Who's On First: Southern Gents

It may surprise some fans to learn that less than half the players on the 2012 Fall Roster are from the state of Missouri.  Over the next few weeks we're going to take a look at that roster and hopefully get to know some new names and faces and reacquaint ourselves with the returning Tigers.

Beginning with the six Tigers who were recruited from the heart of Dixie and SEC country.

Mike McGraw, right

♦ Junior INF Michael McGraw, Newnan, Georgia (by way of Bossier Parrish Commuity College in Bossier City, LA)

• Mike McGraw played in 22 games for Mizzou in 2012, his first season as a Tiger.  His season was cut short by a hand injury, just as he was starting to get his offense going.
• McGraw's summer ball plans were also cut short due to continued aggravation to the earlier injury.  The summer layoff seems to have done the trick, since McGraw has been participating in Fall practices
• 2012 stats: .306 BA (22-for-72), 8 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 17 RBI
• There was talk toward the end of the 2012 season about moving McGraw to third base.  He has also been seen taking some innings at shortstop in early practice games. 

Kendal Keeton

♦ Junior INF Kendal Keeton, Columbia, Tennessee (by way of Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN)

• 6'0", 190 lb, R/R; played second base in JuCo
• 2012 Stats: .373 BA (93-for-249), 64 R, 29 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 11/15 SB
• 20 Questions with Kendal Keeton (ws.edu):  Q: What do you feel like is the most exciting part of your sport?  A: Stealing bases

Andrew Hohn

♦ Junior LHP Andrew Hohn, North Little Rock, Arkansas (by way of Arkansas-Little Rock University)

• 5'10", 160 lb, L/L
• 2012 Stats: 1-3, 7.48 ERA, 1 Save, 27.2 IP, 38 H, 25 R, 23 ER, 19 BB, 13 SO, 3 HR
• 2011 Stats: 2-1, .411, 2 Saves, 35 IP, 31 H, 22 R, 16 ER, 20 BB, 23 SO, 2 HR
• Summer 2012 Stats; Brazos City Bombers: 1-1, 1.01 ERA, 17.2 IP, 13 G, 21 SO, 9 BB, 13 H

Dylan Kelly

♦ Junior C Dylan Kelly, Roswell, Georgia (by way of Middle Georgia community College in Cochran, GA)

• 6'0", 200 lb, L/R
• 2012 JuCo Stats: .283 (54-for-191), 27 R, 14 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 30 RBI, .387 SLG, .347 OBP, 14 BB, 7 HBP, 20 SO, 0/2 SB
• 2011 JuCo Stats: .429 (54-for-126), 33 RBI, 22 R, 12 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR

Logan Pearson

♦ Sophomore OF Logan Pearson, Bentonville, Arkansas (by way of Crowder Junior College in Neosho, MO)

• 5'11", 185 lb, L/R
• 2012 Stats: .313 BA, 217 AB,47 R, 41 RBI, 68 H, 19 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 34 BB, 2 HBP, 2 SF, .408 OBP, 14/18 SB
• 2011 Stats: .459 BA, 61 G, 62B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 36 R, 36 RBI
• Q&A with Logan Pearson (The High School Show) 
• Pearson played summer ball with the Sedalia Bombers of the MINK League, along with current Missouri Tigers John Miles, Brandon Platts, Brett Thomas, and former Tiger Brian Carr

Josh Lester

♦ Freshman INF Josh Lester, Columbus, Georgia

• 2012 Regular Season Stats:  .314 (32-of-102), 2 HR, 6 2B, 26 RBI
• 6'2", 190 lb, R/R
• Josh Lester was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 30th round in June.
• Lester was part of the 2006 Little World Series champion team from Columbus, GA
• 2012 Indians 30th round pick: SS Josh Lester (Indians Prospect Insider)
• "Josh Lester is a big middle infielder from Georgia . . . He has grown four inches over the course of high school, which means that if he keeps growing his future might be at third base. He is committed to the University of Missouri. He dealt with injuries this year which hurt his draft stock, but before the injuries he had added 15-20 pounds to his frame in the hope of adding more power."