April 13, 2017
San Diego State baseball Head Coach Mark Martinez has announced the signing of three more athletes for the 2018 season. The threesome includes a junior college athlete plus a pair of freshman with a pitcher, catcher and shortstop.
"We are excited to add these players to our already nationally ranked class coming in," said Martinez. "We were very lucky that players of this caliber were available and chose to attend SDSU to play in our program. Not only are they talented on the field, but they are great kids and students who fit the culture of our program."
The three new signees join a group of 12 freshman players signed by the Aztecs last November that consists seven pitchers, four infielders and an outfielder. That group includes five athletes from local highs schools in including one each from Eastlake HS, Scripps Ranch HS, Valhalla HS, Montgomery and Santana HS.
Below is a rundown of the three new recruits with their class standing upon arrival on campus in the fall.
Joe Fitzhugh, C
6-2, 195, Freshman, R-R
Las Vegas, Nev.
Arbor View HS
Fitzhugh is the No. 1 ranked player in the state of Nevada and 28th-best overall catcher in the country. He was named a Rawlings-Perfect Game Pre-season All-American prior to the season and was an underclass 3rd team All-American last year. He is currently hitting .385 with five doubles, a triple and four home runs and has thrown out all 5 attempted base stealers.
Coach Martinez says: "Joe has all the tools you're looking for in a catcher. Not only are the physical tools there, but he has also the mentality and leadership skills we're looking for. It says a lot about our program to be able to get the number-one player out of the state of Nevada."
Sean Ross, OF/RHP
6-0, 190, Freshman, R-R
El Cajon, Calif.
Granite Hills HS
Ross is ranked as the 31st best overall player in the state of California by Perfect Game. He was named a Rawlings-Perfect Game Pre-season All-American prior to the 2017 season. He is currently hitting .326 with six doubles and five home runs. He was also named an Underclass 1st team All-American last year by Perfect Game.
Coach Martinez says: "Sean is a dynamic player who can do many things on the baseball field at a high level. He has all the tools you look for in a position player and can also get on the mound with a fastball that's already in the low 90's. His parents are Aztecs, and his dad played in our program so we already feel like he is a part of our family. He's a great addition to our program."
Michael Diffley, SS
6-0, 180, Junior, R-R
El Cajon, Calif.
Grossmont College
Diffley attended Granite Hills High School before signing with UC Santa Barbara as a senior in 2015. He transferred to Grossmont College after one semester at UCSB and has performed well as the everyday short stop the past two seasons. He is currently hitting .305 with 13 doubles and a home run.
Coach Martinez says: "Michael is a local kid that we've liked since his high school days. We were lucky that he transferred back home and has chosen to join our program next year. He is a true shortstop and has all the tools you are looking for in that position. He is also a tireless worker who fits the mold of our program."