Nov. 14, 2011
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech’s baseball program signed eight high school seniors to national letters of intent, Yellow Jacket head coach Danny Hall announced Monday.
Tech’s signing class, which addressed needs at every position group, includes four pitchers, two infielders, one outfielder and a catcher. Five of the prospects are from Georgia.
“I am excited about our 2012 recruiting class,” said Hall, who will enter his 19th season on the Flats next spring and is just 13 wins shy of 1,000 career victories. “Our goal was to strengthen our pitching staff and in particular, find some left-handed pitching.”
The Yellow Jackets signed a pair of southpaw pitchers – Sam Clay (Buford, Ga.) and Jonathon King (Murfreesboro, Tenn.). Clay helped lead Buford High School to a state championship in 2011. King can also play in the outfield.
“Sam Clay is the best left-handed pitching prospect in the state and is the quarterback for perennial football power Buford High School,” Hall said. “Jonathon King is an athletic pitcher-outfielder who pitched his team to the Connie Mack World Series last summer.”
Tech went out of state to find two right-handed hurlers – Hayden Barnett (Houston, Texas) and Jared Jillson (Vero Beach, Fla.).
“Jared Jillson has great pitching ability and Hayden Barnett is a big, strong pitcher with tremendous upside.”
The Yellow Jackets strengthened the infield by signing Matt Gonzalez (Kennesaw, Ga.), first baseman Cole Miller (Rome, Ga.) and catcher Grant Wruble (Alpharetta, Ga.). Tech also signed outfielder Dylan Dore (Johns Creek, Ga.).
“Matt Gonzalez is a tremendous, competitive infielder who can really hit,” Hall said. “Cole Miller is a hard-hitting left-handed first baseman. Wruble will strengthen our catching corps and brings great leadership and energy to that position. Dore can do everything well on the baseball field and plays with reckless abandon.”
Georgia Tech finished the 2011 season with a 42-21 overall record – the Jackets’ 14th 40-win season under Hall — and a 22-8 mark in ACC play, tying Virginia for the best record in the conference. Tech must replace two high-caliber starting pitchers, Mark Pope and Jed Bradley, as well as shortstop Jacob Esch and third baseman Matt Skole.
“I feel confident that most of our signees will show up at school in August,” Hall said. “They will enhance our team’s culture on the field and in the classroom.”
Georgia Tech Baseball Signees
NamePosHometownHigh SchooltHayden BarnettRHPHouston,TexasStratford HSSam ClayLHPBuford, Ga.Buford HSDylan DoreCFJohnsCreek, Ga.Johns Creek HSMatt GonzalezIFKennesaw, Ga.HarrisonHSJared JillsonRHPVero Beach, Fla.St. Edwards HSJonathonKingLHP-OFMurfreesboro, Tenn.Riverdale HSCole Miller1BRome,Ga.Darlington SchoolGrant WrubleCAlpharetta, Ga.ChattahoocheeHS
