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Foster sophomore left-handed pitcher Chase Batten committed to Arizona State last week.
Foster sophomore LHP Batten commits to ASU
Chase Batten will be one of the top pitchers to come out of the Class of 2024. Foster’s 6-foot, 160-pound sophomore lefthander is opening a lot of eyes this season.
So much so that Batten didn’t take long to find his college home.
Last Friday, Batten verbally committed to Arizona State. In the Sun Devils, Batten is getting a program that has been true since day one.
“They were there from the beginning of the recruiting process and have stuck with me through all of it,” he said.
In Batten, the Sun Devils are getting one of the premier young talents in Texas high school baseball.
Batten is 7-0 so far this season with a 0.17 ERA. He has 71 strikeouts to 15 walks and surrendered one earned run and 11 hits over 42 1/3 innings.
Hitters have an average of .077 against him. Batten has a devastating curveball, throws his fastball 84-85 miles per hour on average, and introduced a two-seam fastball this season.
Batten’s recruiting will only get more intense. But for now, he has all that he needs to see in Arizona State.
“I knew that Arizona State was an amazing place to be at and didn’t want to pass up this opportunity,” he said.
Batten spoke more with VYPE.
VYPE: How would you describe the recruiting process? What was the best and most difficult thing about it?
BATTEN: The recruiting process was a bunch of fun. I took my time and just found the right school for me. The most difficult part was telling the other schools about it.
VYPE: As this season has gone on, how have you gotten better as a pitcher?
BATTEN: Definitely staying ahead in the counts and having confidence threw the whole game, pitch one through the last pitch.
VYPE: You are respected by your coaches for your confidence and composure on the mound. You never get rattled. Where do you think that comes from?
BATTEN: I think it comes from my past. Having a bad game or just a bad day, I learned from it and have worked on it. I have always just thought “that pitch is over, just throw the next one.”
VYPE: Now that you’re committed, what’s next for you? What are some things you want to accomplish and improve upon before getting to Arizona State?
BATTEN: I would like to play for Team USA and possibly get drafted out of high school.
Richmond Foster senior wing Chancellor White.
Foster star White taking greater strides as leader
RICHMOND—How does a great player reach a greater standard during his senior year?
For Foster star wing Chancellor White, it was mostly mental.
During the Falcons’ preseason fall leagues, coach Reuben Fatheree had White coach, not play.
“We had young guys who had to learn the system, so I wouldn’t let him play,” Fatheree said. “I let him coach, and he got a better understanding of things. The dividends, we’re seeing it.”
The 6-foot-6 White, who said coaching his teammates during the fall was “pretty cool,” is having a spectacular season in an illustrious high school career that has been full of them. Averaging 29.2 points and 7.4 rebounds this season, White had 31 points and 13 rebounds in Foster’s 68-54 District 24-5A win Tuesday evening over Willowridge.
“I’m just being more of that vocal leader, more of showing people what to do and things like that, instead of just expecting them to know what to do,” said White, a University of Louisiana signee. “Things have changed in that way. Other than that, I’m doing the things I normally do—make shots, play good defense and try and move the ball.”
Tuesday’s win was also White’s 100th career varsity game.
“It’s definitely a big milestone,” he said. “It’s something I didn’t even really think about, but it’s definitely a blessing to even be in that situation.”
White’s talent is apparent. He is a rangy combo guard who can score at will from all three levels, make plays for his teammates, and defend the opponent’s best player. But it’s his leadership and mentoring that is making the difference for the young 9-7 Falcons.
Fatheree often plays three sophomores together during a game. Fatheree has harped to White about sharing the ball, teaching the youngsters and being patient.
“There’s better decision-making, he’s getting guys involved,” Fatheree said. “We know when it’s time, he can go and get a bucket. But he’s got to keep his teammates involved and stay patient with them as they’re growing. His maturity level is golden.”
Offensively, White said his shooting, ballhandling and playmaking are all improved from last season. His perimeter shot, in particular, has been a boon. He’s hitting 35 percent of his 7.1 3-point attempts per game.
“He’s learned how to read defenders,” Fatheree said. “If you go underneath the screen, he’s nailing (the jump shot). And then, with his length, he’s at the rim in two or three steps if you try and hug on him. The way he’s able to read defenses now has changed his game completely.”
Though young, the Falcons are 3-2 in district play after Tuesday’s win. White is the anchor, but guys like sophomore Karunwi Olabode and juniors Jace Jones and Braden Smith have played admirably and emerged as consistent contributors, while promising sophomore talents CJ White and Jack Lamkin are blossoming more and more with each game.
“It’s been an exciting year,” White said. “A lot of guys who are new to the system, things like that. A big learning curve, but I think we’re definitely coming along at the right time. I definitely see us making a push.”