Wake Forest Baseball Adds to 2011 Recruiting Class
4/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 20, 2011
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head baseball coach Tom Walter has announced that Sam Kmiec will join the Demon Deacons in the fall of 2011.
Kmiec is now the eighth student-athlete who will join the Wake Forest baseball program, as he will be coming in with Kevin Conway, Colin Egan, Will Finley, Aaron Fossas, Connor Kaden, Joe Napolitano and Matt Pirro.
Kmiec is a left-handed pitcher from Hurricane, W.V. where he attends Hurricane High School. So far during his senior year, Kmiec has put together a 4-0 record without allowing an earned run and also has a perfect game to his credit. Kmiec has also been solid at the plate with a .538 batting average.
As a junior in 2010, Kmiec was named First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention Perfect Game All-America.
"We are thrilled to add Sam to our pitching staff. He is a proven winner who is currently having one of the best individual seasons in the country. We look forward to his arrival on campus," said Walter.
Below is information on Wake Forest's other seven recruits, as was announced at the end of March:
Kevin Conway is a utility player from Birmingham, Mich. and attends Detroit Country Day High School. Conway was named All-District and All-Region in 2010, as he had a .435 batting average with 10 doubles, 23 RBIs and a .726 slugging percentage. He also helped his team in both the District and Regional Championships in 2009.
"Kevin comes to us an outstanding athlete who can move around and play in a bunch of different spots on the field. He is a fast twitch athlete who will compete for multiple spots in our lineup as he progresses," said Walter. "He is the younger brother of Matt (Conway) and will certainly bring athleticism and toughness to the program. His work ethic and determination have put him in position to thrive at this level."
Colin Egan is a right-handed pitcher and has been a two-time All-League selection in high school, earning the recognition in both 2009 and 2010. The Medford, Mass. native attends Belmont Hill High School, where he has posted an ERA below 1.50 in each of the last two seasons. Aside from pitching, Egan recorded a .385 batting average in 2009 and a .447 batting average in 2010.
"Colin is a late bloomer. We saw him early in the summer and then again in the fall. Fortunately for us, he made significant strides in that short period of time," said Walter. "He certainly projects to be a low 90's guy with an above average slider. His arm is super quick, and once he cleans up his delivery, the sky will be the limit. He is also an outstanding student and will thrive in the community here at Wake Forest."
Will Finley is another right-handed pitcher and hails from Tallahassee, Fla. where he attends Chiles High School. Finley has earned All-Big Bend Conference accolades and has named a 2010 Honorable Mention Perfect Game Underclassmen. In 2010, he went 6-1 with a 3.30 ERA in 36 innings of work. During the summer, Finley is a member of the Orlando Scorpions baseball program.
"Will is a great addition to our program. He comes from a great summer program, the Orlando Scorpions. We feel that Will fits a valuable role for us," said Walter. "He can pitch as a starter, middle reliever or late-inning guy. He features three pitches and will pitch 87-90 with a mid 70's breaking ball and an above average change up. The best part about Will is his moxie. He wants the ball in tough spots and will thrive under pressure. His versatility adds value to our staff, and we are fortunate to have him."
Aaron Fossas attends Holy Name Central Catholic High School is from Dudley, Mass. He will see time in the infield as well as provide another right-handed arm on the mound. Fossas is already a three-time All-Conference performer, and he was named a Perfect Game All-Star in 2009. Fossas played in the Summer Rivalry Classic at Yankee Stadium and has played for the Holy Name varsity baseball team for five years.
"Aaron comes to us as a converted pitcher, as he recently made the full-time commitment to pitching as well as playing in the infield. He has a super-quick arm and the makings of a put-away slider. How quickly he makes some mechanical adjustments will determine how he develops," said Walter. "He is 89-91 as we speak, but there is certainly much more in the tank as he reaches his physical growth and matures. He starts at third base for his high school team but projects to be a second baseman in college. He is a great addition to the program."
Connor Kaden will join the Demon Deacons from Toms River, N.J. where he plays for Toms River South High School. A tall RHP at 6-4, Kaden is ranked in the Top 500 according Perfect Game, and he has been named All-Conference after his sophomore and junior seasons. He ranks in the Top 15 players in New Jersey and averaged nearly two strikeouts an inning as a junior. In the summer, he plays for the New Jersey Marlins.
"Connor was our first commitment last year and we are excited about his future here at Wake Forest," said Walter. "He is a big right-handed pitcher with leverage, velocity and plus secondary stuff. His best years are certainly ahead of him, as he is still growing into his body. He projects to be a front of the rotation type of guy once he gets experience at our level."
Joe Napolitano is a 6-4, 210-pound third baseman and right-handed pitcher from Hollis, N.H. who plays at Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts. Napolitano was named the ISL Offensive Player of the Year after hitting .550 in 2010. Along with being a two-time All-League selection, he is ranked in the Top 200 players in the U.S. according to Perfect Game and is been ranked the #1 player in New Hampshire in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In addition, Napolitano was named Rawlings Honorable Mention in 2009.
"Joe is an outstanding get for Wake Forest. He will fill a huge role in the middle of the order and be a pro-style third baseman. He is a physical right-handed hitter who can display serious power and also handle the bat to all areas of the field," said Walter. "Defensively, he is game savvy and is an above average thrower who should adjust to the speed of the ACC with ease. He is a first-class young man with leadership potential and comes from an outstanding family."
Matt Pirro is a right-handed hurler coming to Wake Forest from Oswego, N.Y. and Oswego High School. In 2010, he was named the CNY Pitcher of the Year after finishing the season with an impressive 8-1 record, 1.04 ERA, 84 strikeouts and just seven walks in 48 innings. Pirro earned First Team All-State, First Team All-CNY and First Team All-League in 2010. He has gained national attention also, as he was selected to the USA 18U 36-man roster and was named to the Yankees East Coast Pro Showcase Team.
"Matt is a great addition to our fast improving pitching staff. He has plus arm speed and stuff, but best of all, his pitchability is through the roof," said Walter. "We saw Matt very early and watched him grow into a tremendous prospect. He made the final cut of Team USA last summer. He will immediately compete for a role as a weekend starter here at Wake Forest. We look forward to his arrival."
