August 18, 2009

ALL-AMERICAN HIGHLIGHTS TRIO OF SPRING BASEBALL SIGNEES FOR 2010 SEASON

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Commonwealth University baseball program announced today the addition of three junior college standouts for the 2010 season.

All-American outfielder John Lenherr (Johnson County Community College), middle infielder Greg Fujii (San Jose City College) and catcher Garrett Alexander (Louisburg College) will join the Rams next spring.

“The staff did a great job of finding three quality players, and more importantly, quality people that fit the VCU mold,” said Rams head coach Paul Keyes.  “All three guys have a chance to come in and be impact players in the CAA right away.”

Lenherr gained national recognition last season after leading Johnson County Community College with a .439 average, collecting a team-high 83 hits, including 18 doubles, four triples and five home runs.  He also finished with 45 RBI and scored a team-best 65 runs.

“In junior college, John was the definition of a hitter,” said Keyes of the outfielder’s 80-plus hits each of the last two seasons.  “He’s a speedy left-handed hitter who has the ability to hit in the middle part of our lineup.  He can play all three outfield positions and possesses a plus-arm.”

Lenherr’s performance earned him NJCAA Third Team All-American accolades following the 2009 season and he was one of 10 players chosen for the Rawlings Big Stick Award, an annual honor given to the top hitter in each district.

In two seasons at JCCC, Lenherr owned a .432 average and school-record 166 hits.  He also ranked second in career doubles with 33, second in career runs with 120 and eighth with 89 RBI.

Fujii, meanwhile, comes to VCU after spending two seasons at San Jose City College in California.  The infielder enjoyed his best campaign as a freshman where he hit a team-best .377 with 16 doubles, four homers, 28 RBI and 36 runs scored, earning First Team All-Northern California and First Team All-Coast Conference honors in 2008.

“Greg has the ability to play all three infield positions and will add stability to the middle part of our field,” Keyes noted.  “Offensively, he is a huge catalyst with the ability to hit [at the top or bottom of the lineup].  He’s a gap-to-gap hitter who possesses good power and a very quick bat.  He brings huge intensity and a love for the game.”

Last season, the Jaguars advanced to the Super Regional Championship game for the first time in school history and Fujii proved again to be a valuable asset at second base. He scored a team-best 41 runs and concluded the 2009 campaign hitting .267 with seven doubles, two home runs and 26 RBI.

Fujii, who was a Northwoods League All-Star this summer while playing for the Battle Creek Bombers with current Rams Doug Otto and Joe Van Meter, sported a career .322 batting average with 23 doubles, six homers 54 RBI and 77 runs scored in two seasons at SJCC.

The Rams will add depth behind the plate for the 2010 season with the addition of Alexander.  In 31 games last year for Louisburg College, he hit .256 with two doubles, four home runs and 21 RBI, doubling his offensive output from his freshman campaign.

His solid defensive ability, however, sold the VCU coaching staff on Alexander, who played under former Rams coach Tony Guzzo at Louisburg.

“He’s the definition of a catch-and-throw guy,” said Keyes when describing Alexander’s presence behind the plate.  “He’s a defensive catcher who will come in and help replace the loss of senior Carolos Rodriguez.  He has a great knowledge of calling pitches and handling a pitching staff, and brings a lot of seasoning behind the plate.”

With the addition of Lenherr, Fujji and Alexander this spring, the Rams add to an already talented field of recruits the program landed during the early signing period last December.

In all, the Black & Gold will welcome eight newcomers for the 2010 campaign.

“As a group, it’s one of the best we’ve had in a while,” Keyes said of the entire 2010 Rams’ recruiting class. “The coaching staff did a great job of identifying our needs and attracting some of the best players, not only on the state level, but also the national stage.  All of these young men are not just great athletes, but great individuals that we will look to build our program around for years to come.”