On a squad expected to be laden with underclassmen, El Dorado will be counting on seniors Jared Rhodes and Chase Webb to lead the way in 2020.
On Thursday, the duo finalized their college plans with Rhodes ticketed to San Jacinto (Texas) College and Webb signing with Arkansas Rich Mountain.
Rhodes will be attending one of the nation’s powerhouses in the junior college ranks.
The Gators have won five national championships with 26 trips to the NJCAA World Series to its credit.
Andy Pettitte is one of several notable alumni who have starred in the big leagues after turning pro, and the school produced a first-round pick in last June’s draft with former Arkansas pitcher Jackson Rutledge being taken by the eventual World Series champion Washington Nationals with the 17th pick.
“I’m really thankful,” Rhodes said of the opportunity. “It’s a really good program. I’m excited. I’m ready to work.”
Rhodes was very appreciative of the support he got from El Dorado coach Cannon Lester and assistant coach Hayden Dow.
“They have done a ton for me and the team,” Rhodes said. “I would not be where I am without their coaching and advice. They’ve played a huge role in my whole career so far. I’m very thankful for them.”
Arkansas Rich Mountain has yet to play its first game with Lance Spigner, who won several state titles at Horatio, at the helm of the program.
“I think it’s a great opportunity. It’s going to be real fun,” Webb said. “It going to be a great experience to go up there.”
Webb added that he committed after he visited the school.
“Coach Spigner told me he wanted me to come and visit,” Webb said. “I went up there and talked to him for a little bit. He gave me an offer and I took it.”
Lester was pleased to see Webb get the opportunity to play at the next level.
“Chase is one of the best hitters I have coached,” Lester said. “He can barrel 70 or 90.
“He is a true baseball player. With some physical maturity, he will be a Division-1 top of the order bat.”
For Rhodes, the Wildcats’ catcher who didn’t commit an error last year while driving in 13 runs, his opportunity came during the summer when he was playing with the Arkansas Sticks, a travel team that has many of the state’s top prospects on its roster.
“My junior year, I played summer ball with the Arkansas Sticks,” Rhodes said. “I went to a few tournaments. Coach (Chase) Brewster put my name out there along with coach Lester, gave them an idea of what they were getting. They looked at me a little bit and offered me.”
Now Rhodes will be playing for one of the top JUCO programs in the country.
“It’s definitely really exciting,” Rhodes said. “I’m really thankful to get this chance, but I’ve got to work really hard. I feel like I can follow in a lot of those guys’ paths.”
Going the two-year route also appealed to Rhodes due to the chance of getting early playing time.
“I like the early playing time,” Rhodes said. “If you go to a four-year, most likely you’re not going to play your first two years unless you’re a stud.
“There’s always those guys that are there those two years that are going to get their chance their junior and senior year.
“You go to a JUCO, they’re going to have that playing time, and the competition is just as good as playing on a good D-1 team.”
Lester said the Gators will be getting a defensive stalwart behind the plate.
“He’s the best throwing high school catcher I have seen,” Lester said. “Not the strongest arm, but quick release and he puts it on the bag all the time.”
In Webb’s case, just getting back on the field is something he is chomping at the bit to do after missing last year due to Tommy John surgery.
Webb, who hit .309 with 15 RBIs and 17 runs scored and was 8-for-8 in stolen bases as the Wildcats’ second baseman as a sophomore, said going through the rehabilitation was difficult.
“It was really slow and long,” said Webb, who could return to the mound for the Wildcats, but wasn’t sure if he would pitch in college.
“It was tough. From going and playing every day and then doing nothing and being there watching, it was real tough on me. I like to be out there in the field helping my boys out and helping the team out as best as I can.”
As far as expectations for the 2020 season are concerned, Rhodes said he expects the Wildcats to be a solid club.
“I think we’re going to be pretty good,” Rhodes said.
“We have a lot of guys getting better. Last year, we had five or six freshmen get a lot of playing time, and that’s going to help us a lot.
“We have four seniors that will contribute a lot, but I think the sophomore class is going to be really good this year and help us a lot. The main thing is our pitching. We have some really good pitching this year, and hopefully we can lean on that.”
For Webb, the season may be far off, but if it started tomorrow, he would be all set to go.
“I am beyond ready,” Webb said. “I cannot wait. I know it’s about four months, but I am ready.”