Baseball Announces Big Recruiting Haul On Signing Day

MACON – Mercer baseball head coach Craig Gibson announced a slew of additions to his 2025 roster on Thursday as the Bears picked up recruits at multiple positions across the diamond to highlight National Signing Day for the club.

The 14-member signing class hails from four different states, including 11 that call Georgia home. The Bears picked up six student-athletes with pitching pedigrees, three of which who are potential two-way players, as well as five infielders, a pair of outfielders and one catcher.

"First of all, I would like to commend coach Willie Stewart, coach Tanner Gordon and coach Matt Williams for identifying and evaluating a great 2023 signing class," Gibson said. "I truly believe that we have added 14 quality student-athletes that will have an opportunity to have an immediate impact on our program. The class is not only outstanding on the field, but they all excel at a high level in the classroom. We fully expect to add several more pieces to this class before the Fall of 2024."

A preseason all-America and all-region standout last season, Cooper Culberson helped lead Strong Rock Christian to the state title in 2023, and is one of the nation's top-500 players according to Perfect Game USA. He also competes with the Wow Factor travel ball organization.

"Cooper is a young pitcher with plenty of room to grow as a player," Gibson said. "With his long frame and loose arm, he has already shown the ability to command several pitches in and around the zone. As he continues to get stronger and grow, he will only get better and we are very excited about his future here at Mercer."

Kai Decker has already helped pace Houston County High School to a pair of state championships, and earned 1^st team all-region nods as a junior after hitting .393 with 13 extra-base hits and 46 RBI. Listed among the nation's top 500 players by Perfect Game USA, Decker competes as a member of the Game On Baseball travel squad as well.

"Kai is a big, physical left-handed hitter who can play corner infield and will bring some serious power to our offense," Gibson said. "Kai is a proven leader and is another possible two-way player who shows some arm strength and could potentially help the Bears on the mound as well."

David Falloon hit better than .400 at the plate for Archer High School during the 2023 campaign and is listed among the nation's top 500 players by both Perfect Game USA and Prep Baseball Report. He also boasts top-100 rankings by both organizations among players in the state of Georgia as well.

"David is a big, strong young man with lots of room to grow as a baseball player," Gibson said. "He has a chance to turn into a monster at the plate for the Bears in the future as he already has some real power at the plate and shows the ability to hit for average. He will come in with a chance to impact the Bears offense early in his career."

Bryce Harrelson was a 1^st team all-region selection as a junior at Peach County High School, and is ranked among the nation's top 1000 players by Perfect Game USA, and is listed 213^th among players in the state of Georgia by the organization. Harrelson also competes with the Wow Factor Baseball travel organization.

"Bryce will come to Mercer as a potential two-way player," Gibson said. "He is a skilled sidearm pitcher, and has shown the ability to get outs from a unique arm slot. It gives our pitching staff a different look, and is something that the Bears have had a lot of success with in the past."

Craig Kalkbrenner totes a top-500 ranking by Perfect Game USA into Macon as well, and also plays a key role in the infield as part of the East Cobb Astros travel squad.

"Craig is a very talented baseball player who is more of a throwback-type player," Gibson said. "He is a very hard-nosed kid that will not back down from a challenge, and can play multiple positions on the field. While his skillset is at a very high level, we feel that Craig's best attribute as a baseball player is his instincts, and we expect him to come in and contribute to the Bears right away in some capacity."

Braydon Kersey earned team most valuable player laurels last season for Alpharetta High School, while also picking up 1^st team all-region honors as well. The 11^th overall performer in the Jupiter WWBA Tournament, he is also ranked 47^th among players in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game USA, and is listed fifth among third basemen in the Peach State. He also competes with the USA Prime Scout Team travel ball organization.

"Braydon is a very versatile player who will bring depth to our club on both sides of the ball," Gibson said. "He is a very athletic infielder with a strong arm who can play all over the field. He will walk in with a chance to compete for time on the field right away and help our club from the left side of the plate immediately."

Brayden Lawrence, who also competes with the Wow Factor Baseball travel squad, is ranked as the 11^th-best southpaw pitcher in the state of Georgia, while also ranking as the 178^th-best player in the Peach State as well. He was also tabbed with a top-500 national ranking by Perfect Game USA.

"Brayden is a big, strong pitcher, as well as a great student who has the ability to come here and jump into a role immediately," Gibson said. "Brayden is also second-generation Mercer Student-Athlete with his brother, Bryce, having played football for the Bears (2018-21)."

Kayden Linares picked up defensive player of the year laurels as junior for Floyd Central High School after also being lauded with preseason all-America and all-area nods as well. In addition to boasting a top-500 national ranking from Perfect Game USA, he is also listed 53^rd overall in the state of Indiana by Prep Baseball Report.

Kayden is a good athlete who is very good on his feet, and is a slick-fielding infielder who shows the ability to play at a high level anywhere in the dirt," Gibson said. "As Kayden becomes more physical, we fully expect to see him develop into a really good player who has the ability to stay in the middle of the field."

KJ Moon, who is listed 69^th among all players in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game USA, as well as No. 7 among third basemen in the Peach State, also boasts a national top-500 ranking by the organization. A two-time all-region and all-state selection, he has led North Oconee High School to back-to-back state championships, and was named the Athens Area Player of the Year following the conclusion of last season after belting 10 home runs and recording 57 RBI.

"KJ is another talented two-way player that will come in and make an immediate impact both as a pitcher and a position player," Gibson said. "He will be able to come in and compete for time on the mound right away, but he is also a very talented infielder who can play multiple positions in the infield and has some real power in his swing."

Cade Norton is ranked among the nation's top 1000 players by Perfect Game USA, and is listed at No. 71 among the best prospects in the state of South Carolina. He was the top-ranked player at the latest Palmetto State Games, while also taking home the Silver Slugger Award at that event as well. Norton also picked up both all-region and region player of the year laurels as a junior, and was named Blue Ridge's Gold Glove recipient as well. In addition to his prep career, Norton also showcases his talent as a member of the Athletes Lab Baseball organization.

"Cade is a skilled catcher who can also play outfield if needed," Gibson said. "He displays a very good arm, soft hands behind the plate and a very athletic body that moves well to block the baseball. His hitting has already won him many awards at the high school level, but we feel that his best attribute is what he can do behind the plate. We are excited to have Cade and expect him to come in and compete for playing time right away."

Eli Stephens hauled in both 1^st team all-region and 1^st team all-state accolades in 2023 after hitting .398 with 11 extra-base hits and 36 RBI and playing a key role in Houston County's run to a state title. Ranked among the nation's top 500 players by Perfect Game USA, Stephens is also a member of the East Coast Sox travel squad as well.

"Eli is another physical kid who will come in with a chance to contribute right away," Gibson said. "He is as versatile as he is skilled behind the plate, but also has the ability to play first base or outfield, if needed. We are excited to see what becomes of Eli in his future, but we feel confident his bat will contribute early in his career."

Skyler Thellman picked up prep all-American honors from Baseball Factory, and registered a 3.38 earned run average as a member of the baseball squad at Georgia Highlands Community College last season. He boasted a top-500 national ranking coming out of high school as well.

"Skyler will bring experience to the Mercer pitching staff after spending the last two years in junior college," Gibson said. "His ability to command two power pitches and log significant innings in tight situations will only increase his stock with the Bears. He is also a great student on and off the field and we are excited for his future as a Bear."

A four-year starter at the prep level, Craig Thurmond picked up team outstanding academic award accolades last season. In addition to competing with the Wow Factor Baseball organization, he also totes a top-500 national ranking from Perfect Game USA.

"Craig is a talented infielder who will come in and add depth to the Bears early in his career," Gibson said. "He is an explosive athlete who will add athleticism to our team immediately. He is also an outstanding student that we are excited to add to our program."

A two-time all-region selection by Perfect Game USA, Braeden Weckman has also hauled in all-conference laurels as well after having already led Winter Springs to a pair of district tiles, one region championship and an appearance in the semifinals of the Florida State Tournament. He also plays travel ball with Team Elite Baseball.

"Braeden is a big, strong physical player who shows power in his bat, as well as the ability to be a solid defender in the outfield," Gibson said. "With his ability to hit for power from the right side and play multiple positions in the outfield, we are very excited to see what will become of Braeden in his future with the Bears."

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown / Previous School
Cooper Culberson	RHP	6-2	175	Jackson, Ga. / Strong Rock Christian School
Kai Decker	INF	6-1	210	Bonaire, Ga. / Houston County HS
David Falloon	OF	6-4	195	Grayson, Ga. / Dacula HS
Bryce Harrelson	RHP/INF	6-1	150	Byron, Ga. / Peach County HS
Craig Kalkbrenner	INF	6-0	175	Kennesaw, Ga. / Harrison HS
Braydon Kersey	RHP/INF	6-1	190	Alpharetta, Ga. / Alpharetta HS
Brayden Lawrence	LHP	6-6	215	Jackson, Ga. / Locust Grove HS
Kayden Linares	INF	5-10	150	Georgetown, Ind. / Floyd Central HS
KJ Moon	RHP/INF	6-1	205	Statham, Ga. / North Oconee HS
Cade Norton	C	6-0	185	Greer, S.C. / Blue Ridge HS
Eli Stephens	INF/OF	6-2	215	Warner Robins, Ga. / Houston County HS
Skyler Thellman	RHP	6-4	205	Gainesville, Ga. / Georgia Highlands CC
Craig Thurmond	INF	5-8	155	Toccoa, Ga. / Stephens County HS
Braeden Weckman	OF	6-3	215	Winter Springs, Fla. / Winter Springs HS

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Baseball Announces Big Recruiting Haul On Signing Day

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