Temple University Athletics
Phil Gianakos
Baseball Signs Four To National Letters Of Intent
11.19.09 | Baseball
Three right-handed pitchers and a catcher to join Owls next season
PHILADELPHIA – Temple head baseball coach Rob Valli has announced the signing of four student-athletes, RHP Zac Batchelor, RHP Phil Gianakos, RHP Matt Hockenberry, and C Will Remillard to National Letters of Intent. The group will begin their careers at Temple during the 2011 season.
“I am especially proud of this class,” commented Valli. “We signed four student-athletes who have the potential to make a tremendous impact on our program. All four have been dedicated to their sport year-round and compete at the highest levels.”
“Additionally, I think it is important to note that assistant coaches Chuck Ristano and Joe Agnello came on board and did a great job securing our top priority recruits," added Valli.
Batchelor (6-1, 180) is a right-handed pitcher from Monroe Township (NJ) High School. As a junior, he was named to the Middlesex County All-Junior team, throwing 17 innings and striking out 30 batters. He was also a power at the plate, leading Middlesex County batting .362 and posting a .494 on-base percentage. Batchelor helped lead his team to a 16-6-1 record, also ranking as the county's leading pitcher. During the summer and fall, Batchelor pitched and played first base for the Farrah Builders.
“Zac is a very good athlete with a live arm,” said Valli. “He is at the very beginning stages of realizing how good he can be. We are confident that Zac has the potential to emerge as a front line pitcher in the Atlantic 10 in the very near future.”
Gianakos (6-1, 180) is a right-handed pitcher from Saint Joseph's (NJ) High School. A native of Lebanon, NJ, Gianakos posted 14 strikeouts in six appearances, earning a win and two saves as a junior. At the plate, he batted .358 with seven doubles, a triple, and two homeruns. For the past two off-seasons, Gianakos pitched for the prestigious Baseball U organization.
“Phil is a player who we know very well,” Valli said. “His development over the past couple years has been steady. Phil throws three plus pitches and profiles as a starting pitcher for us.”
Hockenberry (6-3, 200) is another right-handed pitcher from South Western (PA) High School. A two year varsity starter, he was named to the York Daily Record Division I All-Star team with a 4-2 record as a junior. That same year, he earned the win in his team's district clinching game, striking out nine batters only allowing one walk. This past off-season, Hockenberry pitched for the Mid-Atlantic Rookies.
“Matt has emerged as one of the better pitching prospects in the region,” commented Valli. “Matt has the makings of a power arm and the potential to be a strikeout type pitcher. With continued development, we expect great things from the big right-hander.”
Remillard (6-1, 185) is a catcher from Troy, NY (La Salle Institute). A Times Union and Troy Record second team all-area selection as a junior, Remillard batted .500 on the season, driving in 26 runs with 13 doubles. During his sophomore season he drove in 45 runs, batting .411 and posting eight doubles and three homeruns. Outside of his high school team, Remillard caught for the South Troy Dodgers in the off-season.
“Will is a very talented baseball player who competes with a quiet confidence,” Valli said. “It is rare to find a high school catcher with the polish that Will has. He fits the mold of a solid defensive catcher with the potential to be a middle of the order hitter in the future.”
“I am especially proud of this class,” commented Valli. “We signed four student-athletes who have the potential to make a tremendous impact on our program. All four have been dedicated to their sport year-round and compete at the highest levels.”
“Additionally, I think it is important to note that assistant coaches Chuck Ristano and Joe Agnello came on board and did a great job securing our top priority recruits," added Valli.
Batchelor (6-1, 180) is a right-handed pitcher from Monroe Township (NJ) High School. As a junior, he was named to the Middlesex County All-Junior team, throwing 17 innings and striking out 30 batters. He was also a power at the plate, leading Middlesex County batting .362 and posting a .494 on-base percentage. Batchelor helped lead his team to a 16-6-1 record, also ranking as the county's leading pitcher. During the summer and fall, Batchelor pitched and played first base for the Farrah Builders.
“Zac is a very good athlete with a live arm,” said Valli. “He is at the very beginning stages of realizing how good he can be. We are confident that Zac has the potential to emerge as a front line pitcher in the Atlantic 10 in the very near future.”
Gianakos (6-1, 180) is a right-handed pitcher from Saint Joseph's (NJ) High School. A native of Lebanon, NJ, Gianakos posted 14 strikeouts in six appearances, earning a win and two saves as a junior. At the plate, he batted .358 with seven doubles, a triple, and two homeruns. For the past two off-seasons, Gianakos pitched for the prestigious Baseball U organization.
“Phil is a player who we know very well,” Valli said. “His development over the past couple years has been steady. Phil throws three plus pitches and profiles as a starting pitcher for us.”
Hockenberry (6-3, 200) is another right-handed pitcher from South Western (PA) High School. A two year varsity starter, he was named to the York Daily Record Division I All-Star team with a 4-2 record as a junior. That same year, he earned the win in his team's district clinching game, striking out nine batters only allowing one walk. This past off-season, Hockenberry pitched for the Mid-Atlantic Rookies.
“Matt has emerged as one of the better pitching prospects in the region,” commented Valli. “Matt has the makings of a power arm and the potential to be a strikeout type pitcher. With continued development, we expect great things from the big right-hander.”
Remillard (6-1, 185) is a catcher from Troy, NY (La Salle Institute). A Times Union and Troy Record second team all-area selection as a junior, Remillard batted .500 on the season, driving in 26 runs with 13 doubles. During his sophomore season he drove in 45 runs, batting .411 and posting eight doubles and three homeruns. Outside of his high school team, Remillard caught for the South Troy Dodgers in the off-season.
“Will is a very talented baseball player who competes with a quiet confidence,” Valli said. “It is rare to find a high school catcher with the polish that Will has. He fits the mold of a solid defensive catcher with the potential to be a middle of the order hitter in the future.”
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