Xavier Turner reopens his recruiting process

Mon August 8, 2011

By Chris Webb
As the summer showcase season winds down, the East Coast Pro (ECP) Showcase kicks off a two-week blitz of elite events that include the Area Code Games, the Under Armour All-American Game, and the Perfect Game National Games and All-American Game. As one of the last major showcases, ECP has scouts, coaches, and evaluators from all over the country.

For players in the Eastern US, the ECPS can make or break their draft stock going into their senior year of high school. The Ohio contingent of participants included six of the best rising seniors in Anthony Kidston (Defiance), Tucker Linder (Tallmadge), Tommy Mirabelli (Lakewood St. Edward) Jeff Murray (Reynoldsburg), Casey Schroeder (Ottawa-Glandorf) and Xavier Turner (Sandusky).

No player on the Oakland A's scout team, for which the Ohio players were members of, had as fine of a showing as Turner. The event capped a whirlwind summer for Turner. Due to his recent success, Turner has reopened his recruitment and seen his draft stock soar. 

Turner's recruitment is a storyline to watch. While Coach Beals and his staff knew of the potential Turner had, few if anyone foresaw his stock soaring as much as it did. Turner has easily positioned himself as the top positional 2012 player in Ohio if not all of the Great Lakes Region. With it, professional scouts too are taking notice and his play in Lakeland cemented his place as one of the best around.

I was able to quickly catch up with Turner following the ECP for a few of his thoughts on the week that was in Lakeland and where he is in the recruiting process.

CW: Looking back what are some of your thoughts on the summer showcase season?

Turner: It was different. It was a pretty big change at first, I really didn’t know anyone on my team (the Virginia-based Canes), I had to adjust and get use to the pitching.

The pitching at the East Coast Pro Showcase, and throughout the entire summer I didn’t see anything like that, it shocked me. There were a lot of scouts too.

CW: Speaking of the scouts, what is it like to play in an environment with all of the scouts and that microscope on you?

Turner: Before the games it made me nervous a lot, at first when I saw them I was nervous. But once I started playing and got use to it, and I really didn’t pay attention to them once the games started.

CW: Being from Ohio, how did you come about to play for the Canes Baseball program?

Turner: Tyler Beede, the 21st-overall draft pick for the Blue Jays, I’ve played with him since I was 14, he played for the Canes last year and he told them about me. They got in touch with me and from there we made it happen.

CW: Recently you made the decision to decommit from Ohio State and to re-open your recruitment, why was that?

Turner: I just wanted to go through the process. I wanted to visit other schools, go to the football games see the schools and what else was out there to be offered.

CW: Are you still considering Ohio State, and do you have a list of what other schools you're considering or have a favorite?

Turner: It’s wide open right now. As far as a list Ohio State is there, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, North Carolina, LSU, and Miami.

CW: In looking back on the summer, do you have a favorite event or moment that sticks out?

Turner: The East Coast Pro was my favorite event. A lot of real good players, a lot of scouts, the nice field where nice. Playing there at the Detroit Tigers' spring training site.

CW: And lastly, what will you take from this summer?

Turner: I still have a lot do and prove. I have to get stronger and better, seeing the good players, I have a lot of work to do.