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Michigan Insider: Early Signing Period - Division 1 Recruiting Class Breakdown
*In Alphabetical Order

The NCAA early signing period starts November 8th, 2017 and will run through the 15th. With the start of the fall signing period upon us, we look to break down each individual Division I commitment from in-state prospects, where they are headed and what tools they will bring with them.

Over the next two weeks, we will break down the recruiting hauls for the in-state Division II programs as well as Division I out-of-state programs that have signed players from the great state of Michigan.

***** Below we talk in-depth about each in-state prospect

Central Michigan Chippewas

Overview: Coach Jaska and Opalewski pulled off another strong recruiting class for 2018, grabbing five players during the early signing period who could potentially step right in to contribute. CMU competes for the MAC conference title yearly and have a strong presence across the state with former players who have become coaches. Not too many programs across the state have placed as many players in the pro ranks as CMU.

Name	State	High School	Position
Ethan Collick	MI	Saline	OF
Ian Leatherman	MI	Jenison	RHP
Garrett Navarra	MI	Sterling Heights Stevenson	LHP
Joe Payton	IL	Brother Rice	RHP
Kade Preston	MI	DeWitt	C
Joey Zontini	MI	Eisenhower	1B

• Total Commits: 6
  
• # Top 50 Ranked Players: 3
  
• Immediate Impact Player: Garrett Navarra
• Sleeper of the Class: Ian Leatherman

Garrett Navarra LHP / OF / Sterling Heights Stevenson, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 3 One of the biggest surprises of the 2017 spring high school season. He made a huge jump in velocity touching 89 mph consistently, along with two off-speed pitches. Navarra has two-way potential as his bat will be an asset. A gap-to-gap hitter who has a feel for the barrel.

Ethan Collick OF / OF / Saline, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 7 Collick was a big contributor on Division 1 state champion Saline last season and followed that up with a strong summer season. A left-handed hitting OF drives the ball consistently, it's rare that you will not see Collick hit the ball hard. A strong athlete as well, has good speed that may allow him to play all three spots in the OF at the next level.

Joey Zontini 1B / RHP / Eisenhower, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 2 Member of team Michigan at the 2016 Future Games and has worked hard and transformed his body since he attended the event. Now standing 6-3, 225 pounds he's physically imposing on the diamond. At the plate, shows good raw power.

Ian Leatherman RHP / 3B / Jenison, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 68 / POS: 25 Plays summerball for one of the most respected programs year in and out, Diamonds out of Grand Rapids. The RHP has family ties to Central Michigan that could help ease his transition to the college game. On the mound, fastball is in mid-80s with an understanding of how to pitch.

Kade Preston C / 3B / DeWitt, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 186 / POS: 37 Has a projectable frame with a lot of upside. Preston is the type that will steadily improve throughout his college career. Behind the plate has good hands, receiving well. At the plate has a gap-to-gap approach, making solid contact at the plate.

Eastern Michigan Eagles

Overview: Coaches Van Ameyde and Roof landed one of the top recruiting class in the state last year. This year they have added two players during the early signing period that will add to the depth signed last year.

Name	State	High School	Position
Lewis Beals	MI	Eaton Rapids	OF
Taylor Hopkins	OH	Moeller	2B
Stephen Karis	IN	Zionsville	C
Tyler Koons	MI	Gibraltar Carlson	RHP
Justin Meis	PA	Bethel Park	RHP
Josh Thompson	OH	Springboro	OF

• Total Commits: 6 
• # Top 50 Ranked Players: 2
  
• Immediate Impact Player: Lewis Beals
• Sleeper of the Class: Tyler Koons

Lewis Beals OF / LHP / Eaton Rapids, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 28 / POS: 9 An athletic left-handed hitting OF will come in and immediately fight for playing time as a freshman. Possess good speed that allows him to play all three OF positions. At the plate is a gap-to-gap hitter that has power to leave the yard.

Tyler Koons RHP / OF / Gibraltar Carlson, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 31 / POS: 11 A projectable RHP has a lot of upside, as the ball jumps out his hand with a long arm whip. Pounds the zone well, while mixing in two pretty good off speed pitches. Koons is the type of kid that we anticipate making a jump in velocity this spring and more during college.

Michigan Wolverines

Overview: University of Michigan and head coach Erik Bakich have not signed any in-state prospects, but have commitments from some of the top prospects in their respected states. This includes two high-level left-handed pitchers who are rated as the top lefties in their state (Drew Rom and Steven Hajjar) as well as Dillon Nowicki, who is one of the top RHP in Wisconsin, sitting in the low-90s.

Name	State	High School	Position
Riley Bertram	IN	Zionsville	SS
Steven Hajjar	MA	Central Catholic	LHP
Dillon Nowicki	WI	Stoughton	RHP
Jordon Rogers	IL	Simeon	C
Drew Rom	KY	Highlands	LHP
Jack Van Remortel	IN	Carmel	3B

• Total Commits: 6 
• # Top 50 Ranked Players (Michigan): 0
  
• Immediate Impact Player: Drew Rom
• Sleeper of the Class: Jordon Rogers

Michigan State Spartans

Overview: Coach Boss and the MSU staff have done an excellent job of recruiting in-state talent, bringing in a loaded class during the early signing period by landing five of the top 30 prospects in the state. Adding pitching depth, a catcher and an OF, this is one of the better classes you will see talent wise.

Name	State	High School	Position
William Christophersen	IA	Pleasant Valley	RHP
Jacob Erickson	MI	Allen Park	SS
Brian Martin	MI	Westland John Glenn	RHP
Casey Mayes	KS	Andover	OF
Colten Panaranto	IN	Roncalli	RHP
Jacob Seipenko	MI	Salem	RHP
Gabe Sotres	MI	Brother Rice	C
Reese Trahey	MI	Brother Rice	OF
Zaid Walker	IL	Homewood-Flossmoor	OF

• Total Commits: 9 
• # Top 50 Ranked Players (Michigan): 5
  
• Immediate Impact Player: Jacob Seipenko
• Sleeper of the Class: Reese Trahey

Jacob Seipenko RHP / 1B / Salem, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 7 / POS: 1 OverallRank: 285 / POS: 120 Seipenko exploded on the scene late but made a huge impact. Standing  6-6 and weighing 210, he is physically imposing. On the mound commands the zone with a fastball that he runs up to the plate as high as 91 mph. More of a polished HS arm who can make an immediate impact.

Jacob Erickson SS / RHP / Allen Park, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 9 / POS: 2 OverallRank: 335 / POS: 61 A legitimate two-way prospect has elite speed in the field allowing him to play all over the diamond. Was a member of Team Michigan at the 2016 Future Games where he was the fastest middle infielder in attendance. Arm definitely plays as he has been clocked as high as 88 mph off the mound.

Brian Martin RHP / OF / Westland John Glenn, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 14 / POS: 4 Two-way prospect with a long projectable frame should have the opportunity to come in and compete both on the hill and in the OF right away. Bat plays as he has a gap-to-gap approach and the ball jumps. On the mound has an understanding of how to pitch with a solid breaking ball.

Reese Trahey OF / RHP / Brother Rice, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 21 / POS: 6 A member of Team Michigan at the Future Games in 2015 and 2016. A big-game player who makes an impact with the bat, on the base paths and in the OF. Projects as a corner OF at the next level, however, with his understanding of the game he may be able to play CF.

Gabe Sotres C / 2B / Brother Rice, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 30 / POS: 4 Solid frame catcher plays at high school powerhouse Brother Rice. Breakout summer this past year as he crushed the ball against all competitors. Understands how to square up the ball and drive it to the gaps. Strong throwing arm behind the plate that allows him to neutralize the running game.

Oakland University

Overview: The Golden Grizzlies and co-head coaches Colin Kaline and Jacke Healey have landed three 2017 out-of-state prospects, but have yet to sign an in-state prospect.

Name	State	High School	Position
Andrew Hoffmann	IL	Plainfield East	RHP
Cherokee LeBeau	IL	Minooka	3B
Clay Thompson	IN	Andrean	OF

• Total Commits: 3 
• # Top 25 Ranked Players (Michigan): 0 
• Immediate Impact Player: Andrew Hoffmann 
• Sleeper of the Class: Cherokee LeBeau

Western Michigan

Overview: Coach Billy Gernon and staff addressed pitching during the early signing period landing two of the top LHPs. Along with pitching, they possibly landed their centerfielder for the next four years. WMU won the MAC tournament championship a year back.

Name	State	High School	Position
Jimmy Allen	IL	Timothy Christian	SS
Dane Armbrustmacher	MI	Fowler	LHP
Bobby Dearing	IN	Lafayette Harrison	1B
Gavin Doyle	IL	Plainfield North	RHP
Brady Miller	IL	Plainfield North	RHP
William Morrison	MI	University Liggett	OF
Drew Szczepaniak	MI	Woodhaven	LHP
Ryan Vice	IL	Lincoln-Way Central	RHP

• Total Commits: 8 
• # Top 25 Ranked Players (Michigan): 2
  
• Immediate Impact Player: William Morrison
• Sleeper of the Class: Dane Armbrustmacher

William Morrison OF / SS / University Liggett, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 4 Morrison is the ignitor on one of the top programs in the state, University Liggett.  A member of Team Michigan at the 2016 Future Games, plays strong defense and shows his good speed both on the bases and in the OF. A speedy player who can swing it and glove with the elite.

Drew Szczepaniak LHP / 1B / Woodhaven, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 40 / POS: 5 A 6-3, projectable LHP has good mound presence and throws with a long loose arm action. Fastball possess sneaky get up due to his deception and length on the mound. Also features a curve and changeup that he can locate for strikes.

Dane Armbrustmacher LHP / OF / Fowler, MI / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 71 / POS: 9 6-4, 185-pound long and lean. The left-handed pitcher has wide shoulders and long legs. On the mound, his length allows him to seem as if he's standing on top of you while running his fastball up to the plate as high as 85 mph. Lots of upside, he will be interesting to follow during his college career.