Nov. 13, 2015
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State baseball Head Coach Mark Martinez has announced the signing of 14 athletes for the 2017 season. The group of 14 incoming players includes 13 freshmen and one junior college transfer and the class consists nine pitchers, two infielders, two outfielders and a catcher. The group includes five athletes from local highs schools in including two each from Eastlake HS and Steele Canyon HS plus one from La Costa Canyon HS.
"First of all I want to thank our recruiting coordinator, Joe Oliveira, and our pitching coach Sam Peraza, for all of their hard work putting this class together," commented Aztec Head Coach Mark Martinez. "I think this class fills a lot of our needs. All of these kids have been identified not only as great players, but as good students and citizens that will contribute to our program both on and off the field.
"It is a great combination of talented position players and serious arm strength on the mound. This group is ranked as one of the top 25 recruiting classes in the country. We are excited to get these players on campus and see them continue to build this program into a national contender year in and year out."
Below is a rundown of the Aztecs' 2017 recruits with their class standing upon arrival on campus next fall.
Avery Tuck, OF
6-5, Freshman, L/R
San Diego, Calif (Steele Canyon HS)
Tuck is currently rated as the 14th-best overall player in the country and sixth-best player in the state of California by Perfect Game. He was named a Perfect Game All-American this summer and competed for the West team in the All-American game held annually at Petco Park. He was also a member of the prestigious Brewers Area Code team. Tuck competes with Trosky Baseball and also Evoshield Canes during the summer. He also help lead the Evoshield Canes to the national championship in Jupiter, FL this fall, alongside fellow Aztec signee Jacob Castillo.
Coach Martinez says:
"Avery is a special talent, there's no doubt about that. He's obviously an imposing figure because of his size, but he is also extremely athletic. He has the potential to be a legitimate 5-tool player. He has performed at a high level at major events against some of the best talent in the country. We are excited to keep local talent, like Avery, home at San Diego State. We know we will have to battle the draft to get him to campus but we think he has the chance to have a special career here on the Mesa."
Francisco Thomas, SS
6-2, Freshman, S/R
Osceola, Fla. (Osceola HS)
Thomas is currently rated as the 54th-best overall player in the country and fourth-best shortstop in the country by Perfect game. He competed for the East squad (against Avery Tuck) in the Perfect Game All-American game held annually at Petco Park. He also played on the Washington Nationals Area Code team in August. In addition, he competes for nationally-ranked FTB Tucci during the summer and fall.
Coach Martinez says:
"Francisco is an extremely physical and athletic shortstop that comes to us from Puerto Rico, by way of Florida. I think his commitment to us speaks volumes to the current state of our program and the way we are perceived nationally. Francisco is extremely advanced for his age and has a chance to make a huge impact for us immediately. He is a switch hitting shortstop with five tools, which means we will also have to battle the draft with him, too."
Nolan Martinez, RHP/OF
6-2, Freshman, R/R
Culver City, Calif. (Culver City HS)
Martinez is currently ranked as the fourth-best right handed pitcher in CA and the 14th-best in the country by Perfect Game. He competed for the Brewers Area Code team with Avery Tuck this past summer. As a junior at Culver City High School, he threw 50.1 innings, striking out 53 batters and posting a 2.92 ERA. He competes for nationally-ranked GBG Marucci during the summer and fall.
Coach Martinez says:
"Nolan was our first commitment in the 2016 class so we have had a long relationship with him and his family. Since his commitment he has continued to develop into one of the top pitchers in the country. He is extremely athletic with a quick arm, who has already touched 93 MPH. We expect Nolan to compete for major innings right away as a freshman. He also can swing the bat and impact us offensively."
Logan Boyer, RHP/UTIL
6-3, Freshman, R/R
Chandler, Ariz. (Hamilton HS)
Boyer is currently ranked as the third-best player in the state of Arizona by Perfect Game. He competed for the Reds Area Code team this past summer. He was also picked to play for the Diamondbacks Elite Scout Team and SACSN National team, which is a hand-selected team who's criteria includes not only being a talented baseball player, but a person who serves the community and has displayed strong character off the field. Coach Martinez says:
"Logan is a physical kid with a big time arm. He was highly recruited and has competed on a national stage. He has not even come close to tapping his potential on the mound and also has some strength to his swing. He is a great kid and student. We expect big things from Logan."
Ryan Orr, C
5-11, Freshman, R/R
San Diego, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS)
Orr is rated as the fifth-best catcher in the state of California. He has been invited to compete in national showcases including the Perfect Game underclass All-American games, as well as the Perfect Game National Showcase in Fort Myers, FL. He helped lead his high school team, La Costa Canyon, to the CIF Championship game last spring. He also competes for the San Diego Show travel team.
Coach Martinez says:
"Ryan is an elite level defensive catcher. He is very athletic, has a good arm, and runs well for a catcher. He has also hit at a high level against good pitching. He is a local kid that we are excited to keep home at San Diego State. He has the talent and baseball aptitude to compete right away as a freshman."
Jacob Castillo, RHP/INF
5-11, Freshman, R/R
La Verne, Calif. (Bonita HS)
Castillo is rated as the 29th-best right handed pitcher in the state of California by Perfect Game. Last spring he went 11-0 with 76 innings pitched, 109 strikeouts and only gave up one earned run. He also hit .341 and stole nine bases. He then carried that special season into the summer, competing at major events with the So Cal Bombers and Evoshield Canes. He helped the Evoshield Canes win the national championship in Jupiter, FL this fall, alongside fellow Aztec signee Avery Tuck.
Coach Martinez says:
"Jacob is as advanced as a high school pitcher that you will see. He has a solid four-pitch mix and pitches with confidence. He has continued to develop since he committed to us and has put himself in a position to come in and pitch for us right away. He put up video game like numbers last year for his high school team and continued that into a great summer. He can also swing the bat and play a great infield. We are excited to get him on campus."
Adrian Mardueno, RHP
5-10, Freshman, R/R
Upland, Calif. (Upland HS)
Mardueno is rated as the 39th-best right handed pitcher in the state of California by Perfect Game. He served as the team's closer for Upland HS last spring notching four saves while striking out 12 in 11 innings. He went on to have a great summer with Phenom Signature, GBG, and IPB baseball.
Coach Martinez says:
"Adrian has a quick arm and a plus breaking ball. He has a ton of potential and the stuff to compete right away. He's another great kid and student and will make a huge impact in our program."
Mitchell Allen, 1B, RHP
6-0, Freshman, R/R
Phoenix, Ariz. (Boulder Creek HS)
Allen is the ranked as the second-best first baseman and 10th-best overall player in the state of Arizona by Perfect Game. He led the state in home runs last spring for his high school. He also plays with T-Rex baseball club.
Coach Martinez says:
"Mitchell is another physical kid that fits the mold of our program. He has tremendous power and also some arm strength on the mound. He is also a great hard working kid and student. We are excited to pull him from Arizona."
Julian Escobedo, OF/LHP
5-10, Freshman, L/L
San Diego, Calif. (Eastlake HS)
Escobedo was selected to the 17u USA Baseball national team identification series this past summer in Cary, NC. This event selects the top 40 players in the country to compete for a spot on the 17u USA team. He also competes with the California Bears travel team during the summer and fall.
Coach Martinez says:
"Julian is another local kid that we are excited to keep home. He is extremely athletic with a high baseball aptitude and can do many things on the baseball field. He is a top of the order type guy because of his ability to handle the bat and also steal bases. He is also an accomplished pitcher who can really spin the breaking ball."
Tre Brown, RHP
6-3, Freshman, R/R
San Diego, Calif. (Eastlake HS)
Brown is rated as the 20th-best right handed pitcher in the state of California by Perfect Game. He was a member of the inaugural Underclass Brewers Area Code team last summer, which included the 25 best underclass players in the state of California. He was selected to play in the Perfect Game underclass games last summer. He also competes for the San Diego Show and Tampa Bay Rays Scout team.
Coach Martinez says:
"Tre is a big time talent and a very intelligent kid. He was highly recruited by a number of big time schools and we are excited to keep him home at San Diego State. He hasn't even come close to reaching his full potential so the sky is the limit for him. He is another great kid and student that fits the culture of our program."
Hayden Petrovick, LHP
6-3, Freshman, L/L
West Covina, Calif. (South Hills HS)
Petrovick is ranked as the seventh-best left handed pitcher in the state of California by Perfect Game. He served as the closer for South Hills HS last spring, notching six saves while posting a 0.93 ERA in 30 innings and striking out 26 batters. He also posted an opponent's batting average of .180. He also competes for GBG Marucci, with fellow Aztec signee, Nolan Martinez.
Coach Martinez says:
"Hayden is a big time left handed pitcher and a huge addition to our program. He is a good sized kid with a huge upside. We expect him to come in and impact our program right away. He is another kid that fits the culture of our program because he is a great student and person off the field."
Elijah Greene, LHP/OF
6-1, Freshman, L/L
Chino, Calif. (Chino Hills HS)
Greene is ranked as a top 150 player in California and top 500 player in the country by Perfect Game. He hit .371 last spring with three home runs. He also competes with the So Cal Birds during the summer.
Coach Martinez says:
"Elijah is a very athletic kid, who can do a number of different things on the baseball field. He has a loose arm and can really spin the breaking ball on the mound. He is also a good runner who can swing the bat. He is a great addition to our program both on and off the field."
Trevor Row, RHP
6-7, Freshman, R/R
San Diego, Calif. (Steele Canyon HS)
Row plays at Steele Canyon High School in San Diego, alongside fellow SDSU signee, Avery Tuck. He has pitched 57.1 innings during his high school career while striking out 56 batters. Last spring he held opponents batters to a .152 batting average. He also competes for the Tampa Bay Rays scout team each fall.
Coach Martinez says:
"Trevor is another guy that we are excited to keep home in San Diego. He has a tremendous upside and has no idea how good he is going to be yet. He has a monster on the mound and his arm really works. He keeps getting better each time we see him and think he will have a great career here on the Mesa."
Mike Lopez, RHP
6-1, Junior, R/R
San Diego, Calif. (Palomar JC)
Lopez went to El Camino High School in Oceanside, CA and spent his freshman year at Central Arizona Junior College. He decided to return home to San Diego and attend Palomar College this fall. As a freshman at Central Arizona, he threw 51 innings both as a starter and reliever posting four wins and a save while striking out 45.
Coach Martinez says:
"Mike is an experienced guy who has the stuff to come in and compete right away. He is a tremendous athlete with a quick arm and commands the zone with three pitches. He's what you look for when recruiting a JC arm."
San Diego State will open its 2016 season on Friday, Feb. 19, at 6:00 p.m. when it hosts Oregon at Tony Gwynn Stadium.