IU Baseball 2014 Recruiting Class

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Head coach Tracy Smith and his IU Baseball staff inked nine future student-athletes Wednesday (Nov. 13) to be a part of the 2014 recruiting class. Laren Eustace, Hunter Hart, Brian Hobbie, Macy Holdsworth, Elias Lingos, Josh Ockimey, Isaiah Pasteur, Khristian Reynolds and Logan Sowers have each signed National Letters of Intent to play baseball at Indiana University starting in the 2014-15 academic year.

*Prep Baseball Report and its rankings cover 10 Midwestern states

 

LAREN EUSTACE • OF
5'9 • 170 lbs. • L/L • Batavia, Ill. • Batavia H.S.
Ranked as the 12th-best prospect in the state of Illinois (51st overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the 2nd-rated Illinois outfielder... included in Perfect Game's Top-500 players nationally ... batted .391 with three homeruns, seven doubles, seven triples and 21 RBI with a .473 on-base percentage as a junior in 2013 ... has successfully stolen 26 bases on 28 attempts, already giving him the Batavia High School steals record entering his senior campaign ... Chicago Sun-Times Top-100 baseball players ... an all-area and all-conference selection ... the son of Alma and Tom Eustace.

 

"Laren is a true lead-off hitter," said head coach Tracy Smith. "He will be one of the fastest players on our roster next year and can cover from gap-to-gap in center field. Laren has a very strong arm, and will be a spark plug offensively. He reminds us of former Hoosier Micah Johnson with his ability to make things happen on the bases."

 

HUNTER HART • RHP
6'3 • 180 lbs • R/R • St. Joseph, Ill. • St. Joseph-Ogden H.S.
First Team All-Illinois selection ... Perfect Game All-American and included in the Top-500 players nationally ... Ranked as the 13th-best prospect in the state of Illinois (57th overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the 5th-rated Illinois RHP ... MaxPreps Small Schools All-America Second Team ... News-Gazette Player of the Year and first team all-area ... First Team All-Sangamon Valley Conference ... Chicago White Sox Area Code Team member ... has posted an overall pitching record of 11-2 with a 1.16 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 66.1 innings pitched ... also owns a .464 batting average with five homeruns and 38 RBI ... the son of Tracey and Scott Hart.

 

"Hunter has an electric arm and has put up eye popping numbers at St. Joes-Ogden," said Coach Smith. "He is another projectable right-handed pitcher. Hunter possesses a very quick arm, a hard slider, and a developing changeup. He reminded us a lot of Freshman All-American Scott Effross. Hunter is an athletic kid that will continue to blossom once he is on campus."

 

BRIAN HOBBIE • RHP
6'5 • 215 lbs. • R/R • Springfield, Ill. • Glenwood H.S.
First Team All-Illinois honoree ... ranked as the 18th-best prospect in the state of Illinois (72nd overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the 9th-rated Illinois RHP ... tabbed a Top-1000 player nationally by Perfect Game ... two-time first team all-conference choice ... posted a 6-2 pitching mark with a 1.75 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched as a junior ... also batted .446 with three homeruns and 28 RBI during 2013 campaign ... went 6-2 as a sophomore as well, recording a 1.74 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 52 innings ... has led Glenwood High to back-to-back conference and regional titles ... has also lettered in football and golf, earning all-conference honorable mention on the gridiron ... carded a 15-1 record as a pitcher for the Midwest Mules over last two summer seasons ... the son of Molly and Eric Hobbie.

 

"Brian is another big, strong projectable right-handed pitcher," said Coach Smith. "His best baseball days are in front of him. He possesses an upper 80's fastball right now with a put away breaking ball. With his upside, Brian has a chance to be special in the future."

 

MACY HOLDSWORTH • SS
5'11 • 180 lbs. • R/R • Greensburg, Ind. • Greensburg H.S.
Ranked as the 5th-best prospect in the state of Indiana (74th overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the 2nd-rated Indiana infielder ... a Perfect Game Top-500 player nationally ... two-time All-Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference pick ... has racked up 96 RBI and 30 doubles while hitting .425 over the last three seasons ... slugged .714 and produced a .498 on-base percentage over the same period ... led Greensburg High to back-to-back 27-win seasons and a #1 ranking in the state of Indiana ... Crossroads Series/Under Armour Futures games selection in 2013 ... the son of Kara and Scott Holdsworth.

 

"We are thrilled Macy decided to stay in state," said Coach Smith. "First and foremost, Macy will bring a winning mentality. He is the point guard of his basketball team that won the state championship, and starting shortstop for a very successful high school program. Macy is the son of a coach and loves to be around the game. We expect Macy to compete for an infield spot immediately."

 

ELIAS LINGOS • LHP/1B/OF
6'0 • 190 lbs. • L/L • Temecula, Calif. • Great Oak H.S.
Named the Great Oak Offensive Player of the Year after batting .342 with 14 RBI ... also posted a 2.55 ERA on the mound, pitching 24.2 innings ... California Coaches Association North/South tryouts participant ... the son of Alisa and Michael Lingos.

 

"Eli continues the long line of talented players coming to Bloomington from southern California," said Coach Smith. "The similarities to Joey DeNato are countless. The minute he steps on campus he will be one of our best competitors. Eli is a four-pitch lefty that will compete for innings immediately. He will pound the strike zone and give us a chance to win every game he pitches."

 

JOSH OCKIMEY • 1B/OF To Red Sox
6'4 • 225 lbs. • L/R • Philadelphia, Pa. • Neuman-Gorretti H.S.
Ranked as the 7th-best prospect in the state of Pennsylvania (52nd overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the 2nd-rated Pennsylvania first baseman ... tabbed at #203 in Perfect Game's top players nationally... 2013 underclassman All-American ... Philadelphia Phillies East Coast Team and New York Phillies Area Code Team member ... named All-Southeast Pennsylvania and First Team All-Philadelphia in 2012 ... the 2011 Pennsylvania Freshman of the Year ... batted .410 with nine homeruns as a sophomore ... the son of Cathy and Michael Ockimey.

 

"Josh is a physical specimen with a special left-handed swing," said Coach Smith. "He is the type of hitter we can build around. We see him as the next true lefty power bat once Schwarber leaves after this season. Josh competed at some of the top amateur events in the country, and proved to be one of the top young power hitters in the country. "

 

ISAIAH PASTEUR • RHP
6'2 • 170 lbs. • R/R • West Minister, Md. • Winters Mill H.S.
Recognized as a Top-500 player nationally by Perfect Game ... played for the Baltimore Orioles fall showcase scout team, the Oriolelanders ... National Amateur Baseball Federation Under-18 Tournament MVP ... Perfect Game WWBA World Championship All-Tournament Team accolades ... all-district, all-county and all-conference honors ... struck out 60 batters during junior season ... the son of Kris and George Pasteur.

 

"Isaiah is an extremely athletic baseball player," said Coach Smith. "He has the potential to play multiple positions and possesses a special arm on the mound. He is a true two-way recruit. Isaiah ran a 6.5 at the Tournament of Stars in Cary, NC and pitched in the low 90's last summer. We are delighted Isaiah chose to come to Indiana, and envision him competing for at bats and innings immediately."

 

KHRISTIAN REYNOLDS • RHP
5'11 • 170 lbs. • R/R • Indianapolis, Ind. • Avon H.S. 
Ranked as the 29th-best prospect in the state of Indiana (199th overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the 10th-rated Indiana infielder ... recognized by Perfect Game as a Top-1000 player nationally... 2013 Area Code Games showcase invite ... named to Perfect Game's World Underclass all-tournament team and 16U World Wood Bat Championship all-tournament team in 2012 ... member of Prep Baseball Report's 2012 Team Indiana ... three-time all-county choice ... the son of Stephanie and Randy Reynolds.

 

"Khristian is another Indiana kid that we are excited chose to stay in state," said Coach Smith. "What we like most about Khristian is his versatility. He has the arm strength to play anywhere in the infield, and possesses strength in the batter's box. Khristian shined for the Indiana Bulls over the last couple summers, and should add depth to our infield immediately."

 

LOGAN SOWERS • OF
6'4 • 200 lbs. • R/R • Lafayette, Ind. • McCutcheon H.S.
Ranked as the 3rd-best prospect in the state of Indiana (39th overall) by Prep Baseball Report and the top-rated Indiana outfielder... tabbed at #387 in Perfect Game's top players nationally ... All-Indiana honorable mention ... did not commit an error the entire 2012 season, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage ... named Hoosier Crossroads All-Conference ... member of East Coast Team in Syracuse, N.Y. and Prep Baseball Report's Team Indiana ... the son of Valeria and Shawn Sowers.

 

"Logan is a physical outfielder with a ton of upside," said Coach Smith. "We feel Logan is one of the best hitters in the Midwest. He has exceptional baseball instincts and has the potential to be a middle of the order bat immediately. He comes from a great family and very successful high school and summer programs. Logan had several other opportunities to choose from, and we are thrilled he decided to stay 

 

http://www.iuhoosiers.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/111413aaa.html

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Josh Ockimey @josh_ock  ·  29m

Made my decision to start my professional career with the Boston Red Sox.I want to thank @HoosierBaseball for the recruiting and best wishes

[Banksyrules 4,225]

I'm not sure how to evaluate the talent pool but it seems highly regarded. Thoughts?


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[JaybobHoosier 11,821]

Have to keep rebuilding. Any word if Travis comes back?

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[djsalway 4,161]

Have to keep rebuilding. Any word if Travis comes back?<br /><br />Sent from my DROID4 using BtownBanners mobile app

Highly unlikely.

[MemphisHoosier 1,914]

 

Josh Ockimey @josh_ock  ·  29m

Made my decision to start my professional career with the Boston Red Sox.I want to thank @HoosierBaseball for the recruiting and best wishes

 

 Nice overslot deal for Ockimey....can't blame the young man for pursung his dream.

 

• "Fifth-rounder Josh Ockimey has agreed to a $450K bonus with the Red Sox, tweetsCotillo. That represents a $167.2K overage against the slot value of the 164th overall choice. Ockimey is a high school first baseman from Pennsylvania."
• http://www.mlbtraderumors.com
•  

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I'm just gonna put this here for now and plan to get more involved with baseball recruiting going forward. Need to do some homework though and look at our '14 commits above later. This '15 LHP is following Tracy.

 

http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=332910

 

Connor Higgins @Connor_Higgins7  ·  Jul 22

I've decommitted from Indiana and will be playing my college baseball at Arizona State University

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,726]

I'm just gonna put this here for now and plan to get more involved with baseball recruiting going forward. Need to do some homework though and look at our '14 commits above later. This '15 LHP is following Tracy.
 
http://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Playerprofile.aspx?ID=332910
 
Connor Higgins @Connor_Higgins7  ·  Jul 22
I've decommitted from Indiana and will be playing my college baseball at Arizona State University

Boo. But seriously, you can't fault the decision. I think we are in good hands moving forward.

[ccgeneral 38,084]

^^Maybe his replacement? I had this stored from yesterday and will just throw it in here to. PBR has him #1 in the state and #2 overall.

 

Ashe Russell

 

Ht/Wt   6-4/195

Bats/Throws   R/R

HS - Cathedral 

Hometown - Indianapolis, IN

Summer Team - USAtheltic

 

PerfectGame

 

PrepBaseballReport

 

Twitter

 

 

http://www.prepbaseb...rket-6801947523

 

Decommitted from Notre Dame today. Top notch pitcher here. Get'em Coach!

 

Russell said South Carolina and Vanderbilt are at the top of his list, but he is doing his due diligence and Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Virginia are among schools in the mix.

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,726]

^^Maybe his replacement? I had this stored from yesterday and will just throw it in here to.  PBR has him #1 in the state and #2 overall.
 
Ashe Russell
 
Ht/Wt   6-4/195
Bats/Throws   R/R
HS - Cathedral 
Hometown - Indianapolis, IN
Summer Team - USAtheltic
 
PerfectGame
 
PrepBaseballReport
 
Twitter
 
 

http://www.prepbaseb...rket-6801947523
 
Decommitted from Notre Dame today. Top notch pitcher here. Get'em Coach!
 
Russell said South Carolina and Vanderbilt are at the top of his list, but he is doing his due diligence and Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Virginia are among schools in the mix.

Makes perfect sense for IU! He is involved with some big baseball programs. Would be a great addition.