DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Bethune-Cookman baseball family just got a bit larger, as the early signing period brought the first signing class of the Jason Beverlin era to the Wildcats. B-CU announced the signing of 16 new players Monday evening, who will don the Maroon and Gold starting in 2012.
After taking over late in the summer, the new Wildcat staff, headed by first-year Head Coach Jason Beverlin immediately focused their energy towards recruiting.
“The 2012 class is very important for our program to continue to raise the bar,” said Beverlin. “Coach Shaft, Coach Smith, and I discussed at length what type of player we were looking for and they did an unbelievable job of getting it done. This class is a reflection of their tireless work ethic, they are a great example of the type of attitude we are looking for in our players.”
“As we evaluated the talent in this year’s class, we looked for not only players with great tools, but great baseball skills,” Beverlin continued. “Not only good physical tools, but a certain drive that will give them an edge over the competition. Ability alone will only get players so far in this game; it is the mental side which will set them apart.”
Bethune-Cookman 2012 Early Signing Class
Levonte Allen - 1B/OF - R/R - A.C. - Davis High School, Yakima, Wash.
Coach Beverlin on Allen: “Levonte is a pure hitter. Very solid at the plate, good lower half and hands. Has potential to hit for average right off the bat and may develop some power numbers as well. He also has the rare quality of being very fundamental at first base with good footwork. From a good upbringing has good academics and baseball instincts, brings a lot to the table.”
Michael Austin - OF - R/R - Century High School, Eldersburg, Md.
Coach Beverlin on Austin: “Michael is one of the more athletic players we brought in, he moves his 6’4” frame very well and looks to compete for playing time in the outfield. He will continue to get better and has potential to turn into a five tool player.”
Chris Biocic - C -R/R- Merritt Island High School, Merritt Island, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Biocic:
“The younger brother of one of the hardest workers on the current roster, Chris has the rare quality of combining a little size with very flexible hips and good hands. He also has a very strong arm and a good stroke at the plate. Coming from a good family with a solid work ethic Chris will develop into a very good all-around player.”
Jorge Chavarria - SS - R/R - Northwest Florida State College, Miami, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Chavarria: “A shortstop who is a plus defender and a very solid hitter. Gap-to-gap power with the ability to hit for a high average. A very driven individual who looks to make an immediate impact.”
Byron Ferguson - RHP/OF - R/R - Trinity Christian Academy, Lake Worth, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Ferguson: “Byron has the ability to get it done both on the mound and in the outfield. He sits upper 80’s with solid feel for 3 pitches. He has a quick arm and also a solid bat. He is an excellent addition to the Wildcat family!”
Kevin Gude- RHP - R/R Polk State College, Bushnell, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Gude: “Kevin features a low to mid 90’s fastball and looks to have an immediate influence on our pitching staff. His junior college experience will allow him to be a savvy veteran right from the beginning of his career at Cookman.”
Tyler Knowles - RHP - R/R - Charlotte High School, Punta Gorda, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Knowles:“Tyler is a tough blue collar type kid who battles on the mound. He loves being put into the tough situations when the game is on the line. Tyler features an upper 80’s fastball and accompanies it with a great change-up and breaking ball. Tyler will have the ability to develop his talents to be a big part of the Wildcats success.”
James Lang - MIF - R/R - Lake Sumter CC, Palm Coast, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Lang: “A tireless worker James will be valuable to us on the infield. Already a solid hitter, he has the ability to develop into a gap-to-gap hitter who could put up very solid numbers; can play both SS and 2B.”
Clay Middleton - C - R/R - Hagerty High School, Oviedo, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Middleton: “A player that takes a great deal of pride in his craft. As a defender Clay is as good as they come. Catching, throwing, blocking, leadership, the whole package. Has a good chance to develop into a very solid hitter.”
Eros Modena - OF - R/R - Indian River State College, Miami, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Modena: “Fast enough and with a strong enough arm to play all three outfield positions. He is a top of the lineup type hitter who can hurt you with his bat and his baserunning. Will make an immediate impact.”
Christian Munoz - C/1B - L/R - International Baseball Academy (HS), Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
Coach Beverlin on Munoz: “Christian is a solid catcher with a great arm. Brings a very good left-handed stroke to the lineup with the ability to play multiple positions.”
Jordan Robinson - 3B - R/R - Indian River State College, Ft. Pierce, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Robinson: “A solid defender at both 3rd base and in the outfield, Jordan brings versatility and athleticism. A proven hitter at the junior college level he looks to break into the starting lineup in some fashion. He is also a plus runner, Jordan brings a lot to the table.”
Marc Sanchez - RHP - R/R - Westminster Christian High School, Miami, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Sanchez: “Marc brings all in the intangibles to the table every day. He has great mound presence and projects to help the pitching staff prosper over his 4 years at Cookman. He will be pitching a lot of big games this year while playing for a Florida High School powerhouse Westminster Christian, which will benefit him early in his college career. He features a great command of a mid to upper 80’s fastball and has the makings of a very good breaking ball.”
Eric Sams - 2B - S/R - Indian River State College, Apopka, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Sams: “As a switch hitter who can really swing it Eric has great value for us at the 2B position. He also has the ability to compete for the job at SS, he is a hard worker who comes from a good family, and he will make an immediate impact.”
Zach Smith - RHP - R/R - Gordon College, Stoughton, Mass.
Coach Beverlin on Smith: “Zach has an electric arm that allows him to throw his fastball in the low 90’s, while throwing a devastating breaking ball. Zach looks to be a force in the MEAC conference.”
Chris Waltermire - RHP - R/R - Polk State College, Satellite Beach, Fla.
Coach Beverlin on Waltermire: “Chris brings experience to the Cookman pitching staff and a winning attitude. He has an upper 80’s fastball and looks to play a large role out of the bullpen immediately. He will be instrumental in locking down wins late in the game for the Wildcats.”