Pre-BSC: started as an eighth-grader on the varsity squad for coach Jeff Schroeder at Second Baptist in Houston... named All-Texas his senior year... named All-District in his junior and senior seasons... Led Houston in runs scored for private and 4A schools...

Personal: son of Anne and Charlie Neal, Leann and Nathan Plagens... born May 3, 1990... has two half-brothers, Hunter and Chance Neal... step-father Charlie works with the Cinncinnati Reds organization... majoring in Engineering.