Two Trojans Touring with Turks

Saying General Manager Bob Wease trusts former Turks members to fill out current incarnations of the team would be something of an understatement. As with Wake Forest, the Turks have signed two Troy Trojans thanks to former Turks coach and current Troy Assistant Coach Mark Smart. Catcher T.J. Binder and first baseman Trae Santos will be touring the Valley with the Turks for the 2013 season.

 

T.J. Binder

Binder is a 6’1″ 210 pound power hitter from Ooltewah, Tennessee.  During his high school career, Binder hit .470 with 33 doubles and nine home runs, while driving in 63 runs over his first three years at Ooltewah High School in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.  After his sophomore and junior years, he was named both 1st Team All-District and 1st Team Best of Preps by the Chattanooga Free Press.  After his junior year, Binder was selected a Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association All -Star and was selected to Team Tennessee to play in the major Sun Belt Tournament last summer in Oklahoma.  He has also played for the prestigious Chattanooga Cyclones organization the last few years and has been named “Best Hitter” on two different teams as well as most valuable player this fall.

 

Troy U. Trae Santos

Joining Troy teammate T.J. Binder, junior first baseman Trae Santos will play for the Turks this summer.  The 6’1″ 234 pound Santos is a transfer from Northwest Florida State College where he earned all-conference honors at both first base (Second Team) and as designated hitter (First Team).  Santos posted a .311 batting average with nine doubles, five home runs, 25 RBIs in 45 games as a sophomore.  As a freshman he hit .359 with five doubles, three triples, six home runs and 45 RBIs in 46 games.  The left-handed Santos also pitches.  As a sophomore he recorded a 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 15 innings.  His freshman year he was 4-0 with a 2.01 ERA, 29 strikeouts, seven walks and one save in 14 appearances.  Santos is from Barrigada, Guam.