Rasmus.Biz  2007

Auburn Baseball Signs 15 During Early Signing Period

November 15, 2004

AUBURN - Auburn head baseball coach Tom Slater announced Monday the signing of 15 players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.  The class, which includes 11 high school and four junior college players, will join Auburn for the 2005-06 academic year.

"We're very happy with the recruiting class during the early signing period," Slater said. "I really like the blend this class has.  This class is full of great athletes.  Their athleticism will lend itself well to players playing multiple positions.  With the exception of the catchers, most of these guys play shortstop for their high school team and hit in the middle of the order.  The athleticism we've recruited will allow us to defend the field well and be athletic at every position.

"Chris Finwood and Matt Myers worked extremely hard in both evaluating and cultivating relationships with each of these young men.  They've done a phenomenal job of recruiting and I can't say enough about job they've done."

The class includes five players from the state of Alabama, three from Georgia, Florida and Virginia and one player from Louisiana.

"One of the things I am most excited about is that if you look at the makeup regionally of this recruiting class, we did a tremendous job in our own back yard," Slater said. "We have a lot of Alabama and Georgia players and a few players from the state of Florida.  I think we did an outstanding job getting the players in our area that we targeted and wanted.  In addition, to go Virginia and get three of the best players from that state, it also shows Auburn's ability to recruit nationally."

The class features four players - Brandon Monk, Zack Martin, Colby Rasmus, and Brian Woodall*that were teammates on the 1999 Phenix City (Ala.) team that won the U.S. Championship at the Little World Series and eventually finished second to Osaka, Japan.  Monk hails from LaGrange, Ga., Martin from Columbus, Ga., and Rasmus and Woodall call Phenix City, Ala., home.

Auburn's other in-state signees include: Evan Crawford of Prattville, Ryan Jenkins of Millbrook, and Cory Meacham of Marbury.  The Tigers' also signed Burt Barto of Columbus, Ga., Mike Bianucci of Fairfax, Va., Justin Bristow of Richmond, Va., Luke Greinke of Orlando, Fla., Will Inman of Danville, Va., Garrett Maines of Brandon, Fla., , Brian Peacock of Palmetto, Fla., and Peter Wiggins of Morgan City, La.

Brandon Monk, a 5-9, 185-pound infielder/right-handed pitcher, hit .412 with six home runs, 17 doubles and 33 runs batted in while helping LaGrange High School to the Georgia AAA State Championship last season.  Monk is listed by Baseball America as the 66th-ranked prospect.

"Brandon Monk is a winner.  He won a state championship this past season at LaGrange High School for coach Donnie Branch and was a member of the 1999 Phenix City Little League World Series team," Slater said. "He has great work ethic and is a tough competitor.  Brandon is an outstanding bat swinger and has plus arm strength across the infield. He reminds me of former Tigers' star (shortstop in 1997-98) Heath Kelly.  On the mound, Brandon's fastball will be 87-90 and he compliments it with a good curve ball."

A 6-3, 210-pound infielder from Columbus High School in Columbus, Ga., Zack Martin hit .417 with 10 doubles and 37 RBI as a junior while helping lead Columbus to the Georgia 6-A State Championship.

"Zack Martin is a physical left-handed hitter that can really swing the bat.  He plays with a lot of energy and loves to compete.  He comes from a great high school program at Columbus High School, which won the Georgia 6-A State championship last season under coach Bobby Howard, who was named the USA Today National High School Coach of the Year. Zack has impressed us with his work ethic and competitiveness."

Colby Rasmus, a 6-2, 175-pound outfielder/left-handed pitcher has been a four-year starter at Russell County High School.  As a junior, Rasmus hit .490 with 18 home runs and was 2-3 on the mound.  As a freshman, Rasmus tallied a 10-1 record with a 0.83 ERA while fanning 107 batters in just 76 innings.  Rasmus is rated the No. 28 high school prospect according to Baseball America.

"Colby is a very gifted hitter with gap-to-gap pop.  In addition to his hitting ability, Colby is an above average runner and has great arm strength.  He has been well coached by his dad, Tony Rasmus, at Russell County High School.  We love Colby's competitiveness and work ethic."

Brian Woodall, the fourth member of the 1999 Phenix City Little League World Series team, is a 5-10, 175-pound pitcher from Central High School in Phenix City, Ala.  Woodall, who was the winning pitcher in the 1999 U.S. Little League World Series Championship game, was an All-BiCity Team and all-area recipient as a junior at Central High School.  Woodall was 8-1 with three saves and a 1.68 ERA last season.  He also fanned 80 batters in 63 innings and hit .414 with two home runs, 16 doubles, 32 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

"Brian is a tough competitor who attended our Labor Day Showcase Camp.  Brian pitches for head coach Ron Nelson at Central High School in Phenix City, which also produced former Auburn star pitcher Bryan Hebson.  Brian is 86-89 with his fastball and really spins the curveball well.  He's a good athlete, who also plays football for Central and is another member of the 1999 Little League World Series team."

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