The Sports Inquirer

ATLANTA – Junior college pitchers Clayton Payne and Marc-Andre Habeck and catcher Nick Bradshaw, a transfer, are the latest additions to the Georgia State baseball signing class, head coach Greg Frady announced.

These three newcomers bring Georgia State’s signing class to 18, including five other junior college transfers and 10 high school prospects. The Panthers have added seven pitchers, four outfielders, three corner infielders, two middle infielders, one catcher and one utility player. Fifteen of the eighteen newcomers are from Georgia, but the class also includes players from Florida, Washington and Canada.

Habeck and Payne are both right-handers. Habeck is a native of Canada who played at Frank Phillips College in Texas, and he also pitches for the French National Team. Payne, from Fort Myers, Fla., pitched at Riverdale High School and then Daytona State College.

Bradshaw, a right-handed hitting catcher, returns to Atlanta after transferring from William and Mary in 2013-14. He attended Milton High School, which he helped to the Class AAAAAA state title in 2013, along with fellow GSU signee Jack Thompson.

“Clayton Payne is a hard-throwing right-hander who could contribute as a starter or reliever,” Frady said. “Marc-Andre Habeck gives us another right-handed option who has experience at the junior college and international levels.

“Nick Bradshaw is an outstanding defensive catcher who really adds to our depth at that position,” Frady added.

NICK BRADSHAW

C, 6-0, 175, R/R, Milton, Ga. (Milton HS/William and Mary)

Right-handed-hitting catcher who spent one year at William and Mary but did not play in any games … Helped Milton High School to the Georgia Class AAAAAA state title in 2013 … Scored the winning run in the top of the eighth inning in Milton’s 2-1 victory over Roswell in the deciding game of the championship series … Threw out a school-record 32 baserunners in 2012 … Finished his sophomore season with a .508 batting average.

MARC-ANDRE HABECK
RHP, 6-3, 200, R/R, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Frank Phillips College (Texas))

Right-handed pitcher who hails from Canada and played at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas … Posted a 6-2 record with a 4.83 as a sophomore at Frank Phillips, tossing five complete games … Compiled a 14-6 record in two seasons at Frank Phillips … A member of the French National Team, which is coached by former Major League pitcher Eric Gagne … Played prep baseball for the Langley Blaze … Latest in a line of Canadians to play for the Panthers in recent years, including catcher Marc Mimeault, outfielder Carl Moniz and infielder Jean-Michel Rochon-Salvas.

CLAYTON PAYNE
RHP, 6-4, 185, R/R, Fort Myers, Fla. (Riverdale HS/Daytona State College)

Tall right-hander from Daytona State College … Made 19 appearances, all in relief, in 2014 with a 3.25 earned run average in 27.1 innings … Won his only decision …  Went 1-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 39 innings as a freshman … Attended Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Fla. … Florida Region honorable mention by Perfect Game.