Nov. 18, 2004
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State Head Coach Tony Gwynn today announced the signing of eight players to national letters of intent for the 2006 season. The class is made up of seven prep athletes (including five San Diego area athletes) and one junior college player.
Of the seven high school athletes in the class, three are ranked among the top 51 prep prospects in the nation by Baseball America. That group consists of a trio of local players in Valhalla High's Sean O'Sullivan (5th), Eastlake's Nick Romero (34th) and Mission Bay's Henry Sanchez (51st). Only two schools in the nation (Miami and LSU) signed three players from Baseball America's top 50.
Pitchers dominated the class as the Aztec staff looked to add some quality to the mound corps. In addition to O'Sullivan, other hurlers in the group include Mark Triolo (Patrick Henry HS, San Diego), John Dutton (Ranch Bernardo HS, San Diego), Gunner Glad (Union HS, Tulsa, Okla.), Daniel Cortez (Garey HS, Pomona, Calif.) and Garrett Parcell (Cypress JC). Among these six, O'Sullivan, Glad and Triolo are position players as well who have posted impressive hitting numbers.
The Aztecs 2006 recruiting class has already been ranked seventh in the nation by Student Sports (Rivals.com). Below is a listing of San Diego State's 2006 recruiting class signed during the early period:
Player Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (School)Daniel Cortez P R-R 6-5 205 Pomona, Calif. (Garey HS)John Dutton P L-L 6-1 155 San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo HS)Gunner Glad P-IF R-R 6-0 175 Tulsa, Okla. (Union HS)Garrett Parcell RHP R-R 6-4 190 Norco, Calif. (Cypress JC)Nick Romero SS R-R 6-0 180 Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake HS)Sean O'Sullivan P-OF R-R 6-1 195 El Cajon, Calif. (Valhalla HS)Henry Sanchez 1B S-R 6-3 260 San Diego, Calif. (Mission Bay HS)Mark Triolo P-OF R-R 6-5 220 San Diego, Calif. (Patrick Henry HS)
Daniel Cortez, RHP Tall right-hander from Garey High School in Pomona.
SDSU Pitching Coach Rusty Filter: "Dan is the sleeper of the group among the pitchers, and he could have the most impact for us as a freshman. He's a three-sport athlete (football tight end-basketball power forward) who we envision as a power pitcher as his body develops."
John Dutton, LHP Local player from Rancho Bernardo High School...Record of 8-1 as a junior with a 2.02 earned run average.
SDSU Pitching Coach Rusty Filter: "John is a talented left-handed hurler who was one of Rancho Bernardo's top pitchers on a senior-dominated staff. Even though he went 8-1 as a junior, he kind of escaped a lot of attention. We look for him to develop physically, and as he does he could become a dominant pitcher at the collegiate level. Also, he has the confidence of having played in one of the top programs in the country under Sam Blalock."
Gunner Glad, RHP-INF Regarded as the number-two high school baseball prospect in the state of Oklahoma...Named MVP of the Mickey Mantle World Series in August 2003 playing for the Dallas Patriots...At that event, threw a complete-game three-hit shutout striking out nine and also batted .417 during the four games of the series.
SDSU Pitching Coach Rusty Filter: "Gunner is a power pitcher despite his size. His fastball is in the low 90s and he has an above average breaking ball. He's one of those guys who's very competitive and has a fearless attitude. I liken him to a starting pitcher with a closer's mentality."
Garrett Parcell, RHP-OF Drafted in the 41st round by the Seattle Mariners in June 2004...Made 27 appearances including seven starts at Cypress JC as a freshman in 2004...Served mainly as a closer, compiling a record of 1-2 with seven saves and a 3.83 earned run average...Walked 12 and struck out 39...Second team all-Orange Empire Conference selection.
SDSU Pitching Coach Rusty Filter: "We're extremely excited to get a pitcher of Garrett's quality from Cypress JC, perennially one of the top junior college programs in California. He's a converted catcher who will bring immediate stability to the bullpen."
Sean O'Sullivan, RHP-OF Member of USA Junior National Team during summer 2004...Led San Diego County in hitting last season with a .617 average along with a state-best 16 home runs...Scored 48 runs and had 50 RBI...As a pitcher, went 11-1 with a 1.67 ERA...Two-time all-CIF selection...Named East County Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004...Ranked as the number-two right-handed pitcher in the nation by Team One scouting service...Number-eight player overall nationally...Played for the West Team in the 2004 AFLAC All-America High School Baseball Classic in August.
Head Coach Tony Gwynn: "As a hitter, mechanically, he's right there. He has a nice stroke and is very polished for a high school player. I look at him as an everyday player here at San Diego State."
SDSU Pitching Coach Rusty Filter: "We felt Sean was the best right-handed pitcher in the country last season. He'll have an immediate impact on our program and we look forward to him having a great career as an Aztec. With his experience on the USA Junior National Team, he has become one of the top hitters in the nation as well."
Nick Romero, SS Ranked 34th among Baseball America's Top 100 prep prospects...Member of Team West at the 2004 AFLAC All-America High School Baseball Classic in Baltimore...One of 40 players selected nation-wide...At Eastlake High last season, batted .395 with six home runs, 25 RBI and a .550 on-base percentage...Member of the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic team...Played for Braves scout team this fall...Also a first-team all-league quarterback.
Head Coach Tony Gwynn: "Nick has developed into one of the top players, not only here in San Diego but nationally as well. He has a nice stroke at the plate and does all the right things offensively and defensively. He's a two-sport guy who can hit, can run, and is impressively strong. We look for him to come in and contribute right away.
Henry Sanchez, 1B Number-six prospect in the nation by Team One scouting service...Ranked 51st in the country among prep players by Baseball America... Named MVP of the Area Code Games during summer 2004 and was listed as the number-one prospect at that event...All-CIF as a junior when he hit .551 with 37 runs scored, 11 home runs, 51 RBI (second-most in the county).
Head Coach Tony Gwynn: "He' very polished for a high school player. He's had a great career so far and he's just starting to scrape the surface. He's a solid player with good defensive skills...a tremendous athlete who's not one-dimensional."
Mark Triolo, RHP-OF Excelled as a pitcher and hitter at Patrick Henry high...Batted .494 and his 53 RBI was the best in San Diego County...His seven home runs led the league...Struck out just once in 89 plated appearances...Slugging percentage of .855...On the mound, went 5-4 with three saves and a 3.07 earned run average.
SDSU Pitching Coach Rusty Filter: "As a pitcher, Mark has continued to get better and better during his high school career, and we look to keep that cycle going with him here. He should have a dominant senior season, both as a pitcher and a hitter. He'll add immense depth to our squad as a two-way player."
HEAD COACH Tony Gwynn ON SDSU'S 2006 RECRUITING CLASS
"Once again we've done pretty well with our recruiting class. Our emphasis was on pitching and we've brought in a number of outstanding young arms," said Gwynn. "We've been hit hard by the draft with our previous classes, but if this group comes to school, we'll be well on the way to where we want to take this program.
"We're thrilled to sign these eight players and we know it's a group of guys who'll get us to the next level. For our part, we know we can help develop all of these athletes to be the best players they can be.
"A majority of our signees are from the local area and each will be a quality addition to our squad. We'll continue to recruit hard in San Diego, but we won't be afraid to go where the best talent is located."