The Edenton Steamers of the Coastal Plain League announce today the signing of two more players who will help the Steamers compete for the Petitt Cup Championship in 2012. Evan Boyd and D.J. Johnson (pictured L-R, courtesy of Mercer sports information) will join their Mercer University teammate David Teasley, who was announced last week, in Edenton this summer. All three follow Billy Burns, a 2010 all-star outfielder/leadoff man for the Steamers now in the Washington Nationals organization, who was the first Mercer Bear to play in Edenton. 

Boyd is a junior at Mercer University (GA) in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference. The 6-4, 185-pound shortstop from Albany, GA bats left and throws right and will start at shortstop for the third straight season, while projecting to be a top of the order bat for the Bears this spring. Boyd spent his 2011 summer in the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League with the Palm Springs Power. For the 41-4 Power, who won the SCCBL title and finished 16th in the nation in Perfect Game CrossChecker’s final 2011 summer rankings, Boyd hit .387, had an on-base percentage of .473, and slugged .505, recording 16 walks to only seven strikeouts and swiping ten bags in 11 attempts. His 2011 summer performance earned him the number three ranking as a professional prospect in the SCCBL by Perfect Game CrossChecker. Boyd is a tall, rangy infielder, whose calling card has been stellar defense his entire career before coming into his own last summer at the plate. He has the chance to be a complete player in a leading role for Edenton as a middle defender who hits from the left side for a high average and has the ability to steal some bases. Boyd comes to the Steamers from the renowned Palm Springs Power summer program that also produced 2011 Steamer outfielder Brett Christopher. 

Johnson is a 5-10, 185-pound sophomore infield mate of Boyd’s at Mercer University (GA). The Adel, Ga., native returns as the starting second baseman and a late inning reliever for the Bears in 2012. Last spring Johnson made 17 appearances, recording two saves. In 33 innings pitched he recorded a 1.91 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts to seven walks while also holding down the everyday second baseman job. Heading into the 2012 spring season he was named the Atlantic Sun Second team Utility by College Sports Madness. Johnson was drafted out of high school in 2010 in the 21st round by the New York Mets. He is a fast-twitch athlete with a lightning quick arm that allows him to generate velocity on his fastball in the high 80’s to low 90’s despite his smaller frame. He completes his profile as a power bullpen arm by complementing his fastball with a nasty breaking ball. Johnson is also an elite defender at second base with great feet around the bag, tremendous range and a plus arm. The Edenton coaching staff will pay particular attention to his offensive development with regard to his ultimate role this summer for the Steamers.
Mercer opened its 2012 schedule this past weekend by taking three of four at home from Morehead State University. All three Steamer players from Mercer enjoyed a successful series in the process. Boyd and Johnson started all four games as the Bears’ double play combo. The shortstop Boyd went eight for 16 at the plate with three doubles, five runs, five RBI, while only striking out once. Johnson produced six hits in 16 at bats, added two doubles of his own, and only went down on strikes once. He accompanied that with an impressive two-inning save when he fanned two and did not allow a hit. Teasley also appeared in relief in three of the four games, earning one of the wins, and totaling two innings of work.

The Edenton Steamers are also proud to once again announce that even more past and future Steamers recently earned preseason accolades.

2011 right-hander Quintavious Drains was called one of the top three pitchers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference by its coaches polled by College Baseball Insider.

2011 right-hander Esteban Guzmán was recognized as one of the top pitchers and one of the two pitchers they would least like to face in the Western Athletic Conference as voted by conference coaches per College Baseball Insider.

2012 signee Jonathan Davis, from the University of Central Arkansas, was voted one of the two best base runners in the Southland Conference by coaches polled in College Baseball Insider.

The Edenton Steamers are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 47 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at http://www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).

Chip Pruden

(252) 482-4080