Nov. 9, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Baseball coaching staff released the first three signees of the early signing period with more to be announced later this week.

Matthew Redding (6-1, 205, C, Nease HS, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) is a highly-recruited catcher that is considered one of the top prospects in the nation. Earlier this year, Baseball America rated Redding the 93rd best player in the country, and the sixth-best catcher overall.

Redding is one of the top catching prospects with his offensive power production and outstanding defense behind the plate. He is currently finishing his high school career at Nease High School, nationally recognized as one of the top high school athletic programs in the country.

Redding was recently selected to play for the Baseball America Team for 2005 World Wood Bat Championships, named to the 2005 Cape Cod/Team One All American team, and participated in the prestigious 2005 East Coast Professional Showcase in Wilmington, N.C., with the Marlins organization.

As a junior, Redding hit an impressive .402 with three home runs and 35 RBI for Nease as he helped lead them to the Florida High School Final Four. Even more impressive defensively, he threw out 22-of-25 attempted base stealers. His growing power production continued this summer by hitting seven home runs and hitting .398 for Pendleton Baseball in south Florida.

Redding chose Samford over Clemson, Alabama, Miami and Florida.

"Matthew is as highly recruited as anyone we have talked with in our two years here," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "He has spent much of his amateur career the last couple of summers competing against the best players in the country, not to mention in Florida high school baseball. He had his pick of some of the top programs in the country and we are excited he chose us."

Stephen Ballard (6-0, 190, SS, Bayside Academy, Daphne, Ala.) is a left-handed hitting shortstop with an outstanding glove defensively and the ability to hit for a high average. Ballard is finishing his impressive high school career at Bayside Academy where he initially played for current Samford Recruiting Coordinator Tony David as a starting freshman. An extremely good athlete, Ballard has also spent the last couple of falls as the starting quarterback as well.

Ballard helped lead his team to another playoff run by hitting .511 with 24 stolen bases, 46 RBI and 53 runs scored. He received several honors during and just after the season including Rotary Club Athlete of the Month for Baldwin County, Bayside Academy's Most Outstanding Offensive Player, Alabama Sports Writer Association All-State Team and an honorable mention on the Mobile Register Deadly Diamond Team.

"Stephen has had a great high school career and has also been to our camps," Dunn said. "We feel we have a good feel for what he can do, plus playing for Coach David gives us an even better idea about his ability and make up. He is a good athlete and swings from the left side, we are excited about having him join our program."

Wayne Miller (6-1, 185, SS, Bearden HS, Knoxville, Tenn.) is a highly-recruited middle infielder from the Knoxville, Tenn. area with power-hitting potential, good range and an outstanding glove.

Miller completed his junior season in high school in impressive fashion with a .400 batting average, nine home runs, 33 RBI, 38 runs, 12 doubles and two triples on his way to being named to the All-District and All-Region teams.

He was also selected as his team's Most Valuable Offensive Player. This followed a solid sophomore year where he hit .330, with three home runs, 21 RBI and nine doubles on his way to receiving the Newcomer of the Year award at his school.

"We had the opportunity to see him play a couple of times this summer and loved his talent and the way he plays the game," Dunn said. "He is an intense player on the field and plays as hard as anybody. He will make another great addition to this program on the field and in the classroom."