STARKVILLE — Joey Swinarski became Mississippi State University’s first verbal commitment to the 2014 recruiting class.
Swinarski, a junior power-hitting outfielder and first baseman from The First Academy in Winter Park, Fla., gave his verbal pledge to head coach John Cohen this past weekend that he would eventually sign with the MSU program.
MSU coaches were unable to comment on Swinarski’s commitment as NCAA rules prohibit public comments until he signs with a college program.
Swinarski won’t be able to sign a National Letter-of-Intent till November of his senior year of high school.
As a sophomore, Swinarski hit .380 with six doubles, three home runs, 16 runs and 15 RBI for Orangewood Orangewood Christian High School last season. He batted .407 with seven home runs, 26 runs and 28 RBI for a state runner-up team as a ninth grader. He has played varsity baseball in arguably the country’s best state of high school baseball since eighth grade.
The 6-foot-3, right-handed hitter is rated as the 99th best junior prospect by the Perfect Game scouting service.
Swinarski committed to MSU while on a unofficial visit to the Starkville campus while also being recruited by several top programs in the southeastern part of the country.
Swinarski announced his commitment on his Twitter page, @joswin1, Sunday.
If Swinarski arrives on campus, MSU will have just three outfielders on the roster with sophomores Demarcus Henderson and Tyler Fullerton and incoming Canadian freshman Jacob Robson.
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