Radford University baseball head coach Joe Raccuia announced the signing of six future Highlanders on Thursday morning. The 2018 class features three right-handed pitchers, one left-handed pitcher and two middle infielders.
“As in all recruiting classes that are put together it starts with identifying needs and developing a plan to attack those needs in the recruitment of the type of student-athlete that fits into our program. We have continued to build on our success, while realizing that the recipe between good athletes and strike throwing arms are what wins you championships. Recruiting coordinator Justin Willard did a remarkable job in identifying what our needs were in the upcoming years and made sure he did not waver off that process. We are excited to announce another great recruiting class for Radford baseball.”
Recruits:
David Bryant
6-2 | MIF | L/R | Johnson City, Tenn. | Science Hill | East Tennessee Crusaders
Ranked 50th best prospect in state of Tennessee by Perfect Game, eighth best shortstop
Two-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team
All-District, All-Region, Super 22 Team
2017 Stats: 373 avg. / 3 HR / 38 Hits / 25 1B / 7 2B / 4 3B / 33 RBIs
All District, All-Region, Super 22 Team
Was an all-district and all-region player in basketball
Raccuia on Bryant: David is a stud athlete. A true shortstop that can defend and is athletic enough to play anywhere. He hits from the left-side which is an added bonus. We are excited to see where his athleticism takes him.
Justin Hanvey
6-2 | MIF | R/R | Purcellville | Woodgrove | Marucci Stars
2017 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American honoree
Ranked 15th best shortstop in state of Virginia by Pro Baseball Report
Raccuia on Hanvey: Justin is just a true blue-collar baseball player. Always making hard contact and he can play all four infield positions. His versatility and bat should allow him to contribute early in his career.
Graham Firoved
6-1 | RHP | First Colonial | Tidewater Orioles and Evoshield National
Ranked the 295th best prospect in the country by Perfect Game.
Ranked fourth overall prospect in state of Virginia by Perfect Game
Two-time Perfect Game Honorable Mention honoree
Three-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team
Raccuia on Firoved: Graham has an electric arm with a mix of plus secondary stuff, which will make him a huge piece of our future pitching staff. Graham has shown the ability over the past year to make us truly believe he will be a front-line starter.
Brandon Feathers
6-4 | RHP | Johnson City, Tenn. | Science Hill | East Tennessee Crusaders
Named to All-District and Super 22 Team
Six-time Perfect Game All-Tournament team selection
2017 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-American Team
Six-time Perfect Game All-Tournament honoree
Raccuia on Feathers: Brandon simply just gets outs. He has a big frame with projectability on the mound. Brandon has pitch ability right now and as he continues to get stronger, we know that his ability to pitch with command is already there.
Cole Dunn
6-4 | RHP | Middletown, Del. | Middletown | Maryland Legends and Royals Scout Team
First-Team All-Conference selection
Honorable Mention All-State honoree
Ranked 500th best prospect nationally by Perfect Game
Ranked sixth best prospect in Delaware by Perfect Game
Two-time Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention
Four-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team
Raccuia on Dunn: Cole is one of those big physical pitchers you see at the next level. He was an early commit for us as we zeroed in on him very early in the recruiting process. We hope he continues his upward development because he has a chance to be special.
Derek Domecq
6-0 | LHP | Crozet. | Western Albemarle | Evoshield Canes: H3
High School Stats: 19-7, two saves, 1.97 ERA, 170.3 innings, 220 strikeouts
Travel Ball Stats: 26-6, one save, 1.73 ERA, 222 innings pitched, 213 strikeouts, 87 walks
Three-time All-Jefferson District selection
2017 Jefferson District Player of the Year
Three-time All-Conference 29 selection
Two-time All-Region selection
Two-time 3A All-State Selection
2017 All-Central Virginia Team
2017 VA/DC Player-of-the-Year Award
Three-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team
Raccuia on Domecq: Who wouldn’t want a left-handed pitcher that has a feel for a changeup and slider, good movement on fastball and a guy that competes like Derek. We are excited to have his make up on our field along with his physical talents.
–RU Athletics