PRIOR TO JU: Played two seasons as a left fielder at Kansas City Community College...as a sophomore, he earned first team all-region honors after batting .382 with 17 home runs (third in the nation) and 67 RBI...as a freshman, he batted .382 with 11 home runs, a .780 slugging percentage and 51 RBI.

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year letterwinner as a outfielder for Brad Kidwell at Green Mountain High School...as a senior, he was named 5A High School "Player of the Year", all-state and all-conference after batting .470 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI while leading the Rams to a conference and district title...sat out his junior season after having Tommy John surgery.

PERSONAL: Born Sept. 20, 1986, in Denver, Colo...son of Russ and JoAnn...has a sister, Camilla...major is aviation.