Sept. 26, 2003
San Diego, Calif. - A total of 16 new players appear on San Diego State's preseason baseball roster as the team is set to begin fall practice on October 18th. The new class is highlighted by nine pitchers and includes a definite local flavor with eight San Diego area players. The group is made up of 12 freshmen, two junior college players, and a pair of transfers from other four-year schools.
Among SDSU's 2004 recruits are four players who were drafted by major league clubs last June: pitcher Ryan Schroyer (11th rd. - Minnesota), pitcher Brett Douglas (23rd rd. - Anaheim), outfielder Chazeray Schilens (34th rd. - Detroit), and pitcher Clayton Young (37th rd. - Kansas City). Schilens is currently a member of the SDSU football team where he is a wide receiver. In addition, the Aztecs have added pitcher Scott Shoemaker, a transfer from Long Beach State who has been drafted twice previously in his career.
Heading the list of local players is a pair of junior college pitchers who were at San Diego State during the 2002 season. That duo includes right-hander Jeff Teasley, the 2003 conference pitcher of the year at San Diego City JC, and left-hander Dan Bruckart (San Diego Mesa JC).
The list of local freshmen players is headed up by all-state catcher Brock Ungricht (Mission Bay HS) along with all-CIF and all-league athletes Jared Suwyn (pitcher, Mission Bay HS), Bruce Billings (pitcher, Morse HS), Brandon Rauch (outfielder, El Capitan HS) and Clay Coulter (catcher, West Hills HS).
Among the other top players are all-state honoree J.T. Zink, a pitcher from Curtis High School in University Place, Wash., and all-section infielder Kevin Webster from El Cerrito (Calif.) High School. The list of newcomers is rounded out by all-league freshman outfielders Jason Bishop (Kennedy HS in Los Angeles) and Chad Martinson (Agoura HS in Agoura Hills, Calif.).
San Diego State has a total of 41 players in its preseason roster, including 25 returnees from the 2003 campaign. Among the top players back are outfielder Landon Burt (.343, 12 doubles) and shortstop James Guerrero (.307, 37 RBI) along with pitchers Drew Jenson (8-1, 5 saves, 2.09), Ronnie Lindsey (3-3, 4.31) and Ben Coon (5-5, 5.68).
The Aztecs open their 2004 season on January 23 at Hawaii-Hilo.