The Recruiting Game - 2016

February 3^rd was National Signing Day for college football and was a day in which recruiting classes were completed and fans of their respective school were hanging on as each commit came across ESPN U. The early signing period for college baseball was held in November and it’s a time in which most players sign eliminating another hurdle he coaches need to jump over to land their players on campus.

While February 3^rd wasn’t a signing day for underclassmen in baseball, it was a big day for college coaches as a few young and talented players made their verbal commitment to cap off what has been a rather busy handful of days in the recruiting world.

February 3^rd:

Tyler McKenzie, ss, 2019-Vanderbilt University

3^rd commit in class, 1^st infielder

For Commodore fans McKenzie may ring a bell as his older brother and former Perfect Game All-American Triston was a Vanderbilt though he never made it to campus following a first round selection by the Cleveland Indians. Tyler is different from his brother though due to the fact he’s a shortstop where he shows both the skills and IQ to stick there moving forward. His frame resembles Triston’s in that he’s long and lean and exudes projection without inhibiting his present ability. The No. 23 ranked player in the latest rendition of the 2019 class rankings, McKenzie already shows an approach at the plate and knowledge of the strike zone beyond his years.

For the class: The class of 2019 is still in its early stages but McKenzie, a Florida native, is the first infielder locked down by the Commodores joining LHP Tony Jacob out of California and OF Ryan Keenan also of Florida.

Rhett Fetner, rhp, 2017-Auburn University

 7^th commit in class, 3^rd righthander

The new Auburn coaching staff has hit the recruiting trail since coming together in late October and haven’t looked back. One of the top uncommitted arms in the home state of Alabama, Auburn’s class gains a very projectable and strongly built arm in the 6-foot-3 Fetner. A member of the Georgia based Team Elite program in the summer, Fetner has shown a fastball up to 88 mph at Perfect Game events though I’ve been told he has touch higher more recently. Young for the grade as he was able to compete in the 15u WWBA this past summer, Fetner’s arm action is loose and he’s able to produce his velocity with relative ease while generating nice running life down in the zone. The breaking ball give him a solid second offering with a late breaking bender in the mid-70s with an arm action that mimics his fastball.

For the class: Fetner is a quality piece for the Tigers as he’s both talented and an in-state talent, something that’s always good to grab. Fetner is the third righthander in their recruiting class joining Cody Greenhill and Carter Bowman, also both from Alabama.

Henry Davis, c, 2018-University of Louisville

9^th commit in class, 1^st catcher

The ninth commit in the Cardinals class, Davis is the first catcher locked down and the sixth different state representative proving the coaching staff’s willingness to expand their search for top flight talent. Davis is an excellent athlete with looseness and flexibility that both play in his defensive actions behind the plate. The arm strength is evident as he’s thrown 91 mph from the outfield and 81 from behind the dish, something that bodes well with his advanced catch and throw skills delivering accurate strike after accurate strike to the bag with big carry out of the hand.

For the class: The overall 2018 recruiting class rankings were released last night and the Cardinals come in with the third ranked class in a still young process. Of the nine commits, all of whom are ranked within the top 310 prospects per Perfect Game, Davis is one of six ranked within the top 150 will do the pitch calling for the three arms already locked up.

February: 1^st

Isaac Esqueda, lhp, 2017- University of Southern California

11^th commit in class, 3^rd lefthander

Brady Disher, 1b/lhp, 2017-University of Arkansas

11^th commit in class, 3^rd infielder

January 31^st:

Jayce Easley, mif, 2018-Oregon State University

1^st commit in class, 1^st infielder

Dylan Simmons, rhp, 2019-Florida State University

2^nd commit in class, 2^nd righthander

Davis Sharpe, rhp, 2018-Clemson University

5^th commit in class, 1^st righthander