Louisiana Commitment Watch

September 25, 2017

Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

This past week saw several players from the Prep Baseball Report Louisiana coverage area make their verbal pledges to colleges around the region.

Today, we will recap a few of those commitments, as the University of New Orleans pulled in three commitments, including two 2017 PBR Future Games participants. As well, LSU added two in-state juniors, currently ranked in the top ten in Louisiana’s 2019 class.

Let’s recap a few of this past weekend’s commitments:

Thomas Wilhite RHP / 3B / West Ouachita, LA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:3 POS:1 Overall Rank:58 POS:21

Currently ranked No. 3 in Louisiana's 2019 class and No. 58 overall, the physical 6-foot-2 right-hander made his verbal pledge to Louisiana State over the weekend. Wilhite was a standout for the Louisiana/Arkansas team in the 2017 PBR Future Games, sitting 89-91 mph with his fastball, and showed feel for a quality changup with late, hard fade action.

Jace Pendarvis OF / RHP / Central Private School, LA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:13 POS:4 Overall Rank:250 POS:40

Currently ranked No. 13 in Louisiana's 2019 class, Pendarvis was one of the biggest risers after the PBR Future Games, and made his verbal commitment to New Orleans this weekend. Pitching effectively in multiple outings at the event, Pendarvis showed quick arm speed with a fastball up to 88 mph that was commanded fairly well, worked with quality pace and tempo, and showed feel for a tight spinning breaking ball that shows promise of developing into a quality out-pitch as he matures. Also spent time in the outfield, showing solid athleticism posting a 6.86 60-yard dash and quality arm strength with carry on throws and a positional velocity of 90 mph.

Antoine Harris RHP / Chalmette, LA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:16 POS:5 Overall Rank:335 POS:115

Currently ranked No. 16 in Louisiana's 2019 class, Harris made his verbal pledge to New Orleans over the weekend. Highly projectable 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame, lean, athletic build, long limbs, and plenty of room to add strength. Athletic delivery with fluid rhythm, solid direction, lands square and finishes athletic. Shows ability to throw strikes, and creates steep angles when working downhill. Long, loose arm action into high-3/4 release with plus arm strength. The baseball jumps out of his hand, sitting 87-89 mph with late life and deception to his fastball. Secondary stuff is still developing, but he has flashed an ability to spin the baseball, showing a breaking ball with 11/5 shape and depth at 74-76 mph.

Tom Biggs 2B / RHP / West Monroe, LA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:9 POS:1 Overall Rank:243 POS:2

Currently ranked No. 9 in Louisiana’s 2019 class, Biggs made his verbal pledge to Louisiana State this weekend. Strong 5-foot-11, 187-pound frame, athletic build. Right-handed pitcher with long, loose arm action into ¾ release with lightning quick arm speed, and regular effort. Smooth rhythm, level shoulders, in-line direction, lands open and finishes athletic. Fastball sits 86-89 mph with heavy, hard sink and control. Breaking ball shows 11/5 shape with power action, tight spin, fastball arm speed and control at 72-75 mph. Also showed a changeup with fastball arm speed and arm side run at 82-83 mph. Left-handed hitter that hits from balanced, athletic setup, smooth load, short stride, explosive lower half and quality balance. Line-drive, gap to gap type hitter with slightly early rhythm, level to slightly uphill path, strength at contact, present power to pull side and bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 90 mph. Solid defender with average hands, solid footwork, and clean exchanges, Long arm action into high-3/4 release with carry and accuracy on throws that produced a positional velocity of 88 mph. Also posted a 7.1 60-yard dash.

Brennan Lambert C / 1B / Catholic (BR), LA / 2018

Rankings State Rank:32 POS:3

Currently ranked No. 32 in Louisiana's 2018 class, Lambert has been a mainstay for the Catholic(BR) program for several years, and made his college pledge to Lamar over the weekend. Medium 5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher with a strong, athletic frame. Solid defender with soft hands, fluid footwork, and quick, clean exchanges. Short arm action into high-3/4 release with accuracy on throws that produced a positional velocity of 74 mph and a pop time of 2.01-2.13. Right-handed hitter that hits from balanced setup, smooth load, short stride and quality lower half. Gap to gap type hitter with fluid rhythm, level path that creates quality extension and bat speed that produced an exit velocity of 88 mph. Also posted a 7.6 60 yard dash.

Jake Cohen RHP / OF / Brother Martin, LA / 2020

Rankings State Rank:21 POS:3

Currently ranked No. 21 in Louisiana's 2020 class, Cohen made his pledge to Southern Miss this past week. Average 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame, room to add strength and size. Short arm action into high-3/4 release, average arm speed, solid balance point and some effort. Choppy rhythm, level shoulders, and falls off to third base slightly. Fastball sits 82-85 mph with occasional life, and control. Breaking ball showed 12/6 shape with gradual break, near fastball arm speed and control in the strike zone at 62-63 mph. Also showed a changeup with near fastball arm speed and control at 72-73 mph.

Dax Ford OF / LHP / John Curtis, LA / 2019

Rankings State Rank:31 POS:9

Currently ranked 31 in Louisiana's 2019 class, Ford made his commitment to Louisiana-Lafayette over the weekend. Strong 6-foot, 180-pound frame, athletic build, developed athlete. Left-handed hitter that hits from balance, athletic setup with solid load, leg lift and powerful lower half. Solid rhythm, level to slightly uphill path with bat speed and advanced strength at contact. Solid defender with soft hands, developing footwork and clean exchanges. Long arm action into high-3/4 release with carry and accuracy on throws.

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