McLennan Baseball boasts eight Highlanders in Top 150 JUCO Prospects for 2020 MLB Draft

When the McLennan Highlanders open the 2020 baseball season Jan. 31, the squad will feature eight players listed in the Top 150 Junior College Prospects, according to Perfect Game. Three of those eight players are listed in the Top 10.
 
Right-handed pitcher Connor Phillips, a freshman from Magnolia, is the top-rated prospect in the nation. His fastball consistently reaches 92-98 mph.
 
Sophomore shortstop Jalen Battles is ranked fifth. The San Antonio native appeared in all 57 games as a freshman, recording a .320 batting average with 17 doubles (team high), four triples (tied for team high), six home runs, 42 RBIs and six stolen bases (tied for second on team). He was a second-team all-conference selection and was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 34th round of the MLB Draft. He signed with the University of Arkansas earlier this fall.
 
Brett Squires, a sophomore infielder from Grapevine, is ranked 10th. He appeared in 56 games as a freshman, recording a .286 batting average with 12 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs (team high) and 48 RBIs (second on team). He was also a second-team all-conference selection and an NJCAA All-Academic Second-Team honoree. He signed with the University of Oklahoma.
 
Dawson Sweatt, a left-handed pitcher from Fayetteville, Georgia, is 21st on the list. In high school he recorded an 8-3 pitching record with a 2.38 ERA and ranked seventh among left-handed pitchers in the state. He was a 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game honorable mention selection and an all-state honorable mention selection. He also signed with the University of Oklahoma.
 
Third baseman Garrett Martin is ranked 65th. The Denver, Colorado, native appeared in all 57 games as a freshman, recording a .335 batting average (second on team) with eight doubles, four triples (tied for team lead), nine home runs (second on team) and 47 RBIs (third on team). He was a second-team all-conference selection and an NJCAA All-Academic Third-Team honoree. He signed with Auburn University.
 
Right-handed pitcher Joey Martin from Comfort is 71st. He spent his freshman season at Kansas State University, appearing in 12 games for the Wildcats. He recorded a 2-1 pitching records with 26 strikeouts and a 6.04 ERA. He was an Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team honoree and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. He signed with Dallas Baptist University.
 
Jimmy Crooks, a freshman catcher/third baseman from Euless, ranks 85th. He recorded a .460 batting average with seven home runs and five stolen bases at Trinity High School. He was the district MVP and a second-team all-area selection. He signed with the University of Oklahoma.
 
Left-handed pitcher Brady Rose rounds out the Highlanders listed, coming in at 107. The Westminister, Colorado native recorded a .343 batting average with two home runs and 17 RBIs, and a 4-3 pitching record with a 1.21 ERA in high school, and was a 2019 4A Jeffco Baseball First-team All-Conference selection.

This marks the second time in three years a Highlander has held the top spot. Former Highlander catcher Josh Breaux was No. 1 on the 2018 list. He became the highest-drafted player in program history after being selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft with the 61st overall pick.