Troy Baseball Inks Seven on Signing Day

TROY, Ala. – Troy University head baseball coach Mark Smartt announced seven players who signed with the Trojans in this week's early signing period. Each of them will enroll in August 2021 and begin their playing careers in the 2022 baseball season.

The signing class includes six high school seniors and one junior college transfer from Alabama, Georgia and Florida – Dillon Cook, Javi Marrero, Michael Furry, Eric Day, Keaton Fuller, Dawson Hamilton and Logan Ross.

"We are exceptionally pleased with this class as Covid-19 has been a major disruption for everyone involved in the recruiting process," head coach Mark Smartt said. "Coach Gierke and Coach Hancock did outstanding work ahead of Covid-19 to lay the foundation for this group. Several had committed prior to the pandemic and remained solid throughout. Recruiting is always challenging, but this year brought even bigger challenges with the mandated dead period."

The incoming class includes five pitchers and two position players. The two position players – Day and Furry – should provide impact both offensively and defensively early in their careers.

"Both Eric and Michael are exciting prospects that will provide athletic ability to our roster," Smartt said. "Both players' positions were a target in this year's recruiting class and the future for both players is bright as they start their careers here at Troy."

The Trojans signed four high school pitchers – Fuller, Cook, Marrero and Hamilton – that offer the characteristics required to have success at the college level.

"We believe these four young pitchers present the level of competitiveness that will allow them to succeed early in their careers," Smartt said. "The ability to throw strikes with more than one pitch is a positive each of these young guys present, and we believe they all have ceiling left in their growth and ability."

Ross, the lone junior college signee, should provide an impact quickly at Troy. The Opp High School graduate will join the Trojans after completing his freshman season at Southern Union Community College.

"We are excited about what Logan brings to our program from a pitching and work ethic standpoint," Smartt said. "Adding experienced pitchers with strike throwing ability is important formula to any successful staff."

Stay tuned to TroyTrojans.com for news and notes regarding all things Troy baseball.

Quotable – Head Coach Mark Smartt
"We are confident we filled important needs on the mound with these five additions. Quality pitching is critical for success at this level and each of them have ability to pitch early in their career and will improve in the program. The two position players are extremely athletic and offer versatility to the roster. Coach Gierke has established himself as an elite recruiter while upgrading our roster every single year. This year is no different with this talented group of players."

Dillon Cook
LHP | 6'3 | 190
Huntsville, Ala. / Grissom HS

2020 PG Preseason Underclass All-American Southeast Region Honorable Mention
2020 WWBA 2021 Grad or 17U National Championship All-Tournament Team
PG Top 500 National Rank
2019 PG Preseason Underclass All American Honorable Mention
2019 PBR Futures Games Team Alabama
2018 WWBA Underclass World Championship All-Tournament Team
2018 WWBA 2021 Grad or 15U National Championship All-Tournament Team

"We really like what Dillon presents on the mound and with the bat. Dillon has the ability to throw three pitches for strikes with power, and the fact that he has left-handed power as a hitter will allow him to compete right away at the Division I level. His ceiling is extremely high and we can't wait to see him in a Troy uniform for years to come."

Javi Marrero
RHP | 6'1 | 180
Columbus, Ga. / Pacelli HS

2020 Rawlings PG Pre Season All American
2019 Rawlings PG Pre-Season All American
ALABCA All Star

"Javi was an early commitment two years ago and has developed into a quality all-around player. He has continued to improve as a player every year. His package on the mound is at the top of the curve and gives him the opportunity to make an impact early in his career. The accolades he has earned throughout his career speak to his success on the field. We are excited about Javi's future and what he will bring to the program."

Michael Furry
OF | 6'0 | 170
Orlando, Fla. / Lake Highland Prep

2020 PG Preseason Underclass All-American Florida Region Honorable Mention
2020 WWBA World Championship All-Tournament Team
2020 WWBA 2021 Grad or 17U National Championship All-Tournament Team
PG Top 500 National Rank
2019 WWBA 2021 Grad or 16U National Championship All-Tournament Team
2019 PG Preseason Underclass All-American Honorable Mention

"Michael is someone we targeted early in the recruiting process and his athletic ability is something that stood out immediately. Michael has the ability to change the game with his speed and his dedication and want to be a Trojan is something that will be valuable in his future at Troy."

Eric Day
INF | 5'11 | 175
Oviedo, Fla / Oviedo HS

2020 PG Preseason Underclass All-American Florida Region All-American
2020 WWBA 2021 Grad or 17U National Championship All-Tournament Team
Top 500 National Rank
2019 WWBA Underclass World Championship All-Tournament Team
2019 WWBA 2021 Grad or 16U National Championship All-Tournament Team

"Eric hit our radar three years ago and it was easy to see his value as a player early on. He has a high-level hit tool that has impacted every team he has been a part of throughout his high school career. Eric has a chance to impact our team early in his career."

Keaton Fuller
RHP | 6'1 | 175
Fairhope, Ala. / Fairhope HS

2020 Rawlings Preseason All-American Honorable Mention
2020 All-Baldwin County Selection
2020 Coastal Alabama Terrific 20
2020 ALABCA Team Alabama Selection
2020 AHSAA North South All Star Selection
2019 All-Baldwin County
2019 ALABCA Team Alabama Selection

"Keaton emerged three years ago in our recruiting process and what stood out is his ability to throw strikes at a high rate with an above average fastball. He has great feel for all three pitches and his competitiveness is something that translates well to what we are looking for on the mound. Keaton is a winner that will impact our roster early in his career."

Dawson Hamilton
RHP | 6'4 | 180
Dothan, Ala. / Dothan HS

"Dawson has good feel with all of his pitches and has been a winner throughout his high school career, which should translate well here at Troy. We are excited about what Dawson brings to the program."

Logan Ross
LHP | 6'1 | 190
Opp, Ala. / Southern Union CC

"Logan has good feel with all of his pitches and can pitch on both sides of the plate. He has developed into a quality baseball player in his time at Southern Union and Post 70 in the summer. He has the opportunity to impact the program immediately. Logan's want to be a Trojan is something that will pay off in his production on the field."

Troy University Athletics

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