ATLANTA – Georgia State baseball's 2020-21 recruiting class is off to a strong start as head coach
Brad Stromdahl and his staff announced the addition of 13 talented student-athletes during the fall signing period.
The class includes 10 high school prospects and three junior college signees, and 10 of the 13 hail from the state of Georgia.
The emphasis is on pitching as the Panthers have added nine new arms, including three left-handers, along with two middle infielders, a catcher and a first baseman-outfielder.
This group comes on the heels of a very strong 2019-20 class that was rated among the nation's top mid-major recruiting classes by Baseball America.
"We are thrilled for the 2021 signing class and what the future holds for our program," said Stromdahl, who enters his second season as head coach.
"Coach
Matt Taylor and our staff have once again done outstanding work recruiting student-athletes who fit direct needs within our program and who are outstanding young men," he continued.
"This recruiting class will reinforce our current talent pool and add to the strong foundation set in 2020 as we seek a conference championship and look to compete in NCAA regionals next spring."
WILL CANNON
RHP | 5-11, 190 | Phenix City, Ala. | Central HS
Right-handed pitcher from Central High School in Phenix City, Ala., a powerhouse program in the state's highest classification … Threw a team-high 30 innings in six starts in 2020, posting a 3-2 record with 40 strikeouts and a 2.33 ERA … Perfect Game Top 500 Recruit.
"Will Cannon showcases high pitchability from the right side and has had success at the highest levels of amateur baseball. His delivery, arm action and arm speed all check boxes we as a coaching staff like. His athleticism as a two-way player shows his upside on the mound."
JESSE DONOHOE
SS | 6-3, 190 | Columbus, Ga. | Calvary Christian School
Left-handed hitting shortstop from Calvary Christian School, where he was coached by Steve Smith … Hit .481 in his junior season of 2020 … 2019 all-state selection … Part of state championship teams in 2018 and 2019 … Second team All Bi-City by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer in 2018 and 2019 … 2018 and 2019 Most Valuable Playoff Performance. Served as the school's starting quarterback, averaging over 200 yards passing per game.
"Jesse was an under the radar recruit whose high-level athleticism, frame and left-handed swing will play well in our ballpark. Left-handed hitting middle infielders are always at a premium, and we are excited to watch him develop in a Panther uniform."
JOHNNY DOW
RHP | 6-4, 190 | Roswell, Ga. | Lassiter HS/Georgia Highlands College
Junior college right-handed pitcher from Georgia Highlands College, where he was coached by Dash O'Neill … Ranked among the NJCAA national leaders in wins, innings pitched, fewest walks allowed and ERA during the 2020 season … Finished with 41 strikeouts and ZERO walks … Honorable mention selection to The JBB All-America team.
"Johnny is one of the nation's elite strike-throwers. His experience and combination of upside and strike-throwing ability make him an immediate weekend rotation candidate for the Panthers."
MICAH EARWOOD
RHP | 6-4, 185 | Cartersville Ga. | Cartersville HS
Right-handed pitcher from a top program at Cartersville High School … Finished 3-1 with a 0.34 ERA in 20 IP with 30 K's to 9 BB's in his 2020 high school season … Perfect Game Top 500 Recruit … WWBA 18U All Tournament Team.
"Micah has tremendous upside as he continues to fill out. He has pitched in many big games as a member of Canes Travel Organization and Cartersville High School. His strike-throwing ability and current strikeout numbers showcase someone who can contribute immediately in the Sun Belt."
JO JO JACKSON
OF/LHP | 6-3, 225 | Stone Mountain, Ga. | Stephenson HS
Switch-hitting outfielder and left-handed pitcher from Stephenson High School ... Hit .421 as a junior in 2020 … As a sophomore in 2019, he batted .446 and compiled a 1.87 ERA on the mound … Coached by Tim Jones … A dual-sport athlete, he helped lead the Stephenson team to an 11-2 record in 2019 as the team's quarterback … Perfect Game Top 500 recruit … Selected to Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team … Member of SCOUTZ Travel Organization, coached by Roger Wilkinson.
"Jo Jo has as much upside as any player in the state of Georgia. A two-way player with power to leave the park from both sides of the plate. His physicality and athleticism will allow him to develop into an impact player. He continues the trend of athleticism and power in this recruiting class."
NICK LOMMEN
LHP | 6-5, 225 | Minnetonka, Minn. | Minnetonka HS/North Iowa Area CC
Left-handed pitcher from North Iowa Area Community College, where he was coached by Drew Sannes … Made two starts for NIACC in the abbreviated 2020 season and struck out nine in eight innings … Originally signed with Missouri, where he spent a redshirt season in 2019 … Coming out of Minnetonka High School, he was tabbed as the No. 2 LHP and No. 9 overall prospect in the Minnesota in the Class of 2018 by Perfect Game … Two-time Perfect Game All-American … 2016 PBR Futures Participant.
"We are excited to add a talented left-hander like Nick to our staff. His 90+ mph fastball from the left side and ability to spin two distinct breaking balls make him an immediate contributor."
JEREMIAH NEWMAN
RHP | 6-0, 190 | Atlanta, Ga. | Mays HS
Right-handed pitcher from Mays High School in Atlanta … Led Region 6-AAAA in strikeouts in 2020 … Top 500 recruit and two-time Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All American … Selected to Cincinnati Reds Scout Team … Baseball Factory Preseason All American.
"Jeremiah brings elite velocity with a plus breaking ball. We are thrilled he chose to stay in Atlanta look forward to him developing into a key piece."
CONNER O'NEAL
C | 6-3, 205 | Columbus, Ga. | Northside High School
Left-handed hitting catcher from Northside-Columbus High School, which he helped to the 2019 Class AAAA state championship … First-team all-state in 2019 … Hit.421 during the 2020 season.
"Conner fits exactly what we are looking for, a strong, physical kid with left-handed power. He is a proven winner. He has a unique blend of left-handed offensive fire power with defensive ability behind the plate. He will be a great player in the Sun Belt."
TRENT REDDICK
INF/RHP | 6-1, 175 | Dallas, Ga. | East Paulding HS
Right-handed hitting infielder and pitcher from East Paulding High School … Two-time Perfect Game Underclass All American selection … Perfect Game Top 500 Recruit … Four-time Perfect Game Tournament MVP.
"Trent brings an exciting blend of strike-throwing ability with upside on the mound and defensive ability on the infield. He is a highly versatile player who builds on our belief in two-way players."
MAX RYERSON
OF/1B | 6-3, 215 | Conway, S.C. | Carolina Forest HS/Gulf Coast State
Right-handed hitting outfielder and first baseman from Gulf Coast (Fla.) State College, where he was coached by Mike Kandler … Played the 2019 season at Charleston Southern, where he led the team in batting average (.322) and was second with nine home runs (9) … Drove in 43 runs in 47 games, including 37 starts … In 2020, he Gulf Coast State in RBI (29) and homers (6) in just 24 games … Attended Carolina Forest High School.
"Max has hit everywhere he has ever been. We are excited to add his elite power into the middle of our lineup. His experience and high-level success will make him an immediate impact player."
KYLE STEPHENSON
LHP | 5-10, 160 | Fairburn, Ga. | Trinity Christian School
Left-handed pitcher from Trinity Christian School, which he helped to the 2018 GISA state title … Coached by Blake Austin … Posted a 0.00 ERA in 2020 shortened season … All Tournament Selection in 2019 Perfect Game WWBA … Played for Team Elite travel organization … Selected to Atlanta Braves Scout Team.
"Kyle is a left-handed pitcher who has pitched at the highest level of amateur baseball. He has had success with a plus breaking ball from the left side. We are excited to add his competitiveness to our pitching staff."
CALEB STEWART
SS | 5-9, 180 | Waycross, Ga. | Ware County HS
Right-handed hitting shortstop from Ware County High School … Three-time all-region selection … 2020 Perfect Game Underclass All-American … Selected to Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team … Played travel baseball for SCOUTZ under Roger Wilkinson.
"Caleb is an elite-level athlete with plus-plus speed at a premium position. His arm strength from shortstop is a difference maker. Offensively he has been a consistent performer with an exciting power-speed combo to have continued success at this level."
DAVID WHITE
RHP | 6-2, 215 | Newnan, Ga. | The Heritage School
Right-handed pitcher from The Heritage School … The No. 32 ranked prep player in the state of Georgia and No. 12 RHP by Perfect Game … Perfect Game National Showcase Participant … All region and honorable mention all-state in 2019 … Team's Offensive Player of Year in 2018 … Baseball Factory Academic All-American selection … Also a four-year starter for football team as outside linebacker.
"David is a power pitcher with huge upside. He is a strong, physical athlete and multi-sport standout. We are very excited to add his arm strength and athleticism into our pitching staff, and we have high expectations he will be a major contributor."
