Nov. 15, 2013
THE FLATS – Head Coach Danny Hall has announced that six top prep prospects in the state of Georgia have signed their National Letters of Intent to attend Georgia Tech and play baseball for the Yellow Jackets in 2014.
The class of six is highlighted by Kel Johnson, a native of Palmetto, Ga., and the nation’s 36th-ranked player overall by Perfect Game. The 2014 incoming class also includes IF/OF Wade Bailey (Villa Rica, Ga./Villa Rica), RHP/UTL Jared Datoc (Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy), LHP Daniel Gooden (Griffin, Ga./Griffin HS), 3B Blake Jackson (Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County HS), RHP/1B Patrick Wiseman (Roswell, Ga./Pope HS).
“We certainly got what we wanted,” said Hall. “We’re very excited about these guys and they are excited about being Yellow Jackets. We needed power, and we got that with Kel. Wade gives us a lot of flexibility with where he plays. Blake is going to hit and he’s a very good third-baseman. The pitchers give us depth and Daniel was a key guy because we feel we needed a dominate lefty in our rotation, and we’re excited about what Patrick and Jared bring to the staff.
Wade Bailey | 5-9 | 170 | IF/OF | Villa Rica, Ga./Villa Rica HS
Ranked the 17th-best middle infielder nationally by Perfect Game… Played for East Cobb Yankees.
Coach Hall on Bailey: “We’re very excited to have Wade in this class. He’s one of the best pure baseball players we’ve signed. He can play any position and a great competitor.”
Jared Datoc | 5-9 | 190 | RHP/UTL | Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy
Ranked as the seventh-best right-handed pitcher in Georgia by Perfect Game… Honorable Mention Perfect Game Underclass All-America… Pace Academy is the same school that produced Tech great Brandon Thomas.
Coach Hall on Datoc: “We see a lot of potential in Jared. His fastball is in the upper 80’s, but a very good slider. We’re looking for him to add depth to our bullpen.”
Blake Jackson | 6-2 | 190 | 3B | Warner Robins, Ga./Houston County HS
Ranked the 16th-best third baseman nationally by Perfect Game… Also had interest from Florida State, Alabama, NC State and Vanderbilt among others.
Coach Hall on Jackson: “Blake is an outstanding hitter, and we’re very excited about what he brings defensively at third base.”
Kel Johnson | 6-4 | 215 | OF/1B | Palmetto, Ga./Home Schooled
Ranked as the 36th-best player overall nationally by Perfect Game… Won a Gold Medal with Team USA’s 18U National Team at the 2013 IBAF 18U/’AAA’ World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan… Finished second in the MLB Junior Select Home Run Derby with 13 home runs at Citi Field during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game festivities.
Coach Hall on Johnson: “We feel Kel is one of the best players in the country. He played on the gold-medal winning USA Team. We project him as a mid-lineup hitter from his freshman year on.”
Daniel Gooden | 6-3 | 205 | LHP | Griffin, Ga./Griffin HS
Ranked as the 13th-best left-handed pitcher nationally by Perfect Game… Turned down a wrath of offers, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida, Georgia.
Coach Hall on Gooden: “In our minds, Daniel’s the best left-handed pitcher in the state of Georgia. He also can be a two-way guy with a lot of power at the plate. Again, a power-arm guy that reminds me a lot of Jed Bradley.”
Patrick Wiseman | 6-6 | 220 | RHP/1B | Roswell, Ga./Pope HS
Ranked as the No. 6 right-handed pitcher in Georgia by Perfect Game… Played for East Cobb Yankees… Is the brother of current Tech RHP Joe Wiseman.
Coach Hall on Wiseman: “We feel he’s one of the best right-handed pitchers in Georgia. He’s a left-handed hitter, a right-handed thrower and can play first base.”
