Verbal Commitments for 2005 Class

Does anyone know of any verbal commitments so far for the Class of 2005?

 

Congrats to Greg Miclat

Greg Miclat (JM Robinson, On Deck Os) committed to the University of Virginia last week. Congratulations to a fine young man who will be getting an outstanding education and joining a program that is clearly on the rise.
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Congrats to Wil Boyd

I understand that Hickory's Wil Boyd has committed to Clemson. Congrats to Wil on his commitment to one of the best baseball programs in the country. These ACC schools are sure going shopping early in our area!

 

rattdd -

I suggest keeping up with www.IMPACTBASEBALL.com as we are keeping everyone up to date once 05' commitments are made.

Thanks -

 

Congrats to JRat

I understand that Jonathon Ratledge (South Meck, On Deck Os) committed to South Carolina yesterday. Congratulations to him. He will have a chance to play in the NCAA tournament and we hope to see him in Omaha!
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It really surprises me that these kids are committing during the summer, without taking their college visits, without meeting the players on the team, without having a "ceremony" at their school, etc. I sure hope it is because it is what they want to do, not because they are being hot-boxed with a take-it-or-leave-it within 48 hours kind of deal.

 

With the growth in showcase tournaments, showcase events and summer and winter camps on college campuses in recent years, increases in the number of schools offering "Junior Days" and the volume of information available on the internet, players have the opportunity to visit colleges earlier and more frequently than before and become knowledgable about the various schools. Most schools identify top talent early and take advantage, to the extent possible, of the showcases, camps etc. to "showcase" their program and school. Kids no longer need to wait until official visits to learn about college baseball programs.

Every player is different. If a top player is offered by his dream school, why not jump at the opportunity. Three of the top 2005 players in SC committed to USC before July 1. Those three players committed not because they were brainwashed by USC, but because USC was their dream school to play college baseball. Having watched those three play this summer, USC's approach of making early offers was successful for both the player and the school. Most of the kids making early commitments have many options and do not find themselves being boxed into a "take it or leave it" situation.

The recruiting process in an ever changing activity. What was typical 3 to 5 years ago is not necessarily the rule today. I would not be surprised to see the number of early commitments increase this year over last year and increase even more in future years.

 

For the most part I agree with what you say. No question the recruiters get to know what they want to know about the top kids very early and no question the opportunity is there for the kids to get to know the schools and programs. Certainly I don't disagree that if a kid gets an offer from his "dream school" he should jump at it.

I don't pretend to be an expert and I don't know much about what used to happen, but I do know that I have already heard stories this year about kids being given very short times -- as little as 24 or 48 hours -- to commit or lose the offer, and it is only July! IMHO I just don't think that it is fair for coaches to put a 17 year-old in that position.

If it continues to get more and more like "rush" I wouldn't be surprised if the early oral commitments go the route of football and basketball early commitments and get ignored by other schools who continue to try to recruit kids away from the oral commitments. Remember Chris Leake committing to Wake Forest when he was a high school freshman? At least at this point I understand that is not the case -- that the other schools are hands-off once an oral commitment is made. But this landscape seems to be changing very quickly.

 

As you probably know - its way worse than that.

 

More early commitments

Impact has already reported several more early signings... New Bern's Adam Warren to UNC and West Brunswick's Matt Cox also to UNC. Another great arm and a power hitter for the Tarheels.

Closer to home, for those of us in Charlotte at least, North Meck's Michael Cavasini also committed to UNC. Mike provides great speed and defense, and he also has some pop in his bat. Congrats to him and his family on an outstanding achievement. I look forward to seeing him play for four more years and rooting for him in Carolina blue!

Ashbrook's Drew Martin has also committed, but to the red team. Drew will be on the left side of the infield for NC State, and I'm sure his big bat will go with him. Most of all, State gets the best team leader I've ever been around -- he makes everyone around him better. Congrats to Drew and his folks -- I'll be rooting for you except when you play the light blue team!

With Cavasini, Martin, Jonathon Ratledge (USC) and Greg Miclat (UVA), four On Deck O's have already committed to big time programs. Congrats go to the Hill family -- Garry, Jason, Kevin and Travis, and the rest of the baseball staff at On Deck. They sure have something really good going on down there. I expect we'll be reading about some On Deck pitchers making commitments soon -- pitching has been the strength of the 17s team this summer, but the position players have gotten out ahead of them with the early signings.

 

Nicholson (INDY)- UNC ?