carolina by Impact Baseball and No. 20 in the state by Perfect Game • Three-time All-Southwestern 4A selection • Earned All-Charlotte Observer honors in 2008 and 2009 • Named team MVP and conference tournament MVP in 2009 • Set batting average record for the South Charlotte Panthers in the summer of 2008 • Plays for coach Bobby Simmons at Myers Park High School.
Hobbs Johnson, Rocky Mount, N.C., Rocky Mount, LHP, 6-0/190
Lefty with outstanding delivery and polished stuff • Has won big games in high school and summer ball • Rated as the No. 9 prospect in North Carolina by Impact Baseball and the No. 10 player in the state by Perfect Game • Also ranked No. 319 nationally by Perfect Game • Two-time all-state and three-time all-conference selection • Three-time team MVP • Named the 2008 WWBA Pitching MVP • Also played basketball, football and soccer • Three-year member of the "A-B" honor roll • Played for coach Pat Smith at Rocky Mount High School.
Parks Jordan, Winston-Salem, N.C., Glenn, IF, 6-1/175
Left-handed hitter with a great swing and polished approach • Versatile infielder with great instincts • Ranked the No. 6 prospect in North Carolina by Perfect Game and No. 21 in the state by Impact Baseball • Rated No. 237 nationally • Two-time all-state pick and three-time all-conference honoree • Named 2009 Piedmont Triad 3A Conference Player of the Year • 2009 North Carolina State Games participant • Earned 2009 All-America honors from Perfect Game • Plays for coach John Fowler at Glenn High School.
Colin Moran, Rye, N.Y., Iona Prep, 1B/3B, 6-3/175
Can hit for power and average • Has great actions at third base and plays the game with great ease • Ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the state of New York and the No. 486 prospect nationally by Perfect Game • Younger brother of former Tar Heel All-America reliever Brian Moran • Plays for coach Fred Gallo at Iona Prep.
Connor Narron, Goldsboro, N.C., C.B. Ayock, IF, 6-3/190
Great defensive hands on the left side of the infield • Switch hitter with power from both sides • Ranked as the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina by Perfect Game and the state's No. 2 player by Impact Baseball • Also rated No. 39 nationally by Perfect Game • Also ranked No. 73 by Baseball America • Named AFLAC All-America selection • Participated in the East Coast Showcase as a sophomore and junior • Led team to 2007 North Carolina 3A state title • Father Jerry Narron played in the major leagues from 1979-89 and later managed the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds • Plays for coach Charles Davis at C.B. Aycock High School.
Tate Parrish, Smithfield, N.C., Smithfield-Selma, LHP/1B/OF, 6-0/170
Big-time competitor on the mound • Right-handed bat has power potential at the college level • Can play both first base and the outfield and has a strong arm on the mound • Versatile performer is rated North Carolina's No. 11 prospect by Impact Baseball and ranks No. 17 according to Perfect Game • Ranked No. 413 nationally by Perfect Game • All-state selection and a three-time all-conference honoree • Named conference's most valuable pitcher as a junior • North Carolina State Games participant • Plays for coach Mike Joyner at Smithfield-Selma High School.
Matt Roberts, Graham, N.C., Graham, C, 6-1/195
Can catch and throw as well as any catcher in the country • Durable backstop handles pitchers very well • Regarded as North Carolina's No. 1 prospect by Impact Baseball and is ranked No. 3 in the state by Perfect Game • Ranked No. 78 nationally by Baseball America • Also rated No. 182 in the country by Perfect Game • Earned all-state honors and was named conference player of the year as a junior • Two-time all-conference selection • Participated in the East Coast Showcase • Member of the "A-B" honor roll • Plays for coach Kevin Bedard at Graham High School.
Andrew Smith, Roswell, Ga., Roswell, RHP, 6-2/190
Owns a polished approach on the mound with a great feel for pitching • Fastball can touch 93 mph and owns a hard breaking curve ball • Ranked as the No. 6 prospect in Georgia and No. 37 nationally by Perfect Game • Also ranked No. 79 by Baseball America • Named Earned 2009 Under Armour All-America honors and played in the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field • Claimed preseason All-America honors from both Under Armour and Perfect Game in 2009 • East Coast Showcase participant • Honor roll student and a 2009 AP scholar • Played for coach Mike Powers at Roswell High School.
Jordan Tabakman, Pompton Plains, N.J., Pequannock Township, RHP, 6-4/200
Tall, physical right-hander is an outstanding athlete and competitor • Fastball touches the low 90s with an outstanding change up • Rated the No. 3 prospect in New Jersey and the No. 230 national prospect by Perfect Game • Preseason Perfect Game All-America and a Max Prep first-team All-America selection • All-state selection as a junior and helped lead team to state title • Three-time all-conference and all-county pick • Morris County Player of the Year as a junior • Area Code Games participant • Tossed three straight shutouts, totaling 25 scoreless innings • Coached by Bill Arata at Pequannock Township High School.
Shane Taylor, Mullica Hill, N.J., Clearview Regional, RHP, 6-1/175
Right-hander has a quick arm and sinking fastball that reaches the low 90s • Compliments with a hard, late slider • Ranked as the No. 7 prospect in New Jersey and the No. 360 nationally by Perfect Game • Two-time all-county and all-conference choice • Struck out 70 batters in just 41 innings as a junior • Ranks No. 7 in a class of 375 and a member of the National Honor Society • Plays for coach Rocco Cornacchia at Clearview Regional.
Thomas Zengel, High Bridge, N.J., North Hunterdon, 1B/OF, 5-11/190
Polished lefty bat with a great swing and approach • Above average runner • Rated New Jersey's No. 4 player and the nation's No. 240 prospect by Perfect Game • All-state, all-area and All-West Jersey selection • Owns school's single-season records for hits, home runs and extra-base hits • Will represent New Jersey for the third time at the World Power Showcase at Tropicana Field • Named MVP of the Under-16 WWBA national championship • Coached by Parker Snare at North Hunterdon High School.
