2027 Signing Class

 

As the 2026 Fall schedule starts to wind down the Flames will turn their attention to the 2027 HS/JUCO Signing class.  The signing period opens on November 11 and will remain open throughout the Spring.  As of today the Flames have 6 commitments including 5 expected HS signees and 1 JUCO signee.  

Seth Hooks - Hooks is a 6'0 195 LB left handed hitting and throwing OF from Knights Academy in Franklin TN.  Hooks has a chance to hit for big time power as his frame continues to fill out.  He has strong bat to ball skills and has had some big time exit velo's around 100 MPH regularly on the summer circuit per scouts.  Hooks is 1 of the top players in the state of TN and the Flames are thrilled to get him through to signing day.   Top 150 national player that projects as a corner OF and potential 2 way player.  He's up to 90 mph as a left handed pitcher.  The Flames got in early on Hooks and secured the commitment before who's who of P4 teams in the region got in late in the process.  

Kasen Poplin - Poplin is a 5'9 155 LB RHP from Venice/Sarasota FL.  Poplin has topped out at 91 MPH and pitches in a highly competitive area of FL.  Poplin's more of a prototypical right hander with a very smooth delivery and easily repeatable mechanics.  Excellent shape on the braker.  High ride induced vertical break fastball.  Pitches effectively in the top of the zone.  12 to 6 curve, strike throwing machine.  The Flames won the recruiting battle with UCF, USF & ECU.  

Lucas Collins - Collins is a 6'2 215 LB RHP from Garrett IN.  Collins is a big physical kid with a lower arm slot similar to Ben Blair.  He was all KPC this past year in NE Indiana.  He had a 1.90 ERA and 1.055 WHIP with 2 no hitters in 55 IP in his Junior year.  3 pitch mix including a cutter and slider.  Lots of upside here.  Another kid that throws a lot strikes.  The recruiting battle came down to the hometown Indiana Hoosiers and the Flames.  Several other P4's attempted to jump in late but the Flames were able to lock down Collins who was described by 1 scout as having no ceiling.  

Emmett Robinson - 5'11 175 LB left handed hitting/throwing OF from Delaware Military Academy in Middletown Delaware.  Robinson is a sweet swinging lefty that reminds me a bit of Garret Anderson for any of you old heads like me out there.  Potential to play all 3 OF spots and a 6.9 runner.  Sprays the ball to all fields and has an above average hit tool.  Above average athlete.  The Flames beat out  Maryland & JMU as finalists for Robinson's services.  

Josiah Joyner - 6'5 195 LB RHP from Lakeland HS in VA.  Camped at Liberty this past Summer.  Velo picked up to 92 and is a very projectable type of arm.  Joyner was a bit of a late bloomer and really impressed in the late Summer early Fall as the Flames made the decision to offer Joyner.  He's familiar with Liberty as his sister is a current student.  

Cooper Phillips - 6'1 195 LB RHP from Gastonia Junior College.  He had 13.66 K's per 9 in 27 Innings of relief over 17 appearances last year.  He was 91-93 in the fall while topping out at 94 and features a 5 pitch mix that will likely project as 3 or 4 D1 level pitches.  Phillips has a chance to be a starter with a repeatable delivery and has impressed in the Fall.  He was the Flames #1 Juco target in the Fall early period and the Flames locked up his services just a few weeks before signing day.  

2028 Verbal Commitments

The Flames have gotten off to a fast start in the 28 class with 3 commitments in the past couple weeks.  

Peyton Drabick - 6'3 180 LB 2 way player that has a ton of projectability.  He's up to 89-90 right now but the Flames and scouts see a lot of potential to get into the low and mid 90's with developmetn on the mound.  Solid defender at SS with a good hit tool.  The Flames win Drabick's services over local programs like  Kent State, Ohio State, Miami Ohio after him.  

Hayden Dunlow -6'2 185 LB LHP from Greenbrier Christian Academy and he plays on the travel circuit wiht the Richmond Braves.  He has been up to 89 here in the fall after missing his sophomore year to injury.   Excellent offspeed with an above average change and curveball.  The Flames beat out JMU, ODU Maryland among others.  

Alex Baird - Baird is a 6'2 170 LB RHP from Amelia VA with a 3/4 arm slot.  Baird features a little bit of an unorthodox delivery where he brings his left leg across his body a bit but demonstrates excellent upper body control and has been up to 92 here in the Fall.  UVA and others were involved with Baird but the Flames were able to lock his verbal down.