Hawkeyes Baseball Sign Columbus & New Hampton Alums

University of Iowa head coach Rick Heller announced the signing of a 12-player recruiting class that will join the Hawkeye baseball program in 2016. They include a Waterloo Columbus and New Hampton recruit.

The class, which has 11 players ranked among the top-500 prospects, is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference and as the 40th-best class nationally by Perfect Game.

“This is a talented and balanced class that could define our program for the next four years,” said Heller, who is entering his second season in Iowa City. “We knew from day one that the 2015 class would be important for the future of Iowa baseball.

“We will be losing eight seniors this spring and there is a possibility we could lose several juniors to the draft. We needed to bring in players who have the potential to step in and play right away, and I feel we did that.

“We were able to sign the best players in our state, as well as some great players from across the country. We are signing 12 quality student-athletes thanks to the tireless work of recruiting coordinator Marty Sutherland and pitching coach Scott Brickman. Thanks to these two guys, we have an outstanding 2015 class.”

Six of the 12-players are in-state prospects, including the top six players in Iowa in the Perfect Game rankings. Four of the prospects are from Illinois and two from California. The class consists of six positional players, five pitchers, and one dual-position prospect. One of the players is a junior college recruit.

The 12-player class consists of: Cole Baker (6-4, 215, RHP, Grimes, Iowa), Mitch Boe (5-10, 160, IF, Naperville, Ill.), Chris Comito, Jr. (6-5, 220, RHP, Norwalk, Iowa), Zach Daniels (5-11, 150, RHP/IF, Robins, Iowa), Dametri Evans (6-0, 205, C, Hemet, Calif.), Luke Farley (6-1, 190, OF, Denver, Iowa), Mason McCoy (6-0, 170, IF, Washington, Ill.), Cole McDonald (6-0, 175, RHP, New Hampton, Iowa), Robert Neustrom (6-3, 195, OF, Sioux City, Iowa), Daniel Perry (6-2, 180, IF, Susanville, Calif.), Shane Ritter (6-3, 180, RHP, Plainfield, Ill.), and Kyle Shimp (6-6, 200, LHP, Yorkville, Ill.).

Luke Farley
6-1, 190, OF, R/R
Denver, Iowa
Waterloo Columbus High School (Don Spore)
Perfect Game Select (Steve James)

- Ranked as the 183rd-best prospect nationally by Perfect Game and the top player in Iowa, receiving a grade of 10

- Ranked as the 78th-best prospect nationally by Prep Baseball Report

- 2014 Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention

- 2014 Second-Team Louisville Slugger High School All-American

- 2013 Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention

- First-team Class 2A all-state by IHSBCA and INA

- MVP of the NICL Conference as a junior

- Recipient of the Gene Schultz All-Opponent Award as a junior

- Two-time all-conference, all-district,and all-metro honoree

- All-WaMac and all-metro honoree as a sophomore

- Hit .481 with 45 runs, 16 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 43 RBIs, and 15 steals as a junior; hit .435 with four home runs, 52 RBIs, and 30 runs to lead team to 2013 state tournament; hit .429 with six home runs and 39 RBIs as a freshman

- Began varsity career as an eighth grader at Denver High School, where he hit .413 with three home runs and 23 RBIs

- State qualifier in track and field, placing fifth in the discus… also was 10th in discus at the Drake Relays in 2014

- Won the United States and Canada Pitch, Hit, and Run baseball competition during the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis

Coach Heller on Farley:

Luke will bring a big-time bat to our program. He is a tough, disciplined kid, who has plus power. He is an extremely hard worker and loves to play. Defensively, Luke has the versatility to play several positions and runs well. We are happy that Luke has chosen to be a Hawkeye.”

Cole McDonald
6-0, 175, RHP
New Hampton, Iowa
New Hampton High School (Cory McDonald)
Perfect Game Select (Steve James)

- Ranked as a Top-500 prospect nationally by Perfect Game

- Two-time all-state selection, earning second-team honors as a junior and a third-team distinction in 2012

- Three-time all-conference and all-district pitcher

- Team captain in baseball and football

- Member of the National Honor Society

- Went 10-3 with a 0.98 ERA in 2013, striking out 152 over 83 1/3 innings; went 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA in 2014 with 29 strikeouts in 18 innings… currently rehabbing from UCL surgery

- Second-team all-state selection in football in 2013, all-conference in basketball (2012-13), and a state qualifier in three events in track and field (4x100, 4x200, shuttle hurdle)… finished sixth in state in shuttle hurdle

Coach Heller on McDonald:

Cole was one of the top strikeout pitchers in the state before his elbow injury last summer. He possesses a plus slider to go with his upper 80s mph fastball. Cole is a multi-sport athlete who is a fierce competitor and an excellent student. Cole should be 100 percent by the beginning of fall practice. We are happy that Cole will be a Hawkeye.”