USA – Florida State baseball and head coach Mike Martin announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The 2009-10 class features six players from the state of Florida and one from Maryland. The signees include 3B David Boyd, SS/2B Ryan Gennett, INF Justin Gonzalez, INF/RHP Tyler Hibbs, LHP Brett Lee, C/1B Stephen McGee, 2B Devon Travis.

“This is a smaller class than in the past, but it is a very good class,” said associate head coach Jamey Shouppe. “Like always, we are fearful that we will lose a couple kids to the draft. But overall we feel like we met most of our needs during the early signing period. We are excited about the middle infielders that we are bringing in; they are as good as any in the country.”

Here is a look at the 2009-10 Seminole Signing Class:

David Jayce Boyd, Cantonment, FL (Tate HS) 3B, National Rank: 125
Associate Head Coach Jamey Shouppe on Boyd: “A right handed hitter that hits for power. His swing reminds me a lot of Chipper Jones from the left side. Jayce is a kid we expect to come in and be an impact player from the start. This past year he won a home run derby contest at very prestigious tournament played inside Wrigley Field.”

Ryan Scooter Gennett, Sarasota, FL (Sarasota HS) SS/2B, National Rank: 22
Shouppe on Gennett: “Scooter is one of the best players in the state of Florida. As a middle infielder, we look forward to watching him play shortstop at FSU in the future. A left-handed hitter with a right-handed glove that is going to steal some bases for us. Scooter reminds me a lot of Chase Utley as a little guy that can hit for power. He is just an overall good baseball player.”

Justin Gonzalez, Miami, FL (Columbus HS) INF, National Rank: 130
Shouppe on Gonzalez: “Justin is a very good middle infielder from down in Miami. He possesses great defensive skills. He also swings the bat very well. Justin is a guy that will benefit from our outstanding strength program because as he matures physically he will turn into a very good college player.”

Tyler Hibbs, Odenton, MD (Tallahassee CC) RHP/INF, National Rank: 448
Shouppe on Hibbs: “Another guy that pound for pound could be as good as any other guy in the country. A right-handed pitcher that played for the Junior Olympic team. We hope to utilize him in the infield, but he will primarily be used on the mound. Smaller in statue, but very good. He didn’t strikeout once at the plate in 89 appearances as a junior. He’s got a great curve ball, can throw in the 90’s and has an outstanding breaking ball. He is definitely going to pitch at Florida State.”

Brett Lee, Pensacola, FL (West Florida HS) LHP, National Rank: 137
Shouppe on Lee: “Brett Lee is a big, strong left hander from over in Pensacola. His fastball tops out at 90 mph. He also throws a very good curveball and an effective changeup.”

Stephen McGee, Port St. Lucie, FL (Port St. Lucie HS) C/1B, National Rank: 530
Shouppe on McGee: “Stephen is the brother of Mike McGee. We have always enjoyed and done well with having that sibling contact at FSU and hopefully Stephen will be another one that works out well. A big, strong kid that can hit for power while playing both catcher and first base. As a catcher, he throws really well with a release time of about 1.9 seconds. He also maintains that leadership quality that a catcher must possess from behind the plate.”

Devon Travis, Palm Beach, FL (Palm Beach Central HS) 2B, National Rank: 1,306
Shouppe on Travis: “Devon is a pure baseball guy. A second baseman that could play shortstop if asked to, he is as good as any player in the state. For a small guy, he is going to hit and hit with power, reminds me a lot of Stuart Tapley in stature. Devon is a good defender with great range. He has the ability to turn the double play really, really well. We expect Devon to come in and make an immediate impact.”

Courtesy: Florida State Athletics

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