American Heritage Group Highlights Early Signing Day

Decision Day 2012 was last Tuesday for the nation, but for several of the county’s top players, their decision day came Wednesday when they made big choices in their young lives by signing a National Letter of Intent.

Defending Class 5A state champion American Heritage led the pack with six players signing Division I scholarships: Shaun Anderson (Florida), Dean Pelman (Florida), Zach Collins (Miami), Danny Zardon (Louisiana State), CJ Chatham (Florida Atlantic) and Brandon Diaz (Florida International).

“It’s special for the kids who have worked and they maximized their ability in the time they’ve been here,” Heritage manager Bruce Aven said.

Aven has watched the players develop into the top-notch athletes they are today. He pointed to Anderson as a player who got where he is today with a steady improvement.

“He kept working and training and making the adjustments and learned how to pitch,” Aven said. “He turned out to be Shaun Anderson as you know him right now because of those things.”

He also saw Collins and Zardon step up as they “grabbed the ropes and took over” last year.

“It’s really good to see the work they put in behind the scenes where we’ve seen these kids transfer into who they are,” Aven said.

Anderson, who went 5-1 with 66 strikeouts and a 0.87 ERA in 56.1 innings last year, explained why he chose Florida.

“I wanted to stay in Florida because I’m a Florida boy and was raised in Florida and I like the warm weather,” said Anderson, who also considered Miami, North Carolina and Louisiana State.

At Florida, he’s “looking to become a better baseball player so when the draft comes in a couple of years, I’ll be a better player to fulfill my dream.”

Anderson said he was happy to see several of his teammates, the players he grew up playing with, also sign.

“We all looked out for each other. Having them on the team and seeing them accomplish their goal is heartwarming,” Anderson said. “You see them grow up and move on in their life.”

Collins, a catcher who hit a team-leading .443 with 23 runs and 27 RBI last year, has been waiting to sign with Miami ever since he committed as a sophomore. Actually, he was thinking about it for some time before that.

“Ever since I was a little kid, it’s been my dream,” Collins said. “I want to be one of the best players who’s ever played there and win a College World Series.”

Another top player in the area, Alec Byrd of St. Thomas, also will be representing the 954 at a big state school next season. He signed with Florida State but also was considering Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Florida and Duke.

“When i went up there for an unofficial visit, I fell in love with the facilities and the coaches,” Byrd said. “They’re like family there. Once I went to FSU, I knew that was the place I needed to be.”

Byrd, who went 3-3 with 46 strikeouts in 33 innings and also hit .345 last year, said he hopes to help the Seminoles get the first national championship for coach Mike Martin.

“I want to contribute any way I can and just have a good experience and use that as a steppingstone to get to the next level hopefully.”

St. Thomas coach Troy Cameron praised Byrd for being a four-year starter on varsity.

“Alec’s journey here are St. Thomas has been one of those high school careers that doesn’t come around that often, especially at a school like St. Thomas,” Cameron said. “There are not many athletes in a top sports program like St. Thomas that can say they were a four-year starter on the varsity team. Since Alec stepped foot on the St. Thomas baseball field, he has gone out and proved why he is one of those special players. Alec has chosen to pitch at Florida State University, and I couldn’t be happier for him and, of course, myself because I am an FSU fan.”

Joining him at Florida State is Douglas catcher/first baseman Derek Fritz. He hit .507 with 15 runs and 18 RBI to pace the Eagles last year. He’s someone who Douglas manager Todd Fitz-Gerald has seen grow into the athlete he is today.

“Derek has been with me since the eighth grade and has done everything that has been asked of him as a person and a player,” Fitz-Gerald said. “He is an excellent person and has outstanding character. He is such an important part of our program. He is someone who will be surely missed when he graduates. He’s a leader on the field with tremendous work ethic and discipline. Hopefully he has a great senior year and leaves his mark in the program. As a coach, I wish him all the success in the world. He deserves it.”

OTHER SIGNINGS REPORTED TO HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL NETWORK:

Player, position: Michael Hernandez, catcher
School: Archbishop McCarthy
Signed with: Nova Southeastern
Coach comment (Rich Bielski): Michael Hernandez is considered by many as the best defensive catcher in South Florida. Mike is a winner, period. Mike has been a member of the Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks varsity roster since his freshman year. It’s such a great feeling as a coach knowing that we have Michael Hernandez behind the dish who you know is going to “lock down” your opponent’s running game, block every pitch thrown, and be our team leader and captain out there. I’m so proud of Mike and how hard he works to continually try to improve his game and make our team better.

Player, position: Stephen Kerr, infielder
School: Coral Springs Charter
Signed with: Florida Atlantic
Coach comment (Mike Higgins): Stephen has been the heart of CSCS baseball team for many years. Stephen has been involved with the Charter baseball family since sixth grade. We are excited to celebrate Stephen’s successes with the many coaches from not only our present staff but also his travel coaches as well. I know that Jerry Albert, Stephen’s former high school coach is extremely proud as well.

Player, position: Andrew Liberty, pitcher/infielder
School: Calvary Christian
Signed with: Nova Southeastern
Coach comment (Greg Mucerino): Andrew will be solid college middle infielder. A 6.5 runner with plenty of arm strength. Coach Cruz and Brown did a great job in the recruiting process and sold A-lib on the vision for success they have there. They are getting a not only one of the finest middle infielders in the area, but one of the mentally toughest, even-keeled young players I’ve ever coached. He is among career leaders in stolen bases, triples, fielding percent and wins on the mound. We are looking forward to his leadership and great senior year as he leaves his final mark on our program. Andrew continues the legacy of early signees and excellence that is CCA Baseball.

Player, position: Andres Visbal, second base
School: Flanagan
Signed with: Nova Southeastern
Coach comment (Ray Evans): Andres is a switch-hitting second baseman who came to us as a sophomore in 2011. We have been able to watch him grow both as a person and as a baseball player the last three years. He has become the leader we thought he would be. He is a team captain and leads by example on and off the field. He will definitely be an asset to NSU and their baseball program.

Player, position: Daniel Vasquez, catcher
School: West Broward
Signed with: Sienna
Coach comment (Sergio Ambros): Daniel Vasquez, although new to West Broward, has been well received by his teammates and brings great energy. We hope he can be a factor for the 2013 season behind the plate for the Bobcats.

Player, position: Matt Hardy, pitcher
School: West Broward
Signed with: Nova Southeastern
Coach comment (Sergio Ambros): Matt Hardy is one of the hardest working guys we have. He has a very bright future and has been a pitcher on the varsity for the last two years. He looks to be one of our top guys in 2013. He has a great future and is a potential draft pick with continued hard work.

Player, position: Danny Pardo, outfield
School: West Broward
Signed with: Campbell
Coach comment (Sergio Ambros): Danny Pardo is by far one of the hardest working Bobcats we have in the weight room and on the field, but he also flourishes in his role as a mentor to younger Bobcats in our program. He also has the potential to be a draft pick in the future.

Player, position: Max Balter, short stop/pitcher
School: Western
Signed with: Tennessee-Martin

Player, position: Mac Hessney, second base/short stop
School: Western
Signed with: Palm Beach Atlantic
Coach comment (Paul Barnes): “Mac is a phenomenal athlete who has unlimited potential.”

Player, position: Tyler Keller, left-handed pitcher
School: Pompano Beach
Signed with: Stetson

Player, position: Shaw Pinnell, short stop
School: Pompano Beach
Signed with: Troy

Player, position: Stephen Goldberg, pitcher
School: Pine Crest
Signed with: Lehigh

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