University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Baseball Announces Three More Early Signees
November 19, 2003 | Baseball
Nov. 19, 2003
ATHENS -- Two high school standouts and a junior college shortstop from the defending national champions became the latest trio to sign national letters-of-intent with the Georgia Bulldogs, coach David Perno announced Wednesday.
Catcher Clay Whittemore of Cullman, Alabama, pitcher Joel Reeves of Atlanta and shortstop Sean Kazmar of the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) bring Georgia's total number of early signees to 11 this fall.
Kazmar, a 5-11, 170-pounder chose the Bulldogs over LSU and Texas. A defensive standout for coach Tim Chambers, he hit .359-2-52 including a league-high 88 hits for the Coyotes as they won the 2003 Junior College World Series going 55-10. CCSN, a member of the Scenic West Athletic Conference, uses wood bats and Kazmar batted .350 in 30 league games. He earned 2003 ABCA and NJCAA Division I All-Region honors. In American Legion summer baseball with an aluminum bat, Kazmar hit a league-best 19 home runs in 30 games. He was drafted in the 37th round by the Oakland Athletics last year and by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 32nd round out of Las Vegas High School in 2002.
Kazmar finished his prep career as the Sunrise Region Most Valuable Player. A three-year starter, he batted .419 with nine home runs and 50 RBI as a senior for coach Sam Thomas as they went 21-11 including 10-0 in the Northeast Division for their fourth straight division title. He batted .405 as a junior and was named the Northeast Division MVP and second team All-Sunrise Region. Sean is the son of Sean Kazmar and Stacey Muscari.
"Sean is one of the premier junior college shortstops in the country, and we're very fortunate to land him because he might be one the best defensive shortstops we've ever signed," said Perno. "He plays with a ton of energy and has plenty of offensive skills to compliment his defense."
Catcher Clay Whittemore of Cullman, Alabama |
"I'm very excited about joining one of the best baseball programs in the country and can't wait to play in the toughest conference in the country," said Whittemore.
"Clay is a fantastic baseball player who can play any position," said Perno. "Offensively, he is an explosive threat. He came to one of our summer camps, and from day one, he was the best player there."
Reeves, a 6-1, 185-pound right-hander, played a pivotal role in Marist's run to its second straight AAAA state title last year. He won the quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games, posting wins over Greenbrier, Shaw and Columbus. His final playoff numbers included 21 innings pitched, allowing just one earned run on nine hits with four walks and 14 strikeouts for coach Dan Perez' squad.
Joel is the youngest of six children, all who are Bulldogs. His father Michael, two brothers and a sister are Georgia graduates while his twin sisters are seniors at UGA. Joel is the son of Michael and Mary Reeves.
"Joel has had an ultra-successful high school career including winning a state championship last year," said Perno. "He is a big-time competitor who is smart and has great character. He will be a solid addition to the program."
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