Kyle Smith's brother Kory is one of seven signed by the Bulldogs.

Dec. 5, 2006

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - - UNC Asheville head coach Willie Stewart has announced seven early signings for the 2007-2008 recruiting class. The class includes four pitchers, two infielders, one outfielder and a catcher.

"Tim Perry has done another outstanding job coordinating the recruiting efforts for our program," said Stewart. "I couldn't be more excited about this years early signing period. We were able to fill many of the voids left with graduating nine seniors and do so with some tremendous young men from great families. They are not only talented players but exceptional students as well."

Catlin Carter will come to Asheville as both a pitcher and infielder. The two-way standout played for Coach Donnie Maness at Ragsdale High School in Greensboro, N.C. He was an all-conference performer his sophomore and junior years and was an all-area and all-state as a junior. He threw a complete game two hitter in 2006 3A State Championship final. A member of 2006 North Carolina State Games championship team and the 2005 and 2006 Dirtbag summer and fall teams.

"Catlin is a fun player to watch. He will play a solid shortstop for six innings and then come to the mound and close with a mid to upper 80's fastball and above average breaking ball. There is no doubt he will help us immediately both on the mound and in the infield," said Stewart.

Chris Brookey is a left-handed pitcher from LaCosta, Calif. Also a two-way player, Brookey has a career 4-3 record with a 2.86 ERA. He made the All-Palomar League team and San Diego Tribune's academic team during his junior year. Outside of high school, he plays for the San Diego Gamers travel team and Oakland Athletics scout team.

"Chris is an intriguing young lefthander with command of three pitches. He has pitched against some very good competition in Southern California as well as nationally and that experience should help earn him innings right away," says Stewart.

Carson McLean is a right-handed pitcher from Cameron, N.C. As a junior, was a Cape Fear Valley 3A all-conference performer as well as Union Pines defensive MVP. Participated for Region 4 in the 2006 North Carolina State Games and also attended the 2006 Impact games. Played fall and summer baseball for the Carolina Hurricanes and is a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee. Stars in three sports at Union Pines High School (basketball, soccer) and is the student body president.

Stewart says, "Carson is an intense competitor who wants the ball in big situations. His ability to throw breaking balls for strikes will allow him to contribute right away."

McLean's teammate at Union Pines, Bryan Collins will also be coming to Asheville. Collins stands at 6'7" 250 pounds and has been one of the main fixtures on the Union Pines pitching staff and at first-base since his freshman year...As a junior, was first team all-conference going 4-2 on the mound. He was selected to all-tournament team in the AAU National Tournament last year in Orlando, Florida at the Wide World of Sports complex. He earned 11 wins, with 68 strikeouts, and a 2.52 ERA in 71 innings in summer ball for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Stewart says, "Bryan has by far the most potential of anyone in this class. His mid 80's fastball and plus change-up should allow him to contribute early but before it is all over he could be a dominate right-hander for us."

The Bulldogs have signed two players from Vista, Calif. Kory Smith is the younger brother of current Bulldog Kyle Smith. Kory is a highly touted middle infield prospect from Vista, Calif. He was the 2005 Union Tribune Student-Athlete award winner and a 2005 silver medalist at the 2005 Junior Olympics. Smith has been a four-year starter for the San Diego Gamers travel club and plays on the Oakland Athletics scout team.

"Kory reminds me so much of his older brother Kyle that it was a no-brainer decision to recruit him," said Stewart. He has tremendous hands and exceptional power potential. He plays with great enthusiasm and passion and he will have a chance to compete for playing time right away."

Smith's teammate, Beau Zinman is a talented outfielder at Rancho Buena Vista High School. Zinman is a 2006 and 2007 Puma pre-season All-American...He was voted top arm and fielder by 2006 Team One West and was named a top 2007 prospect by 2005 perfect game Sunshine West...Zinman was voted to the 2006 San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic and also plays summer and fall baseball for the San Diego Gamers.

"Beau has a tremendous upside and continued to improve each time we saw him. His outstanding work ethic and desire will allow him to compete for playing time right away," said Stewart.

Rounding out the class is Reed Kreiser from Louisburg, Kansas. Kreiser is one of the top catching prospects in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. As a freshman at Johnson County, he was a team captain and Academic All-American hitting .300 with three home runs. At Louisburg High School, he was a first-team All-Frontier league catcher as a junior and senior...Lettered in football and was 1st team All-Frontier league and 1st team All-State running back and linebacker both junior and senior seasons.

"Reed was the best catching prospect we saw this fall. He has middle of the line-up power and can really defend. His experience and leadership will pay dividends for this young recruiting class," said Stewart.