PROFILING USA BASEBALL’S 2010 SIGNEES ... TYLER VICK  

MOBILE, Ala. ? Tyler Vick isn’t a prototypical second baseman. His coaches say he doesn’t just break the mold ? he knocks it out of the park.

Vick, who will play his sophomore year at Meridian Community College in 2009, drilled 15 home runs and collected 67 RBI in his freshman season, despite missing 17 games with an injury. With power to spare, he’s already drawing comparisons to former Jags.

“He reminds me of a guy that played here a couple years ago, a guy who still has the career home run record ? Ryan Mulhern,” said assistant coach Scot Sealy, who helped recruit Vick to USA. “That’s the kind of big-time power he has.”

Much like Meridian teammate and fellow USA signee Brent Tanner, Vick is expected to jump into the middle of the Jags’ order in 2010. Together, they’ll be counted on to replace the losses of 2009 seniors David Doss and Ryan Bohanan.

“I don’t know if he’ll play second or third base, but he replaces Doss’ bat,” assistant coach Seth Von Behren said. “He’s a country-strong kid who enjoys the weight room. He fits into the dirty, South Alabama kind of baseball.”

Prior to his collegiate career, Vick played high school baseball for coach Jerry Boatner at West Lauderdale High School in Collinsville, Miss. He earned all-district honors all four years, and was twice named all-state. In his senior season, Vick hit .442 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI.

Vick moved on to play for coach Chris Rose at Meridian in 2008. He was named to the All-Region team after hitting .370 and helping the Eagles to a MACJC State Championship.

“The kid just has phenomenal power,” Rose said. “The biggest stride he has taken this year is that he has become more zone disciplined. When he does that, he’s very hard to get out.”

With another season of preparation before joining the USA program, it’s scary to think of who Vick might be compared to if he continues to improve.

“I’ve been lucky enough to coach a couple of guys playing pro ball right now, and one of them was named national player of the year,” Rose said. “Tyler Vick has more power than either of those guys. He can really hit.”

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Brent Tanner

Nolan Earley 

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