Kevin Gaid Class: Junior Hometown: Roswell, Ga. High School: Pope H.S. Height / Weight: 6-4 / 195 Position: RHP B/T: R/R

Furman: Appeared set to assume the role of Furman's top starting pitcher following the graduation of Mason Smith and departure of Jay Jackson to the Major League Draft but underwent Tommy John surgery in August to remove a bone chip from the ulnar collateral ligament...at first appeared certain to miss the entire 2009 season but has made surprising progress to the point that he now has an outside shot of returning to the field by May...successful return would be a major plus for the Paladin pitching staff...Tommy John surgery was the second procedure performed on him by noted Birmingham physician Dr. James Andrews, who also completed an ulnar nerve transposition in March of 2007, causing him to miss the entire season...possesses some of the staff's most effective stuff, including a very effective curveball. 2008 -- Proved to be one of Furman's most pleasant surprises after missing the first month of the season with shoulder tendonitis due to adjustments in pitching mechanics leading up to the start of the season...in only his second appearance (and first collegiate start) fashioned a strong outing in 4-2 win over nationally 10th-ranked South Carolina (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3BB, 5 K)...work against USC earned him a promotion into the weekend rotation...picked up his first collegiate victory in a 9-5 Sunday triumph over College of Charleston (6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K), which completed Furman's three-game sweep over the Cougars...other victory came in an 11-9 decision over Davidson (3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K)...turned in an effective start (no decision) in a 4-2 loss at Appalachian State (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K)...registered 10 appearances, including nine starts, while posting a 2-1 record and 5.11 ERA...opponents hit just .238 against him, the second lowest mark on the staff behind Jay Jackson (.216)...yielded only 39 hits in 44.0 innings of work...played a key role in Furman posting a school record 33 wins (33-24) and third place (17-10) SoCon regular season finish. 2007 -- Did not register any mound time due to injury, which also cost him an opportunity to play with the Anchorage Bucs of the Alaska Summer League.

High School: 2006 graduate of Pope (5A) High School...coach was Jeff Rowland...pitched and played outfield...three-time all-county pick...led Pope with a 2.64 ERA as a junior...helped his squad to a 22-win season as sophomore, the most in school history....425 career batting average.

Personal: Full name is Kevin J. Gaid...son of Perry and Loretta Gaid...born October 28, 1987, in Palo Alto, California...has three siblings: Brian, Kelsey, and Emily...accounting major.