Recruiting Roundup: Recent Commitments From Top Prospect Games and Rankings

Mason LaPlante SS / 2B / Allen, TX / 2018

Yale recruit. 5-foot-10, 155-pound, lean, fast-twitch frame. LaPlante started the day by running a 6.79-second 60-yard dash. At shortstop, he plays catch at an elite level, he has smooth actions, quick footwork, takes good angles and makes the play on the run look easy with accurate throws. We also saw him at the DFW Area Code Tryouts where he made it to the game and played clean defense. The right-handed hitter creates good leverage and has a clean hand path with rhythm and finishes the barrel. He had an excellent at-bat in his first plate appearance against a 90 mph arm. LaPlante is a high academic student that has interest in academic schools, including military academies. For those schools looking for plus defender in the middle of the field, LaPlante is a player they will want to see sooner rather than later.

Jackson Loftin SS / 2B / Klein Collins, TX / 2018

Sam Houston State recruit. 6-foot, 175-pound, athletic, high-waisted frame. Loftin backed up his current ranking in the Texas 2018 class on Tuesday, posting a 6.94-second 60-yard dash time and making accurate throws with good backspin at 85 mph across the diamond. Loftin has real presence at shortstop and moves with easy, fluid actions The ball sticks in his glove and he makes clean exchanges in the mid-line of his body.

Tyler Smith OF / Schertz Samuel Clemens, TX / 2018

Lamar recruit. Smith has strong, muscular frame at 5-foot-10, 185-pounds. Smith ran a 6.75-second 60-yard dash and made hard contact in batting practice with power to the pull side, including a home run. The right-handed hitter starts from from a balanced, neutral stance, short load, uses his lower half to deliver the barrel with strength at contact. Plays through the ball with athleticism, fluid footwork and soft hands. Simple, clean arm stroke with carry and accuracy. High Academic student.

Lance Ford 2B / SS / Kerrville Tivy, TX / 2018

Texas recruit. Ford is a fast-twitch athlete, standing 5-foot-10, 165-pounds with a lean-muscular frame. Ford ran a 6.75-second 60-yard dash. The left-handed hitter has a solid approach, using the whole field, he laced a ball to the opposite field on the barrel and pulled a hanging curveball to right field. His infield velocity was 88 mph, he showed plus range at second base and handles the start and finish of the pivot with ease. High academic student with an interest in medical school.

Jack Driskell SS / 3B / Stony Point, TX / 2018

Mclennan JC recruit. 6-foot-1, 175-pound, lean-muscular, long-limbed, high-waisted frame with plenty of room to add strength. Driskell may have been slightly unknown before the event, but that won’t last long, as the rising junior had a stellar all-around day. The shortstop shows clean, easy actions on the infield, working from an athletic, fundamental fielding position with soft hands and mid-line exchanges. Driskell has excellent footwork and throws with a quick arm stroke, accuracy and carry across the diamond. Offensively, the right-handed hitter made hard contact during the game with a double to deep centerfield, and a fly ball on the barrel to right field. Driskell has a clean hand path and a loose, easy finish of the barrel. At the end of the day, he got on the mound and threw his fastball from 85-86 mph with an quick arm stroke. He throws a 12-6 curveball with tight spin and good downward action at 73-74 mph. Look for big things from Driskell this summer.

Westley Schields SS / 2B / Cypress Ranch, TX / 2018

Blinn JC recruit. Schields is an impressive all-around defender, showing polished defensive actions with quick footwork, clean exchanges, and an accurate arm. Schields has excellent feel for both positions in the middle of the field, and can start and finish the double play quickly, and accurately. A switch-hitter, he has a relaxed setup from both sides, barrel awareness, quick hands and a loose finish of the barrel.

Josh Killeen C / 2B / Reagan, TX / 2018

Wichita State recruit. 5-foot-10, 175-pound, athletic, high-waisted muscular frame. Killeen had one of the best all-around performances at the DFW Top Prospect Games. He ran a 7.16-second 60, had an exit velocity of 88 mph, then threw 82 mph on the infield. Last but not least, he threw 79 mph from behind the plate with consistent and accurate throws on a line to second base with pop times of 1.93-2.03. His natural athleticism translates behind the plate with good mobility. During batting practice he showed off power from the right side, driving balls to the pull side gap. He starts from a slightly open stance with a positive bat wrap as he loads with relaxed rhythm to generate a strong, quick hand path. Barrel stays in the zone a long time as he releases the barrel with some lift. Killeen is a dynamic player that has the ability to play multiple positions and be an accomplished hitter at the collegiate level.

Jeffrey Boggess OF / Veterans Memorial, TX / 2018

Kansas State Recruit. 6-foot, 185-pound, strong, sturdy frame. Boggess has a nice combination of strength and speed, running a 6.75-second 60-yard dash and registering an exit velocity of 89 from the left side. He has an athletic setup at the plate with swagger, loads back with easy rhythm as he has a longer stride from a low leg kick. Explosive lower half with balance, high end bat speed with quick hands, good extension through contact, power to the pull side, ball jumps off his bat. Throws with a long arm stroke in the outfield from a high slot at 84 mph. Average hands with choppy footwork and longer exchange.

Nick Wolff C / 3B / Home School, TX / 2018

Kolby Johnson OF / LHP / Lutheran South Academy, TX / 2018

Central Arkansa recruit. 5-foot-7, 145-pound, fast-twitch, athletic frame. Johnson was all over the field on Tuesday, making plays in the outfield, crashing the infield to back up bases, running a 6.75-second 60-yard dash, and throwing 80-83 mph on the mound from the left side. A right-handed hitter, Johnson starts from an athletic set up with his knees pinched together, slightly closed stance, and rhythm. Simple load to start with a short stride, good bat speed and extension through contact. Later in the day, Johnson, a left-handed pitcher, got on the mound and was 80-83 mph with his fastball with late arm side action. He works from a ¾ slot with a loose, quick arm stroke and has good feel for the strike zone with two pitches. His breaking ball was 66-67 mph with 1-7 shape and gradual depth. He also throws a 73 mph changeup.

Seth Morrow OF / Reagan, TX / 2018

Wichita State recruit. 5-foot-11, 165-pound, lean, athletic frame. The left-handed hitter has an aggressive approach with life in his hack. He starts with a balanced setup, smooth load, short stride, rhythm in his hands and some lift in his finish. In the outfield he has excellent arm strength at 88 mph with carry and accuracy from a loose, high-¾ slot.

Quinton Martin OF / RHP / Sweeny, TX / 2019

Rice recruit. At 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, Martin has an already strong frame with more to come. Martin showed premium arm strength, throwing 94-95 mph from the outfield, and 88 mph on the infield. The right-handed hitter showed rhythm, timing, strength at contact, good bat speed and extension through contact during batting practice. On the mound, the right-handed hitter threw a heavy fastball with arm side run at 84-86 mph, with a 10-4 shape breaking ball at 69-71 mph and feel for a changeup at 76 mph. During the game he went 2-for-2 with a double the one-hopped the left-centerfield wall and a sharp single.