Commitment Tracker: 10 Commits & A Look at the Signing Period
November 29, 2018
*Track all of the commitments from NC HERE
*North Carolina Class of 2019 Rankings HERE
*North Carolina Class of 2020 Rankings HERE
*North Carolina Class of 2021 Rankings HERE
Commitment Tracker - November 22 - 29, 2018
The week after Thanksgiving the commitment tracker has slowed a little bit, as expected. Coaches and programs can be expected to take some time off to spend with their families. Even with a slower week, ten prospects from across North Carolina made their commitments this week.
UNC Asheville garnered another commitment in the 2020 class, after a big week last week. Caleb Cross (RHP, Southern Lee HS) impressed at the PBR Top Underclass Games in August. The 6-foot-1 frame still has a lot of maturation coming. The arm works with some ease and quickness to an over-the-top slot. Cross pounded the zone with a fastball-curveball combo, showing feel for both sides of the plate with the fastball. A good athlete, Cross may get the chance to be a dual guy at the next level as he adds strength.
(Caleb Cross - August 2018)
John Burns (INF/OF, Lincoln Charter, 2019) committed to Erskine this week. Erskine has had a strong presence in North Carolina with the 2019 class, now committing seven solid prospects, having added three this week. Burns is a sub-7.00 runner with good actions. The frame is still thin and as he adds strength his athleticism may allow him in the lineup in a number of different ways.
(John Burns - June 2018)
Other Commitment Notes
+ Blake Smith (OF/LHP, Piedmont HS, 2021) committed to coach Kermit Smith and the Appalachian State Mountaineers this week. Smith plays with the South Charlotte Braves organization and PBR was on hand to see their workout in November. Here was the report on Smith in the Fall Scout Blog:
Athletic frame with strength on his lower half. Impressive throughout the workout with a chance to be a dual prospect moving forward. On the mound, works from a low-3/4 slot with the arm working behind the body line through a long arm stroke. Some effort in the release and rotational through his finish. Fastball sat 78-80 with occasional arm side run. Has some feel for the change-up at 75. Breaking ball sweeps when he maintains hand speed. Spin ranged 66-69.
From the outfield the arm worked with more ease to a high-3/4 slot. Carry and accuracy are present at 81 mph out of the hand. Aggressive to the ball, gathers with a crow hop and an easy exchange. Left handed hitter is open and tall, using a small leg kick to load his weight. Average stride. Good rhythm. Above average bat speed and good barrel ability. Loose with rhythm, there is a pull tendency and the ball jumps off the barrel. Ran a 7.28 sixty on a soft surface.
+ Sam Crone (OF, Lake Norman HS, 2019) becomes the latest attendee of the PBR Top Prospect Games in August to commit. Crone will be attending Southeastern CC next year. Crone, a right handed hitter, produces some whip through the zone with an exit velocity up to 89 mph. Crone becomes the 23rd player from the Top Prospect Games to commit.
(Sam Crone - August 2018)
+ Ryan Wilson (OF/INF, Durham Jordan HS, 2020) made his commitment to Davidson and coach Rucker Taylor this week. Wilson is a gifted hitter with advanced feel for the barrel. A good athlete, Wilson will give the Wildcats some options on how to work him into the lineup.
This Week in Commitments
Program Spotlight – Signing Period
Typically, we take this time to talk about an individual program in the state of North Carolina and their 2019 recruiting class. With the signing period having begun, PBR broke down all of the North Carolina Division I recruiting classes, in the 2019 class. In the coming days we will be adding a look at some of the Division II and Junior College classes as well.
To take a peak at each North Carolina Division I 2019 class follow the links below. The information includes each class’s top prospect, sleeper, notes on the class, and video on selected prospects.
CLICK HERE to see the NC DI Private School Recruiting Classes
CLICK HERE to see the NC DI Public School Recruiting Classes
North Carolina Commitment Rundown
North Carolina Players in the 2019 Class committed 266
North Carolina Players in the 2020 Class committed 52
North Carolina Players in the 2021 Class committed 15
North Carolina Players in the 2022 Class committed 6
*Total players in the 2018 class that committed to play college baseball – 377