Hometown Hero and Manatee High alumnus Correlle Prime lighting up Australian Baseball League
Correlle Prime's first season in the California League baseball didn't go so smooth. So the Manatee alum and Colorado Rockies prospect didn't wait until next year's minor league campaign to get his hitting on track.
Rather, he's playing this offseason in Australia for the Perth Heat.
And like the team's namesake, Prime has been on fire.
The first baseman is one of the better hitters in the Australian Baseball League so far, producing a .326 average with a .500 slugging percentage through the first 12 games.
"That's the whole reason I'm here, to get my scoring back on track and work on my defense," Prime told the West Australian newspaper.
The 21-year-old Prime was drafted by the Rockies in the 12th round in 2012 and finished the 2015 season at Modesto in Class A-advanced ball.
TREVON WALTERS -- The former Manatee High running back hasn't played college football this season as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. But he has been part of the national attention at the University of Missouri. The 30 African-American players on the team boycotted any team activities until university President Tim Wolfe left office amid racial tensions at the school. Wolfe resigned Monday.
DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE -- The Lakewood Ranch alum had three tackles in the New York Giants' 32-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.
BRIAN POOLE -- The cornerback from Southeast High tallied three tackles and broke up a pass for the Florida Gators, who clinched the SEC East Division with a 9-7 victory against Vanderbilt.
ANTONIO AGURS -- The Manatee alum ran for 38 yards, caught three passes, had a touchdown and lost a fumble for Ferris State in a 49-39 win at Northern Michigan. Agurs is one of four Manatee High alums for the Division II Bulldogs. In addition, Jajuan Pollock, Willie Smith and Marquis Dawsey are there for the 9-0 Bulldogs, who have their finale this week before the NCAA Division II playoffs begin. They are ranked No. 2 in the nation by the AFCA Coaches Poll.
BRIAN BEMBRY -- A Pal
metto grad, Bembry continues blossoming as a starter on Carson-Newman's defensive line. As a freshman, Bembry has tallied a team-leading 12 1/2 tackles for loss in 10 games, leading Carson-Newman to an 8-2 mark. Bembry also has started all 10 games, producing 29 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. The Eagles are ranked No. 25 in the Division II Coaches Poll.
ANTHONY LAURO -- An offensive buzzsaw that was a member of Manatee's 2011 state title football team, Lauro is playing wide receiver at Akron. He's played in nine games as a redshirt freshman.
JOEY LAURO -- Younger brother of Anthony's, Joey is a freshman defensive back at Bucknell. The Manatee High alum has 22 tackles, one pass breakup and one pass defended in eight games this season for the Bison.
BLAKE KELLER -- A menacing defensive line force for Manatee's 2011 state title team, Keller has found a home after leaving the University of Central Florida football program in 2013. Keller transferred to Marshall, and had to sit out last year due to the NCAA's transfer rules. This season, he's accrued 31 tackles in 10 games, logging five tackles for a loss and forcing a fumble.
This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Hometown Hero and Manatee High alumnus Correlle Prime lighting up Australian Baseball League ."