Central Bucks East baseball standout Chase Harlan chooses Clemson

Central Bucks East junior infielder Chase Harlan visited Clemson University on Tuesday and committed to play for the Tigers the next day.

Harlan loved the campus, the coaching staff, facilities and pretty much everything about Clemson, the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference baseball champions in Erik Bakich's first year as head coach.

"It's an all-around great fit," Harlan said. "They've had a lot of success there. I want to be a part of that."

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Harlan had verbally committed to Cincinnati in January 2022, but the coaching staff left for a variety of reasons so he re-opened his recruiting earlier this month.

While he's mostly been a third baseman at CB East, Harlan could end up playing third, first or a corner outfield position at Clemson. He ran a 6.6-second, 60-yard dash last week, so speed is also part of his game whether he's batting or in the field.

"I think that hitting will take me as far as it can," Harlan said. "They'll put me where they need me. They say I'm a primary third baseman, but I can play anywhere."

Harlan is a two-time All-Suburban One League Colonial Division selection who led the Patriots in home runs (5), RBIs (21), runs (24), on-base percentage (.518), OPS (1.257) and tied for first in hits (30) while batting .435 this spring.

His most memorable moment as a junior was the walk-off, two-run homer to beat eventual District One champion Central Bucks West 4-3 on May 5. He also made a terrific diving play on a ground ball at third and threw the batter out to end a 4-1 win over Pennridge.

Harlan hit .426 as a sophomore with six doubles, three home runs, 19 RBIs and a 1.148 OPS.

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In its 2022 assessment of Harlan, Perfect Game said he has a "big-time arm as he was clocked up to 94 mph across the diamond. Right-handed hitter, sets up with a wide, balanced stance and a high-hand set. Explosive hand speed, generating tons of bat speed from his strong lower half."

This summer, Harlan is playing for Artillery Baseball out of Gibbstown, New Jersey. He'll be participating in tournaments from Florida to Alabama prior to the Perfect Game WWBA National Championships in Marietta, Georgia, from July 16-23.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks East baseball standout Chase Harlan chooses Clemson