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Marucci Elite: Herndon paying huge dividends
Michael Herndon enters his senior season at Concordia Lutheran with huge expectations after a solid summer playing for Marucci Elite Texas.
The big lefty pitcher/outfielder consistency touched 88-miles-per-hour and was on a tear at the plate. The recruiting calls started heating up as he looks for a college landing spot.
“The calls really started coming in over the last month,” he said. “My goal is to play for a big-name college program in front of a lot of people. I can put in some innings on the mound but can also come up and hit some bombs if needed.”
He comes from a baseball pedigree – his father Adam -- who played for the Rice Owls in their World Series hay day. Adam played with the likes of Lance Berkman and Jose Cruz Jr., and for legendary coach Wayne Graham.
“My dad has taught me everything I know when it comes to baseball,” he said. “We have some batting cages in the back yard and he will throw batting practice for hours. My buddies will come over and hit with him too.”
Catching on with Marucci last summer was a little coincidental. His friend Owen Collins asked him to come out and play with the team… they needed a player. The rest was history.
“His coaches were former Big Leaguers Adam Dunn and Aaron Hill,” he said. “I learned a lot from them and ended up going like 7-for-10 over the weekend. They hit the phones for me calling coaches. I was the ‘pick-up kid’. I thought, if they are doing this for me, what are they doing for their full-time players? I’ve been with them ever since.”
Herndon now plays for Marucci coach Ronnie Thames, who has also been instrumental in his development.
“Coach Thames knows everyone,” he said. “He knows what colleges are looking for and he shoots you straight.”
Off the diamond, Herndon is an avid fisherman and golfer. His other big passion is cars.
“I’m obsessed. I’d be a great car salesman if baseball didn’t work out,” he laughed. “I love lifted Chevy trucks, Corvettes and Nissan GT-Rs. I really have too many favorites to pick from.”
With a strong finish this summer and a big senior year at Concordia, Herndon hopes to have his pick of baseball paths to choose from for years to come.
Casan Evans, St. Pius X
MARUCCI ELITE: St. Pius X Evans the next big arm in Houston
One of the most coveted arms in the state of Texas in the Class of 2024 is St. Pius X pitcher Casan Evans.
The jump from his freshman to sophomore year was meteoric as Evans helped lead the Panthers to a second-place finish in district and a spot in the TAPPS postseason.
“It was a really fun year and I felt like I did amazing on the mound,” he said. “My velocity jumped from 89 to 95 miles per hour over the year and I was just so much more confident in myself and my team behind me.
Evans strike percentage was in the high 60s and his strike out to walk ratio greatly improved.
“I know the season just ended but I really can’t wait until next year,” he said. “We have an opportunity to win it all if everything goes to plan.”
This summer will be big for the 6-foot-2, 180-pound pitcher/infielder, who plays for Marucci Elite Texas. He is coached by former MLB stars Adam Dunn and Aaron Hill and the program is run by Chris Schultea.
“It’s just a family there,” he said. “Coach Schultea is like a dad to me during the summers. Coach Dunn and Hill just let you play your game. They are there to help with any tweaks or advice, but they just want you to go out, play ball and have fun. I will be all over the place this summer at tournaments with Marucci.”
As the tournament season heats up, so does the recruiting process. Evans has become a hot name around recruiting circles.
“It’s been crazy the last two summers with recruiting,” he said. “I’m just taking it slow and making sure I find the right place. I’m looking for a good baseball community just go play some ball.”
Evans is a big Alex Bregman and Mike Trout fan along with the University of Tennessee.
“I’m trying to get to the league and I love to watch those guys because of their work ethic,” he said about Bregman and Trout. “What they do on a daily basis is work on the basics… the fundamentals.
Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello and the Vols have also peaked his interest.
“Coach V has his team’s back,” he laughed. “When you see that chest bump (after a questionable call by and umpire during at game), you can see what kind of coach he is. He’s with his team.”
Evans knows what having a coach in his corner means on a daily basis.
His father, Mike Evans, is the head coach of St. Pius X.
“Talking baseball is just a thing in our family,” he said. “On the field and in the classroom, he’s one way. During a game, he’s another. At home, he’s always having fun and turns the coaching off. I’ve heard from other guys whose dads are their coaches and it doesn’t go well. We have a really special relationship. He’s the best. I don’t know how he does it.”
Surrounded by a tight, baseball family with his best interest at heart – Evans is a can’t-miss kid with Major League upside. Stay tuned.