The state’s top baseball recruit from the class of 2021 is now UCLA bound.
Malakhi Knight, a two-sport standout at Marysville Getchell High School, announced Tuesday on Twitter that he’ll attend the Los Angeles university after decommitting from Oregon State.
“First off I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches that I’ve had over the years for pushing me to be the best I can,” Knight wrote on Twitter. “With that being said, I couldn’t be more proud to announce that I have committed to further my education and baseball career at UCLA!!”
110% committed. Go Bruins!! pic.twitter.com/xuGDSP5le2
— Malakhi (@MalakhiKnight) December 2, 2020
Knight told The Daily Herald on Wednesday that he was looking forward to getting the chance to play with a handful of his teammates from his AAU team, Canes Baseball, who are also committed to UCLA.
“We got pretty close,” he said. “Just to be playing with them at the next level, too, is a big part of it.”
He plans to sign with the Bruins in the spring.
Knight’s pledge to UCLA comes after decommitting from Oregon State in early November. Knight gave his verbal to the Beavers just before his sophomore year in the summer of 2018.
“There were just some changes made there,” Knight said of Oregon State. “I didn’t feel like it was the right place for me anymore.”
One of those changes was the recent departure of assistant coach Pat Bailey, who served as the Beavers’ interim head coach in 2019.
Knight said Bailey started recruiting him in eighth grade.
“Me and Coach Bailey, we had a good relationship,” Knight said.
Knight could also potentially be a high pick in the 2021 MLB draft. He’s the No. 16 prospect in nation and top-rated player in Washington state, according to Prep Baseball Report. A 6-foot-3, right-handed hitter, he projects as a potential five-tool player in the outfield with his combination of bat skills and athleticism.
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