Mazey Announces 17 Signees to WVU Baseball’s 2021 Recruiting Class

West Virginia baseball coach Randy Mazey announced Monday afternoon that the team had signed 17 new recruits to its 2021 recruiting class.

“This group could go down as the most talented class that the Mountaineers have ever signed,” Mazey said in a release. “We believe this class will prove to be riddled with difference-makers and help WVU recruiting classes take on a new light on the national stage.”

The 17-player class is made up of seven pitchers, five infielders, two outfielders and three two-way players. Below is the full list of 2021 signees as well as quotes from Mazey on each one.

Pitchers

• Tommy Beam: RHP, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
  • “Tommy is a 6-foot-7 righty with as much projection as anybody in this class. His arm speed, command of pitches, and desire to compete will allow him to be successful immediately as a Mountaineer. His frame and smooth arm action project for high fastball velocities. Already sitting in the low 90’s, Tommy can develop into one of the harder throwers in the country.”
• David Hagaman: RHP, Egg Harbor City, New Jersey
  • “David is a 6-foot-4 right-hander, who has made himself into one of the best prospects in the 2021 class. He is an extremely projectable pitcher who already pitches in the low 90’s. David’s frame allows for tilt on the ball, which is very challenging on opposing offenses…we look for him to make an impact early on.”
• Trent Hodgdon: RHP, Smiths Station, Alabama
  • “Trent is a very athletic pitcher who pairs a low 90’s fastball with a plus breaking ball. His athleticism and feel to pitch allows him to throw anything in any count. He is a player we watched many times who consistently got better and had tremendous results. Trent’s ability to spin the breaking ball is unique and will be a difference-maker for him.”
• Michael Kilker: RHP, Hazelton, Pennsylvania
  • “Michael throws in the low-to-mid 90’s with a plus breaking ball and is developing a third pitch. His athleticism, intelligence, and work ethic will allow him to make a huge impact early in his career.”
• Aidan Major: RHP, Mill Hall, Pennsylvania
  • “Aidan is a high-level performer who has continued to have success throughout his career. He displays a high 80’s fastball, put-away breaking ball, and a changeup. He is also an athletic infielder, who has the ability to play multiple positions.”
• Deaton Oak: RHP, LaGrange, Kentucky
  • “Deaton has a unique ability to command multiple pitches. He made a large physical jump in the last year that has propelled him into an elite category. With a strong frame, Deaton attacks hitters with a high 80’s fastball and a wipeout breaking ball. Deaton possesses one of the highest spin rates on his breaking ball in the country, and his calm demeanor on the mound, paired with plus command, projects him as a high-end starter in the Big 12.”
• Chris Sleeper: RHP, Henrietta, New York
  • “Chris is as talented as anybody in the 2021 class. He is a lean and projectable right-hander, who pitches in the low 90’s. Chris throws from a lower slot, which creates run and sink on his power fastball. He has the ability to be a front-end starting pitcher in the Big 12, and his work ethic and desire to be great will propel him into a premier talent in our league.”

Infield

• Joel Gardner: C/INF, Poca, West Virginia
  • “Joel is a home-grown talent who has primarily focused his time as an infielder and right-handed pitcher throughout his high school career but has recently begun training as a catcher. He has tremendous feel on the diamond, and his ability to play multiple positions will help the Mountaineers immediately. Joel possesses a special hit skill and fantastic throwing arm.”
• Grant Hussey: 1B/OF, Washington, West Virginia
  • “Grant is a large, strong player with unique athleticism for his frame. He is a versatile player with athleticism that will allow him to play corner infield, as well as corner outfield. Grant has a classic, left-handed swing that projects to hit for average, as well as power in the Big 12.”
• Jimmy Sadler: SS, Houston, Pennsylvania
  • “Jimmy is a phenomenal athlete with the ability to play shortstop at the highest levels. He is an instinctual player with incredible feel for the game. He is a sparkplug that can hit, defend, throw, and steal bases. We fell in love with Jimmy after watching the energy he brings every day on the field.”
• JJ Wetherholt: INF, Mars, Pennsylvania
  • “JJ is a middle infielder with the ability to play anywhere on the diamond. He has a beautiful, left-handed swing that constantly produces results on the largest stages. JJ is the definition of a ballplayer and teammate; he loves playing the game and pairs natural talent with fantastic work ethic.”
• Evan Smith: INF/OF, Ashburn, Virginia
  • “Evan is a utility player with ability to play corner infield and corner outfield. He has a beautiful left-handed swing that constantly produces results on the largest stages. He loves playing the game and pairs natural hit talent with fantastic work ethic.”

Outfield

• Tyler Cox: OF, Westbury, New York
  • “Tyler is a superb athlete with ballplayer instincts. He is a burner with true feel to hit. We see him as a player that can come into our system and compete for an outfield job immediately. His first-step quickness and ability to range side-to-side separates him from many athletes in the class.”
• Treyson Hughes: OF, Valdosta, Georgia
  • “Treyson is an extremely athletic and versatile athlete that brings a unique skillset to the Mountaineers. He is a standout at the high-school level who has excelled athletically every step of the way. Treyson can run, throw, hit, defend, and help the Mountaineers win.”

Two-Way

• Kevin Dowdell: LHP/OF, Montevallo, Alabama (Calhoun Community College)
  • “Kevin is the definition of an athlete. He projects to be a starting pitcher, middle-of-the-order bat and outfielder for the Mountaineers. Kevin blends experience, athleticism, and power, which are all great qualities we look for. He runs his fastball in the mid 90’s, with wipeout off-speed offerings.”
• Josh Heath: 1B/OF/RHP, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
  • “Josh is an extremely physical first baseman/corner outfielder with a unique ability to consistently square the baseball. He controls a large frame and projects to hit for average and power as a Mountaineer. Josh has smooth hands and soft feet, which allows him to play multiple positions at a very high level. We view Josh as a polished hitter who has worked extremely hard to become a physical force.”
• Alex Khan: INF/RHP, Sykesville, Maryland
  • “Alex is an athletic, confident ballplayer that has performed at the highest levels in recent years. He is a legitimate, two-way player for WVU that can play multiple positions on the field, as well as pitch at a high level. Alex throws in the high 80’s, and his frame and hit skill projects him to be a high-end third baseman in our league.”