Nov. 26, 2013
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State head baseball coach Tony Gwynn has announced the signing of 10 high school seniors from the Class of 2014 to National Letters of Intent. An 11th member of the recruiting class will arrive from a junior college next fall as well.
The class features a pair of outfielders, a catcher, shortstop and four confirmed pitchers along with three other athletes who could see action either on the mound or in the field. The group includes a pair of all-state athletes along with a total of seven who have received 2013 preseason All-America accolades from Perfect Game.
"This is an extremely talented recruiting class that we're very proud of," commented Aztec Head Coach Tony Gwynn. "This class directly shows the tremendous state of our program. Not only are all of these kids tremendous athletes, but they are all high character guys and good students. We are extremely excited about the future of Aztec baseball."
Here is a look at the 11 signees, with comments on each by Coach Gwynn:
CHASE CALABUIG, OF, L-L, 5-11, 170, Mission Viejo, Calif., Capistrano Valley HS
Notable: As a junior batted .324 over 31 games with six doubles, a home run, 21 runs scored and 15 RBI ... As a sophomore went 4-for 10 in eight games with three doubles ... Participated in the Baseball Factory 2012 Team One west Showcase.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Chase is a dynamic player and a prototypical leadoff hitter who can handle the bat very well. We expect him to come in and compete right away for us."
DENZ'L CHAPMAN, OF, R-R, 5-10, 170, Gardena, Calif., Serra HS
Notable: Was an all-CIF Division 3 selection who competed in last summer's Area Code Games as a member of the Brewers team ... A member of the 2013 18U National Team ... Played in the 3-013 Tournament of Stars and in the 2012 Breakthrough Series through USA Baseball as well ... A Perfect Game Preseason High School Underclassmen All-America first team selection prior to his junior year ... Last season hit .369 in 30 games with six doubles, three triples and a home run ... Also had 32 runs scored and 14 RBI along with 28 stolen bases ... Named to the Cal-Hi Sports Underclass All-State first team.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Denz'l is a high profile recruit who we are extremely excited about. He is a plus runner and defender. He is the type of player who can immediately impact our program and help take us to where we want to go. We are excited to get him on campus and have him impact our program right away."
DALTON DOUTY, RHP, R-R, 6-5, 200, Huntington Beach, Calif., Cypress JC
Notable: spent two years at UC Santa Barbara, playing as a freshman in 2012 and redshirting in 2013 ... Will play at Cypress Junior College next spring ... As a freshman at UCSB, appeared in 11 games all in relief and posted a 5.68 ERA in 12.2 total innings pitched ... As a senior at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, he posted an undefeated 6-0 record with a 2.10 ERA including six no decisions.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Dalton has a big frame with a solid three-pitch mix. He comes to us with college experience from two years at UCSB and will help bolster the pitching staff."
ANDREW EPPENBACH, RHP, R-R, 6-3, 180, Claremont, Calif., Bishop Amat HS
Notable: An all-Del Rey League pitcher at Bishop Amat high where he was named the league's Most Valuable Pitcher as a junior ... Was a Perfect Game High School Underclassmen All-American High Honorable Mention in both 2012 and 2013 ... Went 5-3 with a 1.66 earned run average while allowing opponents just a .215 batting average.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Andrew is a talented right-handed pitcher who features a plus changeup and has the ability impact our program as a freshman."
IZZY FUENTES, SS/RHP, R-R, 6-3, 200, Chino Hills, Calif., Chino Hills HS
Notable: As a pitcher last season compiled a record of 2-0 with a 1.08 earned run average ... Also played shortstop where he batted .280 with five doubles ... Drew 16 walks for a .423 on-base percentage ... Was a Perfect Game Preseason High School Underclassmen All-American High Honorable Mention.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Izzy will come to us as a two way player who will develop on the mound and in the field. He is a physical kid with an extremely high ceiling."
TYLER LOPTIEN, RHP, R-R, 6-0, 170, Highlands, Colo., ThunderRidge HS
Notable: Closer for ThunderRidge High School team that won the Colorado state 5A championship ... Made 11 appearances, recording a 0.00 earned run average with six saves ... Struck out 26 batters in just 14 innings while holding opponents to a .065 batting average ... Also hit .500 with four doubles and a triple in 20 games played in the outfield ... Received 2013 all-5A honorable mention accolades from the Denver Post.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Tyler is a polished right hander with a plus curveball from Colorado who closed out the state championship game last year. He will be coming to us along with his high school shortstop Brody Westmoreland."
RYAN MOTA, RHP, R-R, 6-3, 215, Fontana, Calif., Kaiser HS
Notable: A first-team all-Sunkist League selection who also earned second team all-CIF honors as a junior ... AS a pitcher went 9-2 with a 2.05 earned run average striking out 56 hitter over 58 innings. At the plate batted .354 with 10 doubles and two triples along with 28 RBI in 28 games played ... Was 1-0 with a 0.000 ERA as a sophomore while hitting .330 with three doubles.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Ryan has a big frame and a solid three-pitch mix. He comes to us polished and ready to compete right away. He is also an outstanding third baseman who can swing the bat."
TOMMY PINCIN, C, R-R, 6-0, 200, Upland, Calif., Upland HS
Notable: Participated in the 2013 Area Code Games as a member of the brewers team ... Was honored as a Perfect game Preseason High School Underclassmen All American second team ... As a sophomore hit .310 with six doubles, a triple, 15 runs and 12 RBI in 21 contests.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Tommy is a high profile catcher. He has five legitimate tools and is extremely talented behind the plate. He is a rare combination of power and speed. He is the type of player who will immediately impact our program and help take us to the next level. We are very excited to get him on campus."
ALAN TREJO, RHP/SS, R-R, 6-1, 175, Downey, Calif., Warren HS
Notable: Hard-hitting shortstop who was an all-San Gabriel Valley first-team selection in 2013 as well as an all-CIF Division 3 honoree after batting .557 during the season ... Was a Perfect Game Preseason High School Underclassmen All-American High Honorable Mention ... MVP of the St. Paul Easter Tournament as a junior.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Alan is an extremely talented player who will have a legitimate chance to pitch and play the field as a freshman."
BRODY WESTMORELAND, SS, R-R, 6-3, 190, Highlands, Colo., ThunderRidge HS
Notable: An all-state selection in Colorado after helping ThunderRidge High to the 5A state championship ... Hit .455 with eight doubles, four triples and seven home runs along with 40 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 40 games ... Compiled a .875 slugging percentage and a .560 on-base mark .. Was a Perfect Game High School Underclassmen All American Honorable Mention ... Also quarterbacked the ThunderRidge football team to the 5A state semifinals.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Brody is an extremely talented shortstop who comes to us from Colorado along with high school teammate Tyler Loptien. We fully expect Brody to come in and compete for the starting shortstop job as a freshman."
MATT WEZNIAK, LHP/1B, L-L, 6-1, 200, Carlsbad, Calif., Carlsbad HS
Notable: Local product from Carlsbad High School where he earned second-team all-Avocado West League honors last season ... Batted .324 with seven doubles, four home runs, 21 RBI and 17 runs scored ... Also went 3-2 on the mound with a 1.54 earned run average ... A Perfect Game Preseason High School Underclassmen All-American High honorable Mention.
Coach Gwynn's comment: "Matt is a local guy who has come to our camps for years. We have had our eyes on him since he was a kid and we are very excited to finally have him on campus. He is a talented two-way player who will add to our pitching staff and our line-up. He has a loose left handed arm and a left-handed bat with some pop."
AZTEC BASEBALL 2015 RECRUITING CLASSName Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (Current School)Chase Calbuig........OF....L-L..5-11...170...Mission Viejo, Calif. (Capistrano Valley HS)Denz'l Chapman.......OF....R-R..5-10...170...Gardena, Calif. (Serra HS)Dalton Douty........RHP....R-R...6-5...200...Huntington Beach, Calif. (Cypress JC)Andrew Eppenbach....RHP....R-R...6-3...180...Claremont, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)Izzy Fuentes.......SS/RHP..R-R...6-0...170...Chino Hills, Calif. (Chino Hills HS)Tyler Loptien.......RHP....R-R...6-0...170...Highlands, Colo. (ThunderRidge HS)Ryan Mota...........RHP....R-R...6-3...215...Fontana, Calif. (Kaiser HS)Tommy Pincin.........C.....R-R...6-0...200...Upland, Calif. (Upland HS)Alan Trejo.........RHP/SS..R-R...6-1...175...Downey, Calif. (Warren HS)Brody Westmoreland...SS....R-R...6-3...190...Highlands, Colo. (ThunderRidge HS)Matt Wezniak.......LHP/1B..L-L...6-1...200...Carlsbad, Calif. (Carlsbad HS)