2/23/2016 7:26:46 PM
The second ranked player in the class of 2018 made his decision late Monday night as Brandon Birdsell announce his commitment to Coach Rob Childress and the Texas A&M Aggies via Twitter. Listed at a very strong 6-foot-3, 195-pounds, Birdsell’s athleticism is evident as he shows both talent and big arm strength all over the diamond but it’s on the mound where the young Texas native truly shines.
Though early in the process the Aggies have already put together a top-10 type class and Birdsell’s commitment only solidifies their ranking as he’s the sixth commit over and of the group, four are within Perfect Game’s top 30. What Coach Childress and crew are getting with Birdsell is what you often associate with pitchers from Texas, big velocity. Already up to 92 mph with a loose and easy arm action, the type you can see one warm up pitch from and project upon easily, Birdsell needs minimal effort to generate the above average velocity and does so while creating big running life to his arm side. His slider is as much of a put away at present as his fastball and has the potential to develop into a plus offering down the road. Already a low-80s offering, Birdsell’s slider shows late, two-plane tilt and with it he’s able to induce uncomfortable, defensive swings.
One of the top arms in the nation, Birdsell is now the Aggies’ top recruit and adds to an already excellent crop of talent. Joining Birdsell within in the top ten ranked prospects is fellow Aggie commit Grayson Rodriguez (No. 9), who like Birdsell is a big and strong righthander with big fastball velocity. Hunter Watson (No. 19) and Brett Brown (No. 129) form a highly athletic duo up the middle while Mason Englert (No. 28) and Jonathan Childress (No. 265), high school teammates at Forney, provide two additional high end arms to Coach Childress’s 2018 class.