With over 20 new faces on the roster for the upcoming season, Jim Brownlee and the Illinois State baseball staff had only a few holes to fill over the summer. With the focus on quality over quantity, the Brownlee and co. inked four top-flight players to become Redbirds in 2004-2005 today.
The 2005 class consists of Ryan Anetsberger (Wheaton, Ill. - R/R - SS), Lee Fisher (Orland Park, Ill. - R/R - INF), Michael Kelley (Bloomington, Ill. - R/R - P/INF) and Adam Swain (Evansville, Ind. - L/R - INF).
This did not need to be a large class because we got so many guys last year, said second year coach Jim Brownlee. After our fall season, we thought there were only a few areas where we needed to add some depth and we did that with these four guys.
The best thing about these guys is that they are all great student-athletes, added Brownlee. On top of that, they are all legitimate Missouri Valley baseball players.
2004 Illinois State Baseball Recruits
Ryan Anetsberger - Wheaton, Ill. (Glenbard West) 61 175 R/R SS
Anetsberger hit .383 with 46 RBI his junior year at Glenbard West, as he led his team to a regional championship. He was named all-conference, all-area, and Chicago Tribune All-State Honorable Mention both his sophomore and junior seasons. He was also selected by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association as a member of the 2004 Cream of the Crop.
Brownlee on Anetsberger: This guy is just a terrific athlete. In addition to being an outstanding baseball player, Ryans also a scratch golfer and a very good basketball player. Hell only get better as he concentrates solely on baseball. His future is definitely at shortstop, and hell be able to hit in the middle of the order for power. Hes the kind of guy you can hang your hat on and build around.
Lee Fisher - Orland Park, Ill. (Carl Sandburg) 62 175 R/R SS
Fisher hit .350 in 2003 for Carl Sandburg High School, while hitting 3 homers and driving in 15. He also sported a .490 on base percentage. In Fishers sophomore season, he was the starting second baseman on the IHSA state championship team.
Brownlee on Fisher: Lee is very talented in the middle of the diamond. Were real excited about him because hes got the skills to play in the Valley already, but at the same time, his best days are ahead of him. He needs to get a little stronger to handle the bat at this level, but we still fully expect him to hit and play as a freshman. In high school, he was one of the best shortstops in the Chicago area.
Michael Kelley - Bloomington, Ill. (Normal Community) 61 175 R/R P/IF
Kelly hit .337 as a junior on Normal Communitys regional championship team last season. He belted two homers while driving in 30. He also scored 31 runs and had nine stolen bases. On the mound Kelley was just as impressive, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.33 ERA, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 3-1.
Brownlee on Kelley: Being a local guy, weve gotten the chance to watch Michael quite a bit. We believe he has the ability to be a two-way guy for us and contribute right away. Weve watched him develop into a Valley-type player, and with his attitude, work ethic, and pure skills, I think well get to see him develop into a player who will be able to play at the next level someday.
Adam Swain - Evansville, Ind. (Central/Wabash Valley College) 6 190 L/R INF
Swain hit .419 last year at Wabash Valley, as he proved he was more than a slick-fielding infielder. In 40 games, Swain had 39 hits and 36 RBI, helping boost his slugging percentage to .624. His on-base percentage was .552, and he was 8-8 in stolen base attempts.
Brownlee on Swain: Weve known Adam for over five years, and weve gotten the chance to watch him grow from a good high school player into an outstanding Juco player. Theres no doubt in our minds that he is a Division I hitter and hell give us some left-handed power in the middle of our lineup. Hes also really good defensively and will help us at both corner positions. This is a guy who really likes the game and gets after it every time he steps on the field.
