ASU baseball 2016 recruiting class named best in the nation

ASU baseball has once again put together an impressive recruiting class. The Sun Devils’ 2016 class was named the nation’s best, according to Collegiate Baseball.

It’s ASU’s fourth time finishing with the top recruiting class — they did so in 1983, 1995 and 2008.

The diversity is what makes the Sun Devils’ 2016 class unique. Eleven original commits were selected in the MLB Draft, five of which elected to forgo their major league contract in order to attend ASU. In total, the class features three previously-drafted transfers, 15 freshmen, four junior college transfers and one four-year college transfer.

“It is a really superb class,” Arizona State head coach Tracy Smith said in a press release. “Sun Devil baseball has always attracted top talent from all around the country. Being here only a short time, it is easy to see why. This place is special.”

ASU initially signed 14 players in the fall, and six elected to sign professional contracts after the MLB Draft in June. During the spring signing period, six more players were added.

“In our original recruiting class heading into the draft last June, we expected to lose three players,” Smith said. “When we lost six to pro signings, we suddenly had a lot of work to do.”

“Historically, I don’t go after junior college players very often. Fortunately, we recovered and signed some quality junior college transfers in RHP Jake Godfrey (N.W. Florida St. who was previously drafted in the 21st round in 2014), INF Taylor Lane (N.W. Florida St. who was drafted in the 40th round in 2014) and INF Jackson Willeford (Cypress C.C., 12th round pick in 2012).”

The Sun Devils’ top-ranked recruit is outfielder Hunter Bishop, who was ranked No. 44 in Keith Law’s latest list of the top 50 MLB draft prospects.