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College  | Recruiting  | 11/8/2022

Recruiting Notebook: November 8

Jheremy Brown      Isaiah Burrows      Tyler Russo      John McAdams     
Photo: Landon Victorian (Perfect Game)

Landon Victorian, RHP, Class of 2024
National Rank: 10 | Commitment: LSU


Just a week ago over on Perfect Game’s Instagram account, we heard live from Victorian as he made his announcement to nearby Louisiana State, continuing the pipeline of national powerhouse Barbe High School (La.) to LSU as well as the Tigers’ long withstanding run of landing premium talent. Currently ranked No. 10 in the country, Victorian ranks amongst the best arms in the country, regardless of age, as he possesses a combination of stuff, command and pitchability that’s so often coveted in arms and should he continue to progress, it’s a front of the rotation type package. Victorian’s fastball has already been clocked upwards of 93 mph and for as impressive as the velocity is given his age, so too is his ability to spin his breaking balls and turn over a quality changeup. It’s scary to think the former 14u Select Festival arm is still just scratching his surface as he’s already a cornerstone piece in this LSU recruiting class. 

Wesley Mendes, LHP/OF, Class of 2023
National Rank: 84 | Commitment: Ole Miss


How do you follow up winning the national title in college baseball? How about landing one of the top uncommitted players in the 2023 class who could make an immediate impact on either side of the ball. Athletically built at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Mendes possesses an intriguing combination of tools, from the 6.72 he ran in the 60-yard dash to the 95 mph exit velocity and bat speed from the right side of the plate, not to mention a low-90s heater from the mound. Checking in at No. 170 in Perfect Game’s most recent Top 200 draft board, Mendes brings an enticing package to the mound as his delivery is as smooth as it is athletic and the arm stroke is plenty clean, peaking at 92 mph this summer with angle and life through the zone. He attacks the strike zone often while mixing a tight breaker and a quality changeup with tumbling action, giving a three-pitch mix while also bringing quality offensive components to the field as he could very well see time as a two-way in Oxford. 


Burke Mabeus, C, Class of 2024
National Rank: 33 | Commitment: Oregon

An early commit to TCU, Mabeus recently announced his commitment to the University of Oregon and the Ducks are getting a good one in the Nevada backstop as it’s legitimate tools on both sides of the ball that’ll make an impact in any given game. A member of the 2020 14u Select Festival, Mabeus has only continued to grow into more power from either side of the plate, an area of his game that was prominently on display throughout the Junior National Showcase and into the summer circuit. Physically imposing in the batter’s box at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Mabeus shows barrel skills from either side of the plate, tapping into a bit more power from the left side where he utilizes a simple approach with plenty of leverage at the point of contact. Despite the strength he’s a 6.9 runner and brings that athleticism behind the dish, showing soft hands receiving and above average arm strength, quickly halting the opposition’s run game thanks to a quick exchange and release. 

Mac Morris, SS, Class of 2027
National Rank: 48 | Commitment: South Carolina


Morris was the second of two 2027 commits for the South Carolina staff of recent as they also picked up Griffin McKain, giving the club a pair of talented in-state talents. A fixture on the national circuit this past summer, Morris quickly catches your attention with the way he moves around the field, whether patrolling the dirt at shortstop or in the right-handed batter’s box. Listed at 5-foot-10, 154 pounds though looking stronger in our looks this fall, Morris was a model of consistency this summer before taking his game to the next level as he’s slashing .588/.650/1.415 heading into the All-State Games. It’s a nice combination of bat speed and barrel skill at present for Morris, along with the obvious physical projection, as he works on a linear path and is already starting to tap into some juice at the plate. He moves around well in infield as well with balance, showing lots to like with the hands to round out his skill set. 

Aukai (Jaydon) Kea, C, Class of 2024
National Rank: 35 | Commitment: Vanderbilt

We don’t always get to see prospects out of Hawaii at the earlier stages of their prep careers, but Kea has been in the spotlight for some time now and is certainly no stranger to Perfect Game events, competing in tournaments and showcases throughout the 2022 summer circuit. Physically built at 6-foot-1 212 pounds, the Kapolei native’s commitment truly shows the reach Vanderbilt has as a program and he marks the 7th commit within the Top 100 for the Commodores with all 7 hailing from different states. Kea is the second backstop in the class for Vandy and he’s just as talented behind the plate as he is in the batter’s box, though what he brings with the right-handed stick is simply too loud to not talk about. He utilizes the strength in his lower half well to fire the hips while showing explosive hand speed, whipping the barrel through the zone while losing his fair share of baseballs in the process. With the pickup of Kea, the class once again appears destined to find itself towards the top of the rankings come signing day in roughly a year’s time. 
 

-Jheremy Brown


Matt Brown, RHP, Class of 2024
National Rank: 496 | Commitment: Oklahoma State


It’s been a steady stream over the last couple months of college recruiters and programs going into Canada to land some of the country’s top prospects and Brown is another on the list. He’s gotten the ball in some big events this year, including the WWBAs in both the summer and the fall, and has impressed each time out. He’s a huge 6-foot-5, 185-pound right-hander with tons of projection while already blowing 89-92 with turbo sink in short stints. It’s a good fastball that he has success with but the feel to spin a low-80s wipeout slider that he can both bury for real swing-and-miss and land when he needs rounds out a real profile of a starter at the next level.
 

Caden Glauber, RHP, Class of 2026
National Rank: High Follow | Commitment: North Carolina


As a whole, it wasn’t the best of results that Glauber turned in at the Freshman WWBA, but it was an eye-opening look in terms of the stuff and what he might become. He’s a physical 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-hander who pitches with excellent tempo, working in the 85-87 range in the better of two looks at the event, from a slightly lower slot that allows him to create real carry across the zone. Add in the feel for a low-70s slider with real traits to project on and you have a young power-arm foundation with the traits that the UNC staff has grown accustomed to looking for in young arms, someone who checks a real handful of boxes and may throw hard.

-Tyler Russo


Steven Echavarria, RHP, Class of 2023
PG Rank: 64 | Commitment: Florida


Echavarria becomes the latest highly-touted right-handed pitcher to commit to the Gators and Coach O’Sullivan, as he joins a bevy of arms within the 2023 recruiting class. Echavarria wowed at various stops throughout the summer circuit, as the long and athletic New Jersey native performed extremely well at the UBC, 17U WWBA and was similarly electric at the 2022 PG National showcase. It is a simple, repeatable delivery with athletic movements down the slope, a buttery smooth arm action and the aforementioned electric arm speed. He has steadily been into the low-90s with his fastball and ramped it up to 94 mph in various looks this summer. He complements it with a dastardly slider that has both power and sharpness to it, while showing the ability to turn over the changeup to complete his three-pitch arsenal. Echavarria will only continue to get better as he logs more innings and adds strength. Look for him to immediately fight for innings should he arrive on campus and fits the mold of those prospects that ultimately become better as they mature.

Rhys Bowie, LHP, Class of 2024
PG Rank: 500 | Commitment: Wake Forest


Bowie becomes the eighth commit from the Northeast within Wake Forest’s 2024 recruiting class, as Coach Walters and more specifically Coach Muscara continue to garner young, projectable talent from the region. The athletic left-hander has steadily climbed the velocity ladder, peaking at 90 mph recently. He repeats well from a simple delivery, shows athleticism down the slope and creates some angle from an extended three-quarters arm slot. He pairs the fastball well with a promising breaking ball that has some horizontal sweep to it when at its best and a replicated changeup that he deploys to both right-handed and left-handed hitters. The 2024 New Jersey native stands to continue to adding more velocity over the next few seasons, as the recent gains are a strong indication of his hard work and projection moving forward.

Josiah Brown, MIF, Class of 2023
PG Rank: 500 | Commitment: Manhattan


Brown recently made his pact to the Jaspers and new Head Coach Dave Miller, as the new man in charge has been quite busy revamping his 2023 recruiting class with loads of talent on both sides of the baseball. What Brown brings to the table is a table-setter mentality that hits from both sides of the plate and will provide steady defense in the middle of the field. He has the knack for finding the barrel, has excellent plate discipline and an extremely high baseball IQ. He does a multitude of things well and will be someone the new staff can look upon to contribute as soon as he gets on campus. Look for Brown to continue expanding his skill set, while adding more strength to a pretty athletic frame.


Christian De La Cruz, RHP, Class of 2023
PG Rank: T1000 | Commitment: Manhattan


De La Cruz was one of the hotter names within the region before making his commitment to Coach Miller and the Jaspers recently. The wiry, athletic right-hander burst back onto the recruiting scene after not seeing him for quite some time. He ran his fastball into the low-90s pretty effortlessly with an intriguing combination of electric arm speed and looseness to his arm stroke. He complements it well with a pair of secondary offerings that show real promise and attributes that can certainly be optimized with the right mechanical refinements. There are some command issues that loomed with the talented 2023 grad, but he assuredly will continue to refine that as he continues to mature. This has a chance to be an immediate impact arm, If he can reel in the command a bit and add another tick or two from a velocity perspective.
 

Ben Schulman, RHP, Class of 2026
PG Rank: High Follow | Commitment: Virginia


Schulman becomes the fourth commit within the class of 2026 for the Cavaliers and Coach O’Connor, as they continue to identify projectable talent across the board. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-hander oozes potential, as he will only continue to get stronger and add velocity over the next several years. The 2026 New York native was stellar in his playoff start versus a talented Garden State Ducks squad in a playoff round 1 matchup at the Freshman WWBA Championship just a few weeks ago. He ran his fastball up to 86 mph early on before settling into the low-80s for the duration of his four innings. He paired it well with a promising slider that had both horizontal and vertical tilt to, while generating tons of weak contact and empty swings with it. The ease of operation coupled with immense physical projection bode well for the future, as Schulman will certainly continue to climb the velocity ladder and refine his full repertoire.

-John McAdams

Ben Reiland, SS/OF, Class of 2024
National Rank: 110 | Commitment: Oklahoma State


Oklahoma State made quite a splash, grabbing a big talent out of California in Reiland. Reiland was one of the top uncommitted talents with innate bat-to-ball skills and tons of projection left in the frame. It’s a smooth left-handed swing with good angle to the barrel. Quick hands match plane and works all fields with some louder gap-to-gap power, though he did show some over-the-fence pop last summer. Reiland has a real solid hit tool and has bounced between the dirt and grass. He’s a sound defender up the middle handling short and second, and he uses his length well in the outfield with confident charges and solid carry to throws. The hit tool is the big calling card here and should only develop as the frame continues to mature. He’s a big time get for the Cowboys.

Max Charles, SS/BHP, Class of 2024
National Rank: 234 | Commitment: LSU


LSU continues to add to its loaded 2024 class with an enticing product on both sides in Charles. Charles is a switch-hitter and both-handed pitcher with solid tools and athletic traits across the board. He mixes tempos well from two different arm slots on the mound. The fastball is up to 90 mph with life from the right side. He shows feel for two distinct off-speeds, as well. The swing is awfully intriguing, stays short with bat speed and loft to the path. Fast hands and hips rotate well through contact. Good looseness to the hands and the athleticism oozes at the plate. He’s a solid defender with potential to stick on the left side of the dirt as a position with upside on the bump. Charles put together a loud summer and found a landing spot at LSU.

Alex Famolari, RHP/MIF, Class of 2026
National Rank: Follow | Commitment: Duke


Duke landed a real good arm to its upcoming 2026 class in right-hander Alex Famolari. He’s an athletic product that projects well with tons of length to a 6-foot-2 frame. The fastball has some good life and plane to it at the age, living low-80s and reaching 85 mph this summer. He shows feel for a tight, depthy high-70s slider with late bite and tail from a short three-quarter arm slot. He checks a lot of boxes at this age and should only fill out. Famolari’s athleticism, length and feel for the mound and the dirt gives his profile tons of upside. He’s a great fit with the Blue Devils.

Bryant James, SS/RHP, Class of 2026
National Rank: 145 | Commitment: Duke


The Blue Devils continue to open eyes with their 2026 class, and James is one of the latest additions. James is an ultra-athletic product with some louder tools for the age on both sides. The actions and hands really show with quick feet and softer transfers and some carry across that can stick on the left side of the dirt. He’s solid with the glove and put together a loud showing with the stick, with a looser path that fires the hands and torques hard. There’s some impact strength at contact to pull that can be tapped into as he develops. He’s also mid/high-80s off the mound. James has a lot to work with, and he can be a huge spark plug to Duke’s class.

Kainoa Santiago, OF/LHP, Class of 2025
National Rank: High Follow | Commitment: Gonzaga


The Zags traveled to the Pacific Northwest for its latest grab in two-way product Kainoa Santiago. Santiago has a pretty left-handed swing that projects. It’s a leveled barrel path and rhythmic stroke with good extension out front. He works both halves and shows tight pull-side turns with a clean finish through contact. Santiago put the swing on display this summer. He can hop on the bump and force whiffs with a potent two-pitch mix. Santiago is a solid two-way athlete, and he found a great program with Gonzaga.

Josiah Palomino, C/MIF, Class of 2024
National Rank: Top 1000 | Commitment: Nevada


Nevada grabbed a quality defender and solid bat to its 2024 class. Palomino is a sound defender behind the dish and the arm strength shows all over the dirt. He’s a versatile defender that can fill a multitude of spots. He also made strides with the stick this summer, showing hard liners to both gaps and staying on plane well. It’s a solid profile with a lot of defensive potential. Palomino is a big addition to Nevada’s upcoming 2024 class.

-Isaiah Burrows