ASU Baseball: Previewing the incoming freshmen class

With the MLB Draft signing period past, ASU baseball turns its attention to its incoming recruiting class looking to provide immediate contributions.

The Major League Baseball first-year player draft completed one month ago, and some ASU baseball recruits decided to take their talents to professional baseball. Here’s a scouting report of the commits coming to Tempe.

Brady Corrigan, RHP- Plainfield, Illinois (Plainfield North)
Corrigan is a 6’3” right-hander from the Midwest, who was ranked second for Illinois’s Class of 2017, according to Prep Baseball Report. Corrigan’s repertoire consists of a high-80s fastball and a 12/6 curveball ranging from 77-79 mph. Scouts have raved about Corrigan’s athletic build and “pitcher’s body.” Corrigan’s impact next season in Tempe will most likely be from the bullpen, with the possibility of the right-hander starting as his career progresses for ASU.

Drake Davis, RHP- Highlands Ranch, Colorado (Ralston Valley)
Davis is another right-handed arm joining Tracy Smith’s squad this season. Davis is viewed in the long haul as a potential closer option, but expect to see him pitch in relief for the Sun Devils during his freshman campaign. The 6’1” Coloradan features a sinking fastball and a power curveball for his two-pitch arsenal.

Trevor Hauver, INF- Chandler, Arizona (Perry)
The first local product in this list, Hauver is a left-handed hitting shortstop from Chandler’s Perry High School, who was ranked the No.1 shortstop in the state. Hauver’s ability to play multiple infield positions and his quick, compact swing puts him in position to compete for a starting job as soon as he arrives on campus. Hauver is also aided by the fact that fellow in-state infielder signee Jake Holmes decided to sign with the Phillies after being drafted in the 11th round.

Zach Hogueisson, OF El Cajon, California (Christian)
Hogueisson is a Southern California product known for his powerful bat. The left-handed hitter has the physical gifts to become a potential middle of the order bat for the Sun Devils. Stuck in a current logjam with incumbent outfielders, Hogueisson could have a similar impact that Hunter Bishop had for ASU last season by DH’ing and pinch-hitting. Standing at 6’4” and 185 pounds, Hogueisson was ranked the 4th best outfielder in the state of California by Perfect Game USA.

More from Devils in Detail

Scott Mehan, OF Cave Creek, Arizona (Cactus Shadows)
Mehan is a local product that signed on late to play for the Sun Devils. An infielder in high school, Mehan projects to be an outfielder in his college career. Perfect Game identifies Mehan as a line drive hitter with a middle-of-the-field approach at the plate. Don’t expect to see a lot of Mehan this upcoming season, but he could become a top of the order hitter by the end of his ASU career.

Drew Swift, INF Chandler, Arizona (Hamilton)
Swift is another infielder hailing from the Grand Canyon State staying home for his college career. Swift is a glove-first shortstop with potential to become an elite defensive infielder. The third ranked shortstop in Arizona by Perfect Game will need to show improvement with the bat in order to find his name in the lineup regularly.

Spencer Torkelson, INF, Petaluma, California (Casa Grande)
Torkelson is a power-hitting corer infielder hailing from Southern California. Torkelson uses his 6’1” 205 pound frame to generate great pull-power with the help of quick hands and strength at the point of contact. Perfect Game sees his future as a possible second basemen, was ranked the 2nd best third basement in the state of California.

Boyd Vander Kooi RHP, Mesa, Arizona (Skyline)
This is the jewel of the class. Vander Kooi, the Gatorade Arizona High School Baseball Player of the Year looks to be a shot in the arm for a pitching staff that struggled mightily last season. The 6’5” right-hander features a good sinking fastball, with two plus off-speed pitches a curveball and changeup. Vander Kooi can impact immediately as a starter or out of the bullpen.

Alika Williams INF, San Diego, California (Rancho Bernardo)
Yet another infielder for Tracy Smith’s class, Williams, a three-year varsity player has tremendous upside on both sides of the ball. A slick fielding shortstop and good student, Williams will need to put on more weight in order to have a big impact with his bat. Don’t expect to see a ton of Williams during his freshmen season.

Gage Workman INF, Queen Creek, Arizona (Basha)
The last player of the incoming freshmen class has a few questions. Workman has said that he plans to serve a Mormon mission, according to AZCentral prior to playing baseball. Assuming Workman follows through he won’t be playing in Tempe this season, given the team’s infield depth this won’t hurt the Sun Devils in 2018. Workman, however, is a very talented infielder ranked as the eigth best prospect from Arizona for his class. Workman provides some power from both sides of the plate, as he led Basha High School in RBI’s during his senior season.

This is the next crop of Sun Devil baseball, a team that came off possibly its worst season in school history.

Tracy Smith’s seat will remain hot throughout the next season, and with the Pac-12 always providing solid competition it could be a tough season at Phoenix Municipal.

Vander Kooi and Hauver have the best chance to impact the team as freshmen. Vander Kooi will be given every opportunity to win a spot as a weekend starter, and Hauver has the chance to start at shortstop on Opening Day next season.

Another strong class shows that Smith is a very good recruiter who can use his program’s tradition and prestige to entice young men to dawn the maroon and gold.

Next: ASU Baseball: Two drafted commits sign with MLB Teams

Numbers of former Sun Devils stand out proudly in right and left center for this program that rightfully wraps itself in the past. But for Smith, it’s time for results before he’s a lost subplot in a novel known for success.

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