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Rob Childress
Justin Seely
Texas A&M Baseball

Aggie Baseball inks top 10 signing class

November 14, 2014
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Note: Full audio breakdowns with Coach Childress and Coach Seely available by clicking above.

The Texas A&M baseball team officially added 12 players this week during the early-signing period. The 2015 class is widely considered a top 10 haul nationally and features the No. 5 and No. 6 ranked players in the country and one of the top junior college bats in the nation.

Headlining the 2015 haul are right-handed pitchers Ashe Russell (#5 in Perfect Game rankings) out of Indianapolis, Indiana and Beau Burrows #6 in Perfect Game rankings) from Weatherford, Texas.

As for the JUCO bat … the Aggies went north of the state border and into familiar territory for one of the most ready-made hitters in the class. Joel Davis is a left-handed hitter from Seminole Junior College with a football background and a tons of power potential. Sound familiar? Yep, that description should remind fans of Joe Patterson, who came to A&M from Seminole JC. Davis probably doesn't have quite the raw power but is a much better athlete than Patterson and can play both corner infield spots and either corner outfield spot.

Matt Sachs, TexAgs Childress and his staff assembled a strong class that most rank among the top 10 in the nation. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"Childress and his staff assembled a strong class that most rank among the top 10 in the nation.","MediaItemID":43423}
That trio headlines the list but make no mistake … this group is filled with top-flight talent and at least six or seven names in the group will have a chance to get selected in the MLB Draft in early-June.

Here is a complete list of signees set to join the Aggies next fall…

Pitchers:
* Ashe Russell - RHP - 6-4 - 195 - Indianapolis (IN)
* Beau Burrows - RHP - 6-2 - 200 - Weatherford (TX)
* Stephen Kolek - RHP - 6-3 - 215 - Shepherd (TX)
* Tyler Ivey - RHP - 6-4 - 200 - Rockwall-Heath (TX)
* Nash Walters - RHP - 6-4 - 195 - Lindale (TX)
* Christopher Paddack - RHP - 6-5 - 200 - Cedar Park (TX)

Infielders:
* Tristan Metten - SS - 6-1 - 185 - R/R - Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX)
* George Janca - SS - 6-2 - 175 - R/R - Georgetown (TX)
* Alan Campero - SS - 5-10 - 160 - R/R - Laredo (TX)

Outfielders:
* Coll Stanley - OF - 6-3 - 185 - L/R - Strake Jesuit College Prep (TX)
* Trey Jimmerson - OF - 5-10 - 175 - L/L - Cypress Concordia Lutheran (TX)
* Joel Davis - INF/OF - 6-3 - 200 - L/R - Seminole JC (OK)

Walk-ons (coaches can't talk about them):
* Kyler Murray (football scholarship) - SS - 6-1 - 160 - R/R - Allen (TX)
* Dakota Klein - LHP - 6-4 - 175 - Suamico Bay Port (WI)

A&M head coach Rob Childress is very excited about what will go down on paper as the best class he's signed since arriving in Aggieland in 2006.

"It’s exciting to have all the letters of intent back," Childress said. "We haven’t always put a lot of stock in the rankings, but I know one publication has this class ranked 8th in the country. I couldn’t be more proud of Justin [Seely] and Will [Bolt]. Justin is our recruiting coordinator and he spends an awful lot of time on the road doing his due diligence and homework in the recruiting process. He’s as good as they get across the country, and we’re very lucky to have him here at Texas A&M."

Pitching becomes really easy to recruit around here. Coach Childress has always been considered one of the greatest pitching coaches in college baseball, and so, you know, pitching usually flocks here. That’s not usually the toughest of my tasks. - Justin Seely {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"Pitching becomes really easy to recruit around here. Coach Childress has always been considered one of the greatest pitching coaches in college baseball, and so, you know, pitching usually flocks here. That’s not usually the toughest of my tasks.","Author":"Justin Seely"}
Texas A&M assistant coach and recruiting director Justin Seely worked tirelessly in putting together this class and he echoes Childress' sentiments regarding this group.

"There’s not been a class that we’ve signed that I’m ashamed of or that I don’t feel like is going to be a very productive part of a championship team … this class being no different," Seely said. "This is obviously being ranked higher than some classes have been before, but we’ve been pretty consistent with what we’ve done."

When looking at this group, it's clear that the A&M staff set out to stock up on right-handed pitching. The Aggies signed six right-handers that stand between 6-2 and 6-5 and are long, rangy, projectable strike throwers.

"Pitching becomes really easy to recruit around here," Seely said. "Coach Childress has always been considered one of the greatest pitching coaches in college baseball, and so, you know, pitching usually flocks here. That’s not usually the toughest of my tasks."

“We signed six right-handed pitchers, and they’re all big, strong, physical kids," Childress added. "All of them have great arms and all work hard. All of them are in the state of Texas, with the exception of one out of Indiana (Russell).”

When recruiting MLB prospect, both Childress and Seely have lived by the adage, "Somebody has to sign them." And while they understand the draft risk attached to this class, they're confident that the vast majority of this group is committed to playing college baseball in Aggieland.

"If you don’t sign these kids, you’ve got a 100-percent chance of not getting them to campus," Childress said. "Those guys believe in what we’ve got going on here at Texas A&M, not just in the baseball program, but in the athletic department and the university. [They want to] compete against the best in the country in the Southeastern Conference."

"Most people say we don’t have a shot with getting all of these guys on campus. I would disagree with that," Seely added. "We will do everything we can to educate them and make sure they know that they have a great option here."

Breaking down the class

He’s another guy that we’ll sweat throughout the draft, and I hope that we get him to school. Russell and Burrows have got a chance to make an immediate impact for any program in America, and we’re sure glad that they’re Aggies. - Rob Childress {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"left","Quote":"He’s another guy that we’ll sweat throughout the draft, and I hope that we get him to school. Russell and Burrows have got a chance to make an immediate impact for any program in America, and we’re sure glad that they’re Aggies.","Author":"Rob Childress"}
Ashe Russell - RHP - 6-4 - 195 - Indianapolis (IN)
* Chose A&M over Notre Dame, South Carolina and LSU
* Previously committed to Notre Dame
* #5 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Chicago White Sox Area Code team
* Perfect Game All-American
* Under Armour All-American

Childress' Take:
“He's a 6-4, 210-pound, big-bodied kid with a high, three-quarter slot. He just attacks, and he’s got a great feel for the breaking ball and the ability to throw it for a strike. Just very athletic, has great body control for a kid that size and that age. He’s another guy that we’ll sweat throughout the draft, and I hope that we get him to school. Russell and Burrows have got a chance to make an immediate impact for any program in America, and we’re sure glad that they’re Aggies.”

Seely's Scout:
“We were able to snag what most people consider to be the top right-handed pitcher in the country with Ashe. He’s a guy that, just from a playing stand-point, is going to be anywhere from 90 up to 96 MPH, with some room to grow. But the thing that Ashe can do is really command the fastball and the breaking ball. He’s got a breaking ball that’s as good as probably anybody in this class. That's going to be the reason why it will be tough to keep him as well.

"But the thing about Ashe is, and just like most of the guys we recruit, we make sure that they know and understand that your first priority is to come to school. If somebody can buy you out of school and they can buy you out of that experience, then that’s fine, but it needs to be life-altering money. Ashe is very much in that line of thinking. So, that’s what made us feel good about going ahead and offering him and doing everything we could to get him.”



Beau Burrows - RHP - 6-2 - 200 - Weatherford (TX)
Beau’s got a three-pitch mix. Most people would probably consider him, in professional baseball, as a closer-type. I would not. I would consider Beau to have the opportunity to start here. - Seely {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"Beau’s got a three-pitch mix. Most people would probably consider him, in professional baseball, as a closer-type. I would not. I would consider Beau to have the opportunity to start here.","Author":"Seely"}
* Chose A&M over Texas, TCU and LSU
* #6 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Texas Rangers Area Code team
* Perfect Game All-American
* Under Armour All-American

Childress' Take:
“He’s got power stuff. He’s going to be 93-96 miles an hour. He’s got a wipe-out breaking ball. He’s very, very competitive. I know how much he loves Texas A&M, and the opportunity to get him here, I think, is pretty good.”

Seely's Scout:
“Beau’s a guy that was throwing hard at a very young age. He was up to 94 as a sophomore. Just a really good arm. Beau’s continued to grow. Beau’s continued to get stronger. He’s continued to grow vertically, as well. He was a 6-foot guy when we committed him. He’s now probably pushing 6-2. The harder he throws, the taller he gets. Beau’s really gotten command of his delivery at this point. I saw him here late in the fall, and he was as sharp as I had seen him. It was 92-95 with a breaking ball that would rival Ashe’s breaking ball, and he’s starting to show feel for the change.

"Beau’s got a three-pitch mix. Most people would probably consider him, in professional baseball, as a closer-type. I would not. I would consider Beau to have the opportunity to start here. Both those guys do … and both would probably make a very, very big impact from day one. Just hand them the ball and try to get them 100 innings if you can.”



Stephen Kolek - RHP - 6-3 - 215 - Shepherd (TX)

* Chose A&M over Rice, TCU and OSU
* #169 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Texas Rangers Area Code team
* Member of Team USA (alternate)

He’s going to be more 88-92 right now, with a good breaking ball and developing a change. Not throwing 100 yet [like Tyler]. He’s not quite there, but to say he won’t get there one day, I wouldn’t put that out of the realm of possibility either. {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"He’s going to be more 88-92 right now, with a good breaking ball and developing a change. Not throwing 100 yet [like Tyler]. He’s not quite there, but to say he won’t get there one day, I wouldn’t put that out of the realm of possibility either.","Author":""}
Childress' Take:
“Just like his brother, Tyler, that went No. 2 overall in the MLB Draft last year, Stephen is a big, strong, physical kid. He’s got a great arm and a great frame and a great spirit. He’s going to have a chance to throw really hard from one day. He’s going to be upper 80s, low 90s right now but his better days are in front of him. Just really excited about him and how big and strong he’s going to become.”

Seely's Scout:
“Stephen’s a big, strong, physical kid. 6-3, probably 210-215 pounds now, still with a baby face, still with a lot of growing to do. He has a good background. His brother was the second pick in the draft last year, Tyler Kolek. Fepending on how his spring rolls out, he’s going to have a decision to make [in the Draft]. He’s going to be more 88-92 right now, with a good breaking ball and developing a change. Not throwing 100 yet [like Tyler]. He’s not quite there, but to say he won’t get there one day, I wouldn’t put that out of the realm of possibility either.”



Tyler Ivey - RHP - 6-4 - 200 - Rockwall-Heath (TX)

* Chose A&M over Arkansas, Oklahoma and OSU
* Previously committed to Arkansas
* #194 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Texas Rangers Area Code Team
* 12-5A Pitcher of the Year

Childress' Take:
“He’s got a great feel for the strike zone. He’s a competitive guy and really attacks the strike zone. He is just very competitive. He’s going to be 91-93, over-the-top delivery, and he attacks. He’s another guy at 6-3, 190 pounds and is only going to get bigger and stronger as we go.”

Tyler’s a guy that could come in and either pitch out of the back of the bullpen or maybe give himself a chance to start right away. {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"left","Quote":"Tyler’s a guy that could come in and either pitch out of the back of the bullpen or maybe give himself a chance to start right away.","Author":""}
Seely's Scout:
“He’s been a national name, a regional SEC name for quite some time. He’s probably 195 pounds. He’s probably going to be 220 at some point and very, very physical with a good breaking ball. Tyler’s a guy that could come in and either pitch out of the back of the bullpen or maybe give himself a chance to start right away.”



Nash Walters - RHP - 6-4 - 195 - Lindale (TX)

* Chose A&M over Texas Tech and Arkansas
* #207 player in the country (Perfect Game)

Childress' Take:
“Nash is a three-quarter slot, sinker/slider guy. He’s a hard-working, projectable guy that’s low 90s, has great feel, great athleticism and is going to be a fun one to have in our program.”

Seely's Scout:
“Nash is a guy that played center field and pitched sparingly, a little bit throughout his high school career, and has just started coming on and pitching. He has a really good arm. He may not know how good of an arm he has. He is still turning into a pitcher at this point. He’s another guy, a little bit like Tyler Ivey, that has a wipe-out breaking ball, and is developing his fast-ball command. It’s a very good breaking ball, a punch-out pitch. He’s a good athlete and a guy we feel like we can develop. He’s a quick learner and he’s fast on his feet.”



Christopher Paddack - RHP - 6-5 - 200 - Cedar Park (TX)

He’s going to be a 6-6, 6-7 guy that is going to throw really hard. He’s upper 80s, low 90s and has got a very, very good change-up. His breaking ball is still developing, but he’s just got a good spirit. Everything he does, he has a chip on his shoulder and wants to compete and get after it. - Childress {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"He’s going to be a 6-6, 6-7 guy that is going to throw really hard. He’s upper 80s, low 90s and has got a very, very good change-up. His breaking ball is still developing, but he’s just got a good spirit. Everything he does, he has a chip on his shoulder and wants to compete and get after it.","Author":"Childress"}
* Chose A&M over Texas and TCU
* #219 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Perfect Game World Series MVP
* 25-4A MVP

Childress' Take:
“He had a really good summer down in Jupiter (Florida). He’s going to be a 6-6, 6-7 guy that is going to throw really hard. He’s upper 80s, low 90s and has got a very, very good change-up. His breaking ball is still developing, but he’s just got a good spirit. Everything he does, he has a chip on his shoulder and wants to compete and get after it. He’s going to fit really nicely into our program right away.”

Seely's Scout:
“Chris may be 6-5”, 6-6. He is a long kid. He’s strong already. He may be as physically strong as any one of these guys and still has a lot of weight to add on. He’s a very, very hard worker, and he has fastball command. If he makes a big velocity jump - and he may make one pretty quickly – he would be the guy I would consider a tough guy to get on campus. Again, if his velocity continues to come like it is. Because he can pitch, and he can pitch right now. His fastball, he puts it whenever he wants it. He’s got a good change-up. His breaking ball is developing. Just a very strong, athletic, fastball-command guy that, if he were out here this fall, would fit right in with our guys.”



Tristan Metten - SS - 6-1 - 185 - R/R - Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX)

* Chose A&M over Rice, TCU and OSU
* #252 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Texas Rangers Area Code Team
* TAPPS All-State

He’s got offensive potential already at the plate. He can find the barrel. He’s been one of the better infielders and better hitters in his class since he was a freshman or sophomore in high school, and he’s done nothing to slow down at this point. - Seely {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"left","Quote":"He’s got offensive potential already at the plate. He can find the barrel. He’s been one of the better infielders and better hitters in his class since he was a freshman or sophomore in high school, and he’s done nothing to slow down at this point.","Author":"Seely"}
Childress' Take:
“He was kind of like the pied piper of this class. Tristan is a true shortstop and a physical guy. He can really play defense, can really throw, and is an advanced hitter. He’s going to have a chance to play for us immediately. He’s the one that kind of set the table for the rest of these guys in recruiting.”

Seely's Scout:
“He’s probably 6-1, 185 right now. He’s a really hard worker in every aspect of his life. He’s going to be a big kid when it’s all said and done. He’s got offensive potential already at the plate. He can find the barrel. He’s been one of the better infielders and better hitters in his class since he was a freshman or sophomore in high school, and he’s done nothing to slow down at this point.”



George Janca - SS - 6-2 - 175 - R/R - Georgetown (TX)

* Chose A&M over Kansas
* Top 500 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* All-District and District Newcomer of the Year

Childress' Take:
“He’s a long, lanky, athletic kid that just plays the game the right way. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and hustles on and off the field. Right now he’s probably 6-1, 6-2, 175 pounds, and he’s only going to get bigger. He’s got great body control, great arm slot, great arm action, and he’s got the ability and confidence to hit. I feel like he’s going to hit for power one day. He’s going to end up being a 190, 195-pound infielder and just looks the part as a shortstop.”

Seely's Scout:
“He’s got a really good swing. He can move really well. He’s a middle-of-the-field type player for us. He’s 175 pounds at this point right now. I would not be shocked if George hit a big growth-spurt and ended up being 6-3, 6-4, 210 pounds. If that’s the case, he may move into a corner spot at that point. He may start running better too. That’s the flip-side of it. George has a shot to be really offensive. I mean, there is some electricity and wiry strength in him. There’s some real potential with him.”



Alan Campero - SS - 5-10 - 160 - R/R - Laredo (TX)

Loves to play defense. He's a 'come and get it' guy who can run, can really throw, and is a true defender. He’s not a real big kid, but just a very athletic, great baseball player. - Childress {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"Loves to play defense. He\u0027s a \u0027come and get it\u0027 guy who can run, can really throw, and is a true defender. He’s not a real big kid, but just a very athletic, great baseball player.","Author":"Childress"}
* Committed to A&M before seeing recruiting stock soar late in recruitment
* Top 500 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* Texas Rangers Area Code Team
* 29-5A MVP

Childress' Take:
“Justin feels like he’s as good a shortstop as there is, not just in the state of Texas, but in the country. Loves to play defense. He's a 'come and get it' guy who can run, can really throw, and is a true defender. He’s not a real big kid, but just a very athletic, great baseball player.”

Seely's Scout:
“Alan is as close a thing as I’ve seen to Mikey Reynolds in quite some time. He is that type of player. He’s probably not as advanced with the bat as Mikey was at this point, but they’re very similar in size and stature too. They’re both 6.6, 6.5 runners that can really, really run, and both get action in the middle of the diamond. Alan’s got a little ways to go in terms of strength. He knows that. That was part of the agreement when he committed here, is that he has to get stronger, and he’s working really hard at that. Just from an action standpoint, arm stroke, Alan can get on the mound and get you a 90. He can do a lot of things. He’s very, very versatile, very quick-twitch.”



Coll Stanley - OF - 6-3 - 185 - L/R - Strake Jesuit College Prep (TX)

* Chose A&M over DBU
* Top 500 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* All-District

Childress' Take:
“He’s a left-handed hitter who has a chance to hit for power. He’s got a great body and is going to end up well over 200 pounds. He’s got a good motor and plays hard. He’s going to come in and push for playing time.”

He’s a physical, left-handed hitter that can run. He fits a corner outfielder-type mold, and he’s got strength in the bat. {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"left","Quote":"He’s a physical, left-handed hitter that can run. He fits a corner outfielder-type mold, and he’s got strength in the bat.","Author":""}
Seely's Scout:
“He’s a physical, left-handed hitter that can run. He fits a corner outfielder-type mold, and he’s got strength in the bat. Coll’s a guy that may factor in a little bit as a freshman, but will really factor in down the road by just getting stronger. It's great to add some left-handed bats to balance out the lineup."



Trey Jimmerson - OF - 5-10 - 175 - L/L - Cypress Concordia Lutheran (TX)

* Chose A&M over Rice and Tulane
* Top 500 player in the country (Perfect Game)
* TAPPS All-State

Childress' Take:
“Trey’s got a great approach. He’s a great hitter. He’s going to hit at the top of our order. He can handle the bat. He can bunt. He can hit and run. He’s got a flat swing, and he’s just a baseball player.”

Seely's Scout:
“Trey can hit. Trey can hit right now. He rolls out of bed and he can hit. He just has the natural knack to do it, and he’s a pretty tireless worker at it. Trey’s just got the feel to hit. He’s up in weight. He’s up in strength already. I saw him here late in the fall, and he looked really good. Also another guy that’s a left-handed bat, corner outfielder, 6.8 runner … just a guy that can do a lot of things. You feel good putting him in the line-up. I thought Trey was, if not the best, then one of the best hitters in the city of Houston.”



Joel Davis - INF/OF - Seminole JC (OK)

* Chose A&M over Oklahoma
* Hit .384 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI as a freshman in 2014

He’s a guy that by the time he walks on campus has a shot to hit in the middle of the order. He’s going to fill up the gaps with doubles. He has the chance to hit home runs. Just a very polished college-ready hitter. {"Module":"quote","Alignment":"right","Quote":"He’s a guy that by the time he walks on campus has a shot to hit in the middle of the order. He’s going to fill up the gaps with doubles. He has the chance to hit home runs. Just a very polished college-ready hitter.","Author":""}
Childress' Take:
“He’s a left-handed hitter. He’s a 6.6 runner and he can play third base. He has a chance to be a force in the middle of our lineup. He’s a grinder and a worker and he does things the right way. He’ll play with a chip on his shoulder, play with an edge, and love to compete.”

Seely's Scout:
“Joel’s a guy that had a great freshman year. He's a left-handed bat, big, physical, 6-4, 200 pounds, but a good athlete as well. He’s a guy with a feel to hit. He’s a guy that by the time he walks on campus has a shot to hit in the middle of the order. He’s going to fill up the gaps with doubles. He has the chance to hit home runs. Just a very polished college-ready hitter.

"He’s a guy that we’ll fight to get to campus [because of the Draft]. Joel can play a number of different places on the field. His versatility makes him very, very valuable, so I would anticipate Joel walking in on campus and being a factor in our lineup on day one. Joel’s a gritty, tough, college-ready player with production and athleticism. This guy’s as ready to play as anybody in the country, in my opinion, when it comes to being a college-ready hitter.”
Discussion from...

Aggie Baseball inks top 10 signing class

12,766 Views | 8 Replies | Last: 9 yr ago by One Tooth Man
Gabe Bock
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AG
Aggie Baseball inks top 10 signing class
tamuwx
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There is almost zero chance Ashe makes it to campus. He is projected a mid 1st round pick.
Gabe Bock
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I hear ya on that, but it's gotten so much better with that. Guys in recent classes who decided on college over pro ball and had a chance to go very early if they had indicated that they were willing to sign:

- Krey Bratsen
- Daniel Mengden
- Gandy Stubblefield
- Nick Banks
- Turner Larkins

There are a few others as well. The top four Draft risks are Russell, Burrows, Paddack and Davis, in that order most likely. And that doesn't even count Kolek, whose brother went 2nd overall this past June. I expect at least two of those top 4 guys to make it to campus.
MAROON
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looks like Childress likes RHP and SS's

I know you can turn a good high school SS into a 2B, but dang.
Sandman98
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quote:
I know you can turn a great high school SS into just about anything, but dang.
FIFY
Ag with kids
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quote:
looks like Childress likes RHP and SS's

I know you can turn a good high school SS into a Heisman Trophy winning QB, but dang.


FIFY
Shane Minks
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Lots of size in this year's class. Smallest guy is 5'10, 160lbs.
RebelAG
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But can we play better in the SEC? Time will tell if RC can develop these top ten players.
One Tooth Man
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Big guys across the board. Does this mean we're giving up on small ball and are going to try to actually win with offensive production?
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