Connect with us

Georgia

Georgia's Charlie Condon Pursues NCAA Records — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects – Baseball America

Published

on

Georgia's Charlie Condon Pursues NCAA Records — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects – Baseball America



Image credit:

Charlie Condon (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Charlie Condon’s season has already been remarkable and record setting, and there’s still at least another month to play.

Condon last weekend broke both the program’s single-season and career home run records, which were both held by Gordon Beckham, who homered 28 times in 2008 and 54 times in his career. Condon homered again Tuesday in a win at Kennesaw State, his 30th in 44 games this season. He leads the nation in both home runs and home run rate (0.68 per game).

Advertisement

Condon is hitting .456/.563/1.088 with 30 home runs, 37 walks and 35 strikeouts in 44 games. He is the top-ranked prospect in the draft class and projects to become the first player in program history to be drafted in the top four selections. He and the Bulldogs on Friday open a crucial SEC East series against No. 14 Vanderbilt. 

Condon now is also at the precipice of more history. The most home runs a player has hit in a single season in the 21st century is 33, jointly held by Florida’s Jac Caglianone (2023) and Gonzaga’s Nate Gold (2002).

At his current pace, Condon is still six games away from breaking that record. But he’s also fully capable of going on home-run binges. Condon has homered in four straight games and has homered three times in three of Georgia’s seven SEC series. So, at least matching the mark has to be considered a possibility this weekend.

Georgia has nine games left in the regular season and is on track to make both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, which would guarantee the Bulldogs three more games, with the possibility for many more. As long as Condon stays healthy, his pursuit of the 21st century record now appears to be a matter of when, not if.

Advertisement

Once that record falls, the next mark will be the SEC record of 40 home runs in a season, which was set by LSU’s Brandon Larson in 1997. At his current pace, Condon needs to play 15 more games to reach that mark. Even with just nine games left in the regular season, the Bulldogs (32-12, 10-11) can relatively easily play at least 15 more games this year thanks to the SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament (the NCAA, unlike MLB, count all games, regular season or postseason, toward official records).

If Condon does reach 40 home runs this season, he will have reached truly rarified air for a college slugger. Only four players have hit 40 home runs in Division I history: Larson, Rice’s Lance Berkman (40, 1997), Florida State’s Jeff Ledbetter (42, 1982) and Oklahoma State’s Pete Incaviglia (48, 1985).

Condon in all likelihood will not make any sort of run at Incaviglia’s Division I record. To reach that mark at his current rate, Condon would need to play 27 more games, which would require Georgia to reach the finals of both the SEC Tournament and the College World Series.

The 21st century career home runs record of 74, held by Florida’s Matt LaPorta, is also likely beyond Condon’s reach—especially because LSU’s Tommy White and Florida’s Caglianone are likely to break that mark in the coming weeks, pushing it even further beyond Condon’s reach. He will likely finish his career in the top 10 in SEC history, as he needs just five more home runs to break into a group that includes LSU’s Eddy Funiss (80) and Mississippi State’s Rafael Palmerio (67) and Will Clark (61).

Condon’s exploits go far beyond his power prowess, however. He also leads the national batting race at .456. No player has led the nation in both home runs and batting since Middle Tennessee State’s Bryce Brentz hit .465 with 28 home runs in 2009. Condon ranks 10th in the nation in RBIs (63), meaning he’ll likely fall short of the triple crown. The last player to win college baseball’s triple crown was Indiana’s Mike Smith in 1992.

Advertisement

Condon’s batting average today is just the third best in Georgia history, falling behind Ronnie Braddock’s .489 (1962) and Charley Trippi’s .464 (1946). But those two players combined for 157 at-bats in their banner seasons. Condon already has 171. Condon is on track to set the SEC’s 21st century single-season record for hitting. That’s currently held by Tennessee’s Chris Burke, who hit .435 in 2001.

Condon and Georgia undoubtedly have their sights set on an NCAA Tournament appearance and a deep postseason run. But the rest of Condon’s season will also very much be about his pursuit of records and cementing his legacy as one of the best home run hitters in college baseball history.



Source link

Advertisement

Georgia

Zuckerman eyes MLB Draft after superb baseball season at Georgia Tech

Published

on

Zuckerman eyes MLB Draft after superb baseball season at Georgia Tech


play

Ryan Zuckerman is last on the alphabetical list of the 335 college and high school baseball players attending the June 22-27 MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix.

What the 2023 Pennsbury graduate did in his lone season at Georgia Tech has garnered him plenty of attention from MLB scouts regardless of where his name is on a list that includes Holy Ghost Prep grad Aiden Robbins, a Texas outfield standout who is expected to go as early as late in the first round, fellow Pennsbury graduate Joe Tiroly, an infielder from Virginia, and Pennsbury senior right-handed pitcher Keller Bradley.

Advertisement

MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the conference champion Yellow Jackets, second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and leader in home runs (23) and RBIs (79, tied for eighth in the country) for the high-powered Georgia Tech offense are just a few of Zuckerman’s notable accomplishments heading into the July 11-13 draft. He is projected to go toward the middle of the 20 rounds.

“It’s pretty surreal for sure,” said Zuckerman, 21. “It’s something I dreamed of my whole life.”

In a season filled with memorable moments, perhaps most impressive was Zuckerman being named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting three home runs with six RBIs and batting .571 (8 for 14), culminating in a 13-6 championship game win over North Carolina in Charlotte. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection at third base.

Zuckerman and Georgia Tech went into the NCAA Atlanta regional as the nation’s No. 2 seed. Though the 50-11 Yellow Jackets ended up being eliminated by losing twice to Oklahoma, including 8-7 in 10 innings for the regional title, Zuckerman can only rave about his experience at Georgia Tech.  

Advertisement

“If you would have told me that’s how the season for me and each of us on the team would’ve gone, I would’ve been extremely happy,” Zuckerman said. “It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life.”

After a solid sophomore season at Pitt in which he hit .295 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored, Zuckerman believed transferring would help him develop into a more pro-ready player and allow him to win more games. And Georgia Tech checked all the boxes

In addition to his career-best home run and RBI numbers, Zuckerman led Georgia Tech in 2026 with 24 multi-RBI games while establishing career-highs in batting average (.345), runs (71), hits (80), walks (37), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base percentage (.438). He batted fifth in the order.

Advertisement

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Zuckerman, who always had a strong arm, also worked hard to improve his defense at third base, resulting in 15.99 defensive runs saved for the season, which was the 13th-highest total in college baseball.

“I like to say I’m arguably the best third baseman in the country,” he said.

As a senior playing third at Pennsbury, Zuckerman hit .465 with an on-base percentage of .563, plus six doubles, six home runs, 23 RBIs and scored 26 runs.

“In high school, he was incredible for us,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “(A year ago), he decided to go from a mid- to low ACC team to the best team in the ACC. Surrounding himself with amazing players at Georgia Tech, he’s kind of elevated his game.”

Advertisement

Since the conclusion of the collegiate season, Zuckerman has been working out in preparation for the MLB Draft Combine and, ultimately, the draft. He’s been splitting his time between Yardley and Atlanta.

MLB teams have indicated Zuckerman’s power bat and defense are two of his strengths, while he’s focusing on improving his swing selection and making more contact at the plate.

Zuckerman is looking forward to hearing his name called by one of the 30 major league clubs. Whether a team views him as a third baseman, first baseman, corner outfielder or even second baseman doesn’t really matter to him.

“I think right now I’m in a great position to go and play professional baseball and start my journey up to the big leagues,” Zuckerman said. “The goal is not to get drafted – it’s to play MLB.”

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Georgia

Georgia pair charged with murder after bartender’s dismembered remains found in lake outside Atlanta

Published

on

Georgia pair charged with murder after bartender’s dismembered remains found in lake outside Atlanta


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Georgia pair have been charged with murder after allegedly slaughtering a bartender and dumping his dismembered remains in a lake, according to authorities.

Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, were arrested on Monday for allegedly murdering Jamal Rashad Parker, 37, in a home outside of Atlanta, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.

Investigators discovered Parker’s remains in May in the Dog River Reservoir, located about 30 miles outside Atlanta.

Advertisement

Parker’s identity was confirmed using DNA comparison technology after his father contacted authorities to report that the victim’s tattoos matched his son’s ink, local station WSB-TV reported.

MINNESOTA MAN ACCUSED OF DISMEMBERING GIRLFRIENDS, HIDING BODIES IN STORAGE UNITS ENTERS PLEA

Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, are charged with murder. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)

Investigators believe the two suspects killed Parker inside a home in Douglasville where Baker lived.

Late last month, investigators were observed leaving the home with a reciprocating saw and cleaning supplies, according to WSB-TV.

Advertisement

Police have not disclosed if Parker knew his alleged killers. However, a GoFundMe created by a family member described the pair as “people he knew and trusted.”

SUZANNE SIMPSON’S DNA FOUND ON MURDER SUSPECT HUSBAND’S SAW THAT CAN CUT METAL

A family member described Jamal Rashad Parker as a bartender, musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit.” (GoFundMe)

The suspects pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday and are being held without bond. Both have lengthy criminal records, according to reports.

“I want them to be punished. And I don’t even think a life sentence is good enough,” Parker’s dad, Charles Parker, told WSB-TV outside the courthouse.

Advertisement

“It’s the kind of stuff you see on TV, but I mean … they had no remorse,” he added.

In addition to bartending at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Atlanta, the victim was a musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit,” according to the GoFundMe page created to cover burial costs.

Investigators believe the two suspects killed the victim inside a home in Douglasville. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“He loved life and the people he met along his journey in life. He was a musical artist, visual artist, and a professional bartender who enjoyed creating new drinks. This has totally devastated our family and friends and has left us heartbroken,” the fundraiser reads.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Georgia

Georgia football trying to flip Grayson CB recruit

Published

on

Georgia football trying to flip Grayson CB recruit


The Georgia Bulldogs are trying to flip cornerback recruit Preston Glasco just over a week after he committed to the Connecticut Huskies.

Glasco, a member of the class of 2027, announced his commitment to UConn on June 10. Since committing to UCONN, Georgia has hosted Glasco on an official visit and offered him a scholarship (back on June 18).

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound cornerback has excellent length and size. Glasco has impressive athleticism and ran a 4.47-4.57 second 40-yard dash (hand timed) during a recent workout with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Glasco plays high school football for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He’s unranked as a recruit, but that’s bound to change soon. The unranked cornerback plays against a stout level of competition at Grayson, who is a Georgia high school powerhouse.

Advertisement

Glasco has scholarship offers from Army, Yale, Boston College, Penn and more. He’s a great student and appears to be healthy after he was recovering from a surgery around this time last year. The talented Grayson cornerback has also gone on recent visits to South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Coach Kirby Smart and Georgia currently don’t have any cornerback commitments in the class of 2027.

Georgia football offers Preston Glasco

“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Georgia,” Glasco said after Georgia offered him.

Glasco visits UGA football

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia football recruiting coverage! 





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending