#TCCBaseball announces 2016 signing class, opens fall season Saturday
Fall 2016 Schedule | Fall 2016 Roster
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 15, 2016) - Tallahassee Community College head baseball coach Mike McLeod has announced his 2016 signing class. The announcement comes on the eve of Saturday’s “fall ball” opener, a doubleheader in Marianna, Fla., at the annual Chipola Fall Classic.
Tallahassee will play a pair of games on Saturday – 4 p.m. vs. Polk State College and 6:30 p.m. vs. St. Johns River State College.
McLeod, who is embarking on his 27th season as the Eagles’ head coach, welcomes 18 new signees, who will join rising sophomore returnees Brooks Buckler (RHP/Norcross, Ga.), Nick Marchese (RHP/Plantation, Fla.), Octavio Marin (RHP/Miami, Fla.), Bret Maxwell (C/St. Petersburg, Fla.), Myron Mebane (OF/Tallahassee, Fla.), Josh Nothdorft (2B/Tallahassee, Fla.) and Deyvid Silva (SS/Miami, Fla.).
The class features 12 signees from Florida, including Tallahassee’s own Jake Hunkiar, a graduate of Chiles High School, four from Georgia and two from Pennsylvania.
Here’s a closer look at the Eagles’ 2016 signing class:
Zach Barker (Chiefland, Fla./Chiefland HS)
Coach McLeod on Barker: “He’s a left-handed strike thrower with a high upside, velocity is currently 85-86; has a great feel for his changeup and his breaking ball will continue to get better. He’s a tremendous student and quality guy, and we’re excited to have him coming into our program.”
Malik Barrington (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood HS)
Coach McLeod on Barrington: “He’s a big, strong athletic pitcher, has a plus breaking ball right now. With time, his velocity (currently mid-80s) will catch up with his body, and he should develop into a low 90s guy before he leaves Tallahassee. He enjoyed a highly successful high school career, which shows he has great instincts for winning.”
Nick Blasucci (Ft. Myers, Fla./Riverdale HS/Florida Gulf Coast University)
Coach McLeod on Blasucci: “He’s a great athlete, has tremendous arm strength. I’m looking forward to watching him develop as a pitcher. I had the good fortune to coach his father (the late Tony Blasucci) at Florida State, who was a great guy and had a great arm. I know the fruit won’t fall far from the tree.”
Peter Bozek (Sarasota, Fla./Riverview HS)
Coach McLeod on Bozek: “He’s coming off a tremendous high school career in which he beat perennial power Sarasota High School twice. He’s a crafty left-hander who throws strikes, is a tremendous student in the classroom, and he’s a great addition to the program.”
Chris Clark (St. Petersburg, Fla./Northeast HS)
Coach McLeod on Clark: “Chris is a tremendous athlete, runner, and thrower who’s continuing to improve at the plate. After taking a redshirt year, he’s come back faster and stronger than ever, and it could really pay off.”
Christian Dearman (Pembroke Pines, Fla./West Broward HS/Anderson University)
Coach McLeod on Dearman: “Christian has a good, strong body and a highly intelligent mind. He will be able to come in and throw strikes and help us in many ways – out of the bullpen or as a starter. He has the type of stuff that can get outs in either role. He’s a great student and we’re delighted to have him. He’s a nice addition to the TCC staff.”
Brennan Goodson (Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta HS/Valdosta State University)
Coach McLeod on Goodson: “He’s a strong-armed catcher with a lot of power at the plate. Brennan just needs to bear down and continue to develop as an all-around player.”
Jack Hartman (Peachtree City, Ga./McIntosh HS)
Coach McLeod on Hartman: “Jack is a big body who has soft hands and a great arm. He can play multiple positions (1B, 3B, SS, OF) and can be a big-time hitter. He’s an outstanding student – as good as it gets. He comes from a baseball family, his father played at Yavapai College.”
Jake Hunkiar (Tallahassee, Fla./Chiles HS)
Coach McLeod on Hunkiar: “Jake was a late bloomer out of Chiles High School. He has a fantastic arm and a great feel for the breaking ball. He continues to throw harder and harder as he develops.”
Casey Keller (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Preparatory School)
Coach McLeod on Keller: “Casey is a tremendous athlete, he’s a two-way guy (P/INF). Lefty hitter, just has a great baseball IQ. His father (Clyde) pitched for me at Florida State and was one of the all-time greats that I had the privilege to coach. Casey throws a unique pitch (palm ball), taught by his father, and will come in and make a great impact both as a student and athlete.”
Bryce Plummer (Keystone Heights, Fla./Keystone Heights HS)
Coach McLeod on Plummer: big strong fast OF who has a lot of tools to play the game with. Very excited for him to join our club. Brings a combination of speed, power and defensive skills. Put together, it makes for a really good baseball player.
Tucker Rayburn (Minneola, Fla./Lake Minneola HS)
Coach McLeod on Rayburn: “Tucker is a multi-position guy, grew up a catcher but converted to INF/OF; tremendous left-handed stroke at the plate. Not sure where he’ll wind up but he has a chance to be a big hitter.”
Hunter Shuff (Beaver Springs, Pa./Midd-West HS/Mount St. Mary’s University)
Coach McLeod on Shuff: “Hunter is a young pitcher but brings Division 1 experience. He pitched quite a few innings at Mt. St. Mary’s, and I like his walk to innings pitched ratio. We’re expecting him to come in and make an immediate contribution. He’s a good student, and we’re excited to have him.”
Alex Stobert (Sarver, Pa./Knoch HS)
Coach McLeod on Stobert: “Alex is a power righty, downhill thrower; has a short, powerful breaking ball. Great feel for the strike zone. He’s a proven winner.”
Tanner Thomas (Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island HS)
Coach McLeod on Thomas: “Tanner really caught my eye during summer ball (in 2015). He’s a guy who gives 100% every time he walks on the field. He’s tough at plate and in field, has a real high motor and really gets after it. We’re very excited to add him to the program. He played for former Florida State catcher Jeremiah Klosterman at Fleming Island.”
Hunter Tinsley (Ft. Myers, Fla./Riverdale HS)
Coach McLeod on Tinsley: “Hunter continues the Tinsley tradition at Tallahassee – his brother, Garrett, played with the Eagles in the 2000s. He’s an outstanding two-way talent who has a very strong arm and outstanding feel on the mound. As a third baseman, he exhibits pop and power and good hands.
Coleman Vann (Colquitt, Ga./Miller County HS/Valdosta State University)
Coach McLeod on Vann: “Coleman is a strong outfielder with a strong arm and tremendous bat speed. He has a chance to provide big power. Another great student – he was valedictorian of his high school graduating class. He was also the region player of the year in high school.”
Maysoe Wiley (Adel, Ga./Valwood School)
Coach McLeod on Wiley: “Maysoe is a tremendous athlete who shows potential both as a left-handed pitcher and an offensive player in the outfield. We feel very fortunate to have him because we think he’s a real diamond in the rough.”
Fall schedule includes home-and-away with FAMU
Tallahassee’s 22-game fall schedule includes a pair of games against cross-town rival Florida A&M University.
The teams will play at Eagle Field on Thursday, October 6 and again at Moore-Kittles Field on Wednesday, October 12.
The schedule includes 14 home games, highlighted by the annual TCC Eagle Round Robin on Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22. All five Panhandle Conference teams will be in action at Eagle Field during the two-day event. Tallahassee will play Chipola College and Gulf Coast State College on October 21 and a doubleheader against Pensacola State College the following day.
The fall schedule concludes with an October 26 date at defending FCSAA State Champion Santa Fe College.
The Florida College System Activities Association’s (FCSAA) annual All-Star event is scheduled for Saturday, October 29 in Lakeland, Fla.