High School Sports

By CLINT BUCKLEY
Staff Writer

Tarlandus Mitchell could hit always hit, but not until a trip to Minute Maid Park in Houston, did Alto head coach John Dixon discover the firepower hiding behind Mitchell’s right arm.

“We started pitching him some (two years ago) and we thought he was throwing in the high 80s,” Dixon said. “But he went to a tryout camp with the Astros last summer, and he threw like 96 mph.”

Dixon now knew Mitchell’s full potential, which would ultimately lead to his selection as Most Valuable Player on the Tyler Courier- Times--Telegraph’s All-East Texas baseball team.

The only problem: Who was going to catch him?

“I didn’t have anyone who could catch him because Tarlandus threw so hard and his curveball broke so much,” Dixon said. “The main thing was that we had a freshman catcher (Rhett Gresham) come in and catch him. So that really helped Tarlandus.”

Mitchell, armed with a capable backstop, proceeded to go 9-0 and post 105 strikeouts in leading the Yellowjackets to the Class A regional quarterfinals.

He also hit .550 with three homers and 35 RBIs.

“He’s one of the best hitters I’ve ever had that hit for average,” Dixon said. “For three years in a row, he hit in he .500s. Tarlandus is also probably among the top five pitchers I’ve coached.”

Then, last month, Mitchell was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 22nd round. He signed and reported to the organization’s Rookie League affiliate in Mesa, Ariz.

Last fall, Mitchell quarterbacked Alto to its second consecutive state championship in his first season to ever play the position.

Dixon believes it is Mitchell’s acumen that separates him from the pack.

“He’s just got a knack about knowing when to throw a certain pitch or, in football, he would change a play and it would work.”

Mitchell, despite playing mostly catcher in high school and being drafted as a pitcher, seems to have a number of options available to him in baseball.

“With the kind of athlete he is, I see him maybe playing center field in the future,” Dixon said. “With his hitting and speed and everything, they might find out he can play something else other than pitcher.”

Notes —

Lindale’s Justin Copeland was named Newcomer of the Year, while Pittsburg’s Jake Melton was selected Coach of the Year.

MVP: Alto’s Tarlandus Mitchell dazzled on the mound and at the plate in being named Most Valuable Player on the All-East Texas Baseball Team.
((Courtesy Photo))