Baseball Hello: Karl Kauffmann
Just a day after gaining a big commit from an in-state southpaw in the 2015 class, Collin Goslin, the Michigan baseball staff this afternoon got more good news, adding the top in-state player in the 2016 class to its recruiting haul: Karl Kauffmann, a 6-1, 180-lb. right-handed pitcher out of Brother Rice H.S. Not only the #1 player in the state, Kauffmann is also ranked #6 overall in Prep Baseball Report's 2016 rankings for their 10-state region.
Here's what PBR had to say about him in an October piece about top players in each state:
A 6-foot-1, 180-pound righty that already sits in the mid 80s. Kaufmann, ranked sixth overall, pitches with poise, a smooth delivery and easy arm action. He has been up to 87 and shown an improved breaking ball this summer with tighter spin. It sits 73-75 now. He also shows smooth actions in the infield and good bat speed, but looks like more of an asset on the mound at this time. He has already received interest from nearby schools like Michigan and Michigan State, but is also on North Carolina’s radar.
In addition to North Carolina and MSU, he had also attracted the attention of Vanderbilt, indicating how highly sought after he was. Needless to say, the commitment of Kauffmann amounts to a stellar start to Michigan's 2016 class. It also shows a continued tapping of the Brother Rice pipeline, with two other future Warriors-turned-Wolverines upcoming: 2014 signee Ty Kiafoulis and 2015 commit Nick Plummer.
photo of Kauffmann from PBR profile page
December 6th, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^
December 6th, 2013 at 4:33 PM ^
December 6th, 2013 at 4:34 PM ^
Seems like baseball has been recruiting awesome lately (for a midwest school at least). Should we have high hopes for the next few years?
December 6th, 2013 at 4:49 PM ^
(for a midwest school at least)
December 6th, 2013 at 5:07 PM ^
As I think I've said before, Bakich looks like he has the team on a path back to the top of the Big Ten. As alluded to above, it's pretty difficult for a team from the Midwest to be a national power in baseball, but Michigan under Bakich seems likely to occasionally make it to Omaha.
December 6th, 2013 at 5:11 PM ^
but Omaha is a lot to ask - I would be thrilled to have a superRegional at the baseball end of Wilpon tho. Of course, if you get that far.......
December 6th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^
December 6th, 2013 at 5:16 PM ^
December 6th, 2013 at 5:17 PM ^
Welcome to the Maize and Blue.
December 6th, 2013 at 5:47 PM ^
Ray Fisher turf installation & new HD video board is probably a hit with recruits.
I'm looking to maybe get to at least 10 games this season.
December 6th, 2013 at 6:17 PM ^
Based on his dad he should have some more growing up left to do (physically that is... Karl is probably more mature than his dad already ;-)
Nice work steering Karl to the good guys Ray.
December 6th, 2013 at 8:44 PM ^
the guy recruits his tail off!