BASEBALL INSTRUCTORS
Mark Michael
Pitching Instructor
Biography
- Played professional baseball for 10 years.
- Professional pitching instruction for over 15 years.
- 1999 Kentucky High School State Champion and Finals MVP.
- Posted a 14-0 win/loss record his senior season setting the state record for most consecutive wins.
- Named USA TODAY 1999 Kentucky Player of the Year.
- Freshman All-American at the University of Kentucky.
- All-Conference at the University of Central Florida as a junior and starting pitcher against #1 nationally ranked Florida State University in the NCAA Regioinal Semi Finals.
- Starting pitcher for the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate league champions, Wareham Gatemen in 2001.
- 3 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization followed by 7 years in Independent Baseball at Fargo, Winnipeg, Sussex, Calgary, El Paso, and Sioux City.
- Was Northern League All-Star and MVP of the 2006 League Championship Series.
- Coached 3 years at Southeastern C.C. in Burlington, Iowa leading them to their first trip to the Junior College World Series in school history in 2014.
- Mark’s pitching staff lead the nation in strikeouts in 2014 and had the lowest ERA in the conference all 3 years during his tenure.
- He also produced the conference pitcher of the year all 3 years while at Southeastern C.C.
Joey Wilson
Hitting, Fielding, & Base Running Instructor
Biography
- Attended Lexington Catholic High School, Chipola Junior College, Stetson University
- Won 1999 State Championship With Lexington Catholic
- 2001-2003 Back To Back Conference Champions – Chipola Junior College (Marianna, Fl)
- 2005 Atlantic Sun Conference Champions - Super Regional Appearance - Stetson University (Deland, Fl)
- League Champions – World Series Appearance - Anchorage Bucs (Alaska)
- 1 Year Assistant Coach - Anchorage Bucs – Hitting And Infielders/catchers
- 3 Years Assistant Coach - Translyvania University – Hitting And Position Players
- Assistant Coach – Lexington Catholic – Hitting And Position Players
- Assistant Coach – Dunbar University – Hitting And Position Players
- Maintained Above .300 Career Batting Average
- Invited to USA Team Tryouts
- All City And State Teams In Lexington Kentucky
- Played In China Against National Team
- Played Every Position Besides Pitcher In Division 1 Baseball
Aaron McGlone
Hitting, Fielding, & Base Running Instructor
Biography
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1996 Kentucky Mr. Baseball
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1998 Played in Cape Cod Summer Collegiate League
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4 year starter at the University of Kentucky
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Ranks near the top of most career offensive categories at the University of Kentucky
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1st RBI's
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1st Total bases
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1st Walks
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2nd Total hits
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3rd Runs Scored
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Freddy Acevedo Jr.
Baseball & Softball Hitting Instructor
Biography
- Born and raised in the Dominican Republic
- Signed out of high school to play professional baseball with the Houston Astros organization
- Played 7 years in the Minor Leagues
- Earned the following honors:
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Team MVP
- South Atlantic League Top Prospect
- Offensive Player of the Month
- Defensive Player of the Month
- Transitioned into coaching after his playing career
- Served two years as the hitting coach at Asbury University (college level)
- Currently coaches at the youth level
Mike Taylor
Hitting Instructor
Biography
- Played high school baseball @ Tates Creek High School, were I started all 3 years as an “outfielder”, playing in 3 high school state tournaments.
- Played on the South Lexington Connie Mack team starting in centerfield that won the Connie Mack World Series.
- After graduating high school I walked on @ Columbia St. Community College. Through endless hard work, during my first year there, I was able to improve my skills in every aspect, batting .435 and help lead the team to the JUCO World Series. That hard work that first year also enabled me to be drafted in the 3rd round by the Cleveland Indians as an Centerfielder.
- While playing within the Indians farm system, for (5) years, I was able to climb the ranks of their minor league system, making it to the AAA level.
- After my professional baseball career ended I had a desire to share all of the baseball knowledge that I had obtained thru my many years of playing high school, college, and professional baseball. I wanted to coach and teach young ball players the proper way to play the game of baseball, as I experienced it, in all aspects of the game.
- I became a coach in the Southeastern Babe Ruth League, in Lexington, Ky, were I coached the same team for over 30 years, teaching all aspects of the game. The joy I received from teaching, instructing, and watching young players grow and develop into outstanding players, on the field, as well as outstanding individuals “off” the field, made me study even harder on finding ways of how to be a better coach, teacher, instructor.
- After 30 years of coaching I was inducted into the Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame as an Coach and Mentor. I have coached many young players on my teams who have gone on to play high school, college, and professional baseball. One of those players was able, for a few years, to become the manager of the San Diego Padres, (Andy Green).
Henry Companioni
Hitting Instructor
Biography
- Born and raised in Cuba, where he played baseball at a high professional level
- Completed his college baseball career before transitioning out of playing due to injuries
- Began his coaching career internationally, working in Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico
- Relocated to Lexington, Kentucky in 2012
- Coach and instructor at Mark Michael Baseball School
- Has coached with CBC and other local teams in the Lexington area
- Specializes in hitting instruction and overall player development
- Passionate about helping young athletes across Kentucky improve their skills, confidence, and understanding of the game