That might be because his defending district baseball champion Franklin-Monroe Jets (21-1, 10-1 Cross County Conference) had yet another solid season.
Or perhaps it’s because he was named the 2009 Cross County Conference Player of the Year.
Or maybe it’s because the Franklin-Monroe pitching superstar was recently cited as the All-Area Division IV player of the year by the Miami Valley Baseball Coaches’ Association.
Unanimously.
“I’m a smarter baseball player than I used to be,” he said. “I’ve always had great coaching. For example, last summer I worked out with Rick Castle, a pitching coach over at Patterson Park.
“We worked on my pitch placement and the mind-game aspects of pitch selection. It’s made a pretty big difference for me.”
Proven numbers
Pressly’s ability to consistently throw 80 mph sliders for first-pitch strikes surely had something to do with the MVBBCA’s selection. They probably considered his perfect record (6-0), too.
And what’s up with that 0.00 ERA?
“(Pressly) sure is attracting a lot of attention,” laughed the Jets’ head baseball coach, Mike Morris. “He has a scholarship offer to play for Sinclair next year, but lots of schools are still interested in him.
“Austin is no ordinary player. The kid has baseball people flying in here all of the time to see him play.”
The Milwaukee Brewers — who admire greatly Pressly’s 91 mph four-seam fastball— drafted him with the 706th overall pick, in the 23rd round, of the Major League Baseball Draft last month. No wonder, Franklin-Monroe practice sessions were often frequented with scouts.
Pressly didn’t allow an earned run in the regular season. F-M fell 10-5 to Cincinnati Reading in a district final.
“I don’t see myself as the best player in the area,” said the consensus choice as the area’s best player. “I see myself as a good teammate who is lucky to be surrounded by a strong defense and a lot of my friends.”
Recruiting trail
The 2009 edition of the Jets was not a one-man show.
“We could have four players playing college ball in the not-too-distant future,” said Morris, the 2009 MVBBCA D-IV coach of the year. “We have a lot of solid players. Our third baseman, (first team All-Area) Heath Kaufman (.421 BA), will play for Tennessee Tech next year.
“Cody Neleigh (.891 slugging percentage) is our catcher and he was first team All-Area, too. He’ll be playing at Bethel (Ind.) College.”
Junior leadoff hitter, Clint Neleigh, is being recruited by Indiana University.
Flame-throwing right-hander Grant Odell (second team All-Area, 5-0, 2.47 ERA), will receive plenty of attention next season, as well.
Contact this writer at hotair@hotmail.com.
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