ESPNHS Baseball

Recruiting always brings a great deal of hope to college sports fans, who believe multiple four- and five-star prospects signing with their school will change everything.

And sometimes it works out — Michigan’s “Fab Five” in college basketball is a classic example of that.

Now, baseball is a little different when it comes to recruiting those four- and five-star recruits because of the MLB draft. But putting the draft aside, UCLA’s signing class this year is loaded.

The Bruins inked the nation’s top right-hander in Lucas Giolito and left-hander in Max Fried, both from Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), though Giolito recently found out he could be out of action for up 10 weeks after spraining the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Because of Giolito and Fried, Hunter Virant often gets lost in the shuffle in UCLA’s recruiting class, but the Camarillo (Calif.) senior left-hander has plenty of talent himself.

“It’s as good a pitching class as I’ve seen, and (Virant) is a huge reason why,” said a Pac-12 assistant coach. “The kids at Harvard-Westlake get all the attention with good reason, but you watch this kid pitch and you realize that he’s got just as much talent as anyone in the state. That’s going to be one heck of a weekend rotation.”

Rated the nation’s No. 3 left-hander by ESPNHS, Virant went 6-1 last year with a 1.54 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, threw a perfect game against Rio Mesa (Oxnard, Calif.) and was named the Pacific View League pitcher of the year. As a reward for his strong season, he was selected to participate in the 2011 Prospect Classic -- a matchup of USA Baseball’s 18U and collegiate national teams --and this summer’s Area Code Games, where he was selected to the New Balance All-Area Code team.

“Being able to play in the Area Code Games is a great honor for any high school baseball player,” said Virant. “One of the more interesting aspects is being around all these different players and seeing the different types of characters. Whenever a team of new players is able to get along, it strengthens the team’s ability to win and play together better. ”

Virant has looked strong once again this season, fanning eight in a recent win over Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.). And while he’s looking forward to becoming a Bruin, one thing that could stand in the way of him pitching in Steele Field in 2013 is the MLB Draft. ESPN Insider senior baseball analyst Keith Law saw Virant at the Southern California Invitational this February and graded his changeup as the best at the event. He also rates Virant as the draft's No. 17 overall prospect.

So while he might not get the hype of his potential future teammates, Hunter Virant is proving he’s a name to watch this season.

Christopher Crawford is the founder and executive editor of MLB Draft Insider and a contributor to Prospect Insider. Follow him on Twitter @CrawfordChrisV.

“Everyone has a different timetable, some kids are ready physically and mentally to go out and endure the rigors of minor league baseball. It’s a totally different lifestyle, and not everyone is ready for that.”

Those are the words of an American League crosschecker.

Jason A. Churchill wrote about the benefits of drafting prep talent. From the professional instruction, the routing and upside, clubs have ample reasons for selecting prep talent. But what about the other side? What decisions are weighed when a player debates whether to start his professional career or head to college?

One can imagine every player who has picked up a bat or toed the rubber dreams of playing professionally. If a player is drafted out of high school and feels his time has come, the organization will welcome him with open arms. But signing isn’t for everyone, and there are three key reasons college may be the better choice for those on the fence.

Physical readiness

“Most of the time, it is physically,” said the crosschecker of why high school players aren’t ready for pro ball.

For players with fringe tools, or those without the ideal stature and frame, college gives them a chance to develop a bit more physically, to sharpen their skill and offer scouts a second look in hope of building upon their status out of high school.

“If you look in the majors, there just isn’t that many small guys. For undersized guys, college gives them three years to prove their worth,” said an AL area scout.

But for even those who are of solid build and physical maturity, the jump from prep to professional ball is quite the leap.

“Going to college for hitters, it can be a good thing,” said the scout. “If they were to play in the minors every day, as a high school draftee it’s hard to be physically mature to be able to take that grind.”

And no player on the diamond goes through the grind like a catcher. The scout spoke to the quick rise and success of MLB stars Buster Posey and Matt Wieters, both of whom played college ball.

“Catchers are late in developing a lot of the time because of the physicality of the position and the complex things going into it,” said the scout. “That is why you see a lot of college guys, juniors and seniors, do well because they had that three to four years to prepare and do well both with their game and body that can carry through a minor league season.”

Outside of physical stature, there is another hindrance that could set one behind in developing -- location.

It is pretty clear there are more opportunities to hit the diamond in California than in Michigan. Even with advance travel schedules, fall ball leagues and winter camps, a player in the Snowbelt doesn’t have the reps that a player in the Sunbelt has.

While that’s good for pitchers, who have a lack of wear-and-tear, for positional players, the at-bats and reps have yet to accumulate. So the skills of a player in Pennsylvania may lack the refinement of his Arizona peer.

“Kids that come out of this area, it’s a huge adjustment,” said one Ohio Valley scout. “Outside of the weather difficulties, when they do play they’re not playing the toughest competition.”

Mental readiness

In addition to physical readiness, one has to look at the mental readiness of a player and which setting will give him the greatest chance to succeed.

If a player were to struggle at a showcase or tournament, in the end he is back with family, friends or teammates. He is back in a controlled and comfortable environment. The same goes with a college player. That following day or week, he is back in class and practice, the same process he encountered in high school.

If a player is in a slump or struggles after a rough outing in the Northwest League, South Atlantic League or Midwest League, he is back in a hotel or on an overnight bus ride to an unfamiliar city with players from all over the globe with various backgrounds. Far from the comforts previously enjoyed.

The bus rides come after performing under the eyes of thousands of people, as the player earns his pay. A stark contrast from even the best-attended and most pressure-packed showcases and tournaments.

“There could be a guy that didn’t strike out 10 times in high school, that strikes out 10 times in his first five professional games,” said an NL scout. “It could be better for him, and for players who have never really struggled, to do so in college.

“Fall ball gives them a chance to get their feet wet, get acclimated that isn’t so publicized, where if you sign and are playing in the Gulf Coast League or Arizona Summer League, all of your friends and everyone see you’re struggling on the Internet.”

The slower college environment and amenities produce a setting conducive to growth, and can aid the development of players who are not yet ready for baseball to transfer from a way of life to one’s life.

The lifestyle

For those matured physically and mentally, there still comes the task of knowing what it takes and adjusting to being a professional athlete.

Away from home, no longer relying on parents and childhood friends for support, baseball is now one’s job.

“There are a lot of different factors in signing a professional contract,” the crosschecker said. “It is a huge step from high school to college, let alone high school to being a professional. Outside of the jump in competition, you’re living on your own, have to cook on your own, fend for yourself, pay bills yourself and on time, and it’s baseball 24/7.”

Adding that college provides a bit of a buffer between developing as a person and being entirely independent, the crosschecker spoke to the social development and interaction that is gained by attending college. It's a setting that the NL scout believes benefits some to experience change in, rather than in the pros with their livelihood on the line.

“There is a lot of natural maturity and changes that takes place when you’re 18, 19, 20 years old,” said the scout. “Growth, where in some cases it is better kids go through that in college instead of with their career at that age.”

Ultimately, the decision to sign or go to college is one that is personal, and the pros and cons differ from individual to individual. In either case, the crosschecker offers the following advice:

“Whichever way they go, they need to make sure they’re committed to their decision 100 percent,” he said.

Over the last few seasons, there have been plenty of elite prep baseball prospects living in close proximity to each other. Heck, last year, Dylan Bundy of Owasso (Okla.) and Archie Bradley of Broken Arrow (Okla.) competed against each other for both a state championship and to see who would be the first prep pitcher off the board.

Next year, you won’t have to venture any farther than Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) to see arguably the two top pitchers in high school in senior right-hander Lucas Giolito and senior left-hander Max Fried, who will be high school teammates for the first time this upcoming season.

The 6-foot-4 Fried was one of the top hurlers in the Golden State at Montclair Prep (Van Nuys, Calif.), but he was forced to transfer after his school decided to discontinue all its sports last summer.

“It was really hard on me,” said Fried. “But coach LaCour, Lucas and the teammates have helped make that transition much easier.”

“Max is a great kid who has made a seamless transition to us” Harvard-Westlake head coach Matthew LaCour said. “He’s a great athlete and his work ethic is off the charts. You wouldn’t even be able to tell he hasn’t been here the whole time when he interacts with the boys. He’s really blended into the fabric of our team”

This summer, Fried participated in the Perfect Game All-American Classic and at the Area Code Baseball Games.

“That was probably my favorite event of the summer,” Fried said of ACG. “It taught me how to stay composed on the mound, not to try to do too much and just relax.”

As for next year, the goal for Fried is simple -- win sectionals and then take his talents -- along with Giolito -- to UCLA.

“Staying close to home was important,” Fried said on picking the Bruins. “But mostly it was the comfort level I felt with (UCLA) coach Savage, and it’s where I felt I would progress the most as a pitcher.”

As for whether or not the Giolito’s commitment to the school had anything to do with his decision, Fried said the decision was “purely coincidental, but it has made the two of us closer.”

One thing that could keep the 6-foot-4 lefty from becoming a Bruin, however, is the draft, for which he’s a potential first-round pick.

“He was 89-95 when I last saw him, with a good curveball and flashed a change,” ESPN.com senior baseball writer Keith Law remarked on Fried. “He has a good above 3/4 slot, although the arm action was a little long and he doesn’t make enough use of his height, yet.”

Fried says the draft isn’t on his mind at all right now, as college is extremely important to him and the event is still six months away.

If you get the impression that Fried is a team-oriented guy, you’d be correct. In fact, he didn’t mention a single individual statistic when asked about what his goals for the upcoming season.

“He’s a guy who leads both by example and vocally,” Giolito said about his teammate. “He’s become my best friend, and I’m so excited to play baseball with him next year and the next three years in college, as well.”

Harvard-Westlake – and Pac-12 – opponents would be wise to take warning.

Christopher Crawford is a regular contributor to Prospect Insider and the founder and executive editor of MLB Draft Insider. Follow him on Twitter @CrawfordChrisV.

The early signing period concluded in mid-November and 175 participants from the 2011 Area Code Baseball Games ended up signing with D-I programs. Here’s breakdown of what schools signed the best classes and who ended up with most Area Code Games participants.

Longhorns and Sun Devils lead way with nine Area Code Games alums each

Arizona State has a whopping 22-member signing class. For a school with Arizona State’s tradition, conference and location, it’s not hard to see why many of the nation’s top players are headed to Tempe.

The Sun Devils kept right-handed pitchers Tony Blanford of Boulder Creek (Anthem, Ariz.), David Graybill of Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Eric Melbostad of Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) and infielder Mitch Nay of Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) in state.

Outside of the desert, Arizona State signed RHP Paul Blackburn of Heritage (Brentwood, Calif.), C Clint Coulter of Union (Camas, Wash.), RHP Trey Kamachi of Kapolei (Kapolei, Hawaii), LHP Brett Lilek of Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.) and RHP Kieran Lovegrove of Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, Calif.).

Like Arizona State, Texas benefits from being in state loaded with talent. The Longhorns loaded up on top talent as nine of its 13 signees played in the Area Codes Games list past August.

Led by C.J. Hinojosa (who will enroll early and be a member of the Longhorn team this spring), Texas has a class that will look to continue the College World Series-reaching ways of the program.

Hinojosa, an infielder at Klein Collins (Spring, Texas), is joined by fellow Lone Star State products in RHP Dalton Brown of Ponder (Ponder, Texas), LHP Ty Culbreth of Bryan (Bryan, Texas), 1B Austin Dean of Klein Collins (Spring, Texas), RHP/INF Tyler Gonzales of Madison (San Antonio, Texas), OF Courtney Hawkins of Carroll (Corpus Christi, Texas), RHP Chad Hollingsworth of Robinson (Robinson, Texas), Wyatt Mathisen of Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas) and Nick Williams of Ball (Galveston, Texas).

Eight of the nine Texas signees played on the Texas Rangers Area Code team — Gonzales was on the roster of the Washington Nationals.

While UCLA was edged out by Arizona State and Texas in landing the highest total of Area Code Games members, no class in the country had as high of a percentage of its class made up of Area Code alumni as did UCLA with eight in its nine-member class. And few other schools had as much success in their home base as every member hails from Southern California.

Pitcher Lucas Giolito of Harvard-Westlake (Studio City Calif.) headlines the UCLA early signing class and is considered by many to be the nation’s top player. The right-handed Giolito forms a potential dynamite one-two combo with Harvard-Westlake teammate Max Fried — a left-handed pitcher who’s also a top prospect. That the 2011 MLB Draft saw former Bruins Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer selected as first and third picks likely helped UCLA coach John Savage, who had no shortage of pitchers ready to sign.

Giolito and Fried are joined on the mound by right-handed pitchers Felipe Perez of Fairmont Prep (Anaheim, Calif.) and Cody Poteet of Christian (El Cajon, Calif.) as well as left-handed hurler Hunter Virant of Camarillo (Camarillo, Calif.).

Catcher Darrell Miller of Servite (Anaheim Calif.), third baseman Daniel Robertson of Upland (Upland, Calif.) and outfielder Ty Moore of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) are the other Area Code participants who inked with the Bruins.

On Deck

Here are the schools that followed Arizona State, Texas and UCLA with the most Area Code participants.

Stanford, 7
Utah, 7
Cal State Fullerton, 6
USC, 6
Arkansas, 5
Mississippi, 5
Oregon State, 5
Vanderbilt, 4
Florida, 4