Baseball certified the National Letters of Intent from two more high school student-athletes to bring their total to nine for the Early Signing Period."
Baseball in Illinois will only list the details on players from Illinois
Nov. 17, 2009
“We are excited about the nine players who have signed.” Garrido said. “Coach Harmon always does a solid job of identifying our needs and finding some of the best talent available to fill those needs.
The Longhorns’ most recent signees included Mike Foltynewicz, a right-handed pitcher from Minooka HS in Illinois and Erich Weiss an infielder from Brenham, Texas. Foltynewicz would become just the third player from Illinois to ever play for the Horns. He was ranked as the 129th best player eligible for the 2010 MLB draft by Perfect Game Cross Checker. Weiss was named an honorable mention Louisville Slugger All-American following a junior year in which he batted .457 with 17 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 35 RBI.
“Every year you try to fill your needs and each year brings a different need according to who you lost to the draft, or who graduated,” associate head coach Tommy Harmon said. “Baseball’s pretty unique in the fact that you have to recruit to your needs a couple years ahead of time, but we think we did that. We got a strong infield class; we have four infielders. We felt like we needed another right handed power hitter in the outfield and we got that. You need a catcher every year, and Felts can do that. Pitchers are right where Coach Johnson wants them to be. We bring in three or four pitchers each year; it’s kind of our formula. Overall, we’re very pleased with it obviously. It’s a quality group of guys; they’re good athletes, good students, and good people.”
Through three days, the Longhorns have had seven players sign National Letters of Intent, including a catcher, an outfielder, three infielders three pitchers and a pitcher/first baseman.
The early signing period ends on Nov. 18.
Mike Foltynewicz – RHP – Minooka, Illinois (Minooka HS)
• Named Most Valuable Player of the WJOL Area Baseball Invite
• Logged a 3-2 record with a 2.23 ERA as a junior
• Named second-team All-Area bykk the Herald-News as a junior
• Also hit .287 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 2009
• Ranked as the 129th best player eligible for the 2010 draft by Perfect Game Cross Checker
Quote from recruiting coordinator and associate head coach Tommy Harmon: Mike is probably the closest to coming in and pitching as a freshman. He’s very competitive and poised. He presents himself beyond his years.