Shawon Dunston Jr. of Valley Christian High has decided to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and become a Vanderbilt Commodore in Nashville. Dunston is a centerfielder for the Warriors as they went 19-12 in the West Catholic Athletic League last year.
Dunston has college offers from Arizona, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Oregon State, and Wake Forest. Vanderbilt won out because of the combination of its academic prestige, location, and baseball program. US News ranks Vanderbilt as the 17th best national university. Vanderbilt was founded in 1873 and was endowed by Cornelius Vanderbilt, a railroad and shipping entrepreneur. Dunston Jr considers himself to be a "California kid" but wanted to leave home to play baseball. In addition, his older sister, Jasmine, is attending Tennessee State University, which is a few miles from Vanderbilt.
As for the baseball reasons to attending Vanderbilt, Dunston cites the program's dominance, coaching staff, and his Nashville visit. Vanderbilt finished last season 46-20 and was ranked No. 15 by Rivals.com. The season included its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. In Coach Tim Corbin's seven years, Vanderbilt has reached the tournament in six years.
Dunston says about his future coaching staff, "Coach Corbin is the man. I like his vibe a lot as he is a very good person and a good coach. He is a player's coach and he likes to get after it, and I can't wait to play for him. Coach Holiday is the hitting coach and he recruited me along with Coach Corbin and he knows his hitting. His brother is Matt Holiday who is the All-Star outfielder with the St. Louis Cardinals." What this Valley High senior says about his Nashville visit, "I went on my official visit to Vanderbilt in early September and I just fell in love right when I got there. I told myself that this is where I want to play college baseball in the SEC. The Vanderbilt program has produced more drafted players out of college in the last seven years. That is important to me because after college baseball, the goal is to be a very high draft pick."
Perfect Game USA is one of the larger baseball scouting services. Before Dunston made his decision, Vanderbilt had the fifth best recruiting class according to Perfect Game USA. Including Dunston, Vanderbilt's upcoming baseball class has three Aflac All-Americans and one Under Armour All-American. Expect the Commodores to continue to make some noise in the SEC and in the College World Series in Nebraska. Dunston is relieved that the recruiting process is over. Initially, he had over a dozen schools courting him. That was fun at first, but the pressure to make the right decision was becoming hectic.
Not surprisingly, Shawon Dunston Sr. happens to be Shawon's father. And the elder Dunston was the No. 1 overall MLB pick in 1982 and went on to play for the Chicago Cubs and a few other MLB teams. Dunston Sr was known to have a strong arm at shortstop in his playing days. Dunston Sr is currently working as a special assistant for the San Francisco Giants. Shawon credits his baseball success and guidance to his father. He says, "My dad is the one that first put a baseball glove on my hand at a young age. With the college process, he helped me out. For the final decision, he told me that I am going to school for myself not for him. So, the school has to fit my needs. With the baseball draft, he just says to keep it simple and don't worry about it." Junior knows that he cannot control the MLB draft but he can continue to work hard and have a very good spring.
Getting drafted in baseball is important for him, but earning a solid education was more important. As a result, Dunston Jr. is itching to get to the Nashville campus. He credits this past summer for helping him get the necessary exposure.
Shawon participated in the Perfect Game Nationals in Florida, the Areacodes games, and the Aflac All American game. The Perfect Game Nationals is where he got his name out to the entire country and the reason why he became an Aflac All American. He ran a 6.58 in the 60 yard dash and was one of the best athletes in attendance. Ironically, National League Rookie of the Year Buster Posey convinced his dad to allow him to go to the Perfect Game Nationals along with his friend Dylan Delso of Oklahoma, who is another high level prospect who is going to Arizona State. The Areacode games was a good experience as he got to play against the players that he first saw in June again in August. The Aflac All American game was the best game he has ever played in and his best baseball memory and accomplishment. The game was on national TV that has the best high school players in the nation.
At 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds, Dunston Jr. is a developing five tool player. At the center fielder position, Dunston Jr has above average speed to play very good defense. He has a good throwing arm to make assists from the outfield. He is primarily a line drive hitter but is developing his power game. He tries to get on base to create havoc with his speed.
He will put those tools to use for Valley High as his team goal for the upcoming season is try to win a WCAL and CCS championship. Individually, he wants to be more of a leader out on the field and let his game do the talking. As a player, he looks to change the game with his speed, his arm, his hitting, and his outfield defense. Dunston Jr. is humble as he knows that he has a long ways to go to get to the desired level of performance.
Watch for this Warrior to have another impact year for his Valley High team in San Jose this upcoming baseball season. And then watch for Dunston Jr to convert into a Commodore in 2011.
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