The early-signing period this month allowed high school seniors to sign their National Letter of Intent and make their college commitments official. It also started to bring 2018 recruiting classes into sharper focus.
Because most elite high school players sign professional contracts after the draft, it is difficult to evaluate the best recruiting classes until after MLB's signing deadline. For that reason, Baseball America's annual recruiting rankings are not compiled until the newcomers arrive on campus in the fall. But that doesn't mean we can't take an early look at which schools have signed premier classes. Clemson is one of 12 schools that have signed at least 3 players in the Top 100.
Clemson
Recruiting coordinator: Bradley LeCroy.
Number of Top 100 signees: 4.
The Tigers lost just one player to the draft from their 2017 class, which ended up raked No. 15, and a similar outcome in 2018 could see Clemson land its first top-10 class since 2006. The Tigers could be in position to do just that because while they have four Top 100 signees, none are ranked in the top 40. Outfielder Parker Meadows (No. 43) is Clemson's top-ranked recruit and is similar to his older brother Austin Meadows, the Pirates' No. 2 prospect. Parker Meadows isn't as physical as his older brother was at the same age and his bat isn't regarded to be as consistent, but he also has five-tool potential and is a plus runner. Charles Mack (No. 56) showed a compact lefthanded swing and some power on the showcase circuit, but questions remain about where he fits best defensively. He profiles as an offensive second baseman, and also caught this summer. Catcher Adam Hackenburg, the younger brother of New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenburg, is strong and physical, helping him produce big raw power and plus arm strength. Righthander Carter Raffield (No. 46) is the Tigers' top pitching recruit. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, and has a power arm to match his big frame with a fastball that gets up to 94 mph. Lefthander Justin Wrobleski (No. 83) has an athletic build and throws his fastball in the low 90s and can consistently mix in a slider. Lefthander Nate Lamb is ultra-projectable and his fastball has already started to make a jump as matures into his 6-foot-5, 196-pound frame. His fastball has gotten up to 92 mph to go with the makings of a good breaking ball, and it's easy to dream on him adding more velocity this spring.
