The Meridian Community College baseball team announced Thursday that 11 players have signed to join the baseball program at MCC next season. The list includes players from five different states (Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida) and young men that will look to make an immediate impact in 2013.

“We are very excited about this year’s class,” said MCC head coach Chris Curry. “I feel like that our coaching staff did an outstanding job of identifying the prospects in the southeast. We really feel like that this class has some great hitters and some very strong infielder’s.”

D.J. Davis, Paul Angel, Brooks Balisterrl, Andrew Crook, Michael Druhan, Ben Gann, Kevin Hall, Grant Hill, Garrett LaRosa, Mac Seibert, and Dylan Sellars have all committed to play next season for Meridian Community College.

The recruiting class is highlighted by outfielder D.J. Davis who will come to MCC from Stone High School, and is ranked as one of the top 100 high school players in the country according to Perfect Game.

“He (D.J.) is a special talent who will be a high draft pick this spring,” added Curry. He just keeps getting better and better. He is a plus-runner who can hit for power.”

Angel, an outfielder from Spain Park High School in Birmingham, AL will look to make a splash next season for the Eagles.

“He (Paul) is about as close to a five tool player as you will find,” said Curry. “He can really run and defend in the outfield, has tremendous feel for hitting, and his power is developing.”

Balisterri, an infielder from Benton High School in Arkansas, will look to bring some great defensive ability at shortstop for the Eagles next season.

“He (Brooks) is a guy who was brought up playing the game the right way,” added Curry. “He has an athletic live body who we feel is a true shortstop.”

Crook will come to MCC from Har-Ber High School in Springdale, AR and will look to log innings on the mound, and play in the outfield for MCC.

“He (Andrew) possesses above average arm strength who really showed a desire to be an Eagle,” added Curry. “He has a quick arm and is really athletic.”

Druhan comes to MCC next year from Collierville High School in Tennessee and will join former high school teammates Tyler Dixon and Caleb Delee. Druhan will look to play first base and pitch for the Eagles in 2012.

 “He (Michael) has a chance to be a legitimate two way guy for us,” said Curry. “Michael has a power arm and a power bat. He is another guy who we feel like has the frame and athletic ability to continue to improve.”

Gann will enter next season at Meridian from Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham, AL. Gann will look to add some power to the middle of the lineup for the Eagles in 2013.

“He (Ben) is a throw-back hard-nosed ball player,” said Curry. “He can hit for power and average and comes from one of the top high school programs in Alabama.”

Hall is the second player in the 2012 signing class from Collierville High School in Tennessee. Hall will bring many different qualities to the MCC program next season.

“We are getting a special player in Kevin. We feel like he is one of the better hitters in the Southeast. He can catch and is athletic enough to play other positions as well.”

Hill is the lone player from Lauderdale County in the 2012 signing class and played at West Lauderdale High School.            

“He (Grant) is a perfect fit for our program with how he plays the game and the work ethic he displays. He can play multiple positions, can handle the bat, and is a really aggressive and smart base runner.”

LaRosa, a native of Long Beach, will join the Eagles from Long Beach High School. LaRosa will look to make an immediate impact at catcher for the Eagles.  

“He (Garrett) is the best catcher in the state this year,” said Curry. “He can really catch and throw. He has the personality and leadership qualities we look for in a catcher as well.”

Seibert will come to Meridian from Tate High School in Cantonment, FL where he has played infield.

“He (Mac) is a guy we have followed for a while now and feel fortunate to have him join our program,” said Curry. “He is a legitimate middle of the order type bat.”

Sellars is the final member of the 2012 signing class for Meridian Community College. Sellars comes to MCC from Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, LA. Sellars will join the pitching staff next season and look to battle for a spot in the rotation.                    

“He (Dylan) is another big physical right-hander that kind of fits our mold,” added Curry. “His best days are ahead of him. His arm works really well and will be a true sinker, slider guy.”