2007 Top Recruiting Classes

BY DAVID RAWNSLEY

By all accounts, the 2007 high school class is special--both in terms of quantity of talent and in quality. A common theme among major college recruiters this summer and fall was that they were recruiting everyone without regard to worrying about the draft. The reason? With so many good pro level prospects, especially pitchers, there is bound to be plenty of players that will slip though and end up in school. Few schools backed off any players out of fear they would likely lose the player before he arrived on campus.

Historically, about 50-55 percent of the nation’s top 100 high school prospects end up in school. But there is so much depth to this crop that players ranked below the top 100 will help to offset the players that do sign pro prospects out of high school.

In assessing the top high school recruiting classes from the Nov. 8-15 signing period, we’ve decided to break down the schools into different categories. Our first category “Watch for the Scouts” includes seven programs which could be significantly impacted by the 2007 draft.

(Please note that the players listed after each school represent some of the school’s top high school signees but not all of them. This year’s Aflac All-Americans are designated in boldface type).

WATCH FOR THE SCOUTS

Arizona State (RHP Seth Blair, OF Michael Burgess, SS Justin Jackson, OF Andrew Lambo, OF Matt Newman, C-1B Danny Rams, 3B Josh Vitters, RHP Brett Zawacki). The baseball community took note when master recruiter Turtle Thomas landed in Tempe after leaving LSU to join head coach Pat Murphy, no recruiting slouch himself. The combination hasn’t disappointed, landing a star-studded class from around the country. Even if a majority of the elite prospects sign contracts next summer, this class still features a very strong group of Arizona high school standouts to soften the potential losses.

Oregon State (RHP Tim Alderson, 3B Steve Hagan, SS-CF Garrett Nash, 3B Travis Mattair, LHP Josh Osich, RHP-3B Greg Peavey, LHP Tanner Robles). Not only did Oregon State dominate the Northwest, they claimed the top prospects from Arizona , Utah and Idaho as well. Such are the spoils of victory when your program is winning and playing in Omaha in June. The Beavers could lose 3-4 top players from this class and still have an impact group.

Georgia Tech (LHP Zach Brewster, RHP Brandon Cumpton, 3B Derek Dietrich, C Cole Leonida, RHP Jarrod Parker, RHP Neil Ramirez). The strength of the Georgia Tech class lies as much in its depth (13 quality players) as with its headline talent. Still, whether Aflac All-Americans such as Dietrich and Ramirez, or the fast-rising Parker, end up in school will define this recruiting class.

Clemson (OF Chris Epps, LHP Craig Gullickson, IF John Hinson, SS Nick Noonan, RHP Justin Poovey, RHP Trent Rothlin, OF Jeff Schaus, LHP Josh Smoker). Clemson will be hit by the draft, most likely All-Americans Smoker and Noonan, but they have a full class of recruits who were improving rapidly this summer and are going to get extra attention from the scouts this spring. Rothlin, Epps and Schaus are three that could be on the bubble.

North Carolina (LHP Madison Bumgarner, RHP Matt Harvey, RHP-3B Greg Holt, RHP Patrick Johnson, RHP Rick Porcello, RHP Nathan Striz). The Tar Heels proved that they could keep top draft picks when eventual 2006 first-rounders Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard turned down seven-figure bonus offers out of high school. Bumgarner, Harvey and Porcello are all at that level and could define the program over the next few years, but North Carolina ’s class has plenty of depth as well.

UCLA (SS Ryan Dent, RHP Erik Goeddel, OF Jason Heyward, OF Brett Krill, RHP Dan Klein). This class has three Aflac All-Americans in Goeddel, Heyward and Krill but Dent could be better than all three after his play this fall. The draft could hit UCLA harder than any other recruiting class should all or most of those top prospects leave as there is little in the way of numbers immediately behind them.

Cal State Fullerton (RHP Nick Barnese, SS Christian Colon , 3B Matt Dominguez, 1B Freddie Freeman, RHP Kyle Ocampo). The Cal State Fullerton recruiting class is very similar to the UCLA class if you switch out Colon , Dominguez and Freeman for Dent, Krill and Heyward, respectively. All are potential impact players and where they end up will define these recruiting classes.

BIG, DEEP AND TALENTED

The schools in this group don’t have quite the star power as the first group but are still impressive in both quality and quantity. Losing one or two players won’t hurt the overall recruiting class.

Texas A&M (SS Kevin Ahrens, LHP Drake Britton, OF Eric Eiland, C Andrew Nettune, RHP Brandon Loux, OF David Alleman). An Aflac All-America team dated November 2006 might include players like Ahrens and Eiland, as well as Britton. The idea of Ahrens and Eiland, plus Nettune, playing up the middle of the field for three years would excite any college coach.

Texas (SS Bobby Buckner, C Kawika Emsley-Pai, RHP Cole Green, OF Kevin Keyes, C Cameron Rupp, RHP Brandon Workman, 3B Tant Shepherd). Texas annually features larger recruiting classes than just about any other program and this year is no exception. Signing two of the nation’s top catchers in Rupp and Emsley-Pai is a boost to the deep pitching staff as well as the offense.

North Carolina State (RHP Patrick Arnold, RHP Gary Gilheeney, OF Quincy Latimore, RHP Scott Moviel, OF Demetrius Washington, RHP Vance Williams, IF Russ Wilson). Every player listed is either a 90-plus arm or a top-level athlete. The sleeper is Wilson, an excellent football recruit who might be a better baseball player in the long run if he plays.

Louisiana State (RHP Ben Alsup, OF Johnny Dishon, C Micah Gibbs, SS B.J. LeMahieu, RHP Taylor Martin, RHP Anthony Ranaudo). First-year coach Paul Mainieri hit the ground running, signing a deep class of top Louisiana prospects along with talented players from diverse states such as Michigan , Texas and New Jersey . LeMahieu could be special hitter in three years if he goes to school.

San Diego (RHP Kyle Blair, 1B Stephen Kaupang, RHP Matt Kohrst, IF Victor Sanchez, LHP Sammy Solis, OF Sequoyah Stonecipher). Aside from perennial power Cal State Fullerton, things seem very fluid in Southern California right now for top programs. This recruiting class makes a loud statement for San Diego .

Auburn (IF Brian Fletcher, RHP-IF Wes Gilmer, OF D.J. Jones, 3B-OF Hunter Morris, 1B Kevin Patterson). If these five hitters all show up for class at Auburn , the Tigers might have the best offensive team in college baseball in a couple of years. They all hit and hit right now without needing much projection. Morris and Patterson are lefthanded hitters with middle-of-the-order potential; it’s a scary thought where they might be in three years with metal bats.

Florida State (C Parker Brunelle, LHP John Gast, RHP-OF Michael Main, SS-RHP Mike McGee, LHP Mark Peterson, SS-RHP Luke Smiereck). Should Main, the nation’s No. 1-ranked prospect most of the year, end up in college, which isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds, the Seminoles will have three quality two-way prospects in the same class--McGee and Smiereck are the others--which is really stretching the scholarship dollar.

Alabama (RHP Austin Bailey, RHP Connor Hoehn, RHP Jimmy Nelson, RHP Danny Danielson, RHP Justin Dutton, RHP Nathan Kilcrease, C Richard Weems, SS Ross Wilson). Rival Auburn loaded up on a big-time hitting class while the Tide appear to have done the same thing with a promising group of pitchers. Having Weems, one of the top defensive catchers in the class, is a bonus.

Florida (OF Evan Chambers, OF Jiwan James, RHP Travis Lawler, 1B Ryan Matthews, SS John Tolisano, RHP Tommy Toledo ). Aside from Tolisano, who is a good bet to not make it to Gainesville , this class is very projectable and has a higher ceiling than most recruiting classes. Florida is hoping that their crop of recruits will start to mature after they reach campus instead of next spring.

Virginia (RHP Jake Cowan, SS Phil Gosselin, LHP Shawn Lucas, C Devin Mesaraco, LHP Sean Tierney, RHP Tyler Wilson). This looks like a typical UVA recruiting class. There are no projected first-second round picks here but if all of them go to school, a couple could very well be in that range in three years (see Sean Doolittle, Ryan Zimmerman, etc.).

South Carolina (3B Austin Gallagher, RHP Kyle Greenwalt, RHP Keegan Linza, SS Whit Merrifield, LHP-OF Steve Neff, OF Jose Rodriguez). Unusually lacking in star appeal for a South Carolina class, but this group has plenty of prospects who will make excellent college players quickly and move on to pro ball in 3-4 years.

FEWER PLAYERS BUT STILL BIG TALENT

These recruiting classes lack the depth of those above but their top players compare to any in the country. Often these types of recruiting classes are shaped like this for a reason; there isn’t a large volume of scholarship money available to spread out and the coaching staff focuses it on a couple of prized recruits.

Wichita State (SS Jon Gilmore, SS Peter Kozma, 3B Derek Norris). This trio could drive any program in the country if they all end up in school. Gilmore was an Aflac All-American and Kozma, the top prospect in Oklahoma , is just as talented.

Miami (C Yasmani Grandel, LHP Chris Hernandez, LHP-1B Iden Nazario, LHP D.J. Swatscheno, C-IF Joey Terdoslavich). The Hurricanes used to blow up and down the East Coast signing talent but have concentrated their efforts in talent-rich Florida recently. An all-southpaw starting rotation of Hernandez, Nazario and Swatscheno could happen in a hurry.

Tennessee (RHP Gary Bulman, OF Kentrail Davis, RHP Dylan Hochevar, OF Josh Liles, RHP Sam Runion). Only a couple of schools can boast having at least two Aflac All-Americans, as Tennessee can in Davis and Runion. Watch out for the under-publicized Dylan Hochevar, Luke’s younger brother.

Georgia (IF Ryan Acosta, LHP-OF Isaiah Fronenberger, OF Ben Revere, RHP Kevin Rhoderick, C Edmond Sparks). This group is highly athletic and lines up at catcher, shortstop and center field, along with a potentially dominant right/lefty duo out of the bullpen. You can win a lot of games with just that combination.

Arizona (RHP-SS Manny Barreda, OF Bobby Coyle, 3B Matt Presley). Don’t be surprised when Presley’s name starts appearing higher and higher on the prospect lists next spring.

Southern California (RHP Jeff Grijalva, SS Mike Moustakas, 1B Mike Stanton). Moustakas is one of the top performance players in the country and he and Stanton could anchor the Trojan lineup for the next few years.

Wake Forest (LHP Mark Adzick, OF Steven Brooks, 1B David Mailman, 2B Courtney Morgan). Mailman could be to Wake Forest what Justin Smoak has become to South Carolina ’s lineup. 

Texas Christian  (RHP Chris Anagostou, RHP-3B Sean Hoelscher, OF-RHP Greg Holle, 1B Relly Mercurio). Holle and Hoelscher both offer incredible versatility and athleticism that could really blossom in school.

PROGRAMS ON THE RISE

These schools don’t necessarily have national reputations but they did recruit many national-level players, which says good things about their gaining national reputations soon.

UNC Greensboro (OF Christian Berroa, IF Ray Quinones, C Keith Weinkofsky, C Shawn Zarraga). Greensboro headed north for a group of very promising hitters--so promising, in the case of fleet outfielder Berroa and slugging catcher Zarraga, that there could be plenty of tension on draft day.

Washington State (RHP Matt Argyropoulos, RHP Keaton Hayenga, OF Garry Kuykendall, 3B Steven Souza, IF Shea Vucinich). This deep and talented group doesn’t have the name recognition of most of the other classes but our sources in the Northwest say that won’t last for long.

Louisville (RHP Joey Devine, OF Drew Haynes, OF Stewart Ijames, LHP Bob Revesz, RHP Gabriel Shaw). Louisville recruited a huge class of solid players, including pitchers such as Devine, Revesz and Shaw who have power 90 mph arms.

South Florida (OF Yoandy Barroso, 3B Todd Brazeal, LHP Chris Jones, OF A.J. Regoli).  This program has been a sleeper for a while in the Florida collegiate ranks, but its 2007  recruiting class could push them in a new direction under new coach Lelo Prado. 

Sam Houston State (RHP Justin Jackson, IF Braden Riley, RHP Cody Springer, RHP Jerad Stevens). Former Texas A&M coach Mark Johnson didn’t forget what recruiting was about in this area; he signed eight good-looking pitchers from the Southeast Texas/Greater Houston area.

Troy (OF-LHP Caleb Gindl, RHP Brandon Hamilton, C Blake Martz). The multi-talented Grindl is one of the top two-way players in the country and should contribute immediately, both ways. Hamilton has a first-round type arm but might slip through the draft unless his raw skills develop quickly.

ACAMEMICALLY-INSULATED FROM THE DRAFT

Schools in this category can pretty much plan on their recruits coming to school and playing for at least three years--and frequently four. Stanford and Notre Dame both look to have one of their better classes in recent years, especially if McGeary, one of the most impressive pitchers in the country during the late summer and fall, ends up on The Farm.

Stanford (LHP Jack McGeary, C Zach Jones, OF Jonathan Kaskow, RHP Drew Storen, RHP Dan Sandbrink). Stanford players are usually labeled “unsignable” immediately after committing, but McGeary might prove a rare exception given his talent level and projection. Kaskow won’t be far behind once he gets more exposure.

Notre Dame (RHP Evan Danieli, RHP Brian Dupra, RHP Ryan Sharpley,  SS Greg Sherry, C Matt Scioscia). Few schools have commitments from three power arms as promising as Danieli, Dupra and Sharpley. Sherry is the type of prototype college shortstop who should step in and contribute right away.

Vanderbilt (RHP Sean Bierman, C Curtis Casali, OF Joey Manning, 1B Aaron Westlake). Vanderbilt is going to keep getting better and better (picture third baseman Pedro Alvarez for two more years) and this class will keep them heading upwards.

Rice (SS Carmen Angelini, LHP Matt Evers, OF Chad Mozingo, OF Nicholas Natale). Angelini shows all the signs of being a potential first-round pick if he goes to Rice for three years. That’s a good base to center a recruiting class around.

Tulane (RHP Robert Broach, RHP Michael Lehmann, 3B Robert Segedin). Tulane and Rice are similar schools with similar baseball programs, so it isn’t surprising that their respective classes share many traits. The powerful Segedin could be the Wave’s Angelini equivalent.

NOTABLE

Baylor: Nowhere close to the star power of it’s stellar 2005 class, but still very talented.

Boston College : A huge class and probably the most talented in New England .

California : A nice group of athletic position players.

East Carolina . Lots of talented young prospects.

Evansville . The Aces have a full house of talented Canadian prospects.

Florida International. Nice combination of high performance and projectability.

Illinois . Snagged two top local arms in Crosby/Chmielewski that everyone wanted.

Marshall . A very broad-based and deep collection of recruits.

Mercer. There is more than enough talent in Georgia to go around.

Nebraska . Big, big power potential in this class of hitters.

Oklahoma . Could be an elite group if RHP’s Blake Beavan and P.J. Dean stay.

Pacific. There are some arms in this class that could really come on for this improving program.

Rutgers . Banner year for New Jersey filters down in a strong class here.

St. Mary’s. Plenty of strong-armed pitching talent.

Virginia Tech. Went out of Virginia for some nice players.

Washington . Deep in talent and they have a budding star in RHP Julian Sampson.