Cougar Alumni
2009 Shawn Wilyman CSU-Northridge
A two-year starting pitcher for the Cougars, this Regina, Saskatchewan native was a second team all conference pitcher in 2009. He made the Nor Cal All Star team in fall 2008. Second most in season strike outs at Taft College with 89 in 2009. Compiled an accumulative 3.20 GPA while at Taft College.
2009 Tyler Smith Bacone College (Oklahoma)
Two-time second team all conference outfielder (2008-2009). A resident of Las Vegas, Tyler tied the most HBP’s record at Taft College with 16 in 2009. Also, stole 24 bases and scored 40 runs in 2009. Graduated with an accumulative 3.50 GPA from Taft College.
2009 Zach Biehl New Mexico State University
A CCC All American after his 2009 season. Led the state in saves (12), appearances (31), opponents batting average (.166), and third in total era (1.41). Also selected as a second team All Pacific Region (California, Oregon, and Washington). He also appeared in 31 games as a reliever in 2008, which also led the state. All of the before-mentioned categories/stats are also Taft College records. Had a grade point average of 3.10 while at Taft College.
2009 Kevin Chapman University of Texas-Brownsville
Led the 2009 team with 7 wins and second in appearances with 25 (which was second in the state of California). Transferred from Whittier College after completing his freshman year of baseball there in 2007. A 2006 graduate of Silverado High School in Henderson, Nevada. Had an accumulative 3.35 GPA at Taft College.
2009 Jeramy Burleson The Masters College
A two-year starter for the Cougars; where he played three infield positions (3B, SS, & 2B). This “hard-working” Shafter High School graduate embodied what Cougar baseball is all about, maintaining a positive image on and off the field! He holds the single season and career HBP records at Taft College (16 season, and 30 career).
2009 Wilfredo Rodriguez Mt. Mercy College (Iowa)
A two-year starter for the Cougars, played 3B in 2008 and 1B in 2009. Committed only one error while at first base in 2009. Hit in the middle of the lineup for both years at Taft College. A 2006 graduate from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
2009 Neynoel Perez University of Texas-Brownsville
A two-year starter for the Cougars, started in centerfield in 2008 and played right field and DH in 2009. Blessed with a lot of skills; good arm, running ability, and hitting. A very good student athlete, had a 3.25 GPA while at Taft College. 2007 graduate of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School.
2008 Alex Osorio West Texas A & M
A starting outfielder and relief pitcher in 2008, a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely. An outstanding individual and student athlete, who was thought of highly by everyone while at Taft College. Graduated from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in 2006.
2008 Cory
Hall
Santa Clara University
After transferring in to Taft College from Gonzaga University, this Regina,
Saskatchewan native put together an outstanding season for the Cougars.
He was a first team all CVC selection and currently holds two Taft College
pitching records (5 complete games and 92 strike outs).
2008 K.C.
Judge California
Lutheran University
A 2006 Chaparral High School graduate from Las Vegas, Nevada. K.C. was
a 2-year starter for the Cougars. His freshman year he started at third
base and his sophomore started in left field and first base. An
outstanding contact hitter and base runner for the Cougars during his two
year at Taft College.
2007 Alex
Lyons University of San Francisco
The Cougar's starting
centerfielder during the 2007 season. Led the team in stolen bases with 31
while hitting .304. The model "student-athlete" while at TC; maintained a
3.80 grade point average while at Taft College. A high school graduate of
Timpanogos, Utah in 2005.
2007 Daniel
Bennett University of Southern Illinois at
Edwardsville
Starting pitcher during the 2007
season for the Cougar's. Led the team in wins (5), innings pitched (88),
games started (15), complete games (1), and strike outs (63). A graduate of
Klamath Union High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 2005.
2007 Chase
Blackwood Valdosta State University (Georgia)
A two-year starter for the
Cougars behind the plate. Made the fall California Community College Fall All
Star game. Led the team in homeruns (5) in 2007. A graduate of Taft Union
High School in 2005.
2007 Tyson
Davis Utah Valley State College
A two-year starter for the
Cougar's. Played all three infield positions while at TC (2B, SS, 3B). Hit
283 his sophomore year at TC. Made honorable mention All-CVC his freshman
year, 2006. A graduate from American Fork High School in Utah in 2005.
2007 Glen Haenelt New Mexico
Highlands University
The Cougars starting first
baseman last year after transferring from Allan Hancock College. Led the team
in batting (.376) and slugging pct. (.560). A graduate of Liberty High School
in Bakersfield, California in 2005.
2007 C.T. Twisselman
York University
A two-year starter for the
Cougars where he played outfield, third base, and second base. Led the team
in runs scored, 30 and swiped 20 bases during the 2007 season. A graduate
from Taft Union High School in 2005.
2007 Chris Wedel
William-Penn University
A reliever his freshman year at
Taft, in 2007 he anchored the pitching staff along with Daniel Bennett.
Second on the staff in innings pitched with 76. His older brother Jeremy is
the Cougar's pitching coach. A 2003 graduate from Wasco High School in
California.
2006 Josh Herback-South
CSU-Northridge
A second team all CVC pitcher
during the spring of 2006, Josh was in the top-ten in the state in innings
pitched (103) and games started (16). His complete game win at Fresno City
College in April 2006 was one of the best pitching performances in recent
Taft College baseball history. He signed during the early signing period in
November 2005.
2006 Owen Van Noy College of the Ozarks
A two-year starter for the
Cougars at shortstop, he signed during the early signing period in November
2005.
2006 Matt Bezzant Southern Utah
University
A two-year starting catcher. Made
the NorCal fall All-Star game in 2005. Lead the
Cougars in home runs (8) and rbi (39) his freshman
year.
2006 Matt
Jankowski Central Methodist University
A starting pitcher his sophomore
year at Taft. Ranked in the top-20 in innings pitched (80) his sophomore
season at Taft College.
2006 Jimmy
Whitworth Colorado State University at Pueblo
reserve
outfielder his freshman year at Taft College, he became the closer for Taft
College his sophomore year. He led the team in saves (5) in 2006.
2005 Kyle
Kasper Utah Valley State College
A starting pitcher for the 2005
Cougar baseball team and a relief pitcher in 2004. A native of Riverton, Utah
who excelled on the field and in the classroom while at Taft College. One of
the hardest workers to ever wear the "black & gold."
2005 Anthony
Reed Cal State University, Northridge
A 2003 graduate of North High
School in Bakersfield, Anthony was a unanimous All-CVC outfielder. He was top
five in the state in batting average (.439), on-base pct. (.527), slugging
pct. (.748), triples (6), and stolen bases (25 for 25). In 2005 he was an
All-American.
2005 Thomas
Lees Lewis-Clark State College
A product of Edmonton, Alberta,
Thomas was an honorable mention CVC utility player. Thomas played all 3
outfield positions, first baseball, and pitcher.
2005 Eddie Wheeldon
Lewis-Clark State College
A 2003 graduate of Taft Union
High School in Taft. Eddie lead the Cougars in 2005 in innings pitched (75),
strikeouts (75), and wins (5).
2005 Jeff
Mason Wayne State University
A product of Calgary, Alberta in
Canada. Jeff was a starter for the Cougars in left field. He left Taft
College after his freshman year to attend Wayne State in Nebraska.
2004 Brian Conradi
Sacramento State University
A 2002 graduate of Liberty High
School in Bakersfield, Brian was an All-CVC shortstop for the Cougars. Brian
led the team in numerous offensive categories.
2004 Brian Hedman
University of Utah
A 2002 graduate of Taylorsville
High School in Taylorsville, Utah. He was member of the 2002 Utah 5A state
high school championship team. Brian served as a reliever and spot starter
for the Cougars during his two years in Taft.
2004 Tyler
Wright BIOLA University
A 2002 graduate of Liberty High
School in Bakersfield. He was a 2nd team All-CVC first baseman.
Tyler lead the team in batting average and on-base pct. his sophomore season.
2004 Steve Kittrell
Menlo College
A 2002 graduate of Highland High
School in Bakersfield. Steve played a number of positions for the Cougars in
his two years at Taft College (3B, SS, 2B, & OF).
2004 Kyle
Curtis University of Lethbridge
A product of Edmonton, Alberta in
Canada. Kyle was a two year starter for the Cougars in right field.
2003 Jason
Stuart Friends University
From Port Orchard, Washington,
pitched for the Cougars primarily as a relief
pitcher.
2003 John
Stevens Cal-State University, Los Angeles
From Pahrump, Nevada, played
catcher for Cougars after a "red-shirt" 2002
season.
2003 Brad
Cline Friends University
From Bellingham, Washington,
played first base and outfield for the Cougars.
2002 Justin
Clift Northwest Missouri State University
A 2000 graduate from Bonanza High
School in Las Vegas. Made the All-CVC as a 3rd baseman
his freshman year at Taft.
2002 Justin Thurman
Friends University
A 2000 graduate from Las Vegas
High School. Played 1st base and DH for the Cougars during
his career at Taft College.
2002 Cody
Hunter Friends University
From Salt Lake City, Utah. Played
center field for the Cougars during his two year stint at Taft College.
2001 Ty Harbaugh Northwest Missouri State
University
From Las Vegas, Nevada, a two
year starting pitcher for the Cougars.
2001 Eric Fagen Cal-State University, Stanislaus
From Washington, a two-year
starting left handed pitcher for the Cougars.
Here is a short
description of Cougar players who signed professional baseball contracts:
Allan Simpson (RHP) Allan is a true success story.
He was recruited out of Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas, Nevada by former
coach and mentor, Tony Thompson. Allan was drafted in the 8th round by
the Seattle Mariners after his sophomore year at TC (1997). He played
at Lancaster during the 2000 season in the California League and has just
completed the 2006 season with Nashville, the AAA affiliate for the Milwaukie
Brewers.
Recent news -
Simpson
Traded to Cincinnati Reds Saturday April 9, 2005
Allan Simpson on the 25-man opening roster for the Rockies
Monday, April 4, 2005
Allan
Simpson called up to Colorado Rockies Monday, July 26, 2004
Bob Simonson a 1984 grad of Taft College, was a 2nd round draft pick
of the Milwaukee Brewers. Played professionally for 8 years. A Grand Rapids,
Michigan native, he transferred from Oklahoma State University his sophomore
year to Taft College in the fall of 1983. Currently lives in Oklahoma City.
David Harriman (2000) A product of British Columbia, Canada. David
transferred to Armstrong State in Georgia. He was drafted by the
Oakland A's as a catcher and played three years in the A's organization
Ron Coomer (class of 1986) see
the article from the local Taft Midway Driller newspaper
Kevin Van DeBrake (Inf) Signed as a free
agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990. From Selah Washington.
Kevin is now the Head Baseball Coach at West Valley High School in
Yakima, Washington.
Kevin Johnson (OF)
Signed in 1988 with the Montreal Expos and played two years of
professional baseball. From San Luis Obispo, California.
Chris Keim (LHP)
Drafted after freshman year at TC (23rd round); signed with the
Cincinnati Reds after his sophomore year; played 2 years of professional
baseball. Chris is now a chiropractor.
Ken Harris (OF) Drafted
by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 15th round after his
sophomore year. Ken played 2 years of professional baseball.
From Snohomish, Washington.
Agustin Gonzalez Signed with the
Cincinnati Reds after his freshman year at TC (1989). Played 2 years
of professional baseball. From Orosi,
California.
Donny Harrel (C)
Drafted in the 18th round by the Kansas City Royals after his
sophomore year at TC (1990). A shoulder injury ended his career after 2
years. He is currently the Head Baseball Coach at the Seattle
Universtiy. From North Bend, Oregon.
Jason Kummerfeldt
(RHP) Signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1992 and played 5 years of professional baseball. Now owns his own
company in hometown of Billings, Montana.
Skye Leibee
(LHP) Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 27th round after his
sophomore year at TC (1992), and played 2 years of professional baseball.
Now is a police officer in Visalia, California. From Taft,
California.
Jeffrey Newkirk (OF)
Signed a pro contract with the Chicago White Sox and played 2
years of professional baseball.
Mike McDougal (1B/RHP) Drafted in the 31st
round by the St. Louis Cardinals after his freshman season at TC (1994) as a
1st baseman. Now a pitcher, Mike is in AAA with the Baltimore
Orioles. From Las Vegas, Nevada.
Troy Ormonde
(RHP) Drafted in the 29th round by the Chicago
Cubs after his freshman season at TC (1994). He played 2 years of
professional baseball. From Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aaron Hee (LHP)
Drafted in the 50th round by the New York Mets after his sophomore
year at TC (1998). Played at Pittsfield
in the New York-Penn League in 2000. From Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jerome Robinson, signed as a free agent and played two years in
the Cincinnati Reds organization.
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