Early Commitments Raise Concerns

As college recruiting targets younger and younger players, many look for a way to slow the process

 

- Teddy Cahill

Listed at 6 feet and 215 pounds, Blaze Jordan struck a physical presence as he dug into the batter’s box on one of the backfields of the Marlins’ complex in Jupiter, Fla. His team, the Jordan and Dulin’s Dodgers, were facing off against righthander Jack Anderson and FTB/Giants Scout Team at the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association World Championship with dozens of scouts watching from behind the backstop.

Anderson, a Florida State commit and an intriguing prospect in the 2018 draft class, was running his fastball up to 92 mph. But he hung a breaking ball to Jordan, who pounced on the mistake. With a strong swing, he drove the ball out to left field for a home run.

It was the latest impressive display of power from Jordan. He won the Power Showcase home run derby in January and clubbed a 504foot home run, two feet farther than Bryce Harper hit in the same event.

Jordan’s prolific power displays would stand out if he, like Anderson and most of the rest of players in Jupiter this year, was in the class of 2018. But his power feats are even more impressive because he is a freshman, just beginning his high school career. And he has already been committed to Mississippi State for a year.

“He reminds me a lot of Mookie Betts, who played with us, for his ability to adjust and his temperament, (and) how he goes about his business,” coach Tim Dulin said. “He’s very gifted from a physical and talent standpoint, but mentally he’s years beyond where most kids are at that age.”

Jordan, considered one of the best players in the 2021 class, committed to Mississippi State last year, after appearing in Jupiter as an eighth grader. His commitment was the latest in an ongoing trend of younger and younger players being recruited by colleges.