With the start of school this week at New Mexico State, Aggies baseball head coach Brian Green has announced his new recruits. And from a roster standpoint, he’s not going to get caught standing pat after a 10-39-1 first season.
For his second year at his alma mater, Green is bringing in 35 new players. That’s right — 35. All but 10 of those are junior-college transfers.
Per a press release on Wednesday from the school, here they are:
Coach Green Announces 2015 NM State Baseball Recruiting Class
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State head baseball coach Brian Green and his coaching have announced their first recruiting class as the 2015 fall semester has started on the campus of New Mexico State University, Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Green’s first class features a mix of both high school and junior college players, coming primarily from the Southwest and West regions of the United States.
“We are so proud that these individuals chose to continue their careers here in Las Cruces,” said Coach Green. “As an Aggie Baseball alum, I was honored to share with these families the NM State experience and more important the vision that we have for our program.”
Coach Green, with the help of recruiting coordinator Joel Mangrum and assistant coaches Mike Brown and Ben Jackson, has brought in players from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, California, and El Paso.
“Going into our first class, it was critical for us to recapture the NM State brand in the Southwest and was really important for us to get out in the surrounding communities to sell this great University,” said Coach Green. “I was beyond impressed and proud of the efforts led by recruiting coordinator Joel Mangrum, and assistant coaches Mike Brown and Ben Jackson. They hauled in a class filled with talent and character and we are fired up to welcome this group of student athletes into the Aggie Family.”
Class Highlights:
All Americans 4 All State Awardees 4
All Conference Awardees 13 MLB Drafts 1
Junior College Players 25 High School Players 10
Breakdown by State and Region
Arizona 8 New Mexico 7 California 9
Colorado 2 Kansas 4 El Paso 5
Outfielders
Dan Hetzel
School- Cochise College-Transfer from Rhode Island
Position- OF
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Todd Inglehart
-2015 PG Top 200 JUCO Prospects- #150
-2015 Season- 58 games, 201 AB’s, 34 R’s, 67 H’s, 11 2B’s, 8 HR’s, 44 RBI’s, 23 BB’s to 21 K’s, .333 BA, .527 SLG, 5 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Dan brings offense to the class as well as a plus outfield arm. He brings power, as well as great plate discipline. He will compete immediately in the outfield for playing time.”
Greg Popylisen
School- El Paso Community College
Position- OF
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Dominic Bouvier
-Drafted in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft in the 30th round (890) by the Minnesota Twins
-2014 WJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention
-2015 WJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention
-2014 Season- 46 games, 146 AB’s, .356 BA, .446 OB%, 52 hits, 40 runs, 4 2B’s, 17 SB’s
-2015 Season- 38 games, 118 AB’s, .364 BA, .440 OB%, 43 hits, 38 runs, 16 RBI, 23 SB’s, 22 BB’s 16 K’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Greg brings a top of the order presence that we really needed. He will certainly be one of the fastest players in the Western Athletic Conference and that speed enables him to cover a ton of ground in center field. Having a drafted player, and being from El Paso Community College, we couldn’t be more thrilled to watch Greg develop into a really talented player here in Las Cruces.”
Austin Botello
School- New Mexico Junior College
Position- OF
Year in School- JR
B/T- L/L
Coach- Josh Simpson
-2015 WJCAC All-Conference 1st Team OF
-2014 Season- 43 games, 134 AB’s, .358 BA, 48 Hits, 32 runs, 32 RBI, 10 2B’s, 5 3B’s
-2015 Season- 58 games, 187 AB’s, .374 BA, .658 SLG%, .433 OB%, 70 Hits, 52 runs, 11 2B’s, 12 HR’s, 3 3B’s, 20 BB’s, 5 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Austin had a huge year for Coach Simpson at NMJC. He brings offense and a left handed presence that we needed. We expect big things from Austin both with his outfield defense and with his offense. He brings in about as impressive a 2 year junior college stat line as you will find.”
Jaron Balman
School- Northeastern Junior College
Position- OF/1B
Year in School- JR
B/T- L/R
Coach- Bryan Shepherd
-2014 All-Region IX Team as an OF
-2014 season- 44 games, 133 AB’s, .316 BA, 42 hits, 4 HR’s,
-2015 season- 51 games, 152 AB’s, .296 BA, .526 SLG%, 45 hits, 28 runs, 13 2B’s, 6 HR’s, 31 RBI, 7 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Jaron has a chance to develop into a legitimate power hitter in Las Cruces. A left handed hitter and a real physical presence, he has the skills and tools to develop into a power threat in the middle of the order.”
Tommy Bell
School- Orange Coast College
Position- OF/1B
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- John Altobelli
-2014 Rawlings/ABCA Southern California All-Region Team
-2014 CCCBCA All-State Team
-2014 All-Orange Empire Conference Team as an OF
-2015 PG Top 200 JUCO Prospects- #170
-2015 All Southern California Team
-2015 All-Orange Empire Conference Team as an OF
-2015 California Collegiate Summer League All-Star and All-Star Game MVP
-2014 Season- 43 games, 151 AB’s, .384 BA, .583 SLG%, 58 hits, 26 runs, 11 2B’s, 5 HR’s, 39 RBI’s
-2015 Season- 46 games, 169 AB’s, .302 BA, .456 SLG%, 51 hits, 35 runs, 13 2B’s, 3 HR’s, 31 RBI’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Anytime you can get a back to back All Orange empire Conference player, you are doing solid in recruiting. Tommy brings 2 years of State Championships for Coach Altobelli at Coast and brings a gifted set of tools. Tommy has legitimate power potential and for 2 years at the Junior College level has had a lot of success. We are pumped he’s an Aggie.”
Infielders
Branden Grieger
School- New Mexico Junior College
Position- MINF
Year in School- SR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Josh Simpson
-2015 NJCAA D1 Baseball All-American Honorable Mention
-2015 Silver Slugger Finalists
-2015 All-Region V Baseball 1st Team Infielder
-2015 All WJCAC All-Conference 1st Team Infielder
-Named WJCAC Player of the Week Twice
-Finished third in all of D1 NJCAA baseball in batting average
-2014 Season-42 games, 132 AB’s, .432 BA, 57 hits, 36 runs, 23 RBI, 8 2B’s, 10 SB’s
-2015 Season-59 games, 201 AB’s, .478 BA, .563 OB%, .701 SLG%, 64 runs, 96 hits, 16 2B’s, 4 3B’s, 7 HR’s, 50 RBI’s, 42 BB’s, 30 K’s, 17 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“One of the most skilled players in the class, Branden comes to Las Cruces as an honorable mention All American and brings with him really gifted hands and foot speed, which will enable him to compete right away for the shortstop position. Another talented player from Coach Simpson at NMJC.”
LJ Hatch
School- Johnson County Community College
Position- MINF/RHP
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Kent Shelley
-2014 All-Region VI Team at SS
-2014 1st Team KJCCC All-Conference at SS
-2015 All-Region VI Team at SS
-2015 1st Team KJCCC All-Conference at SS
-2014 Season-62 games, 210 AB’s, .319 BA, 67 hits, 47 runs, 50 RBI, 14 2B’s, 4 3B’s
-2015 Season-58 games, 225 AB’s, .356 BA, .400 OB%, .596 SLG%, 60 runs, 80 hits, 15 2B’s, 9 3B’s, 7 HR’s, 47 RBI’s, 5 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“What a great job by the staff in hauling in LJ Hatch. Recruited by many schools in the Midwest, we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring in the type of competitor and kid that LJ Hatch is. LJ is a back to back all conference shortstop from one of the top juco leagues in the country, comes from a great coaching staff at Johnson County and will compete immediately for playing time.”
Alex Reyes
School- El Dorado HS/El Paso, TX
Travel Team- AZ Yankees Scout Team/ Albuquerque Baseball Academy
Position- MINF/RHP
Year in School- FR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Ryan Beard
-2014 Under Armor High School All-American
-2014 El Paso Times All City Team- 1st Team Pitcher and SS
-2014 2nd Team All District
-2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention High School All-American
-2015 Perfect Game Top 500 recruit in the country
-2015 115th ranked player and 54th ranked Pitcher in Texas by Perfect Game
-2015 El Paso Times All City Team- 1st Team Pitcher and SS
-2015 2nd Team All District
-Set school records for ERA (1.77) and wins in a season (9)
Coach Green’s comments:
“Alex was one of the first kids we identified in the recruiting class as a target. A legitimate 2 way player, he’s a guy that’s been up to 93 on the mound and can play anywhere on the infield. Alex will be given the opportunity to be a 2 way player, and competed on one of the best scout teams in the country, for Brian Huie of the Arizona Yankees. We were thrilled to have one of the best players from El Paso sign with us.”
Brent Sakurai
School- Glendale College
Position- MINF
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Chris Cicuto
-1st Team All Western State Conference South Infielder
-2015 Season- 40 games, 151 AB’s, .311 BA, 47 hits, 16 RBI, 16 BB to 16K’s, 7 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“All conference infielder from Southern California. Plus plus defender, outstanding hands and exchange and plus foot speed. Brent brings a real talent for infield defense and will make an immediate impact for us.”
Roman Trujillo
School- Onate HS/Las Cruces, NM
Position- MINF
Year in School- FR
B/T- R/R
Coach- David Reyes
-2015 2nd Team 6A All State Shortstop
-2015 1st Team 3-6A All District Shortstop
-2015 Season- 97 AB’s, .485 BA, 47 hits, 38 runs, 41 RBI’s, 16 2B’s, 6 3B’s, 3 HR’s, 19 BB’s to 9 K’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Roman has a chance to be extremely skilled and compete for playing time soon. He is a legitimate defender and a plus competitor. Had a great summer playing for the bayside Yankees, and even better was the starting shortstop for Aggie Alum and my former teammate David Reyes. Really happy to have a local player as talented as Roman join the Aggie Family.”
Trey Stine
School- Pima Community College
Position- INF/OF
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Jason Hisey
-2015 Season- 51 games, 165 AB’s, .309 BA, .448 SLG%, 51 hits, 14 2B’s, 3 HR’s, 34 RBI’s, 5 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Trey will bring a physical presence to our corner infield positions and a toughness that the position is missing. A plus competitor with soft hands and a power threat with the bat. Trey will compete immediately for a corner position.”
Zak Felix
School- New Mexico Junior College
Position- MINF
Year in School- JR
B/T- L/R
Coach- Josh Simpson
-2014 Season- 24 games, 86 AB’s, .395 BA, .447 OB%, 34 Hits, 15 runs, 16 RBI, 5 SB’s
-2015 Season-Injured most of season- 32 games, 94 AB’s, .287 BA, .404 SLG%, 20 runs, 27 hits, 6 2B’s, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 9 SB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Zak is a very skilled infielder and left handed hitter. Zak will compete immediately for a middle infield position. He has a very smooth left handed stroke and is a great story, as his dad Lauro was one of the better players to ever come through Las Cruces. To have as talented a player as Zak, as well as the family story line….it’s a great start to a hopeful great story.”
Joe Galindo
School- New Mexico Military Institute
Position- UT/RHP
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Chris Cook
-2014 WJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention
-2015 WJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention
-2014 Season-54 games, .327 BA, 171 AB’s, 56 hits, 41 runs, 48 RBI, 12 2B’s, 8 HR’s
-2015 Season-54 games, .301 BA, 176 AB’s, .494 SLG%, 53 hits, 33 runs, 14 2B’s, 6 HR’s, 40 RBI
Coach Green’s comments:
“Joe brings both velocity on the mound as a potential closer, as well as a power threat at the plate. Joe will have the opportunity to compete as a 2 way player. We are excited about his potential both ways, and were thrilled to have another El Paso family join us. Joe competed for a great coaching staff at NMMI and Coach Cook.”
Brandon Burke
School- Pima Community College
Position- INF/UT
Year in School- JR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Jason Hisey
-2015 Season- 39 games, 123 AB’s, .309 BA, 38 hits, 3 HR’s, 5 2B’s, 20 runs,
Coach Green’s comments:
“Ultra-competitive and extremely versatile, Brandon comes to us from Pima CC and will compete for an infield middle position. Shows up every day and plays really hard. Expect Brandon to be right in the middle of competing for a spot right away.”
Catchers
Mason Fishback
School- Riverside City College- Transfer from Oregon State
Position- C
Year in School-RSO
B/T- R/R
Coach- Dennis Rogers
-2013 Perfect Game Top 500 recruit in the country
-2013- 13th ranked Catcher in California by Perfect Game
-2015 Season-19 games, 47 AB’s, .319 BA, .447 SLG%, 15 hits, 1 HR,
Coach Green’s comments:
“Mason is a Transfer from my alma mater Riverside Community College and one of the best coaches in the country in Dennis Rogers. He can really really catch and throw. Was a top player out of high school going to Oregon State and then transferring. Was a really good player for the Woodchucks in the Northwoods league this summer. He will compete immediately for a starting position. Should be one of the better catch throw guys in the league.”
Chad Riebenspies
School- Cowley College
Position- C
Year in School- JR
B/T- L/R
Coach-Dave Burroughs
-2nd Team KJCCC All-Conference as a Catcher
-2015 Season- 42 games, 122 AB’s, .336 BA, .422 OB%, .631 SLG%, 41 hits, 31 runs, 11 2B’s, 7 HR’s, 2 3B’s, 41 RBI’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Chad turned down multiple offers from top level Midwest and Southwest programs. He brings a talented skillset of catch throw and receive and brings in left handed offense. He will compete immediately for a starting position. He comes from one of the top junior college programs and coaching staff’s in the country. To have a Coach Burroughs guy in your program, we are absolutely thrilled Chad Rebenspies is an Aggie.”
Jason Bush
School- Cypress High School/Cypress, CA
Travel Team- Team California
Position- C
Year in School- FR
B/T- L/R
Coach- John Weber
-2015 Perfect Game High Follow in California
-Ranked by Perfect Game as the 331 player and 39th catcher in California
Coach Green’s comments:
“Really projectable player with what we feel has a huge upside. Played for a great high school program for Coach Weber at Cypress High School, and had a very productive summer playing for Marc Cuseta’s Bayside Yankees. Jason also competed for Mitch Spiers with Team California, so he’s been around really good baseball guys. We think Jason has an opportunity to be an impact player here, as he displays an above average arm, and has an opportunity to be a skilled left handing hitting catcher with a career.”
Tristen Carranza
School- Brawley HS/Brawley, CA
Travel Team- IV Diablos/SoCal Rays Scout Team
Position- C/UT
Year in School- FR
B/T- R/R
Coach- Pedro Carranza
-2014 All Imperial Valley League
-2015 All Imperial Valley League
-2015 All Imperial Valley League Player of the Year
-Was offered international free agent contract by Chicago Cubs
-2015 Season- 29 games, 78 AB’s, .436 BA, 34 hits, 10 2B’s, 4 3B’s, 2 HR’s, 25 BB’s to 7 K’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Tristen comes to Las Cruces bringing two talented tools. He brings a well above average arm and has real power with bat speed. He will compete immediately for an opportunity at a corner infield spot or catch. He has a chance to have a real career here with the way he can swing the bat.”
Pitchers
Brett Worthen
School- New Mexico Junior College
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Josh Simpson
-2015 WJCAC Baseball All-Conference Team-1st Team Pitcher
-Led all of NJCAA D1 baseball in Saves with 13
-2015 Season- Appeared in 25 games, 33 IP, 2.45 ERA, 6-2 record, 13 Saves (Lead Conf. and Country), allowed 17 H’s, 9 ER, 61 K’s to 13 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“A tremendous competitor and kid, Brett will compete immediately for one of the late inning relievers. Fast arm, has been up to 94 mph and loves to compete. Pumped Brett is here.”
Matt McHugh
School- Johnson County Community College- Transfer from Purdue
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Kent Shelley
-2015 PG Top 200 JUCO Prospects- #194
-2015 All-Conference KJCCC Honorable Mention
-2015 Season- 13 games, 12 GS, 5-2 record, 2 CG, 57.2 IP, 4.68 ERA, 52 K’s, 22 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Matt comes in with big accolades from Johnson County community college. He was recruited by many schools in the Midwest, comes from a great family and plus community college program. He is a physical Rhp whom will compete for a rotation spot.”
Steven Butts
School- Northwest Christian HS/Phoenix, AZ
Travel Team- Arizona Diamondbacks Scout Team
Position- LHP
Year in School- FR
Coach- Rod Bair
-In 2015 Perfect Game ranked him as the 5th best LHP in the State
-In 2015 Max Prep ranked him the 9th best player in the state of Arizona
-2015 Max Prep Small High School All-American- 1st Team Pitcher
-2015 Arizona Republic DIII All-State Team- 1st Team Pitcher
-2015 Arizona Republic DIII All-Region Team- 1st Team Pitcher
-Pitcher in the 2015 Arizona High School All-Star Game
-High School won a State Championship in 2015
-2015 Season- 12-2 record, 96.2 IP, 1.38 ERA, 6 shutouts, 70 hits, 80 K’s to 19 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Anytime you can bring in a left handed pitcher as accomplished as a Steven Butts, you can certainly feel good going into the next season. He’s a left handed pitcher with plus command and he loves to compete. We expect Steven to compete for a real role immediately.”
Kyle Bradish
School- Millennium HS/Phoenix, AZ
Travel Team- Cleats Pilots
Position- RHP
Year in School- FR
Coach- Ryan Bethel
-2015 Perfect Game All West Region Team
-2015 Arizona Republic All-Section Team- 1st Team Pitcher
-Pitcher in the 2015 Arizona High School All-Star Game
-2015 Season- 12 games, 43.1 IP, 3-4 record, 3.88 ERA, 78 K’s to 31 BB’s
-Career High School numbers- 101.1 IP, 3.87 ERA, 123 K’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“We were thrilled to find Kyle in the spring. Kyle comes to us with about as much potential and projection as anyone in the class. A Rhp who is very athletic, shows a clean and fast arm, we are really excited about the Kyle Bradish and what the future holds for him. He has a chance to have a real career.”
Marcel Renteria
School- Pima Community College
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Jason Hisey
-2014 Season- 14 games, 7-2 record, 72 IP, 2.00 ERA, 57 hits, 75 K’s to 30 BB’s
-2015 Season- missed most of season-lower back injury- 7 games, 0-2 record, 2 saves, 26 IP, 3.76 ERA
Coach Green’s comments:
“Marcel was really the first big recruit that committed to us. He had received a lot of attention from the west coast schools and we recruited him extremely hard. Can’t wait for him to return to form after his back issues last year. Marcel should be an impact pitcher for us.”
Chris Butcher
School- Rio Hondo College
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Mike Salazar
-1st Team 2015 All Foothill Conference Team Relief Pitcher
-2015 season- 18 games, 6-2 record, 3 saves, 48 IP, 2.81 ERA, 51 hits, 15 ER, 35 K’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Submarine reliever who has a rubber arm. We look for Butch to be a guy that can come in and compete for relief innings right away. Comes from a great program for Coach Salazar at Rio Hondo in southern California.”
Andy Frakes
School- Glendale Community College- Transfer from University of San Francisco
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Chris Cicuto
-1st Team All Western State Conference South Relief Pitcher
-2015 Season-23 games, 5-1 record, 4 saves, 50.1 IP, 3.75 ERA, 49 hits, 51 K’s to 7 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Andy was a bounce back from San Francisco to Glendale College, a great program with coaches we have plus relationships with in Coach Cicuto and Kocol. Andy pounds the zone, his strikeout to walk numbers are really impressive, 51ks to 7bb. We plan on him making a big impact for us.”
Ruger Rodriguez
School- New Mexico Military Institute
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Chris Cook
-2015 WJCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention
-2015 Season- 20 games, 10 saves (2nd in conference), 20.1 IP, 30 k’s to 14 BB’s, .260 opp. BA
Coach Green’s comments:
Great to have a New Mexico product whom will be in the mix for the closer position. Ruger is a guy that’s going to come right at you and has a great arm. He’s been as high as 94mph. We expect big things from Ruger.”
Tyler Erwin
School- South Mountain Community College
Position- LHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Todd Eastin
-2014 Season- 15 games, 5-1 record, 47 IP, 4.02 ERA, 45 K’s to 19 BB’s
-2015 Season- 26 games, 2-4 record, 7 saves, 60 IP, 4.65 ERA, 61 K’s to 23 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Tyler was a really big get for us. He brings us a left handed presence on the mound, as well as a really tough competitor. Tyler comes from a great family, he should make an immediate impact for us either as a starter or whom can pitch late in games. We expect Tyler to contribute immediately.”
Dalton Shalberg
School- Garden City Community College
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach- Chris Finnegan
-2015 Season- 12 games, 11 starts, 2-6 record, 56 IP, 65 hits, 5.70 ERA, 54 K’s to 22 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“We expect Dalton to come and contribute for innings right away. He’s a physical Rhp whom has shown the ability to compete and strike guys out. Really excited he’s here, Dalton was recruited by multiple schools in the Midwest.”
Anthony “Tony” Yacovetta
School- Garden City Community College
Position- RHP
Year in School- RJR
Coach-Chris Finnegan
-2015 Season- 9 games and 9 starts, 4-2 record, 47.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 54 hits, 39 K’s to 13 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Tony had a fantastic season for Coach Finnegan at Garden City. He will come in and make a run as a starter, he brings a physical presence and should pitch after his time at New Mexico State. He has a chance to have a real career here.”
Chris Kucko
School- Pima Community College
Position- RHP
Year in School- JR
Coach-Jason Hisey
-2015 Season- 21 games, 87.1 IP, 3.19 ERA, 4-8 record, 4 saves, 5 CG, 51 K’s to 14 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Plus competitor whom can throw any pitch any time. Chris will be a guy we like giving the ball to, he’s a guy that doesn’t back down and we expect him to get substantial innings this season.”
Michael Gammon
School- Chandler Gilbert Community College
Position-RHP
Year in School- RJR
Coach- Russ Luce
-2015 Season- 12 games, 22.2 IP, 4-0 record, 1 save, 4.37 ERA, 21 hits, 21 K’s to 10 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Michael was a guy that we got into late in the recruiting cycle and feel really fortunate to have gotten him. Michael has a really loose arm and can mix angles, and has deception right now. He will have an opportunity immediately to find a role.”
Matt Munden
School- Coronado HS/El Paso, TX
Travel Team- Albuquerque Baseball Academy
Position- RHP
Year in School- FR
Coach- Juan Orozco
-2015 El Paso Times All City Team- 1st Team Pitcher
-2015 2nd Team All District
-2015 Season- 11 games, 36.1 IP, 4-5 record, 3.06 ERA, 53 K’s, 12 BB’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“Another El Paso product, I think fans are really going to like watching Matt Munden pitch. He’s a guy that is going to give you everything he has. He has a great arm, has been as high as 93mph and he’s from right down the road. Matt has the stuff and arm strength to have a real career here in Las Cruces.”
Jon Law
School- Hanks HS/El Paso, TX
Position- RHP
Year in School- FR
Coach- Ryan Medrano
-2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention High School All-American
-2015 Perfect Game Texas All Region 2nd Team
-2015 Perfect Game Top 500 recruit in the country
-2015 123rd ranked player and 55th ranked Pitcher in Texas by Perfect Game
-2015 El Paso Times All City Team- 1st Team Pitcher
-2015 1st Team All District
-2015 Season-64ip 56 hits 86 strikeouts 37 walks 2.29 era
Coach Green’s comments:
“Another El Paso product, Jon Law was one of the more highly touted players in El Paso. He was All City and All district and struck out a bunch of guys. He has a chance to be really good here, and he comes with a special meaning for me, as his High School Coaches were both my teammates here back in 1994 with Ryan Medrano and Carlos Licon. Very cool for me personally.”
Fabian Reyes
School- Onate HS/Las Cruces, NM
Position- RHP
Year in School- FR
Coach-David Reyes
-2015 2nd Team 6A All State Centerfielder
-2015 1st Team 3-6A All District Centerfielder
-2015 Season- 4-1 record, 2.10 ERA, 6 saves, 16 K’s,
-95 AB’s, .421 BA, 40 hits, 33 Runs, 25 RBI, 8 2B’s
Coach Green’s comments:
“All state player from here in town, great to have another New Mexico product. Fabian will compete for opportunity as a sidearm reliever. He is extremely competitive and great teammate. Another great story, but Fabian’s dad and High School Coach, David Reyes was a teammate and still is a great friend. Really neat story to have Fabian and we think he has a chance to get real innings here.”
David Barela
School- Redlands East Valley HS/Redlands, CA
Travel Team- Trombly Nighthawks
Position- LHP
Year in School- FR
Coach-James Cordes
-2015 Perfect Game High Follow in California
-Ranked by Perfect Game as the 330 player and 36th pitcher in California
-Career- 14-3 record, 126 IP, 88 Hits, 1.44 ERA, .193 OBA, 44 Runs allowed, 111 K’s, 39 BB’s, .824 winning %
-2014 Season- JR year- 8-1 with a .78 ERA, 62.2 IP, 31 Hits, 15 runs allowed, 64 K’s, 15 BB’s
-2015 Season- Missed due to upper body injury
Coach Green’s comments:
“David Barela had about as good of a junior year as anyone in California. A Left handed pitcher with feel for all 3 pitches, we expect David to have a meaningful career in Las Cruces. Comes from one of the better high school programs in southern California in Redlands East Valley and Coach James Cordes, as well as coming from one of the better summer organizations in the Trombly Nighthawks.”