Aggie Baseball Completes Fall Signing Class With Four JUCO Standouts
Dec 05, 2005 | Baseball
December 05, 2005
The Texas A&M baseball program completed its 2005 fall signing class with the addition of four junior college players, announced first-year head coach Rob Childress on Monday.
First baseman and outfielder Darby Brown (Lubbock, Texas/Howard JC), right-handed pitcher Gary Campfield (Kerrville, Texas/Navarro JC), infielder Brandon Hicks (Pasadena, Texas/San Jacinto JC), and outfielder and left-handed pitcher Kirkland Rivers (Henderson, Texas/Texarkana JC) complement the 12 high school signees released by the Aggies in November.
"We are excited about the four junior college standouts we signed in the early signing period," Childress said. "These are proven collegiate players that will have the opportunity to come into our program and make an immediate impact. Combined with our 12 high school signees, I feel we have one of the top recruiting classes in the country."
Of the 16 total members of the signing class, all hail from the state of Texas.
"We are glad that we were able to sign Texas players," said Childress. "The state of Texas is home to what I think is the finest high school, junior college and summer programs in the country. We are proud to sign Texas kids that want to stay in the state and compete."
Texas A&M opens the 2006 season on February 10 at Olsen Field when they host Northwestern State.
Texas A&M Baseball Fall 2005 Signing Class (16)
| Name | Pos. | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | B-T | Hometown (Current School) |
| Kevin Angelle | LHP | Fr. | 6-3 | 185 | L-L | Bridge City, Texas (Bridge City) |
| Zack Britton | LHP | Fr. | 6-3 | 180 | L-L | Weatherford, Texas (Weatherford) |
| Darby Brown | INF/OF | Jr. | 6-3 | 220 | L-R | Lubbock, Texas (Cooper/Howard JC) |
| Jake Bussey | RHP/INF | Fr. | 6-0 | 200 | R-R | La Porte, Texas (La Porte) |
| Gary Campfield | RHP | Jr. | 6-2 | 200 | R-R | Kerrville, Texas (Tivy/Navarro JC) |
| Kevin Cravey | RHP | Fr. | 6-1 | 175 | R-R | Spring, Texas (Klein Oak) |
| Clayton Ehlert | RHP/OF | Fr. | 6-1 | 185 | R-R | Orange, Texas (Little Cypress-Mauriceville) |
| Kevin Gonzalez | C | Fr. | 5-10 | 180 | R-R | Houston, Texas (Mayde Creek) |
| Michael Heard | LHP | Fr. | 5-11 | 170 | L-L | Montgomery, Texas (Montgomery) |
| Brandon Hicks | INF | Jr. | 6-2 | 190 | R-R | Pasadena, Texas (Sam Rayburn/San Jacinto JC) |
| Clayton Kershaw | LHP | Fr. | 6-4 | 210 | L-L | Dallas, Texas (Highland Park) |
| Shane Minks | RHP | Fr. | 6-3 | 190 | R-R | West Columbia, Texas (Columbia) |
| Mitch Nelson | LHP | Fr. | 6-2 | 180 | L-L | Magnolia, Texas (Tomball) |
| Nick Papasan | INF | Fr. | 5-11 | 175 | R-R | Granbury, Texas (Granbury) |
| Kirland Rivers | LHP/OF | Jr. | 6-1 | 185 | L-L | Henderson, Texas (Henderson/Texarkana JC) |
| Matt Sulentic | OF | Fr. | 5-10 | 175 | L-R | Dallas, Texas (Hillcrest) |
Junior College Signee Profiles
Darby Brown (INF/OF) - Lubbock, Texas (Cooper/Howard JC)
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Named the MVP of the WJCAC after the 2005 season ... Led the conference in most offensive categories with a .508 average, 97 hits, 27 doubles, 17 home runs and 87 RBIs ... All-State infielder in 2003 at Cooper High School ... Drafted in the 46th Round by the Cincinnati Reds in 2005 Draft ... Named the district MVP after his senior year in high school.
SCOUTING REPORT: Brown is a left-handed hitter with a strong, short and balanced swing. He also has above-average power to all parts of the ballpark. He has very mature approach, is a solid defender and a good runner for his size.
Gary Campfield (RHP) - Kerrville, Texas (Tivy/Navarro JC)
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Redshirted last year at Navarro Junior College ... fanned 36 hitters in 30 innings as a freshman at Navarro and accumulated an ERA of 2.75 ... Two-time all-district outfielder at Tivy High School... Only threw a handful of innings in high school and converted to a pitcher when he went to Navarro.
SCOUTING REPORT: Campfield has a lively fastball that ranges from 90-93 mph. He has a good feel for the strike-zone and attacks it with his fastball. He also features a hard, late-breaking curveball.
Brandon Hicks (INF) - Pasadena, Texas (Sam Rayburn/San Jacinto JC)
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Was chosen to play in the Junior College All-Star game in Waco after last season ... Was twice named to the all-district squad at Sam Rayburn High School ... Also lettered two years in basketball, and was a team captain his senior year.
SCOUTING REPORT: Hicks has great defensive actions in the infield and possesses above-average arm strength and hands. He is very athletic and instinctual. He is also an excellent baserunner.
Kirkland Rivers (LHP/OF) - Henderson, Texas (Henderson/Texarkana JC)
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Named to the NJCAA Region XIV all-region team and Southern District Defensive Player of the Year after helping lead Texarkana to the JUCO World Series in 2005 ... Lead-off hitter who hit .410 with 19 doubles and 36 RBIs ... Named to the THBCA all-state as a pitcher after his senior year of high school and to the all-state team as an outfielder after his junior year ... Hit .381 with 33 doubles and 57 RBIs in is three years of varsity baseball ... Accumulated a record of 22-7 with a 1.21 ERA during that span ... Played on the 2002 USA Youth National Team that earned the silver medal in the Junior Olympic Tournament ... Also was a two-year all-district wide receiver at Henderson High School.
SCOUTING REPORT: Rivers is a very aggressive player, both on the mound and in the field. Runs well and has above average instincts in the outfield. He has feel for three pitches and commands an 87-92 mph fastball. He is a hard-nosed competitor who has a bright future.
