Henry Urrutia’s for Real!
DeMatha and Paul VI Battle Again in WCAC Semi Final
By Rodger M. Wood
With 35 seconds to go, the basketball rolled around the rim, looking dangerously close to going through for a three pointer and a tie 50-50 game, but as fate would have it in the last instance, the ball bounced out to make DeMatha winners, and grasped victory from the hands of the young Paul VI hoopsters 52-47.This semifinal WCAC basketball championship game marked the third straight game this season, the 2009, 2010, 2011 WCAC and Washington D.C. champions, Dematha Stags beat the upstart Panthers in the last seconds of the game, 59-58 at home, 51-48 away, and 52-47 in the semifinal.Led by seven juniors, five sophomores, three freshmen at Bender Arena last Sunday, it looks like the Paul Vi could battle the champions again next season. Maybe this time, hard work will pay off, the lucky breaks will even themselves out in the last seconds, the ball will go through the hoop, and the Paul VI Panthers will win.View some photos from the Paul VI/Dematha 2011 Semi Final Championship Game February 28th.
If Heart and Desire Are Elements of the Criteria
Washington Nationals Prospect: J.P. Ramierez, OFby Rodger M. Wood
While not listed among Baseball America or any other sports journal’s top 10 Washington Nationals minor league prospects, if the size of a player’s heart and desire to improve are part of the criteria, outfielder JP Ramierez isa sure shot to make the majors.While impressed by his hitting when they selected him out of New Braunfels HS (Texas) in 15th round of the 2008 June Amateur draft, the Nationals questioned whether the 18-year Ramirez’ speed and quickness would be adequate down the road for major league base running and regular outfield play.Hitting 364 BA, 0 HR, 11 RBI in 11 AB in 5 games at Nationals’ GLC affiliate in 2008, and 264 BA, 4 HR, and 39 RBI in 295 AB in 72 games at rookie half season NY/Penn Vermont in 2009, the 5-10, 185 outfielder showed hitting flashes, but short on speed, there was still a question if he had sufficient tools to succeed in left and right field.Recognizing his own shortcomings, JP took the bull by the horns.“During the off seasons, I’ve worked out regularly with trainer Lee Fiosi, who has also worked with Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford, and Scott Smith, both of whom helped me to develop an intensive work out routine to improve my speed and quickness.”During the 2010 season at Low A – Hagerstown, hitting coach and former major leaguer, Tony Tarasco said Ramirez matured in other ways.“JP knew what he had to do to make a steadfast upgrade of his skills. He came out to the ball park every day at 11 AM, took extra cuts, developed strike zone discipline and learned how to hit what the pitcher gave him.”“He also worked hard on running and improving his outfield play, taking extra fly balls to get a better jump on the ball, and cutting some time off his 1B to 3B, and 2B-HP speed.”The results of youngster’s hard work became evident in a breakout season at Hagerstown. He hit 296 BA, 16 HR, and drove in 75 RBI in 506 AB, showed better speed on the bases stretching out 27 2B, 4 3B, and stealing 3 bases, and in 73 games in the field, catching up to 116 fly balls, throwing out two runners, and making only 6 errors.Always seeming to drive the ball somewhere, JP also strove in clutch hitting situations. By his own admission, he was more focused when challenged and loved to be in clutch situations.He’ll need more seasoning in the minor leagues, but with his heart, work ethic, and attitude, JP will do just fine at Fast A - Potomac this season and surely succeed In a couple seasons,when he arrives at the “Big Scene” in Washington.
Rodger’s Top 10 2010 Division 1 High School Football Picks
By Rodger M. Wood
There are definite signs portending its professionalization but high school football is still a game. As college football, I dread it ever losing that natural purity.
I spent most of this past September and October at high school games, practices, and individual shoots photographing high school senior Division 1 football players for the brand new Sporting News “Recruiting Guide,” which made news stands nation-wide in mid – December, 2010.
Traveling around Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky, I came in contact with many top high school players, who will have the opportunity to play college football at a Division 1 college.
If they realize their unlimited gridiron potential, they could progress onto NFL fame and a lifetime of millions dollars playing a game, which drives the American public into a wild frenzy every Sunday.
It was difficult to rank these young men in order of their ability and potential, but combined with the intangible factors of like-ability, cooperation, and heart, I was so presumptuous as to rank “Rodger’s Top 10 Division 1 Football Picks,” below:
1. Kevin McReynold, DT, 6-2, 280, St. John’s HS, (Washington, D.C.).Ranked the Sporting New #36 recruit In the 2011 class, but Rodger’s #1.
I immediately liked this serious young man at a photo shoot last year. He went through all my photography antics without complaint, and two hours later went out to play a tough football game against Bishop McNamara. After the game, he wanted me to meet his parents. I also saw him play in six other games the past two years.
Kevin has the athletic genes of his father, who played college basketball at Virginia Tech.
Kevin played both offensive tight end and defensive tackle this season and has the speed (4.97 seconds in the 40 –yard) to catch a running back.
Kevin is seriously considering scholarship offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon, Rutgers, and UCLA.
2. Landon Turner, OT, 6-5, 311, Harrisonburg HS, (Harrisonburg, VA)Ranked the #86 Sporting News recruit in the 2011 Class.
I watched Landon’s at practice and afterwards, had a photo shoot in mid-October at Harrisonburg, VA, which is the home of Division 2 James Madison College, who pulled off the upset of the 2010 Season beating neighbor Division 1 Virginia Tech 21-16.
Always smiling, he’s Mr. Nice Guy, and a young man, who you want to see succeed. I promised to see him in the State of Virginia Division 2 Championship game if Harrisonburg made that game, which they did the second Saturday in December against Briarwood HS at Lynchburg, VA.
Declining scholarship offers from West Virginia, where his father West Turner played, Virginia, and nearby Hokieland, he will be playing offensive tackle at North Carolina University in 2011.
3. Jameel Poteat, RB, 5-11, 195, Bishop McDevitt HS, (Harrisburg, PA)Ranked the #76 Sporting New recruit in the 2011 class.
I hugged Jameel, after he ran a 65 yard touchdown off right tackle, straight at my camera lens, while I depressed my finger on the motor drive. It took until the second half to get these great shots and I wasoverjoyed when it happened.
I met Jameel’s mother, Linda Poteat, at half time and she is a nice lady.
Wanting to emulate his cousin Hank Poteat, who played safety there before nine NFL seasons, Jameel committed to the University of Pittsburgh.
Jameel has the power and speed to run over and away from opposing defenders. He ran for 1,664 yards and 24 touchdowns in the tough 2010 Harrisburg PA high school competition.
4. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, 6-7, 322, Dematha HS, (Hyattsville, MD)Ranked the Sporting News #1 recruit in the 2011 class.
I saw Cyrus in six games in 2009 and 2010, including the both WCAC Championship Games against Good Counsel at Annapolis.
Older brother Arie, who played with alongside Cyrus at Dematha HS in 2009, Is an offensive tackle at Alabama. Cyrus is raw and needs to fine tuning. I don’t think he’s developed his football instincts yet but has the size and potential to be great.
He has offers to play at Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, USC, and Virginia, but is still undecided.
5. Jamal Lewter, OT, 6-7, 265, Ballou HS (Washington, D.C.)Ranked in Sporting News top 300 recruits of the 2011 class.
I saw Jamar play football against Dunbar one night in October at Ballou HS in the Anacostia section of our nation’s capital.
I think this big raw boned youngster will surprise a few people. He has the heart, big body, and ability to play big time football. He accepted an offer to play offensive tackle at North Carolina in 2011.
6. Vincent Croce, LB and TE, 6-4, 260, Good Counsel HS, (Washington, D.C.)Unranked in the Sporting News Top 300 recruits of the 2011 class.
The Washington Post ranked him the 2010 Metropolitan Washington D.C defensive player of the year.
I saw Vincent play in games against St. Johns, Dematha three times, and Gonzaga, and never saw his team, Good Counsel, lose. He was a dominant middle linebacker and captain on defense as a juniorand senior on WCAC championship teams.
Good Counsel smoked perennial champion Dematha in the 2009 and 2010 WCAC championship games.
Vincent has committed to the University of Virginia in 2011.
7. Curtis Grant, LB, 6-3, 220, Hermitage HS, (Richmond, VA)Ranked the Sporting News #16 recruit in the 2011 class.
I saw him play in a game against Godwin HS in October in Richmond VA.
Curtis was a tough middle linebacker for Hermitage HS, but most college coaches see his future at outside linebacker.
His senior year football team lost the 2010 Virginia State A – Championship game to Battlefield, to finish with a 13-1 overall W-L record.
He received his first scholarship offer from West Virginia as a high school freshman, but is also seriously considering subsequent offers from Virginia Tech, Florida, Alabama, Miami, and Virginia.
8. Zach Dancel, QB, S, 6-0, 192, Good Counsel HS, (Washington, D.C.)Unranked in Sporting News Top 300 recruits in the 2011 class.
In 2010, he developed into an effective run-pass option quarterback. He works hard and gets better every year.
Zach was the winning quarterback in three games I saw him play in 2009 and three games in 2010, including the two WAAC championship games against Dematha.
He has scholarship options from Illinois, New Mexico, Stony Brook, and Towson and visited Georgia Tech.
9. Kevin Hogan, QB, 6-4, 200, Gonzaga HS, (Washington, D.C.)Unranked in Sporting News top 300 recruits in the 2011 class.
He has accepted a scholarship to back up Heisman Trophy runner up Andrew Luck at Stanford in 2011.
He was named the 2010 Washington Post top D.C. Metroplitan QB.
He was the losing QB In the semi final WCAC championship game against Good Counsel, but gave it his best shot.
I saw Kevin quarterback in two games against Good Counsel, and one against Bishop McNamara this season. He is the best pass - run high school quarterback I have ever seen. He and Zach Dancel will both make their marks in college football.
10. Terrell Chesnut, QB, DB, 5-11, 180, Pottsgrove HS (Pottstown, PA)Ranked the Sporting News #57 recruit in the 2011 class.
He has accepted an offer to play college football at Pittsburgh in 2011.
I drove to Pottstown PA for a photo shoot with Terrell in early October, but never saw him in a game.
His future may be in the secondary on defense, rather than quarterback, but this young man will be happy to play wherever his team needs him.
He is a fine young man, who will make the effort to do everything well, both on and off the gridiron.
Nationals Cuban Pitching Prospect Struggled in Fast A Carolina League Outing
By Rodger M. WoodNationals $6 million signee and top Cuban pitching prospect, Yunesky Maya got off to a good start pitching three shutout innings in his Fast A - Carolina League debut at Potomac Sunday afternoon, but bothered by a blister on his throwing thumb, struggled with control issues in the 4th, walking the leadoff hitter and allowing tough Winston Salem batters to tee off on him for a 5-1 lead.
After the game, Maya explained the blister prevented him from throwing a change-up with any confidence and gripping his splitter the way he liked. In the 5th inning, Dash 1B Seth Loman launched an 87 mph fast ball, which was up to that point in the 90 -92 range, over the right field fence.
Rodger’s Pick: Kipp Schutz, Aberdeen Iron Birds
By Rodger M. WoodWhat A Difference A Year Makes!
Hitting #2 in a strong 300 hitter loaded Aberdeen batting order, 22-year old left fielder Kipp Schutz is feasting off NY/PA League pitching with a 344 BA, 3 HR, and 27 RBI in 154 AB in 41 games played.The Baltimore Orioles have thought highly of this youngster since Day One, drafting him twice, 30th after high school in 2006 and 19th in 2009 after his torrid junior 392 BA, 5 HR, 34 RBI season at Big 10 Indiana University, where he also played varsity basketball as a walk on his junior year.After signing in June, 2009 he was immediately assigned to Rookie A Bluefield where he struggled at the plate in July but hit over 340 in August to finish his 40-game season of Appalachian League ball with a misleading 252 BA, 1 HR, and 15 RBI.Schutz explained his slow start. “I was injured most of July and hit about 202 for the month, but improved the month of August hitting about 350 and raising my batting average 50 points to 252.”While fully recovered from his injuries and eligible to advance to full season Low A Delmarva out of spring training this past April, the Orioles held him back in extended spring training.The young outfielder thinks that decision and his hard work last winter were the reasons for his hitting improvement at Aberdeen this season.“Bluefield was a struggle. During the off season I worked out with Dodgers coach and Yankee great, Don Mattingly and his son, Preston, then was held back in extended spring training, which was a blessing because I could work on my hitting, and all those other little things you can’t during the regular season.”Iron Birds hitting coach, Leo Gomez thinks Schutz’ hard work in extended spring paid backbig dividends.“He goes to the plate now more focused, confident, organized, relaxed, and looking for his pitch. He is a 100% consistent, has a good 2-strike approach, and is the kind of hitter you want up there in a tight situation. He doesn’t swing at everything and waits for a pitch he can drive.”
Rodger's Pick Archieve
Archieve of 2007 and before Rodger's Pick articles:
Will Thomas
Jason Place
Tripper Johnson
Andrew Pinckney
David Kelton
Garrett Olson
Jeremey West