University of Chicago’s Drew Ventrelle commits to AAU USA International Collegiate Summer Team
Press Release | December 15, 2017
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—University of Chicago sophomore baseball player Drew Ventrelle has committed to play collegiate summer baseball for the AAU USA International Collegiate Team in international series vs Scotland and Ireland in July 2018.
Playing for the Maroons under Coach John Fitzgerald in NCAA D3’s Midwest Conference, the 5-11, 180 pound Ventrelle was named to the Order of the “C,” recognizing varsity lettermen whose object is to support the cause of athletics at the University of Chicago.
In 2017, he appeared in 13 games for the Maroons as a freshman, starting in one of those games. Ventrelle hit .182 on the year while scoring two runs with two RBIs. He had a fielding percentage of .857.
At Campolindo HS in Moraga, Calif., he hit .457 with a 17-game hitting streak and a .971 fielding percentage. He was named team MVP, Team Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Diablo Foothills Athletic League, DFAL Gold Glove Award at Shortstop, DFAL Batting Champion, Total Player Center (TPC) Spring Break Invitational All-Tournament Team, and led his team in hits and stolen bases.
He played four years of baseball and three years of football in high school, and was named California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) North Coast Section Scholar Athlete 2013-16.
Ventrelle said the AAU international opportunity is the best choice for collegiate baseball and continuing his career in the sport.
“I have been excited about this opportunity since I first heard about it.” Ventrelle said. “Coaches Graham and Cummings are exceptional coaches who know how to compete at a high level internationally. This is a unique baseball experience with great players, coaches, and support. It will make everyone on the team a better player and person. This is a very special opportunity."
Ireland will host the AAU USA International Collegiate Team as part of the Ireland International Baseball Festival at Ashbourne International Baseball Centre, County Meath, July 10-15. Opponents include the Ireland National Team, Irish Baseball League All-Star Team, USA Military Blue Devils, and non-tournament matchups to be announced later.
Scotland will host the AAU USA International Collegiate Team for an international friendly series at Edinburgh and Glasgow July 5-10. Opponents in Scotland include the Scotland National Team and the Edinburgh (Giants, Diamond Devils, Cannons) and Glasgow (Galaxy, Comets) clubs of the Scotland National Baseball League.
Ventrelle joins a large group of talented players being recruited by AAU Baseball International Ambassador Coach Mike Graham, manager of the AAU USA International Collegiate Team, and head coach Chris Cummings.
Ventrelle is one of the more intriguing AAU USA International Collegiate Team recruits of the Hot Stove season because he isn’t only an elite baseball player. He is a two sport athlete at the University of Chicago, where he also is a quarterback on the Maroons football team.
“When I hear ‘football player’ and baseball, my ears perk up,” Graham said of athletes with football’s combinations of power, speed, size, and athleticism.
“We have leveraged other football players in our program, like Daniel Keating, a Florida wide receiver in high school who attended the Peyton Manning Passing Academy, the premier offensive football skills camp in the USA; and Connor Graham, who also played football and attended the East Coast Elite QB Leadership and Skills Academy Camp, won the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Skills Competition in his area, and only focused on baseball in high school. And James Holler, our do-it-all superman at Barcelona in 2016 from Northwest Missouri State University, was an All-State quarterback.”
Veterans of international collegiate summer baseball, Coaches Graham and Cummings led the Sant Boi Barcelona Falcons (Spain) the past two years in the Collegiate Baseball League Europe (CBLE) in Great Britain, France, Spain, Netherlands, and Belgium. Under their direction, the Falcons won back to back CBLE regular season championships in 2017 and 2016 playing in the league affiliated with the NORTHWOODS LEAGUE, one of America’s premier summer collegiate baseball leagues comprising teams of top college players from the Midwestern United States and Canada.
“The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is very excited to have Drew in Europe with us this summer,” Graham said. “He comes highly recommended and brings size, proven capability and experience to the team. Drew's scouting reputation is that he’s a hard working player, versatile glove who can play middle infield, hits with power, and is a skillful baserunner."
Other early commitments include Daniel Keating (Wellington HS, Fla.), CJ Cummings (University of Mary Washington, Va.), and Connor Graham (Anne Arundel CC, Md./Virginia Wesleyan University).
About the Team
The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is a premier international collegiate summer team followed by college coaches and pro scouts. The roster includes players ages 18-23 representing all NCAA college divisions and national team, MLB academy, and club players from all over the world. The experience offers high-level baseball and cultural exposure to the world at the same time.
Notable alumni of the AAU USA International Collegiate Team coaching staff’s previous collegiate summer teams include Brian Reed (Rochester Tech, NY), D3baseball.com All-New York Region Pitcher of the Year; Jordan Ellis (Virginia Wesleyan University); Jimmie Gentry (Albright College, Pa.), NABF All-America; Mac McGrath (Shenandoah University, Va./Eastern University, Pa.); CJ Cummings (University of Mary Washington, Va.); Josh Matthews (Hood College, Md.), AAU All-America; Netherlands pro Dave Janssen (MLB Bixie Baseball Academy, Nl.).
Brandyn Vogtsberger (Towson University, Md.); Maryland junior college Anne Arundel CC’s Dominic Stanbery, AAU All-America; Brandon Snow (St. Mary’s College, Md./Farmingdale State University, NY); MLB Prospect Guide select Stewart Rich (Georgia State University), former teammate of MLB Atlanta Brave Danby Swanson, MLB’s No. 1 pick in 2015; and Northwest Missouri State University teammates James Holler and Nikko Pablo.
For more information about the AAU USA International Collegiate Team, visit https://aauusaict.wixsite.com/aauusabaseball.
To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan and follow AAU USA International Collegiate Team baseball on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AAUGlobal and Twitter https://twitter.com/AAUGlobal.
The AAU USA International Collegiate Team is recruiting for summer 2018. Apply to play at https://aauusaict.wixsite.com/aauusabaseball.
