UConn Baseball Recruiting and Commitment Thread | Page 62 | The Boneyard

UConn Baseball Recruiting and Commitment Thread

Evan Hamberger’s Freshman year stats @ Spokane Falls (WA) CC (from Belgrade Montana):

 
dbmill said:
UConn has another commitment from the high school class of 2025.
Traigh Skiffington, a RHP from East Long Meadow High School. His twitter account shows him as having committed to UConn baseball.

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www.perfectgame.org

Traigh Skiffington Class of 2025 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA

Traigh Skiffington Class of 2025 Perfect Game Player Profile
www.perfectgame.org www.perfectgame.org

<2022 FALL CONNECTICUT SHOWCASE

Traigh Skiffington is a 2025 RHP/UT with a 6-0 180 lb. frame from East Longmeadow, MA who attends East Longmeadow. Medium, athletic frame with square shoulders and plenty of room to fill throughout moving forward. Ran a 7.51 60-yard dash. Right-handed pitcher, full windup on the mound with a fluid operation, belt high hand set with a knee raise to chest, consistent tempo throughout and repeats mechanics. Clean and quick arm action through the backside, works to an extended slot and did a nice job of living down in the zone to miss bats and induce weak contact. Fastball topped out at 85 mph, consistent running life out of the hand. Shows command of three pitches and mixes them with intent to keep hitters off balance at the plate. Slider shows 10-4 shape with horizontal tilt through the zone and maintained arm speed up to 76 mph; flashed a changeup which he turns over with some conviction up to 74 mph to generate tumbling life to the bottom of the zone. Nice present feel and projects well moving forward. Very good student. Named to the Fall Connecticut Top Prospect List.>
 
It seemed to me that recruiting commitments for UConn that were reported on this thread were a bit slow this summer, but recruiting commitments for the Huskies seemed to have picked up quite a bit this fall.

With LHP Evan Hamberger recently committing to UConn, the Huskies now have 4 left handed pitchers committed to joining the team for the 2024 fall ball season. And of course, recruiting for that time period is certainly not over, so we'll see if the team adds any more lefty pitchers. Together with all the LHP recruits that joined the team this fall, definitely seems that UConn baseball has put more of an emphasis on bringing in lefty pitchers. Certainly nothing wrong with this.

It will be interesting to see that with Hamberger committing to UConn, it will be interesting to see if UConn starts to bring in more JUCO players. Possible that the number of Grad Transfers may diminish some now that we are getting away from the 2020/2021 Covid exclusion seasons where players were granted extra seasons of eligibility for playing time due to the pandemic. We'll see what happens.
 
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dbmill said:
It seemed to me that recruiting commitments for UConn that were reported on this thread were a bit slow this summer, but recruiting commitments for the Huskies seemed to have picked up quite a bit this fall.

With LHP Evan Hamberger recently committing to UConn, the Huskies now have 4 left handed pitchers committed to joining the team for the 2024 fall ball season. And of course, recruiting for that time period is certainly not over, so we'll see if the team adds any more lefty pitchers. Together with all the LHP recruits that joined the team this fall, definitely seems that UConn baseball has put more of an emphasis on bringing in lefty pitchers. Certainly nothing wrong with this.

It will be interesting to see that with Hamberger committing to UConn, it will be interesting to see if UConn starts to bring in more JUCO players. Possible that the number of Grad Transfers may diminish some now that we are getting away from the 2020/2021 Covid exclusion seasons where players were granted extra seasons of eligibility for playing time due to the pandemic. We'll see what happens.
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I suspect you are right about your last point. D3 grad transfers spiked due to COVID eligibility rules and juco transfers took a back seat. With COVID eligibility years getting pretty much flushed through the system after this year we will likely see the recruiting of old where we bring in West Coast juco guys to supplement the freshmen classes.
 
BaseballDog said:
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It appears that Aidan Dougherty initially committed to Oregon State, but ended up going to Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon. The Linn-Benton baseball website lists his position as Infield/Outfield.

That is the second recruit UConn baseball has gotten this fall from the JUCO ranks in the Pacific Northwest.
 
dbmill said:
It appears that Aidan Dougherty initially committed to Oregon State, but ended up going to Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon. The Linn-Benton baseball website lists his position as Infield/Outfield.

That is the second recruit UConn baseball has gotten this fall from the JUCO ranks in the Pacific Northwest.
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Linn Benton is a feeder school for the Beavers. They park kids there that they are interested in but don't think are ready yet as freshman or sophomores. They wanted to do that with my neighbor's kid.
 
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Samoo said:
Linn Benton is a feeder school for the Beavers. They park kids there that they are interested in but don't think are ready yet as freshman or sophomores. They wanted to do that with my neighbor's kid.
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I would guess that’s fairly common across most D1 programs with community colleges or schools that are w/in their location…are you suggesting that the Uconn signee wasn’t deemed adequate for the Oregon St. program? Were there other issues as to why he didn’t end up there?
 
Omahabound said:
I would guess that’s fairly common across most D1 programs with community colleges or schools that are w/in their location…are you suggesting that the Uconn signee wasn’t deemed adequate for the Oregon St. program? Were there other issues as to why he didn’t end up there?
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Highly doubt he was not 'deemed adequate' or there were 'other issues'. Are kids who transfer from UConn after not playing their Freshmen year not deemed adequate for the program?

All top end D1 baseball teams over recruit. 11.7 scholarships, 27 man travel rosters, 35 man spring rosters... It's a game of numbers and depth.

The kid was on campus on the fall season at Oregon State and likely saw the light that PT would be at a premium and chose that it was in his best interest to get to a juco program get lots of PT and continue to develop.
 
Omahabound said:
Do you know what his offer list looked like prior to committing to UConn?
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Offer list in baseball is 1- usually not publicized and 2- really does not matter.

11.7 scholarships mean an offer from one school is never really equivalent money wise to an offer from another. With D1 teams only allowed to have up to 27 players receiving some scholarship money, there are some really good baseball players that are non-scholarship players on D1 teams.

There are also roster issues that each athlete needs to consider before commiting. A coach on one team may guarantee a kid a travel roster spot while another coach can't guarantee the kid will make it past fall roster cut downs.
 
BaseballDog said:
Highly doubt he was not 'deemed adequate' or there were 'other issues'. Are kids who transfer from UConn after not playing their Freshmen year not deemed adequate for the program?

All top end D1 baseball teams over recruit. 11.7 scholarships, 27 man travel rosters, 35 man spring rosters... It's a game of numbers and depth.

The kid was on campus on the fall season at Oregon State and likely saw the light that PT would be at a premium and chose that it was in his best interest to get to a juco program get lots of PT and continue to develop.
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Perhaps I could have worded it better, however, the bottom line is talent. Money talks and so does talent which drives it. Everything you detailed is completely sensical and knowledgeable. The point I was making w/out beating around the bush is simply, if the talent was at the level deemed “adequate” for Oregon State’s program ( big time bb program) he’d be a Beaver!
 
BaseballDog said:
Offer list in baseball is 1- usually not publicized and 2- really does not matter.

11.7 scholarships mean an offer from one school is never really equivalent money wise to an offer from another. With D1 teams only allowed to have up to 27 players receiving some scholarship money, there are some really good baseball players that are non-scholarship players on D1 teams.

There are also roster issues that each athlete needs to consider before commiting. A coach on one team may guarantee a kid a travel roster spot while another coach can't guarantee the kid will make it past fall roster cut downs.
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Offer lists are routinely made public in many sports, how often that applies to baseball, idk. But Offer Lists are Extremely relevant when looking at recruiting. Extremely!!!!!!!!!!
 
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BaseballDog said:
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What’s the Fedco reference? Was his offer list filled w/ big time offers? I’m genuinely asking… otherwise I’m not sure where ur going with this. I don’t think Christian Fedko was a bad player, maybe he didn’t live up to baseball expectations. Idk what ur beating around the bush with lol. If he thought he sucked, just say it.
 
The video just points out, at the end, that Penders is looking for a certain type of player and not necessarily the All American players. He wants dirt dogs and guys willing to buy into his style. The point may be that for Penders' method of recruiting, offer lists are NOT important. Keep in mind I'm just a 3rd party here taking at guess at what the video means to the conversation.
 
Fairfield_1st said:
The video just points out, at the end, that Penders is looking for a certain type of player and not necessarily the All American players. He wants dirt dogs and guys willing to buy into his style. The point may be that for Penders' method of recruiting, offer lists are NOT important. Keep in mind I'm just a 3rd party here taking at guess at what the video means to the conversation.
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That is pretty much a good summary of how UConn baseball has done recruiting during the years while Coach Penders has been in charge of the program.
 
Fairfield_1st said:
The video just points out, at the end, that Penders is looking for a certain type of player and not necessarily the All American players. He wants dirt dogs and guys willing to buy into his style. The point may be that for Penders' method of recruiting, offer lists are NOT important. Keep in mind I'm just a 3rd party here taking at guess at what the video means to the conversation.
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Guys, nobody’s arguing the coaching staff’s recruiting style or the player(s) they seek out. They’ve had continued success doing so. That being said, as a 3rd party voice as well, the entire program doesn’t need to change the foundation of what got them there. But the underlying truth is talent wins out in the long run when it comes to championships. To quote your very own Jim Calhoun, “ never mistake talent for effort” and he couldn’t be any more accurate and truthful in that statement. Uconn baseball is and has been on the cusp, a few high end arms n bats is the difference. Not simply an Omaha appearance, but a CWS Title. As strictly a fan of the program, that’s the next step in my opinion. Again, that’s all it is but I think a fair and honest assessment.
 
Fairfield_1st said:
The video just points out, at the end, that Penders is looking for a certain type of player and not necessarily the All American players. He wants dirt dogs and guys willing to buy into his style. The point may be that for Penders' method of recruiting, offer lists are NOT important. Keep in mind I'm just a 3rd party here taking at guess at what the video means to the conversation.
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I stand by my thought on Offer Lists. They matter when it comes to what programs are offering the same players your program is considering. Nobody’s always correct or wrong in the evaluation, but it says a lot. Uconn doesn’t, and shouldn’t be offering based upon that alone, however, I think it’s only hurting Uconn or any other school that dismisses them.
 
This is just a theory, but it may come down to the fact that the true high end players generally want to play in warm weather places and UConn and other cold weather schools may always be at a disadvantage. Now if we can enclose Elliott in a roof better than the nightmare in Tampa, that may even the playing field. Until then....
 
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It can be disadvantage, no doubt about it. CWS appearances and continued dominance in the northeast could offset that for the small number of players that could be recruited. The Paul Skenes and Hurston Waldrep type arms are the difference. Uconn had one in Crawford, it didn’t work out due to injury. Idk the answers as to how to get those to Storrs annually, but I’m confident that if everything else remains status quo as a program. CWS Title is in reach if that’s figured out. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen w/out em, but again talent does win out in sports.
 
Omahabound said:
I stand by my thought on Offer Lists. They matter when it comes to what programs are offering the same players your program is considering. Nobody’s always correct or wrong in the evaluation, but it says a lot. Uconn doesn’t, and shouldn’t be offering based upon that alone, however, I think it’s only hurting Uconn or any other school that dismisses them.
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Some of our best players last year were a pitcher from a D3, a pitcher from an ivy league school, a first baseman from a D2, a second baseman from a school that folded their D1 baseball team, and a 3rd baseman from a mid major.

All of those guys I reference were talented and not because of their offer list or lack there of.
 
Omahabound said:
It can be disadvantage, no doubt about it. CWS appearances and continued dominance in the northeast could offset that for the small number of players that could be recruited. The Paul Skenes and Hurston Waldrep type arms are the difference. Uconn had one in Crawford, it didn’t work out due to injury. Idk the answers as to how to get those to Storrs annually, but I’m confident that if everything else remains status quo as a program. CWS Title is in reach if that’s figured out. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen w/out em, but again talent does win out in sports.
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We have also had some great pitching prospects that were headed to Storrs but then got too good and were drafted. Michael Burrows, Frank Mozzicato and Owen Kellington come to mind. All New Englanders.
 
BaseballDog said:
Some of our best players last year were a pitcher from a D3, a pitcher from an ivy league school, a first baseman from a D2, a second baseman from a school that folded their D1 baseball team, and a 3rd baseman from a mid major.

All of those guys I reference were talented and not because of their offer list or lack there of.
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I’m in no way trying to argue that talent doesn’t develop in different stages whether it’s HS ranks or thru juco or D3, at different times. However, what the offer lists show, is that many bright experienced knowledgeable people have a similar evaluation on a particular player…that matters in my opinion and it matters significantly.
 
HCCForever said:
We have also had some great pitching prospects that were headed to Storrs but then got too good and were drafted. Michael Burrows, Frank Mozzicato and Owen Kellington come to mind. All New Englanders.
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That’s a really good point and it’s unfortunate but that’s the reality especially, as u mentioned, in New England. The number of those arms are scarce so when u lose em to the draft it becomes a larger loss considering the ceiling with them in the program for 3 years.
 
Omahabound said:
That’s a really good point and it’s unfortunate but that’s the reality especially, as u mentioned, in New England. The number of those arms are scarce so when u lose em to the draft it becomes a larger loss considering the ceiling with them in the program for 3 years.
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Good discussion. My opinion only but UConn will have extreme difficulty landing the "blue chip" all-american type high schoolers. The weather and facilities are the drivers. Re: weather If they ever shifted the college season forward that would help a bit but not in the cards at present. Re: Facilities When I went to the regional in June Florida's facilities blew my mind. The fact is it's at a different level. But Uconn can (and is) working around that. Instructive is Springer and Crawford. Although both were drafted out of high school (Springer 48th round Reggie in the 30s) they were lateish bloomers (Reggie more than Springer). Both were from the NE part of the US. So for Uconn, it's critical to try and find those regional guys that project high then jump in and nab them. Another example is Mozzicato. Under the radar guy and they got him but unfortunately, he blew up beyond what anyone thought was imaginable and he never arrived at Storrs. But still a good example of what can be done. So I think it's a good formula (not easy but doable) that's supplemented with the "dirt dogs" as @Fairfield_1st said. Have to be realistic about landing the creme de la creme. Charboneau brings hope but low odds he ever makes it to Storrs and that's the exception, not the rule. Different situation than Mozzicato. Good for recruiting, however.
 
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