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Alderson Broaddus University Announces 2014 Early Signing Class

November 23, 2013

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

http://www.fhrangers.org/cms/lib/PA01001569/Centricity/Domain/36/AB_Logo.jpgThe Alderson Broaddus University baseball coaching staff has announced three new Battlers that signed their national letter of intent this past week. The 2014 early signing class consists of two prospects from Pennsylvania and a third from Ohio. All three are ranked by Prep Baseball Report in their respective states.

It should be of no surprise that Alderson Broaddus has been successful in recruiting prospects from states outside of West Virginia. The A-B staff is relentless in their efforts to see talented prospects perform. In the infancy of Prep Baseball Report in West Virginia two events have been hosted at Alderson Broaddus and the coaching staff are regular attendees at PBR events in Pennsylvania and Ohio as well.

Head Coach Luke Harrigan is excited about the recent additions to the program. "This class we were focused on two things: we needed to keep adding baseball players that were very athletic, and we needed to get deeper on the mound. I definitely feel like we were able to add guys that fit our style of coaching and can compete right away for some spots. It speaks volumes when you recruit kids that are high character kids in the classroom and on the field. All three of our early sign guys come from great programs that have a tradition and are taught the right way. This is the culture we continue to recruit and have coached here in the past two years."

Harrigan and his staff are extremely active in the recruiting process, spending the summer months attending events and games. The process is a year round effort and is ongoing. According to Harrigan, "We are still recruiting heavily for the late signing period. We have a handful of guys that were not ready to commit early and we still have several more visits that we will set up."

For those recruits beginning the recruiting process Harrigan offers some words of wisdom. "Talk to a positive influence in your life and prioritize a list of what's important to you and your family. Once you realize what's important to you, seek out schools that fit your priorities. Be proactive and visit schools. You will be around your college coach a lot no matter the level that you play at. You will have a good idea one way or the other once you visit a school and spend a few hours with the coaching staff. We have signed a total of eight late signee prospects out of our January prospect camp in the last two years."

Harrigan also had some words of advice for parents and their role in the process. "I hear often that it is - his choice. I understand this, but 16-22 year olds need some guidance as well."

Following is a look at the three early commits and some words about each from Harrigan.


2014 Early Commits

Charlie HookerCharlie Hooker        Upper Moreland HS        1B/RHP

Hooker is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect that was selected 1st-Team All-SOL American as a junior in 2013. He is ranked No. 162 in the PA Class of 2014.

"Charlie is that strong athlete we were looking for and feel he will be able to come in and hit at the DII level right away. Charlie has competed at a high level, advancing deep in the Class AAA state tournament in Pennsylvania last year with Upper Moreland. He was a 1st Team All-State player along with multiple other accolades. He also is a mid-80s guy that has spent a lot of time on the mound."

Connor McGinnisConnor McGinnis     Mars Area HS                 MIF

McGinnis is ranked No. 261 in the PA Class of 2014. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound middle infielder showcased solid arm strength at 80 mph across the diamond and the ability to play through the baseball at the PA Top Prospect Games in June. He made an impression on A-B coaches in attendance going 2-for-5 in game play during the course of the event.

"Connor is another athletic player from a good baseball area. He is a middle infielder that we feel has improved every time we have seen him and we feel he has his best baseball ahead of him. He is that athletic baseball player that we are looking to keep recruiting that matches our philosophy.

Mitchell GriffithsMitchell Griffiths      Olentangy Liberty HS      RHP

Griffiths is ranked No. 87 in the OH Class of 2014. He is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect with a big, physical frame. Griffiths shows potential as a two-way prospect. On the mound, he sat 83-85 mph through a high 3/4 arm slot at the Ohio Unsigned Senior Games in August.

"Mitchell is a prospect that we see helping us early on the mound. We have had him above the mid-80s and feel his ceiling is definitely high. We have been fortunate to get recruits out of Olentangy Liberty and we hope this trend continues. Coach Brenning's kids make an easy college transition and Mitchell is definitely one of those guys.


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