Baseball JUCO Signees: Hunter Alexander, Zach Clark and Garrett Suchey
11/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama baseball team inked 11 recruits to the 2016-17 roster last week during the early signing period. Today will feature the final three are recruits for the signing class. Today's featured signees are all from the junior college ranks and include infielders Hunter Alexander and Zach Clark, and right-handed pitcher Garrett Suchey.
Hunter Alexander
INF
6-2, 185
Green Cove Springs, Fla. (St. Johns River State College)
Hunter Alexander joins the Alabama baseball recruiting class coming from St. Johns River State College in Palatka, Fla. The Florida native posted a .321 batting average, with 11 home runs, 47 RBIs and 29 runs scored over the course of his freshman year at St. Johns River State College. Coming out of Clay High School, Alexander was ranked as the top third baseman in the state of Florida and earned first team all-region by Perfect Game USA in his final season at CHS. He helped lead the Blue Devils to the state finals as a senior and originally signed with Florida to play baseball. Alexander also competed in three years of varsity football during his high school career.
Head Coach Mitch Gaspard on Alexander:
"Hunter is a kid that has big-time power. He's a corner infielder that at the junior college level has hit for not only average but also some power. We expect him to do what he did at junior college level when he gets here. We'll look for him to play corner infield and hit in the middle of the lineup. We expect big things from him quickly."
Coach Andy Phillips on Alexander:
"Hunter Alexander is a physical hitter. He is a corner infielder, and a kid that has big time power. He has really advanced hitting skills and will certainly be a big bat for us to add to this class."
Zach Clark
INF
6-2, 195
Springfield, La. (Pearl River CC)
One of the five out-of-state recruits, Zach Clark joins the Alabama baseball team from Pearl River Community College. Coming out of high school, Clark was ranked the sixth best infielder in the state of Louisiana. Clark began his collegiate career at Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to Pearl River Community College for his sophomore year. In his prep days at Springfield High School, Clark posted a .538 batting average as a junior, while being selected to all-state, all-parish, and all-district teams following the season. In addition to baseball, Clark also competed in football for two years at
Head Coach Mitch Gaspard on Clark:
"Zach is a super athletic kid. He's a tremendous runner with a big-time arm. He's got really good bat speed. Right now he's playing shortstop in junior college, but he's a versatile player that can play all positions on the infield or even in center field. He's a guy that we feel has an opportunity to come in and make a huge impact in his first year here."
Coach Andy Phillips on Clark:
"Zach Clark is an infielder that can also play the outfield. He has plus speed and plus power. He has tremendous tools and is a guy we're really excited about, because he brings a real electric game with his speed and power that gives us a real advantage. He's an experienced junior college player to add to this class."
Garrett Suchey
RHP
6-3, 215
Morris, Ala. (Wallace State-Hanceville CC)
An in-state product, Garrett Suchey signs with The University of Alabama from Wallace State-Hanceville Community College. Suchey finished his high school career at Mortimer Jordan High School in Kimberly, Ala., as the school's all-time leader in doubles and RBI. The 6-3 righty received a number of accolades following the end of his senior season, including being named the Jefferson County Player of the Year and the North Jefferson News Player of the Year. He was also selected to the Class 5A All-Area team in 2013 and was named to the Birmingham News All-North/East Baseball team in his final high school season.
Head Coach Mitch Gaspard on Suchey:
"Garrett is one of the better junior college arms. When we recruit guys like him, we expect them to come in and impact the program immediately and he's no different. He's in the low 90s, a right-handed pitcher that gives us the option to be a starter or a bullpen guy. We'll see which fits him best, but he's got a great arm and will certainly make a contribution."
Coach Andy Phillips on Suchey:
"Garrett is a very athletic right-handed pitcher. A kid that's 90 to 93 miles per hour with a hard breaking ball. He's a guy that we think that can come in and pitch a lot of innings for us right away. He's a kid that has real feel for pitching, and certainly a big pickup for us. It's an advantage for him and us to have some experience from the junior college level."
