Steamers Juice their Battery
March 21, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, NC - The Edenton Steamers have added three pieces to their battery this summer with the signings of Sam Higgs, Thatcher Coleman and Josh Whisler.
Higgs, a junior from Western Kentucky University of the Sun Belt Conference, stands 6'0" and 190 pounds. The Henderson, KY native spent the 2015 summer with the Terre Haute Rex of the Prospect League, making nine starts in 10 appearances. The right-hander hurled 61 innings, including one complete game, while maintaining a perfect 7-0 record with 43 strikeouts and only 14 walks. Higgs held a league-best 0.67 ERA while limiting opposing hitters to a .203 batting average and .250 slugging figure. He is one of a bevy of 2016 spring relievers who could be vying for a spot in the Clams' summer rotation. When he is right, Higgs features a quality starter's mix and command, and will get groundballs in bunches. Coming off a splendid developmental summer when he won the Prospect League ERA crown, Higgs is doing yeoman's work as an effective, multi-inning, long reliever in the Hilltopper bullpen so far this season. To date he has recorded 20.1 innings through nine appearances with a 1.13 WHIP, .247 batting average and .301 slugging mark against.
Thatcher Coleman comes to Edenton from the Presbyterian College (SC) Blue Hose of the Big South Conference. The redshirt-sophomore is an outfielder and catcher, but he is sitting out this spring due to NCAA Division I transfer rules. Coleman stands 5'9" 185 pounds and hails from Bishopville, SC. He spent the 2015 summer with the New Market Rebels of the Valley League where he slashed .314/.402/.505/.907 and racked up a whopping 17 doubles in 105 at bats, which led the Valley. Coleman is a former transfer from Spartanburg Methodist College (SC) before he redshirted at the University of South Carolina in 2015. He can flat out hit. Coleman's athleticism and versatility, both in an outfield corner as well as behind the plate, should help keep his bat in the lineup and give him a chance to make an impact in the Steamers' order this summer.
Josh Whisler joins the Teal and Black from Wichita State University (KS) in the Missouri Valley Conference. The redshirt-sophomore stands 5'11" 195 pounds. This spring, the Shockers' catcher is not on the active roster due to a medical redshirt. The Owasso, OK native was brought in as a premium recruit for the NBC World Series last summer by the Valley Center Diamond Dawgs, and he was a shot in the arm in the middle of their lineup. A former transfer from Eastern Oklahoma State College, Whisler played the 2015 spring at Fort Scott Community College with previously announced returning Steamer second baseman Trey Hair, now at the University of Evansville. Last spring at Fort Scott, the switch-hitter slashed heavy with .384/.444./.594/1.038 averages, 23 BB to 30 SO, 16 doubles, 10 homers and 76 RBI in 61 games. Whisler was also solid defensively, throwing out 29.6 percent of opposing base-stealers and committed just three passed balls.
Despite neither actively competing this spring due to redshirts, Coleman and Whisler should come to Edenton ready to hit from the outset given their experienced backgrounds, natural offensive ability and professional approaches. The expectation of their hunger to get after it after sitting this spring also cannot be understated, and both have a chance to impact the middle of the Teal and Black lineup this summer. Higgs is another proven, experienced and versatile arm for Coach Hill to deploy this summer, to include a shot at sticking in the rotation.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 81 of those - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.
Coastal Plain League Stories from March 21, 2016
- Steamers Juice their Battery - Edenton Steamers
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