Stephen Alemais had it all – time and a host of powerhouse college baseball teams vying for his services.
Yet Sunday, the All Hallows junior shortstop/closer made an early verbal commitment to Tulane, spurning signature programs like Vanderbilt, Miami, North Carolina and Oregon. The Green Wave, Alemais said, just had everything he wanted, from early playing time to a perfect location to great academics.
“Part of me wanted to get it over with – it was stressing me out,” he said. “I didn’t think I should wait for anything. Everything was right.”
Tulane isn’t exactly weak on the diamond, either. The New Orleans program has been to the NCAA tournament in 12 of coach Rick Jones’ 18 seasons and the Green Wave have made two trips to the College World Series. Jones, Alemais said, told him that he would be the team’s every day shortstop from Day One his freshman season.
Those things plus the weather and excellent education made Tulane a no-brainer.
“I fell in love with the place – the environment and the team,” Alemais said.
Alemais was recruited heavily this summer playing for the nationally ranked South Florida Bandits travel team. It was a monster few months for him. He was also a key figure in All Hallows’ first-ever trip to the CHSAA Class AA championship. Alemais isn’t only the team’s slick-fielding shortstop with a cannon for an arm and a versatile bat in the middle of the order, he closes on the mound.
“He can run, he can hit, he can throw it,” All Hallows coach Ed Gutierrez said. “I would definitely consider him a five-tool [player].”
Alemais said he has touched 91 mph on his fastball, but doesn’t consider himself a pitcher. Every school on his list recruited him as a shortstop and he only closes for the Gaels out of necessity.. Alemais says he would start games, but he doesn’t want to injure his arm. He does enjoy the closer role, though.
“I take pride in it,” Alemais said. “The team needs me to come in and close the game. I like it.”
He’ll bat third for All Hallows this year, but will likely be a leadoff or No. 2 hitter at the next level because of his speed and bat control.
“I would love to use him in that 1 spot now, but I need him to protect [slugger] Lance Montano in the middle and to drive in runs,” Gutierrez said. “But when he gets on, he can run.”
There’s very little Alemais can’t do. He’ll take that all-around ability to Tulane in 2013, which is not something he expected. With all of his power-conference suitors, Alemais didn’t expect he would make a decision.
“When I went there, I didn’t think I’d end up going to school there,” Alemais said.
Things changed quickly when he got on campus.