Atlanta Braves 2011 Draft Signings

From: Elliott

The Braves are moving quickly to sign their top picks this year, one of 6 teams to have signed their first round selection (FSU left hander Sean Gilmartin). With the August 15 deadline still weeks away, the Braves have inked their top 9 picks, 12 of the top 14, 17 of the top 20, and 26 of the top 30. South Carolina fans would appreciate if they would lock down Vanderbilt's flame throwing closer Navory Moore, who was their 14th round selection. Moore was unhittable in Columbia this past season. The percentage of draftees signed is much higher than most other franchises and eliminates the team from the high priced "above slot" deals that get done close to the deadline. Here's to hoping 32nd round pick, Matt Kimbrel, is half as good as his big brother.

Marcus Lattimore at Real Men on July 28

From: Benjamin

South Carolina's Freshman All-American running back, Marcus Lattimore, will headline a group of players who will be speaking at First Baptist Church in Columbia on Thursday, July 28 at 6 pm. Over 1000 men are already registered for the Real Men event and over 4000 are expected. Doors will open at 5 pm, so arrive early to ensure a seat.
http://www.realmencolumbia.org/

Freddie Freeman Exceeding Expectations

From: Benjamin

Braves rookie first baseman, Freddie Freeman, is tearing the cover off of the ball, and you can bet the Rockies are ecstatic to see him leave town. Freeman knocked long ball number 15 yesterday and upped his average to .279 on the year. The power numbers are what stands out. The 21 year old never hit more than 18 home runs in the minors (Rome 2008 and Gwinnett 2010) and was projected by most to end up around 15 in his first big league season. Power numbers come later in the career for most players, the fact that Freeman, who will turn 22 on September 12, has squared up this many so early is extremely promising. Add to it 24 walks and the high average and you get a rookie of the year candidate. Jason Heyward received all of the hype, but is still hovering around the .220s. Freeman is blowing past expectations and is giving the Bravos a big time bat in the middle of the line up.

MLB Draft Update

From: Austin
Note, we are updating the SEC in MLB draft post when signings occur, the latest being Florida pitcher Alex Panteliodis. It is dated June 9.

Blake Cooper

From: Cole
I had not seen this video, but Praise the Lord former gamecock, Blake Cooper, is ok after taking a line drive off of the head in a minor league game earlier this year

South Carolina OL Commit Cody Waldrop

From: Elliott
South Carolina got another commit from a big nasty on Thursday when Cody Waldrop picked the defending SEC East champs over the Bulldogs of Georgia. Earlier in the Spurrier era, the Gamecock oline not only lacked toughness, but was hardly aggressive at all. That changed with the addition of Coach Elliott, and they are now recruiting talented linemen with mean streaks. Take a look at Waldrop's highlight film from Gamechangers and you'll see that he plays with a nasty streak. That's what I'm talking about! This is the type of player you anchor a line around.

Wingo's clutch blast versus Texas A&M

From:  Cole

With all of the talk about the football recruiting success of late, let us not forget about the Back to Back CWS champions. The South Carolina Fighting Gamecocks!

Seniors win championships. Veteran teams do not fold under pressure. Scott Wingo began his career by learning to get hit by more pitches than any other Gamecock because he could not hit worth a squat. Hard work, maturity, and good coaching developed him into the 2011 Gamecock Mr. Clutch, with the bat that is. Wingo had all but one of South Carolina's walk offs this season. None was more important than in the opening game of the CWS.

Clary Preseason All SEC Football Team

From: Everyone

Offense:
1st Team                                                          2nd Team
QB: Steven Garcia USC Sr.                               Tyler Wilson Arkansas Jr.
                                                                       Aaron Murray UGA So

RB: Marcus Lattimore USC So.                         Knile Davis Arkansas Jr.
       Trent Richardson Bama Jr.                         Spencer Ware LSU So.

WR Alshon Jeffery USC Jr.                               Greg Childs Arkansas Sr.
       Joe Adams Arkansas Sr.                           Marquis Maze Bama Sr.

TE: Orson Charles UGA Jr.                               Philip Lutzenkirchen Auburn Jr.
                              
OL: Barrett Jones Bama Jr.                               Ja'Wuan James Tenn So.
      Cordy Glenn UGA Sr.                                 Josh Dworaczky LSU Sr.
      Larry Warford UK Jr.                                  Alvin Bailey Arkansas So.
      William Vlachos Bama Sr.                          Bradley Sowell Ole Miss Sr
      Rokevious Watkins USC Sr.                        Bobby Massie Ole Miss Jr
Defense:
1st Team                                                           2nd Team                     
DE: Devin Taylor USC Jr.                                  Melvin Ingram USC Sr.
       Jake Bequette Arkansas Sr.                       Corey Lemonier Auburn So.

DT: Malik Jackson Tenn Sr.                               Travian Robertson USC Sr.
      Fletcher Cox Miss St Jr.                              Josh Chapman Bama Sr.

LB: Dont'a Hightower Bama Jr.                           Courtney Upshaw Bama Sr.
      Danny Trevathan UK Sr.                               Jerry Franklin Arkansas Sr.
      Jelani Jenkins, Florida So                             Chris Marve Vandy Sr.

CB: Stephon Gilmore USC Jr.                             Morris Claiborne LSU Jr.
       Casey Howard Vandy Sr.                             Prentiss Waggner Tenn Jr.

S:    Janzen Jackson Tenn Jr.                             Tramain Thomas Arkansas Sr.
       Mark Barron Bama Sr.                                 Robert Lester Bama Jr.

Ret: Brandon Boykin UGA Sr.                             Joe Adams Arkansas Sr.

K:   Blair Walsh UGA Sr.                                     Zach Hocker Arkansas So.

P:   Drew Butler UGA Sr.                                     Tyler Campbell Ole Miss Jr.

We had the most debate about the QB position. Some love UGA's Aaron Murray and some are not quite sold. How well will he do without AJ Green and without a veteran RB to block for him? He will be the best pure passer in the league when given time to throw. Garcia is another story. We are certain that he'll be the QB under center for Coach Spurrier, provided he doesn't have another idiotic event. He has the best WR and RB to work with. While he may not be flashy or even in the same zip code of a passer that Murray is, #5 in garnet is primed for a big season. Tyler Wilson has the luxury of 3 of the top 5 WRs in the league. He looked fantastic in injury duty last year, and he will have the Hogs battling Alabama for the west title. Yes, Auburn's Michael Dyer did not make the list, and he may have a banner year. However, without SuperCam at his side, his numbers are a little more difficult to project.

SEC Media Days lineup

From: Leon
For those needing a football fix, the lineup for SEC media days was announced. Most conferences have a small one day event, but not the SEC. The conference who holds the last five national champs does a 3 day all out event.

Wednesday, July 20

ARKANSAS (Head Coach Bobby Petrino)

• Knile Davis (RB, 6-0, 230, Jr., 1st-team AP All-SEC, 2nd-team SEC Coaches All-SEC, 2nd in SEC in rushing with 1,322 yards and 13 TDs)

• Jarius Wright (WR, 5-10, 180, Sr., 42 catches for 788 yards and 5 TDs)

• Tenarius Wright (DE, 6-2, 252, Jr, 36 total tackles, 8 for losses including six sacks)

FLORIDA (Head Coach Will Muschamp)

• John Brantley (QB, 6-3, 220, Sr., completed 60.8 percent of passes for 2,061 yards and nine TDs)

• William Green (DE, 6-4, 245, Sr., 13 total tackles, four for losses including a sack)

• Deonte Thompson (WR, 6-0, 200, Sr., 38 catches for 570 yards and a touchdown)

SOUTH CAROLINA (Head Coach Steve Spurrier)

• Alshon Jeffery (WR, 6-4, 233, Jr.., 1st-team AFCA and FWAA All-American, 2nd-team AP, SI.com and Walter Camp All-American, 1st-team AP and SEC Coaches All-SEC)

• Marcus Lattimore (RB, 6-0, 231, So., 2nd-team Walter Camp All-American, 1st-team Rivals.com, FWAA and Sporting News Freshman All-American, 1st-team AP and SEC Coaches All-SEC, AP and SEC Coaches SEC Freshman of the Year, 1st-team SEC Coaches Freshman All-SEC)

• Travian Robertson (6-4, 298, Sr., 42 tackles, including ten for loss es and four sacks)

MISSISSIPPI STATE (Head Coach Dan Mullen)

• Vick Ballard (RB, 5-11, 220, Sr., Honorable Mention AP All-SEC, Rushed for 968 yards and 19 TDs)

• Fletcher Cox (DT, 6-4, 295, Jr.,  29 total tackles with 6.5 for losses including 2.5 sacks)

• Chris Relf (QB, 6-4, 245, Sr., Completed 129 of 220 passes for 1,789 yards and 13 TDs and rushed for 713 yards and five scores)
Thursday, July 21

KENTUCKY (Head Coach Joker Phillips)

• Stuart Hines (OG, 6-4, 296, Sr., Started 11 games at left guard after missing two games with injury)

• Danny Trevathan (LB, 6-1, 232, Sr., 1st-team AP & SEC Coaches All-SEC, Led SEC in tackles with 144 stops)

• Morgan Newton (QB, 6-4, 235, Jr., Started the BBVA Compass Bowl , completing 21 of 36 passes for 211 yards and 18 rushing yards)

GEORGIA (Head Coach Mark Richt)

• Brandon Boykin (CB, 5-10, 183, Sr., 44 tackles with 6.5 for loss, three interceptions and three pass breakups, also returned 34 kickoffs for 825 yards)

• Ben Jones (C, 6-3, 316, Sr.,  Made 12 starts and played in all 13 games)

• Aaron Murray (QB, 6-1, 211, So., 1st-team Sporting News Freshman All-American, 2nd-team Rivals.com Freshman All-American, 1st-team SEC Coaches Freshman All-SEC)

AUBURN (Head Coach Gene Chizik)

• Emory Blake (WR, 6-1, 197, Jr.,  Had 33 catches for 554 yards with a team-high eight TDs)

• Nosa Equae (DT, 6-2, 255, So.,  Had 22 total tackles with 7.5 for losses, including 3.5 sacks)

• Phillip Lutzenkirchen (TE, 6-4, 253, Jr., Had 15 catches for 185 yards and five TDs)

TENNESSEE (Head Coach Derek Dooley)

• Malik Jackson (DL, 6-5, 270, Sr., 2nd-team AP All-SEC, 48 total tackles with 11 for losses, including five sacks)

• Tauren Poole (RB, 5-10, 215, Sr., Honorable Mention AP All-SEC, Rushed for 1,034 yards and 11 TDs)

• Dallas Thomas (OL, 6-5, 305, Jr., Started all 13 games at left tackle)
Friday, July 22

ALABAMA (Head Coach Nick Saban)

• Mark Barron (SAF, 6-2, 218, Sr., 2nd-team AP and SI.com All-American, 1st-team FWAA All-American, 1st-team AP and SEC Coaches All-SEC)

• Dont’a Hightower (LB, 6-4, 260, Jr., 2nd-team AP and SEC Coaches All-SEC, 2nd on team with 69 total tackles)

• Trent Richardson (RB, 5-11, 224, Jr., 2nd-team SEC Coaches All-SEC, 2nd on team with 700 rushing yards and six TDs and caught 23 passes for 266 yards and 4 TDs)

VANDERBILT (Head Coach James Franklin)

• Casey Hayward (CB, 6-0, 185, Sr., 2nd-team AP and SEC Coaches All-SEC), 70 tackles with 17 pass deflections and six interceptions)

• Chris Marve (LB, 6-0, 235, Sr., 2nd-team SEC Coaches All-SEC), Started and played in 11 games with 80 tackles with eight for losses)

• Larry Smith (QB, 6-2, 220, Sr., Started and played in 11 games, Head single-season career highs with 117 completions, 1,262 passing yards, six TD passes, 248 rushing yards and four rushing TDs)

OLE MISS (Head Coach Houston Nutt)

• Brandon Bolden (RB, 5-11, 221, Sr., Honorable mention All-SEC, Rushed for 976 yards and 14 TDs and caught 32 passes for 344 yards and 3 TDs)

• Kentrell Lockett (DE, 6-5, 248, Sr., Played and started in three games before suffering season-ending ACL injury, granted a sixth-year of eligibility)

• Bradley Sowell (OT, 6-7, 315, Sr., 2nd-team AP All-SEC, Started all 12 games at left tackle)

LSU (Head Coach Les Miles)

• Ryan Baker (LB, 6-0, 227, Sr., Second on team with 87 total tackles with 11 for losses including team-high seven sacks)

• Jordan Jefferson (QB, 6-5, 224, Sr., Completed 119-of-209 passes for 1,411 yards and seven TDs and also rushed for 450 yards and 13 TDs)

• Russell Shepard (WR, 6-1, 188, Jr., Caught 33 passes for 249 yards and a TD and rushed for 226 yards and 2 TDs)

Steve Spurrier Jr. Recruiting Coordinator

From: Benjamin
Coach Spurrier Jr. gets an A+ for his duties as recruiting coordinator thus far. In what is a stark change from previous years, the Gamecocks are sitting at 13 commitments right now. Most years the team comes out of the summer with 5-6, which inevitably perturbs the fanbase because the tigers to the northwest are always well into double digits by that time. Most of the time the prospects giving their pledge to the Gamecocks in the summer are lower rated guys who looked good in camp. Sleepers, we are told. Is that term overused or what? But not this year. The 13 commits are almost all highly touted players. Can this be attributed to last year's success on the field and drubbing the tigers for the second year in a row? Yes. However, a lot of credit needs to go to the coaching staff and Coach Jr. Last weekend felt like the last week of January to those who follow recruiting closely. The only question is, what are we going to do after football season to pass the time if the class is already almost complete? Spend more time at church I guess.

Craig Kimbrel sets Rookie Record

From: Elliott

Congratulations to the Atlanta Braves rookie closer, Craig Kimbrel, who set the Major League record for first half saves by a rookie yesterday by notching his 27th against the Colorado Rockies. The previous mark was held by Jonathon Palpebon of the Boston Red Sox. Kimbrel had three saves in the Braves' four-game sweep of Colorado and is 27 of 32 on the year. He is much more effective than earlier in the year when he was struggling with control and giving up the 0-2 hit. Kimbrel is on pace for 48 saves, which would crush the full-season rookie mark set last season by Neftali Feliz (40), not to mention 127 strikeouts, which would be the third most by a rookie relief pitcher. What does the fact that Feliz was drafted by the Braves say about their scouting? For all the Braves fans who suffered through the Alejandro Pena, Jeff Reardon years and their inability to win the big one, plus the Mark Wohlers and John Rocker meltdowns, having Kimbrel man the closer spot for the next 10 years is exciting. Not bad for a guy from Wallace State Community College. Of note, the Braves selected Kimbrel's younger brother Matt in the 32 round.

Justin King Media

From: Benjamin
This guy's work is awesome! Justin King has produced more exhilarating South Carolina videos than anyone. His latest does not disappoint as he honors the back to back National Champs!

Tired of looking at the same National Championship apparel that everyone is wearing since they all went the Jewelery Warehouse? Check out thebigspurshop.com. They have some different designs and cheaper prices.

James Darnell Promoted to Triple A Tucson

From: Austin
Congratulations to former Gamecock 3rd bagger, James Darnell, who was promoted to the Triple A squad of the San Diego Padres on July 4th. In 76 games with the Double A San Antonio Missions, Darnell hit .333 (96-for-288) with 25 doubles, 17 home runs, 62 RBI and 62 runs scored. In the first half of the Texas League season, Darnell led the league in extra-base hits (43) and was second in doubles, on-base percentage (.434), slugging percentage (.604), tied for second in homers and RBI, third in average, hits, total bases (174) and walks (52) and fifth in runs. He was named the Texas League's All-Star Game MVP on June 29 after going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a 3-2 win.

In his first at bat with Tucson, Darnell stroked a RBI double. He finished the game going 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored. Pretty good to get the cleanup slot in your first game. Darnell will represent the USA in the upcoming Futures Game on July 10. Oh, and my brothers and I are partial to Darnell's girlfriend as well.

Back to Back National Champions

From: Matthew
Ok, we've spent the last week celebrating the Back to Back National Championships by the South Carolina baseball team. So much to discuss, but later. Now, it remains celebration time. Band of Oz brings the party today with their Johnnie Taylor cover "Wall to Wall." That's right! It's wall to wall and back to back, as in back to back National Champions!