Meet Carolina's Freshmen Pitchers
September 3, 2003 | Baseball
Sept. 3, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The 10-member freshmen class of the 2004 University of North Carolina baseball team brings impressive credentials to Chapel Hill. Included among the four pitchers profiled here are a pair of draftees from the 2003 Major League Baseball Entry Draft, and all four hurlers were all-state selections a year ago, including three from North Carolina.
"We're obviously very excited about this class," said Tar Heel head coach Mike Fox. "We've got a great group coming back from last year that took us within two games of the College World Series, and hopefully this class can add to our success."
DANIEL BARD (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian)
Prep: Twentieth round (604th overall) selection of the New York Yankees after a standout prep career at both Charlotte Christian and Providence High School ... Earned Easton/Collegiate Baseball All-America honors as a senior ... Named the 2003 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and Charlotte Observer Player of the Year ... Also brought home all-conference and all-state accolades as a junior and senior ... Led Charlotte Christian to North Carolina 3A Independent Schools state titles in 2002 and '03 ... Played with the U.S. Junior National Team over the summer of 2003 ... Member of the Region 6 State Games Team as a junior ... Also played in East Coast Pro and Area Code Showcases.
Personal: Daniel Paul Bard is the son of Paul and Kathy Bard ... Born June 25, 1985, in Houston, Texas ... Has two younger brothers, Jared and Luke ... Father played five years of minor league baseball in the Dodgers and Orioles organizations ... Favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber ... Favorite book is the Bible ... Lists Mark Prior as his favorite athlete ... Undecided on major.
ANDREW MILLER (Gainesville, Fla./Buchholz)
Prep: Third round (63rd overall) draft pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays out of Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Fla. ... Florida Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior ... Also earned preseason and postseason high school All-America honors in 2003 ... First-team all-state choice as a senior after earning third-team honors his junior season ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Andrew Mark Miller is the son of David and Kim Miller ... Born May 21, 1985, in Gainesville, Fla. ... Planning to major in business ... Favorite athlete is Ken Griffey, Jr. ... Favorite Major League Baseball team is the Atlanta Braves ... Claims to have modeled is game after Randy Johnson ... Favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber ... Uncle Dan Miller played football at the University of Miami and in the USFL and NFL.
ROBERT WOODARD (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park)
Prep: Four-year standout at pitcher and shortstop at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C. ... Earned all-state honors as a junior and senior ... Three-time all-conference and all-county selection ... Led Myers Park to a state runner-up finish in 2003 ... Named a top-10 prospect at the Team One South Showcase at Georgia Tech ... Also played on Area Code National Team in the Japan Goodwill Series ... Named one of the top-10 sophomores in North Carolina by Baseball America in 2001 ... Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes for three years ... Attended the second session of summer school in 2003 at Carolina.
Personal: Robert Suiter Woodard is the son of Susan and Clayton Woodard ... Born January 10, 1985, in Winston-Salem, N.C. ... Has an older brother, David ... Undecided on major ... Favorite movie is Braveheart ... Lists Cal Ripken, Jr. as his favorite athlete ... Favorite MLB team as a kid was the Atlanta Braves ... Modeled his game after Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens.
ROB WOOTEN (Goldsboro, N.C./Aycock)
Prep: Four-year baseball standout at Charles B. Aycock High School in Goldsboro, N.C. ... Brought home all-state honors as a senior ... Three-time all-conference selection ... Named to the all-area team in 2002 and '03 and was named area player of the year as a junior ... Earned Aycock's pitching award as a sophomore and junior and was named team MVP as a senior ... Played on the North Carolina All-Star team as a senior ... Participated in the N.C. State Games as a junior and senior ... Spent the summer of 2003 playing with the Wayne County Post 11 American Legion team ... Also played two years of basketball and ran cross country for one year ... Honor Roll student.
Personal: Robert Davis Wooten is the son of Terry Barnes and Robbie Wooten ... Born July 21, 1985, in Goldsboro, N.C. ... Has an older sister, Jenna ... Father played basketball at Mt. Olive College ... Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan ... Favorite movie is American Wedding ... Favorite MLB team as a kid was the Atlanta Braves ... Undecided on major.
--TarHeelBlue.com--