Tony Butler commits to Arkansas

[Oldcity]

Edit: I just realized this should be in the draft forum. Please move it if you'd like. Sorry!!

 

Area star chooses Arkansas

By DAVE BOEHLER

dboehler@journalsentinel.com

Posted: Oct. 24, 2005

 

Oak Creek senior Tony Butler, the Journal Sentinel's Milwaukee-area baseball player of the year, has decided to play for the University of Arkansas.

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"Everything seemed like a great fit there," the 6-foot-7, 202-pound left-handed pitcher said. "It felt like I would be able to make a smooth transition from high school to fit right in their program."

 

Butler, who recently hit a top speed of 93 mph, also visited Nebraska and was invited by Arizona State to tour its campus.

 

"You can't go wrong in the SEC," Butler said. "And I was told I was the No. 1 lefty (Arkansas) recruited."

 

Butler led Oak Creek to its third straight summer state title with an 11-1 record as a pitcher to go with a .385 batting average.

 

He also set the school record with 50 runs batted in and his eight home runs were one shy of tying a team record. Butler added seven doubles and three triples to go with 20 runs.

 

The Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association tabbed Butler as its state player of the year.

 

He is 24-2 on the mound in three years for the Knights.

 

"I think Tony made a great choice," Oak Creek coach Scott Holler said. "We talked after each visit and I cold tell his heart and his head were telling him that Arkansas was the right spot.

 

"His goals are to pitch in the College World Series and to play professionally after that. At Arkansas, he'll have the opportunity to make both those dreams come true. His amazing work ethic and determination is what leaves no doubt in my mind that both those dreams will soon be a reality."

JS Online Article

[Oldcity]

Kind of surprised he chose Arkansas over the likes of Nebraska and ASU, especially considering Arkansas isn't known as a strong academic school (he's a 4.0 student).

 

I suppose this is all relative though. If he's hitting 93 at 6'7" he's going to be drafted high IMO. He may pass up Arkansas to go pro right away.

[colbyjack]

Thanks for the heads up Stevo.

 

Picking Arkansas over Nebraska and ASU isn't that big of a leap. Many players will pass over superior academic institutions when they have the chance to play in the SEC, as Butler himself admitted in the story provided. The SEC is widely considered the best conference in all of college baseball, and Arkansas has a rising program whose success is based off of pitching. That combo makes it a very appealing destination for any young player.

 

Plus, there are always other things involved such as scholarship money (college baseball programs rarely hand out full scholarships to any one player), how much playing time he was initially promised, how soon he would contribute, etc.

 

On top of that, Arkansas seems to have a thing for Wisconsin prep pitchers. Butler follows former Razorback pitcher Scott Roehl and current Razorback pitcher Daryl Maday.

 

As for his stuff, what I have seen and heard of Butler is that he sits in the 85-87 range. Many project that he will throw harder down the road given his stature, and if he is indeed starting to push 90+ more often lately that is a good sign. He already is a polished pitcher with pretty good secondary offerings and a sound understanding of how to pitch. He is currently playing for the Midwest Blazers who probably are in route to Jupiter, Florida for the WWBA World Championship that begins on Thursday. Dusty Brabender (Oregon, WI, now pitching for the Golden Gophers) really made a name for himself at this event two years ago by pitching extremely well for the Blazers, maybe Butler can follow suit. Hopefully Blazer25 will have some good news to share with us when he returns.

 

And speaking of Wisconsin talent, right now it looks like the '06 class should be better than the '05 class, one of the weakest classes in Wisconsin history that followed one of the strongest ('03 with Cordier, Beranek, Hall, Schweikert, etc.). Butler highlights the group, and Blazer teammate Chris Roberts (IF-Oshkosh West), Fond du Lac teammates Wes Munson (IF, also on the Blazers) and Chad Pierce ©, and Kettle Morraine's Scott Matyas (RHP) highlight the class. Unfortunately, Wisconsin players always seem to drop and end up attending college.

 

The college ranks offer Brandon Hall and Tyler Beranek, both playing for Lake County CC in Florida (Beranek transferred, this is the same team that DFE candidate Stephen Barnes plays for), UIC's Ryan Zink and Maday. I'm not sure of the college talent within Wisconsin.

[Oldcity]

Thanks for all the info Colby.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

Could Scott Maytas be a position prospect as well? I think he has some history as a catcher if I am not mistaken and last year played shortstop. The one time I watched him play he hit a home run. He also is always in hitting well in the box score. I know he was all state as a pitcher as a sophmore, but could he be one of those two way prospects?

[colbyjack]

Matyas isn't as good of a positional prospect. His hopes to be drafted high enough rely on his pure stuff. His best season was his sophomore year in high school, as he didn't show the same kind of stuff, or at least success, last year. Scouts are well aware of his arm, but he needs to prove he's consistent while also proving that he can pitch.

 

He could be a productive two-way guy in college, but a lot of players could. His value at the pro level is as a pitcher.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

Thanks Colby for the analysis, it is appreciated.

[colbyjack]

Fond du Lac's Chad Pierce and LaCrosse's R.J. Seidel have also committed to play for Arkansas for the 2006-07 season.

 

Oshkosh West's Chris Roberts has committed to play for Michigan State.

 

Tyler Beranek, who is currently at Lake City CC, has committed to play for South Alabama.

 

DFE candidate Brock Kjeldgaard, currently at Indian Hills CC in Iowa, has committed to play for Nevada.

[BrewCrewWS2008]

Well Tony is in great company with having an outstanding catcher goin with him to Arkansas in Chad Pierce. I take honor in saying i gave up a home run to him. But I think the best player that signed with with a big school would be Wes Munson. I know there is some favoritizom cuz I have grown up with these guys but thats maybe better cuz I know how good they really are. Munson is very solid on defense, great speed and can just find gaps all over the field. He was batting .600 goin into the last 3 games but hit a little bit of a slump and finished with a .500 batting average. The reds were talkin to him a quit a bit during the season so we'll see what happens there. His little brother Sam a 3rd Baseman is also a player to watch down the road last year as a fresman he hit .350 and has great power.

 

Well I wish the best of luck to all those players who signed and hope they all have a great season.

 

I any of u want to see some great baseball this year go watch a Fondy game. There is alot of talent there.

[colbyjack]

Thanks for the thoughts BrewCrewWS2008. Do you happen to know where Munson committed? He's the one top WI prospect that I haven't seen his commitment announced. I can't wait to check out Fondy next spring, and hope to catch one of their games vs. Oshkosh West to see Chris Roberts at the same time. That entire conference has most of the best '06 players in the state, as slugging 1B Ben Ihde plays for Neenah.

 

Here's Fondy's schedule:

 

highschoolsports.net/list...mp;sport=1

[molitor fan]

Colby, I graduated from Neenah and would love any information you can provide on Ben Ihde (hey, that rhymes).

[colbyjack]

Ihde is a good all around player, and recently played for the Wisconsin Blazers at the Jupiter tournament. He has a good frame, and a smooth left-handed swing. His bat is his ticket, as he doesn't have the greatest speed and profiles the best at 1B. Right now he's good but not great pretty much across the board, and could be a very productive player in college. His power is going to have to develop for him to be a legitimate pro prospect, but it's not an impossible task. He's not on the same level as Pierce, Roberts Butler and Munson, but he's on the next tier.

[colbyjack]

Here is the commitment list of Baseball America's top 100 high school players eligible for the 2006 draft:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/t...iting.html

[molitor fan]

Only 2 of the top 100 are from the midwest (Oliver and Clark). I assume this is usual, but still, it gives a pretty good indication of the impact the states of California and Florida have in regard to where recrits/prospects come from generally.

[BrewCrewWS2008]

Colby, Wes will be playing for Mizzou next year unless we would be drafted in the top 10 rounds his dad told me. It came down to Minn or Mizzou and he really want to play down south in a tough baseball conference against teams like Texas and stuff so it is a better chance to prove himself and see where he ranks amonst those players. Nebraska was callin him about 1 every 2 to 3 weeks but that was the place he really want to go plus at Mizzou he may start right away along with Pierce at Arkansas. WOW, I would love to be at the game where Piece is catching when Munson is up 2 bat! To kids who have been together since the age of like 7 or 8 if not earlier.

 

Fondy should be very tough hitting the ball this year but pitching is a bit of a question cuz Pierce is only goin to pitch once a week this year after throwin almost 3 games 7 innings a pop. He was so over pitched that his velocity went front from high 80's (87-90) 2 mid to low 80's (81-84)

 

oh and here is a link to see all the stats from last season in the FVA if anyone wants to see.

 

www.fvaathletics.org/baseball/

[BucEbadger1979]

Neenah has had a ton of players over the last 8 -10 years that they should of been able to win state a few times but it all comes down the the coaching they have and many people agree that Lance needs to move on as he does not know how to get the best out of his players...

I agree Ihde has one of the best bats around and he is more suited to play first as i have watched him grow up from a 8 year old playing ball.. Umpired enough of his games to know that he has a very sweet swing..

[SheetsCyYoung04]

There was a nice article in today's Waukesha Freeman about Kettle Moraine pitcher Scott Matyas. Apparantly he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and hopes to be ready for the season. Pro scouts and colleges are taking a wait and see approach. The article isnt online yet that I could find on the Freeman's gmtoday.com website.

[Eagle16Bulldog]

I heard a rumor that Wes' younger brother is even better than Wes, anybody no anything about him?

[colbyjack]

BrewCrewWS2008 commented on Wes Munson's little brother earlier in this thread:

 

His little brother Sam a 3rd Baseman is also a player to watch down the road last year as a fresman he hit .350 and has great power.

[BrewCrewWS2008]

Yeah Sammy is amazin he is has lots of power great speed plays good defense but isnt the gold glover that Wes is. Sam is just very good when he was in 4th grade he was playin on Wes's 6th grade travelin team and did good. All questions will soon be answer as fondy makes a run at state. The munson Munson left side of the infield should be fun to watch

[BrewCrewWS2008]

Latest on Munson is that a Brewer scout was at his house about a week ago and talk to him and his parents for a few hours. Hope to see the Brewers take him in the top 15 rounds because thats the only way hes not goin to Mizzou. With another great season like last year i dont doubt it. It also helped that he gave up football to play baseball all over the country this last summer. I like the new article which i know that there is a bulletin for it but another thing about beside the great fielding strong arm and the extremely quick bat is that he has amazing gap power. He is a machine for extrabase hits.

 

As for Pierce havent heard anythin about the draft for him and i think he will for sure be at Arkansasnext year and be the starting catcher there. One thing is for sure you cant steal on him.

 

Well thats all I have for ya right now on the Fondy stars as the season gets closer i should have more.

[colbyjack]

Thanks for the update BrewCrewWS2008. I hope to get up and see a Fondy game or two this spring, with May 5th in particular already circled on my calendar (they play Oshkosh West that night).

 

With Munson in regards to the draft, I've been thinking lately that it would be kind of cool to have a Wisconsin-focused draft. Between the college and HS guys I would love to see the Brewers select and sign two to three (or more) of Berken, Zink, Rohlinger, Beranek, Seidel, Pierce, Butler, Munson, Roberts & Hooper.

[Madtown Bomber]

with the already in college talent from Wisconsin...

 

C Brandon Hall, Sophomore, Lake City CC, Brookfield Central High School.

Committed to UW-Milwaukee if not re-drafted this year.

 

1B Tyler Beranek, Sophomore, Lake City CC, Waukesha South High School.

Commited to South Alabama University.

 

2B Andy Becker, Junior, Concordia (WI) University, West Allis Nathan Hale High School.

Left UWM to play for Doug Gonring and Willie Mueller.

 

SS Grant Berkovitz, Sophomore, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Sheboygan North High School.

Honestly should be at a bigger D1 school then UWM.

 

3B Ryan Rohlinger, Senior, Oklahoma University, West Bend East High School

Rohlinger was 2nd team all big 12 behind Alex Gordon, the national player of the year.

 

OF Tim Schlosser, Sophomore, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Oconomowoc High School

Should be a division 1 player.

 

OF Adam Rohlinger, Senior, Concordia University (WI), West Bend East High School.

Older Brother of Ryan Rohlinger, injuries have slowed Adam down but his talent is still top notch.

 

OF Joe Nowicki, Senior, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Thomas More High School.

Led almost all hitting lists at UWM.

 

DH Ryan Schweikert, Sophomore, University of Illinois-Chicago, Brookfield Central

Reputation preseeds itself.

 

Pitching Staff would be near dominate!

RHP Kelby Mack, Junior, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Lodi High School

Pitched very well at MATC.

 

RHP Ryan Zink, Junior, University of Illinois-Chicago, Madison La Follette High School

Anything else said?

 

RHP Daryl Maday, Junior, University of Arkansas, Westosha Central High School

Same as Zink

 

RHP Jason Berken, Junior, Clemson University, DePere High School

Can he finally stay healthy?

 

RHP Dan Luczak, University of South Carolina, Kenosha Tremper High School

Can he get a chance this year?

 

RHP Travis Kempf, Sophomore, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Kewaskum High School

Transfered in from UIC