Murray State University Athletics
Baseball Adds to Signing Class
5/7/2013 4:15:00 PM | Baseball
Murray State head coach Rob McDonald announced the signing of catchers Dustin Cartas and Josh King, middle infielder Matt McGowan and right-hande pitcher/first baseman Hunter Johnson. All four players will begin playing for the Breds in the Fall, 2013.
Cartas (5-11, 205, Russellville, Ky.) will join the Breds after playing for head coach Ethan Meguiar at Logan County High School. He has been the starting catcher since his seventh-grade year and is rated as the No. 36 prospect in Kentucky by Prep Baseball Report. Cartas has been named All-District 13 five times and owns a career .424 average. Entering his senior season, Cartas has 184 hits, 24 home runs and 152 RBIs. He has also only struck out 17 times in 535 plate appearances.
“We got to see Dustin play a lot last summer and this fall and he is an outstanding hitter who will develop into a quality catcher,” said McDonald. “He uses the whole field well and has the ability to hit for power. Dustin is also a great student and will be a great representative of Murray State baseball.”
King (5-10, 175, Poplar Bluff, Mo.) will come to MSU after playing for head coach Stan Bulington at Poplar Bluff High School. He earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior after hitting .573 with 11 doubles, three triples and 16 RBIs. He also scored 26 runs and had a .654 on-base percentage. King garnered all-district and all-conference accolades following his junior campaign, after being named a Pro-Day Preseason All-American.
“Josh is a left-handed hitting catcher who has the tools to be a very good hitter,” said McDonald. “He is outstanding behind the plate. He has a plus arm and is very athletic. He is a great student and great young man that we can't wait to coach.”
McGowan (5-11, 165 Hopkinsville, Ky.) will join the Breds after playing for head coach Dennis Conley at Olney Central College. He is hitting .271 with four doubles, 20 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 36 games this season. As a freshman in 2012, McGowan hit .349 with 10 doubles, 16 RBIs and 34 runs scored. McGowan played for head coach, and former Bred, Scott Peck at University Heights High School where he hit .394 with 22 RBIs as a senior, and .406 with 34 RBIs as a junior.
“Matt is a good athlete that is very sure handed and plays the game hard,” said McDonald. “We have watched him since his days at University Heights, where he was also a good basketball player. We expect him to come in and compete right away.”
Johnson (6-3, 230, Louisville, Ky.) is a four-year letterwinner for head coach Bill Miller at Pleasure Ridge Park High School, and is rated as the No. 15 prospect in Kentucky by Prep Baseball Report. Johnson was named the 6th Region Player of Year as a junior after hitting .336 with 18 doubles, six home runs and 32 RBIs, while also going 7-4 with a 1.21 ERA in 13 appearances. He is also a two-time first-team all-state selection, and is the only player to hit a home run in the 6th and 7th Region All-Star game.
“Hunter is a big, physical presence on the baseball field,” said McDonald. “He is a very good hitter with the kind of power you don't see often in a high school player. He is a very physically gifted young man who we plan on doing great things at MSU.”
“We got to see Dustin play a lot last summer and this fall and he is an outstanding hitter who will develop into a quality catcher,” said McDonald. “He uses the whole field well and has the ability to hit for power. Dustin is also a great student and will be a great representative of Murray State baseball.”
King (5-10, 175, Poplar Bluff, Mo.) will come to MSU after playing for head coach Stan Bulington at Poplar Bluff High School. He earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior after hitting .573 with 11 doubles, three triples and 16 RBIs. He also scored 26 runs and had a .654 on-base percentage. King garnered all-district and all-conference accolades following his junior campaign, after being named a Pro-Day Preseason All-American.
“Josh is a left-handed hitting catcher who has the tools to be a very good hitter,” said McDonald. “He is outstanding behind the plate. He has a plus arm and is very athletic. He is a great student and great young man that we can't wait to coach.”
“Matt is a good athlete that is very sure handed and plays the game hard,” said McDonald. “We have watched him since his days at University Heights, where he was also a good basketball player. We expect him to come in and compete right away.”
Johnson (6-3, 230, Louisville, Ky.) is a four-year letterwinner for head coach Bill Miller at Pleasure Ridge Park High School, and is rated as the No. 15 prospect in Kentucky by Prep Baseball Report. Johnson was named the 6th Region Player of Year as a junior after hitting .336 with 18 doubles, six home runs and 32 RBIs, while also going 7-4 with a 1.21 ERA in 13 appearances. He is also a two-time first-team all-state selection, and is the only player to hit a home run in the 6th and 7th Region All-Star game.
“Hunter is a big, physical presence on the baseball field,” said McDonald. “He is a very good hitter with the kind of power you don't see often in a high school player. He is a very physically gifted young man who we plan on doing great things at MSU.”
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