Three More Commit to the Cardinals
November 26, 2007 | Baseball
Nov. 26, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Tony Zych, rated the fourth-best prospect in Illinois, 6'7" lefty Keith Landers, one of the top pitchers in the Northeast, and junior college standout Layton Hiller have signed national letters of intent to play baseball for the University of Louisville, joining Mike Nastold, Jake Odorizzi, Derek Self, Alex Blodgett and Ryan Wright to conclude the Cardinals early signing period.
The three signees will be on campus next fall and eligible to compete in the spring of 2009.
Tony Zych
2B/RHP
Chicago, Illinois/St. Rita HS
The two-way player is rated as the top infielder and the fourth-best prep baseball player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report. An All-State, All-Area and All-League selection after hitting .416 with 14 doubles, four triples, four home runs, 41 RBI and 33 runs offensively and posting a 9-4 record with a 2.19 ERA and 85 strikeouts in just 67.1 innings. Batted .400 as a sophomore. Also lettered in football and golf. Ranked #131 in the nation by Perfect Game. Timed running a 6.53 60-yard dash as a junior. Rated a 10 out of 10 by Perfect Game Baseball.
Keith Landers
LHP
Worcester, Massachusetts/St. Peter-Marian HS
A two-time Telegram & Gazette Super Team selection, he boasted a 1.97 ERA last year as the No. 1 pitcher for the Guardians. He was 5-1 during his sophomore campaign, with a 0.92 ERA as St. Peter-Marian reached the Division 1 quarterfinal. Landers struck out 12 and allowed four hits in that game to Algonquin, the eventual state champion. Was 4-1 with an 0.92 ERA for the East Side American Legion, striking out 57 in 38 innings last summer. Played for the 2002 Little League World Series U.S. Runner Up that lost to Valley Station (Louisville) Ky. in the championship game. Chose the Cardinals over Boston College and St. John's.
Layton Hiller
OF
Victoria, Texas/Blinn CC
Named to NJCAA Freshman All-Star Team after batting .351 with 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 48 RBI, trailing only current Cardinal Tyler Mickits in RBI. A second team All-State selection for the Memorial HS Vipers in Victoria, Texas, setting school records for batting average (.470), home runs (6), and RBI (29). Was also a first-team selection on the All-District 28-5A team. Helped the Blinn Buccaneers to the Regional Semifinals his first season.
