Tracking the PRO Career of Corey Coles
<center><table border=6><td><img src="https://forumeus.com/images/people/coles-corey-mug-2003(200).jpg"></td></table></center><blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — When Corey Coles came out of Comeaux High with little fanfare, he had no idea what kind of college career he was about to have.
The fact that he was drafted in the fifth round of Tuesday’s pro amateur baseball draft by the New York Mets is a pretty good indication that he exceeded his expectations.
The left-handed centerfielder/pitcher began his career with the Cajuns as a pitching before exploding onto the hitting scene as a sophomore when he led the team with a .368 batting average, six homers and 45 RBIs.
Coles again led the Cajuns at the plate this past spring at .371 with 18 doubles, seven triples, nine homers, 45 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
“I didn’t expect to have that kind of a career,’’ Coles said. “In high school, I thought I was a good hitter, but I had no idea. I became a better hitter in college. My numbers got a lot better.’’
As the 139th overall selection, Coles’ gut feeling is that he’ll be forego his senior season at Louisiana to begin his professional baseball career.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/B0AA884F-7AF1-48C0-AFAF-DD8A7186BA00.shtml">The rest of the story</a>
Kevin Foote
kfoote@theadvertiser.com <!--
“I told the scouts when I talked to them that if I was picked in the top six rounds that I’d more than likely sign,’’ he said.
“Unless something strange happens in the negotiations, I’ll probably be going.’’
Before the negotiations even begin, however, Coles enjoyed the experience of hearing his name called on the internet as the Mets selected him.
“Scouts were telling (Louisiana) coach (Tony Robichaux) anywhere between the fourth and eighth rounds,’’ Coles said. “So I started listening pretty heavily when they got to the middle of the third round. It was nice when I heard my name. It was like a huge load off my back.’’
Robichaux certainly understands Coles’ excitement and is expecting him to leave the program.
“In our minds, he’s gone,’’ Robichaux said. “He said he’d consider staying if he went below the sixth round and he didn’t. The average signing bonus in 2001 for that round was 175,000, and it’s probably increased a little since then. It’s a great opportunity for him.’’
Robichaux said most scouts are touted Coles as a centerfielder, which means his pitching days appear over. He was 0-3 with four saves and a 3.38 ERA this spring.
“One, he can run,’’ Robichaux said. “Two, he’s a left-handed hitter who plays a good centerfield. A lot of guys don’t really have the ability to play center, but Corey does. He’s got the bat speed. He’s just going to have to get used to not having the aluminum bat.’’
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Corey Coles Named To All-south Central Region First Team
<blockquote><p align=justify>University of Louisiana star named to first team for the second straight season
MOBILE, Ala. - Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun baseball outfielder Corey Coles was one of five players to repeat as first-team selections for the 2003 American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-South Central Region Team announced on Tuesday.
Coles, a member of the 2003 first team, was a member of the first team in 2002.
First team members are now eligible for All-America status.
The Lafayette native and Comeaux High School product, a 2002 and 2003 All-Sun Belt Conference First Team performer for the Cajuns, led the Cajuns with a .371 batting average in 2003 and also had four saves and a 3.38 ERA to his credit.
He led the Cajuns in hitting for the second straight season in 2003. He became the first player since Papo Ramos in 1991 and 1992 to lead the Cajuns in batting average in consecutive seasons (hit .368 as a sophomore).
Coles had 89 hits, which rank third all-time in a single season, and combined with his 85 hits as a sophomore total 174 over two years after spending his freshman season as a pitcher only.
Coles had 18 doubles, seven triples and nine home runs to give him 34 extra base hits in 2003. He had a .617 slugging percentage and stole 13 bases in 15 attempts.
Fielding-wise, he committed just two errors over 140 chances in the field for a .986 fielding percentage.
In conference play only, he hit .427 with a .748 slugging percentage.
The South Central Region is comprised of 33 schools. Among the conferences represented are the Sun Belt (7 teams), Southland (10), Southwestern Athletic 10), Atlantic Sun (1), Conference USA (1) and the Western Athletic (1). The region also includes three independent programs (Centenary, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas-Pan American. Head coaches in the region selected the two teams.
Fourteen players were chosen for the first team and 12 on the second team.
Southern University led the way with four selections. Lamar, Houston and South Alabama each had three.
</blockquote><b>LOUISIANA SI
