Stan Kowalski ~
Stan created the Charleston Baseball Academy over 23 years ago to give athletes the opportunity to learn the game of baseball at the highest level and showcase players talents to college coaches and professional scouts. A Lowcountry native, Stan was a two-sport athlete (basketball and baseball) at Hanahan High School. After high school, Stan continued his basketball and baseball career at Spartanburg Methodist College and then transferring to Charleston Southern University sticking with just baseball.
Stan enjoyed great success as a pitcher for the Buccaneers, leaving the school with the most pitching victories in season and in school history. After his playing days, Stan spent eight years as an assistant athletic director for operations at Charleston Southern, Atlanta Braves Associate Scout and President of Player Development for Benchmark Sports Advisors. Stan began training pitchers of all levels over 27 years ago before officially opening Pro Level Sports ( now CBA) in December of 2001.
Some of Stan’s most prized players include Steven Jackson (Pittsburgh Pirates/New York Yankees), Matt Crim (The Citadel/Atlanta Braves), Chris McGuiness (The Citadel/Boston Red Sox/Texas Rangers/Pittsburgh Pirates), John Murrian (Winthrop University/Detroit Tigers), and Matt Vaughn (Clemson) to name just a few. Stan also is Director and Head Coach for the Carolina Prospects Baseball Organization.
Chris Murphy ~
Chris comes to CBA with a wealth of baseball and training knowledge. Coach Murphy has experience coaching at all levels, including at high school and college baseball levels.
Chris was a former player in the MAAC Conference were he played at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. After his playing days, Coach Murphy has been an assistant at Hamilton College, St. Lawrence University and back as an assistant at his alma matter Le Moyne College. Chris spent time as an assistant baseball coach at local Hanahan High School as well.
Coach Murphy has experience in recruiting, camp coordinating, travel administration and more. Coach Murphy is also a certified strength and conditioning trainer.
Chris will handle the hitting instruction for CBA.
John Murrian ~
John is a local and former standout at Stratford High School where he played alongside a talented group. Next, Murrian was a three-year starter for Winthrop (2007-2009) before being drafted after his junior year by the Tigers in the ninth round of the 2009 Major League Draft. He hit .321 for his college career and led the team in doubles in 2009 with 19. Defensively, he threw out 63 percent of attempted base stealers.
While with the Detroit organization, he began playing with Oneonta in the New York-Penn League and also played with Lakeland of the Florida State League, Erie in the Eastern League, and closed out his playing career with Toledo of the Triple A International League. Murrian was slated to be with the Big League Club before an injury turned him to the coaching and managing side for the Tigers. John is now the hitting coach for Detroit's Class A Minor League West Michigan Whitecaps.
John will be giving hitting and catching instruction while he is home during the off season.
James Reeves ~
James Reeves is another local player and former Ashley Ridge High School product. James's college career took him to The Citadel where his last season he finished with 115 strikeouts in 95 innings. Reeves ended up being a 10th round draft pick by the New York Yankees in the 2015 Major League Draft. James was with the Class AA Trenton Thunder and pitched impressive enough to have several appearances in Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders and waiting for the call up to the Yankees Big League Club. He was recently traded to the San Diego Padres where he will start the 2021 season in AAA.
James will be giving pitching instruction while he is home during the off season.