University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Baseball Announces First Six Signees
November 15, 2007 | Baseball
The newest Bulldogs are Michael Palazzone, a pitcher from Marietta, Ga., Peter Verdin, an outfielder from Alexandria, Va., Blaine O’Brien, a pitcher from Scituate, Mass., Jonathan Taylor, an outfielder from Acworth, Ga., Zach Laughlin, a pitcher from Columbus, Ga., and Tyler Maloof, a pitcher/outfielder from Winder, Ga.
A 6-3, 190-pound right-hander, Palazzone is ranked 20th among the Baseball America Top 100 prospects for the class of 2008. He was named an Aflac High School All-American this past summer and served as the starting pitcher at the All-American game in San Diego where he was named the top pitching prospect. Currently a senior at Lassiter High School, he went 11-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 72 innings as a sophomore in helping coach Mickey McMurtry’s Trojans to a state title. He was limited to 20 innings last year and recorded 30 strikeouts. The son of Gary and Kim Palazzone, he said he chose UGA in part to its excellent business school. He has helped the East Cobb Braves to a pair of summer national titles.
“Michael is a big-game pitcher who has been winning big games since his freshman year in high school,” said Perno. “He projects as an early round pick with a good fastball and a plus, plus curveball. He would be a wonderful representative of our program if we are fortunate enough to keep him.”
A 6-0, 190-pound outfielder, Verdin (pictured left) is one of the top-rated prep prospects in Virginia. The son of Peter and Patty Verdin, he is a two-time All-State selection. He led the Paul VI Catholic High School Panthers to the 2007 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title. As a junior, he batted .458 with 22 RBI and 20 stolen bases for coach Billy Emerson. He was part of the Midland Redskins Connie Mack World Series Championship squad this past summer that went 53-6. He attended the Perfect Game National Showcase and was among the top 50 players in the country to watch. “I’m so happy to be a Bulldog, as soon as I visited there, met the coaches and was on campus, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” said Verdin.
“Peter is the epitome of what we’re looking for in a baseball student-athlete hard working, great respect for the game, has the tools to compete at a high level, knows to win and is a very good student,” said Perno. “We’re counting on Peter to contribute as a freshman.”
A 6-6 right-hander, O’Brien is among the top pitchers in Massachusetts. He features a fastball in the low 90s along with a hard slider and change up for coach Kevin Greer’s Scituate Sailors. He spent this summer playing in the East Cobb area and opted to venture south for his collegiate career.
“Blaine is hidden in Massachusetts, and he hasn’t played a ton of baseball, but he projects off the chart as far as potential,” said Perno. “His 6-6 frame has the ability to throw low strikes with good sink, and his best days are ahead of him.”
A 5-8, 180-pound outfielder, Taylor is a two-sport standout at North Cobb in Marietta. He is a key member of the state’s top-ranked and undefeated Warrior football team. Last year, he helped coach Tom Callahan’s baseball squad go 17-11, and he led the county with 35 stolen bases. He is a three-time MVP selection of the East Cobb Summer Baseball program and has been a part of numerous national championships. He was one of the fastest players at the Perfect Game National Showcase. He is the son of Tandra Taylor.
“Jonathan is a prototype leadoff hitter who understands his strike zone and knows how to generate offense,” said Perno. “JT plays a very good centerfield and is always valuable to your team. He is another football guy who is extremely tough and has a perfect mentality to be successful as a student-athlete.”
A 5-10, 165-pound pitcher, Laughlin is the top pitcher for the Columbus Blue Devils and coach Bobby Howard. The son of Terry and Gerry Laughlin, he led the team with a 9-4 mark and five saves to go with a 3.00 ERA. An All-State selection, he struck out 72 in 71 innings pitched.
“Zach is undersized for a right-hander, but he has more than enough 'Bulldog Mentality' to make up for it,” said Perno. “He is a strike machine and a fierce competitor who will find a way to contribute early in his career.”
“I have always dreamed of being a Bulldog, and now that dream has come true,” said Laughlin.
A 6-1, 180-pound pitcher/outfielder, Maloof is a two-sport standout and scholar-athlete for the Norcross Blue Devils. He batted .420 with 20 RBI and 10 stolen bases for Andy Collins’ squad as a junior. He is the son of Keith and Lisa Maloof, and his father serves as his football coach. The Blue Devils are in the state playoffs, and Maloof is a starting safety with three interceptions and also serves as a punt returner.
“Tyler is full of potential,” said Perno. “He has a good approach at the plate and showed us at one of our camps one of the best arms that we have ever seen at his age. We look for him to be a two-way guy for us as well as a great student.”
Maloof said he is looking forward to being a Bulldog. “I liked the facilities, coaches, players and the overall atmosphere of Athens,” said Maloof.
The Bulldogs expect several more additions to this class during the early national signing period, which began Nov. 14 and goes through Nov. 21.
