BASEBALL Flood of area prep stars on the diamond make college decisions

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By SCOTT M. BURNSTEIN
@MIPrepZone;

The diamond days of spring are still over a month away, but activity on the area?s high school baseball scene was quite busy the last few weeks as a slew of local prep stars decided on their respective college-playing destinations.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook?s Grant Reuss committed to Michigan, Birmingham Brother Rice?s Josh Smith committed to Kentucky, Madison Heights Bishop Foley's Nate Grys committed to Western Michigan and Pontiac?s Dazon Cole committed to Central Michigan.

The only senior of the bunch was Bloomfield Hills Andover catcher Nick Bredeson, who signed with Ohio University.

Cole, a right-handed pitcher, and Reuss, a 6-foot-5 lefty hurler, are both juniors, while Smith, also a tall, imposing southpaw fire-baller on the mound, and Grys, a hard-hitting outfielder, are each only sophomores.

Bredeson transferred to Andover this year after playing the last three seasons at state-powerhouse Brother Rice. Free from a log jam for playing time like when he was with Brother Rice, he will step into a situation at Andover where he will immediately be a key piece to the Barons? on-field puzzle.

?We?re super glad to get Nick into the mix for his last year of high school ball,? said Andover head coach Mike Boyd of the anticipated addition to his roster. ?His skills as a catcher are some of the best I?ve seen in a while and he has the personality that will allow to him to slide right into a veteran line-up and not have him or the team, miss a beat. I think it will be a good fit.?

Last season, Cole threw multiple no-hitters and hit over .400. When he?s not pitching, he is a quick-gloved shortstop and blazer on the base paths. During the winter sports season, Cole is a standout wrestler for the Phoenix grappling squad.

Reuss is ranked one of the top hurlers in the state?s Class of 2014. He clocks close to 90 miles an hour with his fast ball and had numerous double-digit strikeout performances as a sophomore last year.

Smith will slot in at No. 2 in Brother Rice?s rotation this spring, teaming with Warriors? ace Matt Ruppenthal (Vanderbilt) to give head coach Bob Riker a pair of elite Southeastern Conference recruits to throw at opponents in the team?s quest for a repeat Catholic League crown.

By snagging Smith, Kentucky has now came into Metro Detroit and walked away with one of its most coveted recruits for the second time in three years. Back in 2011, the Wildcats snared Madison Heights Lamphere?s all-state catcher Greg Fettes, currently a redshirt freshman fighting it out for a starting spot behind the plate for the Wildcats.

Grys was a member of Bishop Foley?s 2012 state championship club and has been starting at quarterback for the Ventures varsity football team since he was a freshman.

Last Updated: 2/18/2013 5:56:38 AM EST

Source: http://miprepzone.com/oakland/results.asp?ID=9301

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