16 April 2024
- Aussies Abroad College Baseball
Australia's U18 catcher Josh Davies commits to Vernon College in Texas
Team Australia’s catcher at the last two U18 World Cups will head over to the United States to continue his baseball and academic career.
Western Australian Josh Davies has announced his commitment to Vernon College, a school in Texas.
He joins fellow 2023 World Cup teammate Koby Chesterton at Vernon. They will head to Texas in early August for the school year and pre-season baseball for the Junior College program (JUCO).
Davies, a product of the Carine Cats in Western Australia, says previous Australian athletic success at Vernon college helped make his decision.
“Aussie players Zak Skinner and Dylan Bojarski enjoyed the program,” says Davies. “I played a lot of junior baseball with Dylan and I was able to have conversations with him about their academic programs and high-quality baseball. You face a lot of talented schools and pitchers [there].”
Bojarski, also from WA, is in his second year at Vernon.
Skinner starred in 2022 and 2023 for the Texas-based program, hitting .447 and being named a two-time all conference player. His success led him to a transfer to Lamar University, a top NCAA Division 1 school.
Davies says he hopes to follow in his footsteps.
“Zak did a great job there as a fellow catcher and was able to transition to a Division 1 school,” says Davies. “That is also my goal.”
Baseball Australia’s Player Development Manager Andrew Riddell says he and Josh had been working together for a while, and had multiple conversations with top-tier junior college programs.
Riddell says he agrees with Josh in that Vernon feels like a great fit.
“Vernon College first saw him on our trip to Florida during the 2022 U18 World Cup. The coach and I stay in touch and he would regularly check in on Josh and how he was doing,” he says. “They’re getting a really good player. He is a leader behind the plate that we’ve trusted with our junior pitching staff the last two World Cups.”

Davies has found success on the international stage, hitting over .300 at each of the last two U18 World Cups.
“He has great bat-to-ball skills, rarely strikes out, and pairs great at-bats with his quality defense. He’s been around the Perth Heat program with their manager and U18 coach Andy Kyle the past couple years, and keeps making strides in his development. I think he’s going to fit in well with Vernon,” he adds.
Davies has impressed locally in Western Australia, too.
He grew up playing for the Carine Cats and earned selection to the U12 World Cup squad, two U18 World Cup teams, and multiple national charter and youth championship experiences.
He says hopes he can take his game to the next level at college.
“I want to grow my ability to drive the baseball with power and to be able to consistently do this while facing high quality arms,” he says. “Furthering my catching skills and arm strength to be able to get recruited by Division 1 coaches will also be huge for me.”

For now, Davies will stay in Perth and prepare for the season.
He says he needs to thank his dad for all his efforts.
“My Dad was a massive influence in my baseball career and I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for him. He sacrificed hundreds of hours for my baseball over my career and I will be forever grateful for him,” he says.
Stay up-to-date with other Australian college commitments and players abroad via Baseball.com.au.





















