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50th round catcher Darren Farmer (June 7th pre-draft article)

He's much more than an all-star now
Todd Kelly
clarionledger.com (Mississippi)

Darren Farmer finished his career as the most prolific hitter in West Lauderdale (MS) High School's storied baseball history.

Maybe that's what a chip on the shoulder and an extra dose of motivation do for a player.

Arthur Farmer still remembers going by Phil Hardin Park on the north side of Meridian each summer at his son's urging to check the freshly posted all-star roster.

"Darren's name was never on it," Arthur Farmer said. "He handled it well, but you could tell it upset him. Right there, we would go straight to the ballfield and start working. We'd plan to be out there for 30 or 40 minutes, but it would it turn into three or four hours. He just kept working and working and working - and now's it really paid off."

An afterthought in youth leagues, Farmer is recognized today as Mr. Baseball on The Clarion-Ledger All-State team for 2009.

Coach Jerry Boatner - a man who's won 12 state titles and coached three big leaguers in his remarkable tenure at West Lauderdale - can't imagine any other selection after Farmer's spectacular senior season that included a school-record 18 home runs, 60 RBIs and a .535 batting average for the MHSAA Class 4A champions.

"Darren had the best offensive season in the 41 years I've been coaching," Boatner said. "He was great during the year, but he was unreal in the playoffs. A lot of folks intentionally walked him, but he still probably hit over .600.

"We wanted to move him to the outfield, but we ended up needing him back at catcher. He called pitches and was a great leader for us."

Boatner, 64, is quick to credit Farmer's long hours of practice with his father. The player hasn't forgotten the routine - but how could he?

"I always liked to hit," said Farmer. "But before he'd let me hit, my dad would make me go to left field and I'd practice there. Then I'd go to center field and practice there. Then to right field and practice there. Then I'd go the infield positions and practice there. Then I'd pitch. Then, finally, I'd get to hit.

"But if it wasn't for all that, I wouldn't be half the player I am."

A preseason Dandy Dozen pick, Farmer's stock climbed steadily as word spread about his eye-popping statistics. A full academic qualifier who graduated with a 3.6 GPA, Farmer signed with Meridian Community College after attracting interest from Jackson State and UAB but little from more high-profile Division I programs.

One major league scout from Mississippi suggested the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Farmer could crack the top 10 rounds - or even top five - in the Major League Baseball draft that starts Tuesday.

"Darren's a five-tool player in my opinion," Boatner said. "He can hit, hit for power, run, throw and field. I think his best position is outfield, which is where he started with that super bunch we had (that won 4A) in 2007. He's got good instincts, plus he doesn't overswing like a lot of big power hitters. He puts the ball in play really well."

Farmer delivered a pair of clutch singles on 0-2 counts in the 4-2 victory over East Central that clinched the 4A championship at Trustmark Park on May 18.

"We developed a brotherhood," Farmer said. "At the beginning of the year we weren't that close, but we went on that run at the middle of the year and got how a team was supposed to be."

Farmer's success at West Lauderdale wasn't limited to the diamond. He rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in three years at wingback.

"Darren had the talent and the toughness," Knights football coach Stan McCain said, "and he was always going to work at it. He made himself into a great player and great leader for us."

While Farmer has retired his football pads, he's not sure where he's headed next with his baseball career. The Giants, Padres and Brewers organizations seemed to have shown the most interest.

"It all depends on where I go or how much money I get offered on whether I sign or go to college," said Farmer, who grew up rooting for the Atlanta Braves.

"My dad has told me if the money's good and it's really something I want to do, then go for it."

If Farmer decides to leave his baseball, bass fishing and deer hunting buddies in Lauderdale County, he plans on remembering the advice passed on from his father.

"When I was younger, people would always tell me I couldn't do stuff like play college baseball or college football," Farmer said. "They'd say, 'Nah, that's too hard to do.' But my dad would always say to me, 'Don't let people tell you you can't do something.' He was always there to pick me up when I was down."

Kimberly baseball player Schreiber expected to stick with Purdue
Appleton Post-Crescent

Kimberly High School senior pitcher Brad Schreiber, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 1,276th pick of the Major League draft in the 42nd round Thursday, expects to stick to his game plan.

Schreiber, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, is likely to attend Purdue University this fall and play baseball. He has a full ride with the Boilermakers.

"I'd say it's about a 90-10 percent chance that I'll go to Purdue," he said. "Getting an offer from the Brewers is really awesome. I've followed them for so long and the Timber Rattlers are now their minor-league team.

"But I still think I will go to Purdue to get an education because that's what you need these days, and I can keep up my baseball skills there."

30th round infielder Brandon Sizemore (College of Charleston) -- article blurb

John Leonard, Waynesboro Generals co-owner and publisher of the All Things Valley League Web site, a popular VBL fan site, said that Brandon Sizemore was picked later than he expected.

"I think Brandon Sizemore going in the 30th was disappointing," he said. "There are always guys you expect to go higher that don't."