Wolves sign five prep stars; Two JUCO Transfers
11/25/2009 10:51:15 AM
Carrollton, GA - New coach Skip Fite is off to a promising beginning to his first full recruiting class for the West Georgia Wolves baseball program. Fite this week announced the signing of seven prospects to letters-of-intent during the November early week signing period.
“This is a great start for our recruiting class of 2010,” said Fite. “We have added some quality, power arms and two hard-nosed players with speed.”
Of the five pitchers signed by Fite, four come to West Georgia from the high school ranks. The list includes Mitch Crutchfield, a 6-4, 200-pound right-hander from Grayson High in Gwinnett County. Crutchfield had a 6-2 record as a junior, posted an impressive 2.33 ERA, and throws in the 85-86 MPH range.
Two other prep right-handers joining the Wolves’ program are Walker White and Jamie Sexton. White, 5-10 and 180, joins UWG from Coffee High in Douglas where he was 5-2 as a junior with an ERA of 1.87. Sexton is 6-0, 165, and was 5-0 with two saves as a junior at Jefferson High in northeast Georgia. Both throw in the 86-88 miles per hour range
UWG’s other high school pitching recruit is a lefty: Justin Key. A product of Warner Robins High, Key is 5-10, 165, and posted an impressive 8-3 record with 3.25 ERA as a junior in 2009. He is described by Fite as “crafty,” and threw a one hit shutout to defeat eventual state title winner Pope in the state playoffs.
Beyond their pitching prowess, Sexton and Key also play other positions. Sexton is a second baseman, while Key plays in the outfield.
Fite also signed a top arm from the state junior college ranks. Right-hander Jarod Slaven (6-1, 180) is top prospect from Georgia Perimeter College who throws his fastball in the 90-92 MPH range. A native of Suwannee who attended North Gwinnett High, Slaven is envisioned as a potential weekend starter when he joins the Wolves for the 2011 season.
Beyond the five mound prospects, Fite signed a pair of position players. Center fielder Danny Bodziak joins the Wolves’ program from Sarasota (Fla.) High School. He hit .456 as a junior with 12 doubles and 18 stolen bases during his junior season last springs.
“Danny is a very center fielder from a powerhouse high school program,” says Fite. The coach adds, “He has a great speed and arm in the outfield, and will be a very good college hitter. He should be an impact player for our program.”
UWG has also signed juco second baseman Stuart Drew, a 5-10, 162-pound all-conference performer at South Georgia College. Drew is a native of Douglas and played prep baseball at Coffee High School. He is described by Fite as a “hard-nosed competitor; a good defensive infielder with above average speed.”
West Georgia’s seven new recruits, all of whom will enroll next August, represent what Fite hopes is the beginning of a very productive recruiting effort. The Wolves’ new coach is expecting to complete his first full recruiting class when the next signing period begins in April.