2018 Recruiting Class Breakdown: Purdue

November 21, 2017
Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

With the NCAA's early signing period officially wrapped up, we take a look at the 2018 recruiting classes for each D1 school in Indiana with in-state recruits. Today we look at Purdue's class.

Total Commits: 15

Total In-State Commits: 9

Top 25 Players (IN): 4

"We are very excited about this recruiting class. This is the first recruiting class that we were able to identify and recruit in its entirety since we've been here. We were able to meet some needs and improve our athleticism in the field and on the mound, as well as improve our overall depth on the mound. This is a huge step forward in the right direction for our program." - Mark Wasikowski (Head Coach, Purdue University)

Head coach Mark Wasikowski and his staff picked up nine in-state commitments, with pitching as a main focus. Six pitchers ranked in the Top 30 head to West Lafayette next fall. The highest ranked player is currently LHP Jackson Smeltz of McCutcheon HS. Smeltz was a late addition to this year's recruiting class after he decommitted from Oklahoma State. Smeltz has had to deal with injuries throughout his high school career, but when healthy shows athleticism with a lot of upside and a fastball that tops out at 90 mph. Chase Rudy, a righty from New Albany HS (Ranked No. 24), pitches with a high motor, intensity and a fastball up to 91. Right-hander Austin Peterson (Chesterton HS, Ranked No. 25) has a big 6-foot-6, 230 pound frame and has a good two-pitch mix with his mid-to-upper 80's fastball and mid-70's breaking ball. Lake Central's Connor Tomasic (SS/RHP, Ranked No. 26) is a potential 2-way player for the Boilers. Tomasic is an all-around athlete on the field and fastball up to 88 mph. Kokomo RHP Kyle Wade (Ranked No.29) is a big time competitor and athlete with a fastball currently reaching the upper 80's. Another Chesterton HS righty Grant Brunt (Ranked No. 30), adds more depth on the mound with his quick arm and a fastball that sits in the upper 80's, touching 90.

In-State Commits

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS.	COMMITMENT
Grant Brunt	IN	Chesterton	2018	RHP	Purdue
Tanner Haston	IN	Mooresville	2018	SS	Purdue
Luke Houin	IN	South Bend St. Joseph	2018	C	Purdue
Pat Mills	IN	Western	2018	1B	Purdue
Austin Peterson	IN	Chesterton	2018	RHP	Purdue
Chase Rudy	IN	New Albany	2018	RHP	Purdue
Jackson Smeltz	IN	McCutcheon	2018	LHP	Purdue
Conner Tomasic	IN	Lake Central	2018	SS	Purdue
Kyle Wade	IN	Kokomo	2018	RHP	Purdue

Top Ranked In-State Position Player

View Full Profile

Pat Mills

Class of 2018 / 1B

Rankings StateRank: 62 / POS: 3

Player Information

Graduating Class: 2018
Primary Position: 1B

Secondary Position: LHP
High School: Western

State: IN
Summer Team: American Legion Post 6/Indiana Eagles
Height: 6-4

Weight: 195lbs
Bat/Throw: L/L

Statistics

Pitching

Max FB

78 - 82

61 - 64

71 - 75

Position

7.31

60-yard

INF Velo

Exit Velo

Scouting Report

2/19/17: Projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds. Left-handed hitter hits from a wide, open setup, leg kick timing trigger, loads back with an arm. Good use of his lower half. Plus swing plane, long path. Tendency to make contact deep in the zone. Showcased pull-side power during his BP. Above average bat speed. Overall great approach at the plate with lots of projection. Registered a high exit velocity of 87 mph. Defensively, throws topped out at 79 mph. Clean exchange, plays through the baseball with fluid footwork. Purdue commit.

Videos

(2/19/17)

Out of State Commits

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS.	COMMITMENT
Evan Albrecht	WI	West Bend West	2018	SS	Purdue
Seth Gergely	OH	Tallmadge	2018	OF	Purdue
Ryan Howe	IL	Prospect	2018	SS	Purdue
James Kulak	IL	Neuqua Valley	2018	LHP	Purdue
Tylon Ross	IL	Homewood-Flossmoor	2018	RHP	Purdue
Blake Schmitt	TN	Page	2018	C	Purdue