joeywa
Unofficial HS BBQ Consultant & Baseball Pundit
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These were the notes on the 2015 recruits which were freshmen this season, (courtesy D1Baseball.com)
21. TexasTotal Recruits: 10 (10 freshmen)
Recruiting Coordinator: Tommy Nicholson
Overview: Year in and year out you can expect the Longhorns to put together a strong, top 25 recruiting class, and they do by cleaning up in their backyard. But they also went outside Texas for Yankees 37th-round draft pick, Matt Schmidt (Aurora, Colo.), who is the son of Rockies director of scouting, Bill Schmidt, as well as for their top pitching recruits, who we will touch on momentarily, Nolan Kingham (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Nick Kennedy (Tampa, Fla.). It’s a pitching heavy group, with six arms among the ten newcomers, and it’s a crop that could be asked to contribute rather quickly.
The Stars: Nolan Kingham is the big name to focus on here, as the projectable 6-foot-4 power righty has shown a 90-93 mph fastball, routinely touching 94 and reportedly hitting as high as 95 mph. His curveball has improved, as has his command, and there is optimism among scouts that he may be able to contribute rather quickly for the Longhorns. Kody Clemens (son of Roger Clemens), has the speed and athleticism to contribute at multiple positions but may end up at second base. His main selling point is his bat, which will allow him to hit right away at the college level. His approach is advanced and he sprays line drives to all fields.
The Sleepers: Nick Kennedy may not have the well known name that Kingham has, but there’s a sense that he may the more polished and college ready of the elite pitching pair for Texas. The 6-foot-1 lefty works at 87-90 mph with his fastball, but already shows excellent feel for his breaking ball and changeup. He’s a piece that may be ready made for a starting role, given his ability to command and mix pitches. Chase Shugart also gives the Longhorns a fascinating two-way talent, as the powerfully built 5-foot-11 righty works at 88-93 mph with his fastball and packs a punch from the left side of the plate. His assortment of breaking pitches and feel for pitching point to a future on the mound down the line, but he should contribute in both ways for Texas. Keep a close eye on the plus speed of former Rays 39th round pick, Tyler Rand, who has the tools to impact the game in a number of ways.
Biggest 2016 Impact: Nick Kennedy
Best Long Term Prospect: Nolan Kingham
21. TexasTotal Recruits: 10 (10 freshmen)
Recruiting Coordinator: Tommy Nicholson
Overview: Year in and year out you can expect the Longhorns to put together a strong, top 25 recruiting class, and they do by cleaning up in their backyard. But they also went outside Texas for Yankees 37th-round draft pick, Matt Schmidt (Aurora, Colo.), who is the son of Rockies director of scouting, Bill Schmidt, as well as for their top pitching recruits, who we will touch on momentarily, Nolan Kingham (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Nick Kennedy (Tampa, Fla.). It’s a pitching heavy group, with six arms among the ten newcomers, and it’s a crop that could be asked to contribute rather quickly.
The Stars: Nolan Kingham is the big name to focus on here, as the projectable 6-foot-4 power righty has shown a 90-93 mph fastball, routinely touching 94 and reportedly hitting as high as 95 mph. His curveball has improved, as has his command, and there is optimism among scouts that he may be able to contribute rather quickly for the Longhorns. Kody Clemens (son of Roger Clemens), has the speed and athleticism to contribute at multiple positions but may end up at second base. His main selling point is his bat, which will allow him to hit right away at the college level. His approach is advanced and he sprays line drives to all fields.
The Sleepers: Nick Kennedy may not have the well known name that Kingham has, but there’s a sense that he may the more polished and college ready of the elite pitching pair for Texas. The 6-foot-1 lefty works at 87-90 mph with his fastball, but already shows excellent feel for his breaking ball and changeup. He’s a piece that may be ready made for a starting role, given his ability to command and mix pitches. Chase Shugart also gives the Longhorns a fascinating two-way talent, as the powerfully built 5-foot-11 righty works at 88-93 mph with his fastball and packs a punch from the left side of the plate. His assortment of breaking pitches and feel for pitching point to a future on the mound down the line, but he should contribute in both ways for Texas. Keep a close eye on the plus speed of former Rays 39th round pick, Tyler Rand, who has the tools to impact the game in a number of ways.
Biggest 2016 Impact: Nick Kennedy
Best Long Term Prospect: Nolan Kingham
