Baseball Adds Stellar Group Of Newcomers For 2021
Brian Tom
11/16/2020
Washington Baseball coach Lindsay Meggs announced that seven student-athletes have signed their National Letters of Intent for the 2021 season. The group is comprised of three student athletes from Washington, two from California and one each from Oregon and British Columbia, Canada. The crop of new Huskies includes three outfielders, three right-handed pitcher and one infielder.
“When this class arrives on campus in the fall of 2021, you’re going to see a mix of power arms, strike throwers and explosive hitters who impact the game on both sides of the ball," Meggs said. "And while this group is talented, as always it has the balance that we need to get back on the Road to Omaha. I can’t wait to see these guys with the rest of our '21’s on campus in the fall.”
The in-state players include right-handed pitcher/first baseman Max Debiec (Seattle, Wash./O’Dea), outfielder Kyle Fossum (Sammamish, Wash./Eastside Catholic) and outfielder AJ Guerrero (Fife, Wash./Fife).
Debiec is Baseball America’s No. 33 overall high school prospect for the 2021 MLB Draft and ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Washington by Baseball Northwest and No. 2 by Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report. Guerrero (fourth) and Fossum (fifth) are also ranked in Prep Baseball Report’s top five for the state of Washington.
The Huskies went north to British Columbia to sign right-handed pitcher Micah Bucknam (Abbottsford B.C./M.E.I. Secondary School) and directly south to pluck slick infielder Cameron Clayton (West Linn, Ore./Lakeridge) out of Oregon.
Meggs also grabbed a right-handed arm from Northern California in Kyle Bender (Vacaville, Calif./Vacaville) and went to Southern California to sign left-handed outfielder/pitcher Colby Wallace (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic).
“My congratulations to Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Elliott Cribby and assistant coaches Ronnie Prettyman and Joe Meggs on a fantastic recruiting class," said Meggs.
“Like always, first and foremost this group is great in the classroom. They understand and appreciate what a privilege it’s going to be to attend the University of Washington."
Here is a look at the Huskies' 2020-21 recruiting class:
Kyle Bender, RHP
B/T: R/R • HT: 6-3 • WT: 190
Vacaville, Calif. (Vacaville)
Notes: Ranked 73rd in California (19th among RHP) by Prep Baseball Report … throws with a high spin rate and has a fastball in the 90s to go with a curve and change … named to the Oakland A’s squad for the 2020 Area Code games and played in the games on the underclass team in 2019 … played travel ball with Admirals Baseball Club Elite-Black and Chico Aces … also played quarterback for his high school team.
Why Kyle chose Washington: I chose UW because the coaching staff is exactly what I was looking for. I truly believe Coach Cribby can develop me into a complete professional pitcher. Playing in an extremely competitive Pac-12 Conference was also very important to me, and getting a shot to make a deep post-season run to Omaha made this school an easy choice. When I visited Seattle and the UW campus, I fell in love and a top-tier education is icing on the cake.
Coach Meggs on Bender: Kyle Bender checks all the boxes when you’re talking about a right-handed power arm with a high ceiling. Already touching 92-93 with a plus breaking ball, Kyle will be dominant when he adds additional strength to that 6-foot-3 inch frame. And while it’s Kyle’s fastball that got our attention early on, his breaking ball is explosive as well. And a former high school QB, there is some definite confidence and toughness there. Kyle’s a future weekend guy.
Micah Bucknam, RHP
B/T: R/R • HT: 6-1 • WT: 180
Abbotsford, B.C., Canada (M.E.I. Secondary School)
Notes: Selected to the World Team for 2020 International Week at the Future Stars Series … was a standout in Georgia at the PBR Future Games and with Baseball BC at the Canada Cup in 2019 … 2019 PBL All-Star … team with fellow signee Max Debiec on the Kansas City Royals at the 2018 Area Code Games … was the starting setter for M.E.I’s volleyball team and a two-time MVP … was born in New Zealand … intends on majoring in business management.
Why Micah chose Washington: I chose to come to Washington because ever since day one, it was my dream school. I grew up watching Husky sporting events and wishing I could be a Husky myself. Now I am a Husky.
Coach Meggs on Bucknam: Micah is a great competitor on the mound, with great stuff to go with it. Micah can beat you with a fastball that has touched 93 miles per hour and a power breaking ball that’s a proven out pitch. With all of the above and a change up in progress, Micah will challenge for front-line innings the day he gets here. But along with Micah’s stuff, our guys are going to love having Micah on the mound. He is all in on every pitch and gives you a chance to win every time he takes the ball.
Cameron Clayton, INF
B/T: R/R • HT: 6-1 • WT: 182
West Linn, Ore. (Lakeridge)
Notes: Named to the Kansas Royals team for the 2020 Area Code Games … played travel ball with the BenzBoys … hit three home runs in one game for the BenzBoys … No. 4 prospect in Oregon according to Baseball Northwest … has started since his freshman season … was first team Three Rivers League and honorable mention all-state in 2019 when he hit .427 and led the state in fielding percentage for shortstops … intends on majoring in business.
Why Cam chose Washington: I chose Washington because the baseball team has the potential to win a National Championship and the camaraderie is phenomenal. The school speaks for itself as well, so I know I’ll be receiving a fantastic education.
Coach Meggs on Clayton: Cam is a plus defender who not only makes the routine plays at shortstop but can also impact the game defensively as well. A 6.6 runner who can steal a base, Cam also handles the bat well enough to hit at the top of the order. When you talk everyday players at the shortstop position in the Pac-12 you want explosiveness, but you have to have the routine play. We think Cam gives us both. He is a fast twitch guy but he’s a baseball player. He truly wants the ball hit his way.
Max Debiec, RHP/1B
B/T: R/R • HT: 6-7 • WT: 210
Seattle, Wash. (O'Dea)
Notes: Baseball America’s No. 33 overall high school prospect for the 2021 MLB Draft … ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Washington by Baseball Northwest and No. 2 by Perfect Game and Prep Baseball Report … participated in the Perfect Game All-Star Classic and Perfect Game National Showcase … has a four-pitch mix, highlighted by a fastball that reaches mid-to-high 90s … played for the Canes this summer in the Southeast … was second team All-Metro League as a first baseman in 2019 … plays for Mike Doyle at O’Dea… also a standout on the basketball court, helping O’Dea win the 2019 3A State Basketball Tournament and a runner up finish in 2020.
Why Max chose Washington: I love Seattle, all my family is relatively close to here. Washington is in a major division and one of the best academic schools.
Coach Meggs on Debiec: Max is a local product from O’Dea high school who is one of the most highly regarded 2021 high school prospects in the country. At 6-feet-7 and 210 pounds, Max is the prototypical Friday night power arm that every power five program wants to build their pitching staff around. Max will pitch at 92-95 MPH and touch 97, with good feel for the breaking ball and the slider. On top of all of the above, Max has big time power at the plate and can turn the game around with one swing. If we can get Max on campus, he will be a game changer.
Kyle Fossum, OF
B/T: R/R • HT: 6-2 • WT: 182
Sammamish, Wash. (Eastside Catholic)
Notes: Played summer ball for the Walla Walla Sweets 18U team … No. 5 overall prospect in Washington according to PBR and No. 28 prospect by Baseball Northwest … Perfect Game 2020 Preseason Underclass All-American … ranked among Perfect Game's top-500 … was an honorable mention All-Metro League outfielder after his sophomore season … Perfect Game All-Tournament Team in 2018, 2019, 2020 … interested in majoring in business.
Why Kyle chose Washington: I chose the University of Washington because it is where I grew up playing baseball. I attended the UW camps every year when I was young, sometimes more than once per summer. My parents took me to the First Pitch dinner the year the facilities were upgraded and I got to listen to the players and coaches speak. I fell in love with everything about UW.
Coach Meggs on Fossum: Kyle is an exciting combination of size and athletic ability and may prove to be the sleeper in this class. With the ideal 6-foot-2 baseball frame, Kyle has a chance to be that hybrid offensive player that we love in our program. Already a plus defender in the outfield, as Kyle adds strength and size to his frame he will have a chance to be both a run producer and a run scorer. Kyle's best days are ahead of him, and we believe that when it all comes together, it’s going to be special.
AJ Guerrero, OF
B/T: R/R • HT: 6-0 • WT: 215
Fife, Wash. (Fife)
Notes: Ranked No. 4 in Washington by Prep Baseball Report, No. 5 by Baseball Northwest … was All-State and First Team All-SPSL as a sophomore when he set the school record for doubles … also played football at Fife …played summer ball for the Walla Walla Sweets … interested in majoring in Astronomy.
Why AJ chose Washington: I chose Washington because I love our beautiful state and the Pacific Northwest.
Coach Meggs on Guerrero: AJ is a corner outfielder who has the potential to hit in the middle of the batting order because of his ability to drive in runs. And while many have described AJ as a professional hitter – and we agree with that -- we are excited about the way the ball comes off his bat. AJ can be that right-handed power hitter that everyone needs in the middle of their lineup. A guy that no one wants to pitch to with the game on the line.
Colby Wallace, OF/P
B/T: L/L • HT: 6-4 • WT: 218
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic)
Notes: Coached by Chris Malec at SMC … helped his school win the CIF Championship at Dodger Stadium as a sophomore … played summer ball for BPA … was MVP at Wilson Premier World Series … interested in majoring in Business.
Why Colby chose Washington: It was the right fit for my family and I. Everything from the coaching staff, to the Husky atmosphere made me want to suit up in the Purple and Gold.
Coach Meggs on Wallace: Colby may be the best athlete in our '21 class. Colby is a 6-foot-4, left-handed hitting center fielder with extra-base power who can really go get it. His combination of power and speed not only make Colby an exciting player to watch, but very difficult to defend. And along with the pressure that Colby applies at the plate, he has a plus breaking ball and is a great competitor on the mound. Colby has a chance to be a legitimate two-way guy the day he arrives on Montlake, and we can’t wait for him to get here.
