April 20, 2016
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - San Diego State baseball Head Coach Mark Martinez has announced the signing of four more athletes for the 2017 season. The quartet includes three junior college standouts plus one freshman with two pitchers, an outfielder and shortstop.
"As the season has gone on we've identified some more needs for our program," commented Martinez. "We feel like we've gone out and filled those needs with these guys. We are excited to add these guys to our already talented, Top 25 ranked recruiting class."
The four new signees join a group of 14 players (13 freshmen, on JC transfer), signed by the Aztecs last November that consists nine pitchers, two infielders, two outfielders and a catcher. That 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 we've signed for next season 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.
Below is a rundown of the four new recruits with their class standing upon arrival on campus in the fall.
Chad Bible, OF
6-1, Sophomore, R-R
Valencia, Calif.
College of the Canyons
Chad attended Cal State Fullerton out of high school where he redshirted before transferring to College of the Canyons. He currently leads all California junior college players in home runs and RBI. He is currently hitting .400 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI in 31 contests. He has also recorded seven doubles, a triple, 42 runs scored and has a .792 slugging percentage.
Coach Martinez says:
"Chad is a physical specimen with big time power. He is putting up big time numbers this spring and will come to us having already experienced a year at a good division one program. He is extremely athletic for his size and will be ready to contribute to the middle of our line up right away."
Gabe Gonzalez, RHP
6-5, Junior, R-R
Las Vegas, Nev.
College of Southern Nevada
Gabe has been drafted twice already, going in the 13th round out of high school to the Rangers. He is currently 4-0 with a 3.28 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 46.2 innings of work and a .163 batting average against.
Coach Martinez says:
"Gabe is as talented as they come. He's got the body frame that you look for in a pitcher and a big time arm, and he's really come into his own this year. We feel like he's a guy that can step in and pitch major innings for us right away."
Ray Lambert, RHP
6-1, Junior, R-R
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Ventura College
Ray attended Cal State Northridge out of high school before transferring to Ventura College. He is currently 6-3 with a 2.35 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 65 innings of work, including 2 complete games.
Coach Martinez says:
"Ray is another physical kid with a good, clean arm. He comes to us with experience and will be ready to pitch for us right away. He has the stuff and makeup to compete for a starting role immediately."
Jacob Maekawa, SS
5-9, Freshman, R-R
Mililani, Hawai'i
Mid-Pacific Institute
Jacob attends the same high school as former Aztec shortstop, Troy Hanzawa. He has drawn many comparisons to Troy, who played AAA baseball last year for the Phillies. Jacob is currently hitting .370 with 4 doubles.
Coach Martinez says:
"Jacob is an elite level defender that will add depth to our infield. He has proven that he will be ready to compete for us right away."