Marshall University Athletics
Baseball Staff Excited with Signing of Monaco
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Baseball Staff Excited with Signing of Monaco
4/29/2003
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall University head baseball coach Dave Piepenbrink was pleased to announce the signing of Chris Monaco, an outfielder from Arizona's Pima Community College, for the 2004 campaign.
Monaco is currently playing out of the Arizona C.C. Athletic Conference in his hometown of Tucson, Ariz. He was selected with a compensatory pick in the 52nd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball entry draft by the Baltimore Orioles, and will serve as the first high school draftee to play under Piepenbrink.
"Chris is a legitimate leadoff hitter that will add athleticism and speed to our lineup," Piepenbrink said.
The six-foot, 185-pound speedster leads the ACCAC in stolen bases (51) and runs (41), and is 12th in hitting (.346) and tied for fourth place with 56 hits.
Monaco, who will be a junior at Marshall next fall, is projected to immediately compete for the starting center field job.
"He is a bonafide Division I player who has tremendous potential to compete at a very high level in the Mid-American Conference," Piepenbrink said.
Piepenbrink, who became MU's second all-time leader in coaching victories with Sunday's 12-5 win over Bowling Green, is confident that with the addition of Monaco in 2004, his outfield will be one of the strongest in the MAC.
Injuries have slowed Marshall's current outfield lineup with Brad Helm (Downington, Pa.) out for the season after suffering a broken hand in the season-opening series at Mercer. Center fielder Joe Glevenyak (West Palm Beach, Fla.) also broke his hand and was out of action for four weeks before returning on April 4 versus Ohio.
Right fielder Francois Larmore (Magnolia, N.J.) has started in every game this season, his first at Marshall, and has solidified himself as one of the top hitters in the MAC, standing near the top of several offensive categories including home runs (tied for second with 13) and total bases (third with 107).
"Monaco, coupled with our current outfielders, will give us a fast, formidable lineup that will fit our needs well," Piepenbrink said.
