Huskies' Newcomers Ranked Ninth By Baseball America
October 12, 2016 | Baseball
Baseball America (BA) released its final list of the top recruiting classes for 2016 and Washington checked in at ninth overall. For the Huskies, the ranking is the highest ever bestowed on them by Baseball America.
The rankings were compiled by Baseball America writer Teddy Cahill. They are based on conversations with college coaches and pro scouts across the country this fall, as well as countless more discussions during the spring as a part the publications information-gathering for the 2016 draft.
Coach Lindsay Meggs and his staff have 16 newcomers on the roster (15 freshmen and one junior college transfer). The class includes three players that were drafted in June 2016 and three players that are ranked in BA's top-500.
"I'm really happy for our staff because I know how much time Coach (Jason) Kelly our recruiting coordinator and Donegal (Fergus) and (Tanner Swanson) Swanny put into this thing," said Meggs.
"We're really excited about the group," the Huskies' eighth-year coach continued. "We have some very talented arms in this class, and a good combination of power and speed at the plate. Our goal with this group was balance, and I think we achieved that."
Christian Jones, out of Federal Way, Wash., is the Huskies' top-rated recruit. The left-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder was No. 140 on BA's list of top players and was selected in the 31st round by the Boston Red Sox in last June's draft. Infielder Ben Baird was one spot next to Jones on the list at No. 141. The projected third baseman/shortstop was selected by Cleveland in the 20th round of the draft.
Kentwood's Jordan Jones was listed as BA's No. 440 overall recruit. The right-handed pitcher is expected to fight for a job right away on the pitching staff.
Josh Burgmann out of Nanaimo, British Columbia, is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher that was picked in the 30th round of the June draft by St. Louis. He was a member of Team Canada's junior national team and attended Vauxhall Baseball Academy.
The Huskies shored up their class with the addition of one junior college player, Joe Wainhouse from Bellevue College. The Kentridge HS grad attended Ole Miss for one year before returning home to continue his baseball career. The son of former Seattle Mariners pitcher, Dave Wainhouse, will be a dual-threat for the Huskies. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder, has light-tower power from the left-side of the plate and also has a tremendous arm out of the bullpen with a fastball that can reach the mid-90s.
The class has a depth of arms that will be asked to help fill the roles left by the departure of four of the team's top inning eaters. From the left-side, the Huskies added capable arms in Chris Micheles, Tommy Costello, Brendan Ecklebarger and Lucas Knowles, while the right side also has Leo Nierenberg and Harrison Goonewardene to go along with the aforementioned three other righties.
The Huskies will also be expecting contributions from outfielder Jaden Hassell and catcher Nick Kahle, plus have added depth with outfielder Jacob Hirsh, infielder Nick Roberts and catcher Michael Petrie.
The rankings were compiled by Baseball America writer Teddy Cahill. They are based on conversations with college coaches and pro scouts across the country this fall, as well as countless more discussions during the spring as a part the publications information-gathering for the 2016 draft.
Coach Lindsay Meggs and his staff have 16 newcomers on the roster (15 freshmen and one junior college transfer). The class includes three players that were drafted in June 2016 and three players that are ranked in BA's top-500.
"I'm really happy for our staff because I know how much time Coach (Jason) Kelly our recruiting coordinator and Donegal (Fergus) and (Tanner Swanson) Swanny put into this thing," said Meggs.
"We're really excited about the group," the Huskies' eighth-year coach continued. "We have some very talented arms in this class, and a good combination of power and speed at the plate. Our goal with this group was balance, and I think we achieved that."
Christian Jones, out of Federal Way, Wash., is the Huskies' top-rated recruit. The left-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder was No. 140 on BA's list of top players and was selected in the 31st round by the Boston Red Sox in last June's draft. Infielder Ben Baird was one spot next to Jones on the list at No. 141. The projected third baseman/shortstop was selected by Cleveland in the 20th round of the draft.
Kentwood's Jordan Jones was listed as BA's No. 440 overall recruit. The right-handed pitcher is expected to fight for a job right away on the pitching staff.
Josh Burgmann out of Nanaimo, British Columbia, is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher that was picked in the 30th round of the June draft by St. Louis. He was a member of Team Canada's junior national team and attended Vauxhall Baseball Academy.
The Huskies shored up their class with the addition of one junior college player, Joe Wainhouse from Bellevue College. The Kentridge HS grad attended Ole Miss for one year before returning home to continue his baseball career. The son of former Seattle Mariners pitcher, Dave Wainhouse, will be a dual-threat for the Huskies. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder, has light-tower power from the left-side of the plate and also has a tremendous arm out of the bullpen with a fastball that can reach the mid-90s.
The class has a depth of arms that will be asked to help fill the roles left by the departure of four of the team's top inning eaters. From the left-side, the Huskies added capable arms in Chris Micheles, Tommy Costello, Brendan Ecklebarger and Lucas Knowles, while the right side also has Leo Nierenberg and Harrison Goonewardene to go along with the aforementioned three other righties.
The Huskies will also be expecting contributions from outfielder Jaden Hassell and catcher Nick Kahle, plus have added depth with outfielder Jacob Hirsh, infielder Nick Roberts and catcher Michael Petrie.
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