Georgia Tech coach speaks highly of DeWitt

ATLANTA - Eleven high school seniors, including nine of the top 115 prospects in the nation according to Perfect Game USA, have signed National Letters of Intent to play baseball at Georgia Tech next year.

The recruiting class includes five pitchers, three infielders, two outfielders and one catcher.

"We've got a tremendous group of players, but it's also a tremendous group of students," said Danny Hall, who owns a 440-190 record in 10 years as Tech's head coach. "It's a year where we are planning on losing a bunch of players and we are counting on many of these guys to be able to step in right away and hopefully keep our program at an elite level."

One of the players Hall is counting on is Sikeston's Blake DeWitt.

DeWitt is rated the No. 2 prospect in the state of Missouri and the No. 93 prospect in the nation. He is also ranked the No. 77 prospect in the nation according to baseballamerica.com.

The 6-0, 185-pound infielder set a Sikeston High School record with 14 home runs, 56 RBI, 15 doubles and 31 extra base hits last spring.

A two-time all-state selection, the left-handed hitting DeWitt enters his senior season with a .472 career batting average, 15 home runs and 117 RBI. He has helped Sikeston win conference championships in each of the last three seasons.

"Blake DeWitt may be one of the best hitters in the nation," said Hall. "He played shortstop in high school, and we project him more as a second baseman or third baseman. Our coaches compare his bat a lot to a guy like Jeremy Slayden. We are counting on him to be an impact player for us, and we see him as a three-hole hitter."

Information provided by the official online service of Georgia Tech athletics, ramblinwreck.com.