Nov. 9, 2005
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WACO, Texas -- Baylor baseball head coach Steve Smith announced his program's fall signing class Wednesday. The Bears signed 12 student-athletes, all current high school players, to National Letters of Intent. Baylor inked 10 student-athletes from Texas and two others from Colorado.
"I am extremely pleased and excited to announce the signing of this group of players," Smith said. "This is without a doubt one of the most talented classes both athletically and academically that we have signed in the last 10 years and will certainly be recognized as one of the top classes in the country this year."
The sextet of pitchers are right-handers Craig Fritsch (Round Rock, Texas/Round Rock HS), Ryan Jenkins (Houston, Texas/Cypress Falls HS), Willie Kempf (Castroville, Texas/Medina Valley HS), Shawn Tolleson (Allen, Texas/Allen HS) and Kendal Volz (Bulverde, Texas/Smithson Valley HS), and left-hander Aaron Miller (Channelview, Texas/Channelview HS). Kempf also plays the outfield, and Miller also plays first base.
Baylor signed four infielders: Jimmy Bailey (Corpus Christi, Texas/Mary Carroll HS), Raynor Campbell (Houston, Texas/Katy-Taylor HS), Dustin Dickerson (McGregor, Texas/Hewitt-Midway HS) and Shaver Hansen (Grand Junction, Colo./Fruita Monument HS). The Bears also landed outfielder Clay Fuller (Bulverde, Texas/Smithson Valley HS) and catcher Gregg Glime (Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill).
"Each of these players has the physical ability to step in early in their career and play a significant role in a championship program," Smith said. "They are all very good students and solid young men who will fit in well at Baylor University and will thrive on the competition they will find in the Big 12 Conference. This is clearly a banner day for the Baylor baseball program."
Six of Baylor's signees appear in the 2005 Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25 and seven appeared in the 2005 Baseball America/Perfect Game USA Prospects Plus National Top 300.
Tolleson, who pitched for the 2005 USA Baseball Junior National Team and was a member of the 2004 USA Baseball Youth National Team, is listed as the fifth-best prospect in the state and 11th nationally. Tolleson also ranked 27th in Baseball America's recent 2006 Draft Preview Projected Top 50, the 11th highest-rated high school player.
Miller was rated as the sixth-best prospect in the state and 23rd nationally, while Volz (seventh in Texas, 85th nationally), Jenkins (10th/57th), Dickerson (13th/62nd) and Campbell (21st/286th) all appeared on both lists. Bailey was listed 181st nationally.
Baylor posted a 46-24 overall record in 2005, claimed a share of the Big 12 Conference title and reached the national semifinals at the College World Series.
BAYLOR BASEBALL FALL 2005 SIGNING CLASS
POS. HT. WT. B-T HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL)
Jimmy Bailey IF 6-3 185 R-R Corpus Christi, Texas (Mary Carroll)
Raynor Campbell IF 5-11 183 R-R Houston, Texas (Katy-Taylor)
Dustin Dickerson IF 6-4 205 L-R McGregor, Texas (Midway)
Craig Fritsch RHP 6-4 165 R-R Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock)
Clay Fuller OF 6-1 180 L-R Bulverde, Texas (Smithson Valley)
Gregg Glime C 6-0 190 B-R Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill)
Shaver Hansen IF 6-1 185 B-R Grand Junction, Colo. (Fruita Monument)
Ryan Jenkins RHP 6-5 215 R-R Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls)
Willie Kempf RHP/OF 6-0 180 R-R Castroville, Texas (Medina Valley)
Aaron Miller LHP/1B 6-3 205 L-L Channelview, Texas (Channelview)
Shawn Tolleson RHP 6-2 215 R-R Allen, Texas (Allen)
Kendal Volz RHP 6-4 220 R-R Bulverde, Texas (Smithson Valley)
JIMMY BAILEY
IF • 6-3 • 185 • R-R
Corpus Christi, Texas (Mary Carroll)
• Plays for Coach Lee Yeager at Mary Carroll High School in Corpus Christi, Texas
• Led Mary Carroll to a 25-11 record and a Class 5A regional quarterfinals appearance in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- No. 181 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
• 2005 high school stats: .355 batting average, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, .542 slugging percentage, .333 batting average with runners in scoring position
• Played for South Texas Sliders summer team in 2005, coached by Scott Mayer
• Son of Kirk and Sandra Bailey
Steve Smith ON BAILEY:
"Jimmy is a very athletic player with the frame to get much bigger and stronger. He likely will develop into a corner-type infielder with some power in his bat."
RAYNOR CAMPBELL
IF • 5-11 • 183 • R-R
Houston, Texas (Katy-Taylor)
• Plays for Coach Melvin Cerny at Taylor High School in Katy, Texas
• Led Taylor to a 23-10 record in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- No. 21 on Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25
- No. 266 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
- Third-team all-state -- Texas High School Coaches' Association
- All-state -- Texas Sports Writers Association
- First-team all-district
- Second-team All-Greater Houston
• 2005 high school stats: .495 batting average, 10 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 27 RBI, 13 stolen bases, 53 hits, .822 slugging percentage, .943 fielding percentage
• Played for Houston Heat summer team in 2005, coached by Phil Cross
• 2005 summer stats: .424 batting average, 10 doubles, 5 home runs, 25 RBI, 42 hits, .677 slugging percentage
• Son of Rohn and Denise Campbell
Steve Smith ON CAMPBELL:
"Raynor is one of the best high school infielders in the country. He is a hard-nosed player with the versatility to play anywhere in the infield. He is aggressive at the plate and will be an outstanding hitter at our level."
DUSTIN DICKERSON
IF • 6-4 • 205 • L-R
McGregor, Texas (Midway)
• Plays for Coach Tom Gladney at Midway High School in Hewitt, Texas
• Led Midway to a 39-4 record in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- No. 13 on Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25
- No. 62 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
- All-state -- Texas High School Coaches' Association
• Member of Midway's 2003 Texas State Championship team
• Established Midway record with 52 RBI in 2005
• 2005 high school stats: .398 batting average, 18 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, 52 RBI, 7 stolen bases, .938 fielding percentage
• Starting wide receiver on Midway's 2005 district champion football team
• Played for Denton Blackhawks summer team in 2005, coached by Kevin Hubbard
• 2005 summer stats: .424 batting average, 10 doubles, 5 home runs, 25 RBI, 42 hits, .677 slugging percentage
• Son of Doug and Lisa Dickerson
Steve Smith ON DICKERSON:
"Dustin is one of the best pure hitters in Texas this year. He moves extremely well for his size and will have the athletic ability to play either corner in the infield or outfield. He has the power potential to be a real force in the middle of the lineup."
CRAIG FRITSCH
RHP • 6-4 • 165 • R-R
Round Rock, Texas (Round Rock)
• Plays for Coach John Carter at Round Rock [Texas] High School
• Led Round Rock to a 21-11 record in 2005 and to state playoff appearances in 2004 and 2005
• 2005 high school stats: 2-0, 1.08 ERA
• Played for Austin Wings summer team in 2005, coached by James Ellison
• 2005 summer stats: 8-2, 1.55 ERA, 55.0 innings, 45 hits, 14 walks, 65 strikeouts
• Son of Darrell and Kay Fritsch
Steve Smith ON FRITSCH:
"Craig is a very athletic pitcher with the frame to continue to get bigger and stronger. He has a live arm with very good velocity and throws a lot of strikes. He is a product of an exceptional Texas high school baseball program."
CLAY FULLER
OF • 6-1 • 180 • B-R
Bulverde, Texas (Smithson Valley)
• Plays for Coach George Proctor at Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas
• Teammate of fellow signee Kendal Volz at Smithson Valley
• Led Smithson Valley to a State Final Four appearance in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- First-team All-Greater San Antonio -- San Antonio Express-News
- First-team all-district
- First-team all-county
- Academic all-district
• 2005 high school stats: .275, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 15 RBI, 10 stolen bases, 36 runs, 1.000 fielding percentage
• Starting wide receiver on Smithson Valley district champion football team
• Played for Hack Shack Hackers summer team in 2005, coached by Mike Kripner
• 2005 summer stats: .425 batting average, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 12 RBI, 15 stolen bases, .990 fielding percentage
• Cousin Hilary Akremis played basketball at Baylor
• Brother Cody Fuller was a 2005 All-Big 12 outfielder at Texas Tech (played wide receiver for Tech's football team)
• Brother Lance Fuller currently plays football (safety) at Texas Tech
• Cousin Clint Haney played football at Texas
• Son of Kenny and Cindy Fuller -- Kenny played football at Texas Tech in mid 1970s
Steve Smith ON FULLER:
"Clay is an outstanding athlete with tremendous speed. He will have the defensive ability to play anywhere in the outfield and the potential to be a very good hitter from both sides of the plate."
GREGG GLIME
C • 6-0 • 190 • B-R
Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill)
• Plays for Coach Keith McElreath at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colo.
• Led Smoky Hill to a 17-6 record and Elite Eight State Playoffs appearance in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- Honorable mention all-state -- Rocky Mountain News
- First-team all-league
- First-team all-city
- Participated in Colorado Junior Olympics
• 2005 high school stats: .430 batting average, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 26 RBI, threw out 85 percent of would-be base-stealers
• Starting linebacker for Smoky Hill's football team before season ended with broken jaw
• Played for Cherry Creek summer team in 2005, coached by Marc Johnson
• 2005 summer stats: .410 batting average, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 3 stolen bases
• Son of Duke and Susan Glime
Steve Smith ON GLIME:
"Gregg is a very talented switch-hitting catcher with good makeup for the position. He has an outstanding arm and the skills behind the plate to develop into an outstanding catcher early in his career."
SHAVER HANSEN
IF • 6-1 • 185 • B-R
Grand Junction, Colo. (Fruita Monument)
• Plays for Coach Johnny Bess at Fruita Monument High School in Fruita, Colo.
• Led Smoky Hill to a 10-9 record in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- First-team all-conference
• 2005 high school stats: .509 batting average, 3 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 17 RBI, 8 stolen bases
• Hit .500 at 2005 Area Code Games
• Played for Play Ball Sports Select summer team in 2005, coached by Derek Hines, Jeff Hines and Joe LeFebre
• 2005 summer stats: .385 batting average, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs, 40 RBI, 15 stolen bases, .980 fielding percentage
• Cousin Ed Lair played baseball at Oklahoma State in late 1970s
• Son of Stan and Yumi Hansen
Steve Smith ON HANSEN:
"Shaver is another of the top infielders in the country. He is an athletic switch-hitter who can play any of the infield positions. He has the frame to develop into a very physical player."
RYAN JENKINS
RHP • 6-5 • 215 • R-R
Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls)
• Plays for Coach Brent McDonald at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, Texas
• 2005 honors:
- AFLAC All-America
- No. 10 on Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25
- No. 57 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
- All-district
• Also earned all-district honors as a sophomore after leading District 17-5A in batting average and home runs
• 2005 high school stats: 8-2, 2.80 ERA, 75.2 innings, 72 strikeouts ... .489 batting average, 9 home runs, 40 RBI
• Played for Houston Heat Silver summer team in 2005, coached by Phil Cross
• Son of Stuart and Judie Jenkins
Steve Smith ON JENKINS:
"Ryan is a physical pitcher with an outstanding arm. He has the makings of both an outstanding breaking ball and change. I think he will remind many of former Baylor pitcher Steven White."
WILLIE KEMPF
RHP/OF • 6-0 • 180 • R-R
Castroville, Texas (Medina Valley)
• Plays for Coach Carl Keller at Medina Valley High School in Castroville, Texas
• Led Medina Valley to a 30-6 record in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- All-state -- Texas High School Coaches Association
- First-team All-Greater San Antonio
- First-team all-district
- MVP Medina County Classic
• Also earned first-team all-district honors as a sophomore
• 2005 high school stats: 9-2, 1.58 ERA, 70.2 innings, 45 hits, 19 walks, 64 strikeouts ... .437 batting average, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 32 RBI, 17 stolen bases, .567 on base percentage
• Third-team all-state selection at defensive back in football as a junior
• Two-way starter (receiver and defensive back) for Medina Valley's football team
• Played for South Texas Sliders summer team in 2005, coached by Scott Mayer
• Summer-league teammate of fellow signee Jimmy Bailey
• Son of Frankie and Nadine Kempf
Steve Smith ON KEMPF:
"Willie is an outstanding two-sport athlete who projects extremely well as a pitcher. He has very good arm strength as well as an outstanding slider."
AARON MILLER
LHP/1B • 6-3 • 205 • L-L
Channelview, Texas (Channelview)
• Plays for Coach Cory Bowyer at Channelview [Texas] High School
• Led Channelview to a 15-12 record in 2005
• 2005 honors:
- Baseball America Jackie Robinson Award finalist
- No. 6 on Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25
- No. 23 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
- AFLAC All-America
- Cape Cod High School All-America
- Pama All-America
- First-team All-Greater Houston
- District MVP
- First-team all-district (pitcher)
• Also earned district MVP and first-team all-district honors as a sophomore
• 2005 high school stats: 3-0, 0.57 ERA, 13.0 innings, 5 hits, 5 walks, 23 strikeouts ... .471 batting average, 9 doubles, 9 home runs, 28 RBI, 16 stolen bases, .986 slugging percentage
• Played for Houston Heat summer team in 2005, coached by Phil Cross
• Summer-league teammate of fellow signee Ryan Jenkins
• Son of Ricky and Bonnie Miller
Steve Smith ON MILLER:
"Aaron is one of the best two-way players in the country with the ability both as a pitcher and as a hitter to make a major impact early in his career. He has very good power at the plate as well as tremendous presence and makeup on the mound."
SHAWN TOLLESON
RHP • 6-2 • 215 • R-R
Allen, Texas (Allen)
• No. 27 on Baseball America's 2006 Draft Preview Projected Top 50
• 2005 USA Baseball Junior National Team member
- Allowed 1 run on 10 hits with 16 strikeouts in 12.1 innings
- Tossed 5.2 scoreless innings in relief against Cuba in Pan Am Games Championship
- Held Cuba to six hits with 10 strikeouts
• Plays for Coach Paul Pool at Allen [Texas] High School
• 2005 honors:
- No. 5 on Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25
- No. 9 on Baseball America/Perfect Game National Showcase Top 20
- No. 11 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
- No. 15 on Baseball America/East Cobb World Wood Bat Championships Top 20
- All-state -- Texas High School Coaches Association
- Honorable mention all-state -- Texas Sports Writers Association
- First-team All-Greater Dallas/Fort Worth
- First-team all-district
- Baseball America Preseason All-America
• 2004 honors:
- All-state -- Texas High School Coaches Association (one of only three sophomores and lone sophomore pitcher at Class 5A level)
- First-team all-district
• 2005 high school stats: 9-5, 0.94 ERA, 89.1 innings, 61 hits, 19 walks, 137 strikeouts ... .303 batting average, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 19 RBI
• Played for Dallas Baseball Academy summer team in 2005, coached by Ken Guthrie
• Uncle David Tolleson and cousin Mike Tolleson both played football at Texas A&M
• Son of Mark and Jana Tolleson
Steve Smith ON TOLLESON:
"Shawn is an extremely talented right-hander with the competitive makeup to match. He has had some very valuable international experience that will only help him as he makes the transition to major college baseball."
KENDAL VOLZ
RHP • 6-4 • 220 • R-R
Bulverde, Texas (Smithson Valley)
• Plays for Coach George Proctor at Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas
• Teammate of fellow signee Clay Fuller at Smithson Valley
• Led Smithson Valley to a State Final Four appearance in 2005
• Tossed a two-hit shutout against defending state champion and nationally No. 2-ranked Corpus Christi-Moody in 2005 Regional Championship
• 2005 honors:
- No. 7 on Texas Baseball News Texas Top 25
- No. 85 on Baseball America Prospect Plus National Top 300
- All-state -- Texas High School Coaches Association
- Second-team all-state -- Texas Sports Writers Association
- First-team all-state -- San Antonio Express-News
- Class 5A MVP -- San Antonio Express-News
- Greater San Antonio Player of the Year -- San Antonio Express-News
- All-Greater San Antonio -- San Antonio Express-News
- District MVP
- First-team all-district
- Comal County MVP
- First-team all-county
- Academic all-district
• 2004 honors:
- First-team all-district
- First-team all-county
- Academic all-district
• 2005 high school stats: 14-3, 1.29 ERA, 97.1 innings, 54 hits, 27 walks, 149 strikeouts ... .356 batting average, 12 doubles, 2 triple, 2 home runs, 29 RBI
• Participated in 2005 Texas Scouts Association South All-Star game
• 2005 Area Code Games Texas Rangers Baseball Team
• Starting linebacker on Smithson Valley district champion football team
• Son of Roger and Karen Volz
Steve Smith ON VOLZ:
"Kendal is among the most physical pitchers in the country with outstanding velocity and makeup. He is a classic power pitcher that could be a dominant force on the mound at the college level."
