The most highly talented group of underclass baseball players was handpicked at the 2011 USSSA All-American Games. Between their evident work ethic and their talent, this elite group of individuals made a lasting impression on the scouts at the event and was named to the 2012 USSSA National Team. A year later, these individuals have just completed their high school seasons and will be representing USSSA in the Gold Medal Games this July.
The USSSA Gold Medal Games is an international tournament which emulates the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic. It includes twelve nations and the USSSA National Team, the United States representatives, which play in a round robin format. After pool play, the countries move into the elimination round where each game could be a plane ticket home. In previous years, the USSSA team has done well, making it to the championship game every time, and winning it on multiple occasions.
After some fine tuning and extra training the team now considers themselves ready to put on the red, white, and blue jerseys. Each individual enjoyed great seasons for 2012 and hope to make this summer the icing on the cake.
The Amateur Baseball Report has the most updated information on each of the members of the Junior National Team in preparation for their participation in the 2012 Gold Medal Games.
Christopher Reid
Reid enjoyed his first varsity season as a freshman. He hit a .333 clip with 17 RBI’s and had an on base percentage of .466. Chris was the only freshman to make varsity and started every game at second base. He also made second team all district.
Ryan Lang
Lang started on varsity as a freshman and was the team defensive player of the year. He helped his team by going 6-1 with a respectable 2.41 era. The young star did a tremendous job at challenging hitters where he had a 2:1 strike to ball ratio. Things look bright for Ryan in the future.
Ruben Garcia
Garcia is a 6’3’’ 180lb sophomore. Unfortunately he missed his spring season due to an extenuating circumstance. Ruben has been training hard to prepare for a big summer. Entering his junior year Ruben will not have to worry about the great college search for he has already committed to Florida International University.
Matthew Heibult
Gilbert Arizona is home for Matt Heibult of Mesquite HS (top contender in AZ HS baseball). As a sophomore he started in the very competitive rotation. Heibult hit a .333 clip. He also pitched and acquired 4 wins and 1 loss with just over a 4.00 ERA.
Ethan Skender
Freshman Ethan Skender of Metamora Township High School in Metamora, IL was a frosh standout this year for his varsity team. He put together a .323 year with 4 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. He played a few games on sophomore at the beginning of the season. He is now heading into regionals with a 24-10 record.
Cameron Williams
Sophomore Cameron Williams had a big season for Bastrop HS in 2012. Cameron earned 1st team all Bastrop county, 1st team all district, and Bastrop HS male athlete of the year. In 46 innings he amassed 67 strike outs while earning a 1.67 era. He landed up with a 3-4 record and 1 save.
Kidd Soole
Logan ‘Kidd’ Soole stands 6’ and 175 lbs as a freshman at Monarch HS in Colorado. Kidd was a young stand out where he hit .331 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 homerun in only 20 games. On the mound he went 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA (5th in Colorado’s largest HS division). Opponents batted a dismal .193 against him; Kidd was named 2nd team All Conference as both an outfielder and pitcher.
Josh Bissonette
Bissonette is a Freshman at Orange Lutheran High School in California. The 5’7’’ 130 lb ambidextrous player had a very solid season. He hit .327 with 4 doubles and a .400 slugging percentage. He looks forward in representing his country this summer and is currently preparing for summer ball plans.
Ryan Fish
Oak Park River Forest is home to National Team member Ryan Fish. The 6’ 185 pound freshman led his high school freshman team in almost every offensive category this spring season (OBP, SLG, OPS, Homeruns, triples, and walks). He hit .377 on the year with 4 home runs while only striking out 5 times. On the mound he went 5-1 with a 1.61 ERA. Fish is also an excellent student in that he was on the OPRF honor roll.
Alex D’Orso
D’Orso is a left handed pitcher from Olympia High School in Windermere, Florida. He has solid overall stuff. D’Orso attacks hitters and gets outs. He is also a good student.
Kyle Gibbs
Gibbs attends Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a tremendous athlete. Posses a very strong arm from behind the dish, also had accurate throws. He has a big bat, especially for his size. He is yet another high caliber catcher on national team (Wyatt Matheson, LJ Newman, Evan East, and Carter White).
Kearon Redmon
Redmon stands 5’8” 160 pounds from Van Alstyne High School. In his freshman season he earned All- District. Redmon was named newcomer of the year for North Texas.
Nick Blomgren
Blomgren is a utility player out of Milton, Wisconsin. He is very versatile. He can play multiple positions and plays each one at a high level. Off the mound he possesses a good fastball with movement. Better development of a secondary pitch would make him extremely tough on hitters.
Dillon Duarte
Duarte is a stocky LHP from Calallen High School in Corpus Christi Texas. At 6’ 185 pounds, Duarte throws multiple pitches for strikes in any count. His fastball is not over powering, but its movement keeps hitters at bay.
Trace Brucey
Bucey is a pitcher/ utility player out of Corpus Christi Carroll HS. On the mound he hides the ball well. It seems to explode on the hitter. His best asset is his control.
Cre Finfrock
Jensen Beach High School is where Cre Finfrock calls home. Cre is currently one of the top pitching prospects in the nation. After just finishing up his sophomore year in high school Cre is already bumping low 90’s. His curveball is sharp and late breaking. He is a big swing and miss pitcher between his fastball and curveball. He also plays infield and outfield. He is an above average runner with solid hitting tools. They project well with more weight. In his 2012 spring campaign Finfrock posted a 2-2 record with an ERA just above a 1.00. Finfrock has already committed to the University of Central Florida. He will play in Prague with the older team as well in June.
Roy Thurman
Thurman is a large framed athletic outfielder from Indiana. Thurman moves very well for his size. He has good power and a strong bat. Roy manages to create a lot of backspin on the ball by driving down through it.
Matthew Muhleisen
Harvey, Louisiana native Matthew Muhleisen is a pitcher and utility player. Muhleisen has very good speed. He is a strong overall player and does everything right. He also possesses an extremely high baseball IQ along with a good attitude. Fundamentally everything is strong.
Jonathan Arrieta
First basemen Jonathan Arrieta attends Montwood High School in El Paso, Texas. Arrieta has fast and strong hands in the box. He is a definite power potential with plus average pop. He is sound defensively, showed it this spring.
Subscribe to Our Latest News Via Email
