Four 2014 Mohawks Part of Kentucky's #25 Ranked Recruiting Class

Published on November 4, 2013 under Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL)
Amsterdam Mohawks News Release


The University of Kentucky's incoming freshman class was ranked as the 25th class nationally by Baseball America recently. Four 2014 Mohawks are included on that list.

Incoming Mohawks from UK:

SS Connor Heady

RHP Zach Brown

IF/OF JaVon Shelby

OF Marcus Carson

Story from Baseball America

25. KENTUCKY

Recruiting coordinator: Brad Bohannon. Total recruits: 12 (8 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).

National Rank

Name, Pos.

B-T

Ht.

Wt.

Drafted

Previous School

207

Robert Ziegler, rhp

R-R

6-4

205

Defiance (Ohio) HS

284

Connor Heady, ss

R-R

6-1

170

North Oldham HS, Goshen, Ky.

385

Zack Brown, rhp

L-R

6-2

180

Cubs (38)

Seymour (Ind.) HS

Spencer Jack, rhp

R-R

6-3

210

Glendale (Calif.) CC

JaVon Shelby, 2b/of

R-R

6-2

180

Brewers (37)

Tates Creek HS, Lexington, Ky.

Andrew Nelson, rhp

R-R

6-3

200

Cuesta (Calif.) JC

Ka'ai Tom, of

L-R

5-9

180

Fort Scott (Kan.) CC

Dominic D'Souza, rhp

R-R

6-1

190

San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) CC

Marcus Carson, of

L-L

5-8

165

North Laurel HS, London, Ky.

Logan Parrett, rhp

R-R

6-1

170

Woodford County HS, Versailles, Ky.

The Wildcats reeled in a strong group of arms for the second straight year, but the real gem of this class could be Heady, a rare polished shortstop out of the state of Bluegrass State. Heady has a pair of above-average tools in his speed and arm strength, and his swing is fundamentally sound, suggesting he has a chance to be a quality hitter when he gets stronger. Ziegler, the latest in a long line of quality pitching prospects to come out of Ohio's Defiance High, has a 12-to-6 hammer curveball, good feel for a changeup and a fastball that has touched 93 in the past, although the Wildcats were easing him into action this summer as he worked his way through some elbow soreness.Brown has electric raw stuff, with a fastball that reaches 94 and a low-80s breaking ball, but his lack of command and lack of a changeup should keep him in the bullpen as a freshman. Jack might be the front-runner to replace Trevor Gott as closer thanks to his ability to throw strikes with an 89-92 fastball and good slider, despite a violent delivery. Fellow California juco transfers Nelson and D'Souza add bullpen depth. Nelson is a dependable strike-thrower with an 87-90 sinker and a Frisbee slider from a three-quarters slot. The sidewinding D'Souza works around 86-88. Parrett, the son of ex-big leaguer Jeff Parrett, could be a late-bloomer as his body matures; he can reach the high 80s and has some feel for his slider. Shelby also has good bloodlines; older brother John was an all-SEC performer for UK and a fifth-round pick in 2006, and father John played in the major leagues. JaVon is a plus or better runner with loads of projection in his wiry frame and a chance to stick on the dirt at second base, though his athleticism would also play in the outfield. The compact Tom-the first Hawaiian ever to play for Kentucky-has a solid all-around tool set and should be a quality run producer in the No. 5 or No. 6 hole, with occasional speed and a lot of doubles. Carson is even smaller but provides plus-plus speed, giving him a chance to become a nice table-setter down the road.

The Wildcats and Mohawks have had a long history together with almost 20 players playing for Amsterdam over the years. Many drafted players from Kentucky have played in Amsterdam including:

Logan Darnell LHP 6th round pick currently in AAA

Chris Bisson SS 4th round pick played in AA

Braden Kapteyn RHP 15th round pick

Luke Maile C 8th round pick currently in A and Arizona Fall League

Chandler Shepherd- current junior at UK and perhaps their #1 starter this spring

Kyle Barrett OF- UKs leading hitter in 2013 and curently a sophomore

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