Baseball Signs Five-Member Recruiting Class
11/13/2024 2:47:00 PM | Baseball
MACON – Head Coach Craig Gibson and the Mercer baseball program announced the signing of a five-member recruiting class on today's National Signing Day.
"We think we went out and addressed our needs," Gibson said about the class. "I think the class is small in numbers but high in quality. The five guys really address our needs, especially with the new model of a potential roster cap moving forward. We think that the addition of these guys to our roster will add to a strong core that keeps us in championship contention over the next few years."
Parker Dastou
Infielder | Walton High School | Prostock Baseball | Marietta, Ga.
Parker Dastou comes to Mercer from Marietta, Ga. and Walton High School. Dastou helped Walton to a Region championship and an Elite Eight appearance in the state tournament, hitting .368 and stealing 14 bases. Dastou was a First Team All-Region selection and participated in the East/West All-Star Game.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Dastou - "Parker is a versatile player that can play all three infield spots. We've had several outstanding players from Walton High School, including Mercer Hall of Famer and former big leaguer Billy Burns, and we are excited to add Parker to that list."
Ethan Buffone
Infielder | Houston County High School | Southeast Sox | Warner Robins, Ga.
Ethan Buffone arrives in Macon from nearby Warner Robins, Ga. and Houston County High School. An elite-level athlete, Buffone will play both soccer and baseball for the Bears. Buffone was a First Team All-Region and Region Defensive Player of the Year selection at Houston County High School and helped the team to a state championship in 2023.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Buffone - "Ethan is one of the first dual-sport athletes that we have had on campus. He is a rangy, athletic guy who can play in the middle of the field and reminds us of former Bear RJ Yeager. He has a chance to walk in and play immediately as a true freshman."
Gabe Gonzalez
Catcher | The Bolles School | East Cobb Astros | Jacksonville, Fla.
Gabe Gonzalez signs with Mercer from Jacksonville, Fla. and The Bolles School, where he was a four-year varsity letterwinner. Gonzalez was named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State Team in 2024 after hitting .324 with five doubles and four home runs and helping his team to a District championship.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Gonzalez - "Gabe reminds me a lot of former Bear Collin Price. He is a very projectable guy behind the dish with great leadership skills. He's a great fit for us in a lot of areas."
Nathan Rowland
Catcher/Outfielder | North Paulding High School | USA Scout National | Acworth, Ga.
Nathan Rowland arrives in Macon from Acworth, Ga. and North Paulding High School. Rowland was a First Team All-Region selection in 2023 and helped North Paulding to the GHSA 7A Final Four in 2023 and 2024. Rowland played his travel baseball with USA Scout National, hitting .405 with a .520 on base percentage.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Rowland – "Nathan is a versatile athlete who can catch as well as play multiple positions. He is physical with a plus run tool and fits the mold of student-athlete that we are looking for."
Michael Strickland
Right-Handed Pitcher | Coffee County High School | Prime Baseball | Douglas, Ga.
Michael Strickland comes to Mercer from Douglas, Ga. and Coffee County High School. As a junior at Coffee County, Strickland was a First Team All-Region pick at both first base and pitcher, helping the team set a new single-season wins record and make a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the state playoffs. Strickland hit .402 with five home runs at the plate and won six games on the mound, striking out 76 with a 1.88 ERA.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Strickland - "Michael is a very projectable right-handed pitcher that played for the great Shane Monahan with Prime Baseball. He has all the tools to be a front-line weekend starter and is a very polished, high-ceiling player."
"We think we went out and addressed our needs," Gibson said about the class. "I think the class is small in numbers but high in quality. The five guys really address our needs, especially with the new model of a potential roster cap moving forward. We think that the addition of these guys to our roster will add to a strong core that keeps us in championship contention over the next few years."
Parker Dastou
Infielder | Walton High School | Prostock Baseball | Marietta, Ga.
Parker Dastou comes to Mercer from Marietta, Ga. and Walton High School. Dastou helped Walton to a Region championship and an Elite Eight appearance in the state tournament, hitting .368 and stealing 14 bases. Dastou was a First Team All-Region selection and participated in the East/West All-Star Game.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Dastou - "Parker is a versatile player that can play all three infield spots. We've had several outstanding players from Walton High School, including Mercer Hall of Famer and former big leaguer Billy Burns, and we are excited to add Parker to that list."
Ethan Buffone
Infielder | Houston County High School | Southeast Sox | Warner Robins, Ga.
Ethan Buffone arrives in Macon from nearby Warner Robins, Ga. and Houston County High School. An elite-level athlete, Buffone will play both soccer and baseball for the Bears. Buffone was a First Team All-Region and Region Defensive Player of the Year selection at Houston County High School and helped the team to a state championship in 2023.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Buffone - "Ethan is one of the first dual-sport athletes that we have had on campus. He is a rangy, athletic guy who can play in the middle of the field and reminds us of former Bear RJ Yeager. He has a chance to walk in and play immediately as a true freshman."
Gabe Gonzalez
Catcher | The Bolles School | East Cobb Astros | Jacksonville, Fla.
Gabe Gonzalez signs with Mercer from Jacksonville, Fla. and The Bolles School, where he was a four-year varsity letterwinner. Gonzalez was named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State Team in 2024 after hitting .324 with five doubles and four home runs and helping his team to a District championship.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Gonzalez - "Gabe reminds me a lot of former Bear Collin Price. He is a very projectable guy behind the dish with great leadership skills. He's a great fit for us in a lot of areas."
Nathan Rowland
Catcher/Outfielder | North Paulding High School | USA Scout National | Acworth, Ga.
Nathan Rowland arrives in Macon from Acworth, Ga. and North Paulding High School. Rowland was a First Team All-Region selection in 2023 and helped North Paulding to the GHSA 7A Final Four in 2023 and 2024. Rowland played his travel baseball with USA Scout National, hitting .405 with a .520 on base percentage.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Rowland – "Nathan is a versatile athlete who can catch as well as play multiple positions. He is physical with a plus run tool and fits the mold of student-athlete that we are looking for."
Michael Strickland
Right-Handed Pitcher | Coffee County High School | Prime Baseball | Douglas, Ga.
Michael Strickland comes to Mercer from Douglas, Ga. and Coffee County High School. As a junior at Coffee County, Strickland was a First Team All-Region pick at both first base and pitcher, helping the team set a new single-season wins record and make a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the state playoffs. Strickland hit .402 with five home runs at the plate and won six games on the mound, striking out 76 with a 1.88 ERA.
Head Coach Craig Gibson on Strickland - "Michael is a very projectable right-handed pitcher that played for the great Shane Monahan with Prime Baseball. He has all the tools to be a front-line weekend starter and is a very polished, high-ceiling player."
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