Huskies' Newcomers Ranked 15th By Baseball America
October 13, 2015 | Baseball
For the first time in school history, Washington's group of newcomers for the upcoming 2016 season is ranked among Baseball America's Top-25 Recruiting Rankings, landing 15th on the list. According to national writer Teddy Cahill, the group of newcomers assembled by Coach Lindsay Meggs and his staff is third overall in the Pac-12 Conference.
Meggs, recruiting coordinator Jason Kelly and assistant coaches Donegal Fergus and Tanner Swanson are excited to bring in a large, balanced class that they expect will contribute immediately. The Huskies have a nice mix of incoming freshmen and junior college players that add plenty of potential and experience to the roster.
Baseball America's No. 91 ranked player, right-handed pitcher Joe DeMers, and No. 205 ranked player, infielder A.J. Graffanino, both preferred to attend Washington and develop at the collegiate level rather than go straight to the professional ranks. Both are participating in fall practice and are expected to compete for starting roles in the spring. Graffanino was selected in the 26th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Highly sought after junior college transfers infielder Gage Matuszak and outfielder MJ Hubbs put up big numbers last year and could find homes in the middle of the Huskies' lineup this season, while late summer addition righty Westin Wuethrich is a good find that provides a solid fastball-slider combo to the pitching staff.
Cahill also likes the power potential of some of Washington's newcomers. On Louisiana native Peyton Lacoste, Cahill says, “(He) has impressive raw right-handed power and the defensive versatility to play left field or first base as well as third.” Highly rated catcher Willie MacIver was the high school battery mates with DeMers and shows “good athleticism and power potential.” Local Seattle product Rex Stephan also gives the Huskies versatility and speed in the outfield.
The Huskies are in their third week of full-squad practices and culminate fall ball with the Purple and Gold World Series. Games for the Purple and Gold World Series takes place Saturday, Oct. 24 (1:00 p.m.), Monday, Oct. 26 (2:30 p.m.) and Tuesday, Oct. 27 (2:30 p.m.) at Husky Ballpark, weather permitting.
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