BRAVES ALL-TIME TEAM

Selecting an all-time team for the Terre Haute South Vigo Baseball Program is a very difficult task. We realize that there have been several outstanding players in our program. This list is an attempt to recognize the best player at each position, dating back to 1984.

 

Catcher - Tom Jeffers (1998)

Tom was a four year Varsity player. He led the Braves to the 1998 Evansville Semi-State by hitting, a then single season school record, 11 home runs. Tommy is in the South record book for walks (31) in a season, highest slugging percentage (1.081) in a season, chances (228) in a season, chances (637) in a career and most putouts (536) in a career. He was also selected to the all-conference team his senior year. Tom played baseball at Indiana State University for four years. He signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in February of 2003. Tommy is presently employed by Taxmasters LTD in Terre Haute.

First Baseman - Jared Grimes (1999)

Jared was a two year Varsity player. He lead the Braves to the championship game of the 1999 Evansville Semi-State by hitting a single season school record 15 home runs. "J-Rod" is in the South record book for at-bats (115) in a season, hits (49) in a season, chances (224) in a season, putouts (208) in a season and slugging percentage (.791) in a career. He was also an all-conference pick his senior year.  Jared is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.


Second Baseman - Cole Vicars (2007)

Cole was a four year Varsity starter. He lead the Braves to the ninth Sectional Championship in school history in 2007. When not playing second base, Cole was a gutsy pitcher. He compiled an 18-13 career record. Cole is in the single season record book for triples (5) in a season. He is listed in the career offensive record book for at-bats (373), most hits (156), most doubles (37), most triples (10), RBI's (108), runs (118), most walks (65), and batting average (.417). Cole is also listed in the career pitching record book for games started (31), appearances (41), innings pitched (170.1) and wins (18). Cole was an all-conference pick for three years and was the first baseball player from Terre Haute South to be awarded the prestigious McMillan Award as the best high school athlete in Vigo County in 2007. Cole played baseball at Vincennes University for two years and is now a member of the Alcorn State University baseball team.


Shortstop - Koby Kraemer (2008)

Koby was a four year Varsity starter.  He lead the Braves to back-to-back Sectional Championships in 2008 as well as the fifth Regional Championship in school history.  Koby is listed in the single season record book for at-bats in a season (112), chances by an infielder (127) in a season and assists by an infielder (66) in a season.  He is listed in the career record book for most at-bats (405), hits (148), doubles (29), most runs (135), walks (61), hit by pitch (14), most stolen bases (61), most chances by an infielder (411) and most assists by an infielder (219).  Koby was an all-conference pick during his junior and senior years and was also the second baseball player from Terre Haute South to be awarded the McMillan Award as the best high school athlete in Vigo County in 2008.  Koby is currently playing football and baseball at Indiana State University.


Third Baseman - T.C. Clary (1998)

T.C. played Varsity baseball for four years. He lead the 1998 team to the Evansville Semi-State as a pitcher and was on the losing end of a nine inning 3-2 game. "Sidwell" is in the record book for most appearances (16) in a season and innings pitched (79.1) in a season. He was an all-conference selection his senior year. T.C. finished his career as a .385 hitter. TC graduated from Indiana University and Dayton University Law School. He is presently a lawyer for the Wright, Shagley, and Lowery Law Firm in Terre Haute.

 

Utility Infielder - Prashant Patel (1999)

 

Prashant was a four year Varsity player. He started his Varsity career as a defensive specialist and ended his career as one of the best right handed hitters South has ever had. "Doctor" lead the 1999 team to the championship game of the Evansville Semi-State with a single season school record 119 at-bats. He is also listed in the record book for most doubles (17) in a season, runs (48) in a season, sacrifices (14) in a season, sacrifices (25) in a career, chances by and infielder in a career (277), assists by an infielder in a career (167) and fielding percentage by and infielder (.949) in a career. Prashant was the valedictorian of his class and was the highest ranking member of the Indiana Academic All-State Team his senior year. Prashant graduated from Indiana University Medical School and is presently completing his residency at the UCLA Medical Center.

 

Leftfielder - Derek James (2000)

Derek was a three year Varsity starter. Quite possibly the best hitter to ever come out of South, he lead the 2000 team to the Evansville Regional by posting a single season school record 52 hits and a .505 batting average. "Delrico" is also in the record book for home runs (13) in a season, most RBI's (53 twice) in a season, most runs (49) in a season, slugging percentage (.991) in a season, doubles, home runs (22) in a career, RBI's (116) in a career, runs (102) in a career and batting average (.408) in a career. Derek was a two time all-conference selection. He played baseball at Southeastern Illinois Junior College and Old Dominion University. He is currently a ServPro representative in Columbus, IN.


Centerfielder - Chris Gates (1994)

Chris played Varsity baseball for two years. During his senior year, "Sparky" had over 30 hits, 30 stolen bases, 30 runs scored, 30 RBI's, and 30 walks. He is still listed in the record book for most stolen bases (34) in a season, walks (30) in a season, and stolen bases (60) in a career. Chris was a three year member of the baseball team at Rose-Hulman. He is presently an engineer in Indianapolis.


Rightfielder- Joe Haley (2000)

Joe played Varsity baseball for two years. He lead the 2000 team to the Regional with a single season school record being hit by pitch 13 times. Joe was also hit by a pitch 11 times during his junior year. He is also in the record book for highest slugging percentage (.796) in a career and most hit by pitch (24) in a career. Joe played football at Butler University and is currently serving in the United States Marine Corps.

 

Pitcher - Matt Samuels (2000)

Matt was a four year Varsity player. During his four year career, the Braves compiled a 94-28 record, including three straight Sectional Championships. Matt is arguably the best baseball player to ever put on a South uniform. He is listed in the single season pitching record book for most games started (13), appearences (15), wins (10), most complete games (10), most strike outs (118) and earned run average (0.85).  He is listed in the career pitching record book for most games started (39), most appearances (50), most innings pitched (248.2), most wins (30), won-loss record (30-9), most complete games (20), most strike outs (352) and earned run average (1.78).  Matt is also listed in the single season offensive record book for home runs (12) and in the career offensive record book for at-bats (353), hits (135), doubles (30), most home runs (28) and most RBI's (117).  He was drafted in the 29th round of the amateur draft after his senior season, but elected to attend the University of Tennessee on a baseball scholarship. He appeared in the 2001 College World Series. He also played baseball for Indiana State University and played in the Minnesota Twins farm system for one season.


Pitcher - John Clements (1988)

John was a three year Varsity starting pitcher. He lead the Braves to back-to-back Sectional Championships in 1986 and 1987. During his senior season, "Clem" pitched a remarkable 46.2 straight innings without giving up a run. He is listed in the single season pitching record book for most innings pitched (87.1), wins (10), most complete games (10), strikeouts (98) and lowest earned run average (0.61).  John is also listed in the career pitching record book for games started (30), innings pitched (193.2), wins (25), best win-loss record (25-5), complete games (17), strike outs (280) and lowest earned run average (1.24).  John attended Wabash Valley Junior College and is presently employed at Idle Creek Golf Course in Terre Haute.

 

Pitcher - Larry Wilson (1986)

Larry was a three year Varsity player. He lead the Braves to thier first ever Sectional Championships in 1985 and 1986. "LW" is listed in the single season pitching record book for games started (13), innings pitched (75.2), most wins (11) and win-loss record (11-1).  He is also listed in the career pitching record book for complete games (16) in a career. Larry played baseball at Lincoln Trail Junior College and currently lives in Terre Haute.

 

Pitcher - Tony Harden (1994)

Tony was a three year Varsity player. "Paco" compiled a 12-4 Varsity pitching record with 158 strike outs for his career. He is listed in the career pitching record book for won-loss record (12-4) and earned run average (1.95) .  Tony played baseball at Indiana State University for four years and also pitched in the Frontier, Western and Northern Independent Leagues for seven years. He presently resides in Indianapolis, IN.