EL TORO PIPELINE: SEMO BASEBALL ELATED WITH CALIFORNIA SIGNEE

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball program has signed another player from California -- and he's a young man who Indian coach Mark Hogan can't help but get excited about.

In Josue Lopez, Hogan believes the Indians might just have landed the most highly-touted freshman in school history.

"I think he ranks up there with anybody we've signed as a freshman, no question about it," said Hogan, who received the signed letter of intent from Lopez via fax earlier this week.

Lopez is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound first baseman from El Toro High School in Southern California who was a 32nd round choice of the Texas Rangers in the recent amateur draft.

"We've never signed a kid out of high school who was drafted that high," said Hogan. "We feel very fortunate. He's definitely a cut above most high school players."

In the talent-rich Orange County area of Southern California, Lopez was named to the Orange County Register's all-area first team that was loaded with high professional draft picks and major-college signees.

Lopez led Orange County in home runs with 14 and he drove in 38 runs while batting .428. He was named Player of the Year in the Sea View League.

"He's a bonafide player," Hogan said. "Coming out of high school, I think he stands up there with anybody we've had a chance to get because of his success in such a big fish bowl. The Orange County area is loaded with talented players."

Hogan has signed quite a few players from Southern California over the past few seasons, including Charlie Marino, who broke the school's single-season home-run record in 1998, and Clemente Bonilla, who had a sensational freshman season this year.

Bonilla, in fact, was instrumental in directing Lopez to Southeast. Bonilla is also a product of El Toro High School and the two are old friends who have played together for quite a while.

"These guys have grown up together and Clemente had told me about Josue earlier in the year," said Hogan. "Some of the major schools out there had an interest in Josue and they were kind of waiting a while because the talent pool is so big out there.

"When we offered Josue (the scholarship), he was really excited about it. I think a big thing is that he knows he can come in here and play right away. He'll be an exciting player for us from day one offensively."

Hogan said there is still a chance Lopez could sign with the Rangers.

"They made an initial offer and I know they'll come back with another offer," Hogan said. "But Josue told me if the money is not right, he's coming here. He's a smart kid and he knows he needs to polish some things up, especially defensively. And he really values his education."