Nov. 16, 2002
The University of Illinois Baseball team has signed four
student-athletes to national letters of intent. Illinois welcomes a class
that includes four high school seniors, all of whom will join the Illini
program next fall. Included in the group are two infielders, one catcher and
one pitcher. Three prepped in the state of Illinois and one is a Kentucky
native.
The class includes infielder Ryan Hastings (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon), catcher
Jeff Meyer (Peotone, Ill./Manteno), righthander Brandon Murphy (Charleston,
Ill./Charleston) and infielder Shawn Roof (Paducah, Ky./St. Mary).
"I'm very pleased with the class we've signed, " Jones said. "We filled the
positions we needed to fill with talented young men who will have a chance
to contribute right away as freshmen. Assistant coaches Dan Hartleb and Eric
Snider have once again done an excellent job filling our immediate needs
with quality student-athletes."
Ryan Hastings
IF * 6-0 * 175 * L/R * Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon
Has started for Mattoon's varsity since his sophomore year * Hit .411 with
three home runs, 27 RBI and a .654 slugging percentage as a junior * Earned
first-team all-conference honors at short * Hit .418 for Mattoon's state
runner-up American Legion team this summer * Also had 47 RBI and led Legion
team with 20 doubles * Stole 16 bases this summer * Good contact hitter who
doesn't strike out often.
Jones on Hastings: "Ryan is a high school shortstop who is a lefthanded
hitter with power. He has a plus arm and good instincts."
Jeff Meyer
C * 6-3 * 195 * R/R * Peotone, Ill./Manteno
All-area and all-conference selection in baseball * Also plays football and
basketball * Is an all-conference performer in basketball * Parents are both
Illinois alums * Interested in majoring in agriculture.
Jones on Meyer: "Jeff is a good athlete with quick feet. He moves and throws
well for a catcher and has a chance to really improve in college."
Brandon Murphy
RHP * 6-1 * 175 * R/R * Charleston, Ill./Charleston
As a junior went 10-2 with a 0.98 ERA for Charleston * Struck out 94 while
walking only 28 in 71 innings of work * This summer set a club record on
Mattoon's American Legion team with a 0.92 ERA * Posted an 11-1 record for
the Legion team, striking out 87 and walking 28 in 76 innings of work *
Legion team finished second in the state * An all-conference selection in
baseball * Also the quarterback for Charleston's 2002 conference champion
and playoff football team.
Jones on Murphy: "Brandon is an athletic, mature pitcher who is very
competitive. We feel that the sky is the limit for Brandon. He has good
velocity on his fastball to go along with a good breaking ball and feel for
a change-up."
Shawn Roof
IF * 6-0 * 165 * R/R * Paducah, Ky./St. Mary
Posted the highest batting average on his high school team as both a
sophomore and junior * Also played basketball, earning the team's Mr. Hustle
award as a junior * Posted team's best field goal percentage in basketball
as a sophomore and junior * Interested in studying a pre-law curriculum *
Chose Illinois over Mississippi State, Kentucky, Notre Dame and Florida *
Father, Gene Roof, is a coach in the Detroit Tigers system who played parts
of four seasons in the Major Leagues, including three for the St. Louis
Cardinals and one for the Montreal Expos, in the early 1980's * Uncle, Phil
Roof, also played in the Majors.
Jones on Roof: "Shawn is a high school shortstop who comes from a baseball
family. He is a hard-nosed type of player who has quick, good instincts and
is a contact, line drive type hitter."
