Recruiting coordinator: Mike Baxter.
Number of Top 100 signees: 9.
The Commodores landed this year their second No. 1 recruiting class in the last three years and their record fifth since Baseball America's rankings began in 2000. Vanderbilt has a chance for another top-ranked class in 2018, but the trick now will be holding its outstanding group together. The Commodores' nine Top 100 signees are the most in the country, but with six of those players ranked in the top 20, their class is also at risk of being ransacked in the draft. Righthander Ethan Hankins (No. 1) emerged this summer as the top pitcher in a deep prep class and posted a 27-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 innings at the 18U World Cup. Listed at 6-foot-6, 211 pounds, he has a frame scouts can dream on and premier stuff highlighted by a fastball that sits in the mid 90s and a sharp but inconsistent breaking ball. Hankins was joined on Team USA by righthander Kumar Rocker (No. 7) and lefthander Ryan Weathers (No. 8). Both have athletic bloodlines - Rocker's father, Tracy, was a defensive lineman in the NFL and Weathers' father, David, pitched in 964 games in the big leagues over 19 seasons - and have big stuff. Rocker generates easy velocity and has reached 98 mph with his fastball and Weathers has advanced feel for his low-90s fastball and a good changeup. Righthanders Austin Becker (No. 18) and Ethan Smith (No. 79) give the class two more projectable high-end arms. Becker has an electric three-pitch mix and Smith impressed with a perfect game on the big stage at Jupiter. Will Banfield (No. 10) has emerged as the best catching prospect in the country - high school or college. He has excellent all-around defensive skills and has power potential at the plate. Shortstop Xavier Edwards (No. 15) gives the class another premium player up the middle. He is a plus runner and has quick, smooth hands that will give him a chance to stay at shortstop. Outfielder Ryder Green (No. 42) produces lots of hard, line drive contact and projects to develop big power in time. Nick Northcut (No. 35) has two-way potential in college as a third baseman and righthander, but is more likely to end up as a position player in the long run. He is still a bit raw, but has plenty of raw power at the plate and can run his fastball into the low 90s.
Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/college/early-look-top-2018-recruiting-classes/#oLgY1WBXVZgy9ztJ.99
Number of Top 100 signees: 9.
The Commodores landed this year their second No. 1 recruiting class in the last three years and their record fifth since Baseball America's rankings began in 2000. Vanderbilt has a chance for another top-ranked class in 2018, but the trick now will be holding its outstanding group together. The Commodores' nine Top 100 signees are the most in the country, but with six of those players ranked in the top 20, their class is also at risk of being ransacked in the draft. Righthander Ethan Hankins (No. 1) emerged this summer as the top pitcher in a deep prep class and posted a 27-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 innings at the 18U World Cup. Listed at 6-foot-6, 211 pounds, he has a frame scouts can dream on and premier stuff highlighted by a fastball that sits in the mid 90s and a sharp but inconsistent breaking ball. Hankins was joined on Team USA by righthander Kumar Rocker (No. 7) and lefthander Ryan Weathers (No. 8). Both have athletic bloodlines - Rocker's father, Tracy, was a defensive lineman in the NFL and Weathers' father, David, pitched in 964 games in the big leagues over 19 seasons - and have big stuff. Rocker generates easy velocity and has reached 98 mph with his fastball and Weathers has advanced feel for his low-90s fastball and a good changeup. Righthanders Austin Becker (No. 18) and Ethan Smith (No. 79) give the class two more projectable high-end arms. Becker has an electric three-pitch mix and Smith impressed with a perfect game on the big stage at Jupiter. Will Banfield (No. 10) has emerged as the best catching prospect in the country - high school or college. He has excellent all-around defensive skills and has power potential at the plate. Shortstop Xavier Edwards (No. 15) gives the class another premium player up the middle. He is a plus runner and has quick, smooth hands that will give him a chance to stay at shortstop. Outfielder Ryder Green (No. 42) produces lots of hard, line drive contact and projects to develop big power in time. Nick Northcut (No. 35) has two-way potential in college as a third baseman and righthander, but is more likely to end up as a position player in the long run. He is still a bit raw, but has plenty of raw power at the plate and can run his fastball into the low 90s.
Read more at https://www.baseballamerica.com/college/early-look-top-2018-recruiting-classes/#oLgY1WBXVZgy9ztJ.99
