SIU 2001 Baseball Recruiting Class Considered Best In Years
06/29/2001 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
June 29, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale head baseball coach Dan Callahan announced the signing of nine additional recruits to his 2001 recruiting class. The new additions will join two early signees in to form a group that includes nine pitchers. SIU is still expected to add a catcher before the class is complete.
"I think all the pitchers have the ability to come in and pitch. Pitching was a strong need this year as we lost five seniors," said Callahan. "Look at the pitchers we signed and most of them are big kids standing 6'3 and 6'4 and that includes four lefthanders. For the most part they have tremendous arm strength and they've had greats success up to this point. I think they're best years are ahead of them and I like where they are and where they'll be in a couple of years."
The newcomers include Chicago Tribune First Team All-State outfielder Adam Milauskas (.426 BA, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 27 SB, 11 2B), Andrew Weber (Second Team All-State, came two innings shy of state record for consecutive innings pitched without an earned run allowed), P.J. Finigan (Springfield Area Player of the Year, 8-2, 1.87 ERA, .490 BA), Ryan Welch (one no-hitter, three one-hitters, 8-2, 1.31 ERA, 83 K's), Colt Neumann (Chicago Tribune All-State Special Mention, 8-2, 1.64 ERA, 118 K's in 72 2/3 innings), Carl Heuer (Post Dispatch All-Metro Team, .420 BA, .670 slugging percentage, 5 HR, 20 RBI), Harrisburg's Jesse Hall (7-0, 49 K's in 44 1/3 innings, 3,32 ERA), James Vogel (no hitter, four shutouts, 9-1, 1.29 ERA, 80 K's in 65 innings) and Bryan Rueger. They join Eric Haberer and Marshall Tucker, who signed early.
Callahan is calling the 2001 group the best recruiting class since 1995, a class that included Baltimore Oriole second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. and major league draftees Aaron Jones, Joe Schley and Jason Frazier. Frazier is still playing in the minor leagues.
"Coach Henderson and I feel this is the strongest recruiting class we've had since 1995, which was an exceptional class. Jerry Hairston Jr. is a starter in the big leagues and the other guys had great careers," added Callahan. "This group brings a lot of ability, plenty of post season honors and great high school careers. We're real excited about this group."
The Salukis finished 19-36 overall and 10-21 in Missouri Valley Conference play in 2001.
SIU 2001 SPRING SIGNEES:
Name Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School/College)
Patrick Finigan SS/RHP R/R 6'0 165 Springfield, Ill. (Lanphier H.S.)
Jesse Hall LHP 6'3 175 Harrisburg, Ill. (Harrisburg H.S.)
Carl Heuer 1B R/R 6'6 225 Belleville, Ill. (Belleville Township West)
Adam Milauskas OF R/R 6'1 185 St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles East H.S.)
Colt Neumann LHP 6'3 200 Minooka, Ill. (Minooka Community H.S.)
Bryan Rueger LHP 6'4 180 Mount Vernon, Ind. (Mount Vernon H. S.)
Jim Vogel RHP 6'3 200 St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles East H.S.)
Andrew Weber RHP 6'1 185 Oak Forest, Ill. (Oak Forest H.S.)
Ryan Welch RHP 6'5 185 Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood H.S.)
SIU 2000 FALL SIGNEES:
Eric Haberer LHP 6'1 190 Bloomington, Ill. (Bloomington H.S.)
Marshall Tucker RHP 6'1 200 St. Louis, Mo. (East Central (Mo.) C.C.)