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College  | Recruiting  | 4/6/2020

Recruiting Notebook: April 6

Jheremy Brown     
Photo: Austen Roellig (Perfect Game)

See also: Wright Glimpses Into Future


Brooks Wright, c/rhp, Class of 2024
Commitment: Tennessee

Since head coach Tony Vitello and his staff took over in Knoxville they’ve done an excellent job on the recruiting trail, going wherever the talent takes them while also cleaning up on in-state talent and the surrounding areas. The Vols didn’t have to travel far for Wright, a Knoxville native, who has already established himself as one of the better players in the 2024 class at this time thanks to polished receiving skills behind the plate as well as quality arm strength on the mound. Wright was selected for the inaugural 13u PG Select Festival last August in Norman, Okla., after a strong performance on the circuit, showing true two-way ability and given that he has yet to enter high school there’s plenty of time for Wright to hone his skills on both sides.

Outlook for the class: Wright is the Vols first commitment in the class of 2024, and like every other school in the country, they’re just beginning the process with this class. Catchers tend to be one of the quicker positions to come off the board as there are simply less available in any given class compared to shortstops or outfielders so being able to land one of the top young backstops from so close to home, it’s a no brainer for the staff to lock up Wright’s commitment.

Hagan Banks, rhp, Class of 2021
Commitment: Alabama

Similar to the Tennessee staff above, head coach Brad Bohannon and his club have done well in the recruiting game, not only landing big name prospects but also getting them on campus and developing them as their 2020 roster and results show. The latest player to give his commitment to the Crimson Tide, Banks is an ultra-projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound righthander out of Georgia who continues to take big strides with his game each time he throws at a Perfect Game event. Armed with swing-and-miss stuff, Banks was up to 92 mph last summer and punched out four in four innings pitched at the WWBA World Championship, setting the stage for a potential breakout summer.

Outlook for the class: The Alabama staff has shown they aren’t afraid to go wherever the talent takes them in terms of recruiting as their current roster shows and though they didn’t have to travel far for Banks, they still had to go into a hot area where there are plenty of high level in-state schools to recruit against. For the class of 2021, Banks is the eighth commitment for the Tide and the seventh state to be represented, once again reiterating the staff’s ability to go wherever the talent takes them. 


Dylan Questad, of/rhp, Class of 2023
Commitment: Notre Dame

The state of Wisconsin has been a hot bed of talent as of late, and given its proximity to Notre Dame, could become a honey hole for the Irish. Questad, a young and true two-way talent, recently put his skills on full display at the 2020 Midwest Indoor Showcase where he showed big arm strength from both the outfield (92 mph) as well as on the mound where he topped out at 87 mph while showing a present feel for three pitches. The velocity took a jump for Questad this offseason, topping out at 80 mph just back in September and given his overall athleticism and strength it’s safe to say it’ll continue to trend upward.

Outlook for the class: Still early in the process, the addition of Questad gave the Irish three commits in the 2023, joining Pennsylvania native Chase Krewson and fellow Wisconsin native Cal Fisher. It’s clear the Irish are going after the younger classes and finding the right fits under first-year head coach Link Jarrett. The Irish have pulled talented players from all over the country in the past and if they can continue to find success in Wisconsin that’ll only add to their long-term success.

Toby Twist, lhp, Class of 2023
Commitment: Oregon

Twist may not have appeared at many Perfect Game events last summer, but he made sure to announce his presence whenever he did as evidenced by his performance at the 14u World Series in Sanford, Fla., with Tri County Baseball. A long-limbed lefthander, Twist shows nice balance and plenty of arm speed, working comfortably in the mid-80s last summer, though you can expect that number to jump sooner rather than later. The spin on his heater is noteworthy as it gives it “rising” action and he has proven capable of missing bats up in the zone with uncomfortable swings while mixing in a tight curveball in the low-70s.

Outlook for the class: The Bakersfield native is the second arm to commit to the Ducks in the 2023 class, joining righthander Ryan Featherstone and summer teammate Carl Schmidt. All the components are there for Twist to continue to develop into a potential rotation-type arm for the Ducks, though he has another four years until stepping foot on campus. It’s a nice start to a younger class for Oregon, already pulling three talented pieces out of California before the summer circuit begins.

Cameron Magee, ss, Class of 2021
Commitment: Arizona State

Magee made the most of his first Perfect Game showcase during the PG Underclass All-American Games at the University of San Diego, where he was committed to at the time, performing well on both sides of the ball while opening some eyes. He possesses the tools to stick up the middle upon his arrival in Tempe, exhibiting soft hands and fluid footwork to work behind and through the ball with quality arm strength across the diamond. It was his lefthanded swing that stood out just as much though during the event, showing a natural feel for the barrel in live action with big bat speed and intriguing jump off the barrel.

Outlook for the class: Magee is a potential top-of-the-order, middle-of-the-diamond type player for the Sun Devils who has also shown two-way potential on the mound. It’s his glove and lefthanded stick that’ll make the loudest impression however, and he’s the eighth piece to this 2021 Arizona State recruiting class. The staff has done an excellent job of developing players as of late as their recent track record shows, especially with their depth of high-end infield talent.


Talan Bell, of/lhp, Class of 2024
Commitment: Florida State

It’ll be another school year before Bell enters high school, but like Tennessee’s Brooks Wright, he already knows where he’ll be attending college as the recruiting process continues at its fast pace. The overall athleticism is a key component to Bell’s overall game and an alluring piece to his skillset as he shows nice upside both as a rangy center fielder with a contact-oriented approach from the left side as well as on the mound. The fastball continued to climb for Bell throughout the summer and into the fall, peaking at 82 mph, though he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. Bell’s arm action and operation on the mound are free and easy and given both his athleticism and age, the upside is big.

Outlook for the class: As the Noles 2023 class suggests (eight players committed), the new coaching staff isn’t afraid to go after players at a young age, especially those from the Sunshine State. The state has already shown its depth in the 2024 age group, and given Florida State’s ability to clean up in-state, it’s only a matter of time before this class loads up on talent throughout the summer season.


Austen Roellig, ss, Class of 2023
Commitment: Arizona

It won’t take you long to notice Roellig when he takes the field and such was the case during the 14u Perfect Game World Series when he made the trip from California to Florida with CBA. An agile middle infielder who was ultimately selected for the 14u PG Select Festival, Roellig’s athleticism is a focal point in his success, whether it be at shortstop or in the righthanded batter’s box. At the plate the young Arizona commit shows rhythm and balance as well as excellent hand-eye coordination which allows him to work to all fields with hard, barreled contact and quickly evolving strength coming off. His balanced actions in the dirt standout amongst his peers with soft hands and strong lateral agility to either side, completely the play with a strong arm across.

Outlook for the class: Roellig is Coach Jay Johnson’s first commit in the 2023 class, and granted it’ll be another four years until he steps foot in Tucson, he’s the type of player you can build a recruiting class around. Their 2022 class started similarly with another PG Select Festival alum in shortstop Mikey Romero, who was one of the first commits in the Wildcats ’22 crop, and now stands at No. 11 nationally.
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