Nine Players Make up 'Jacks' 2018 Recruiting Class
11/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin head baseball coach Johnny Carednas announced Tuesday that nine players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the ‘Jacks’ baseball team for the 2018 season.
SFA’s 2018 signing class includes five pitching prospects, a trio of infielders and one outfielder who hail from three different states and two countries.
“My staff has done an outstanding job addressing the needs we will have for the 2018 season,” said Stephen F. Austin head coach Johnny Cardenas. “I feel like this recruiting class is filled with players who could have immediate impact. Coach Collins and Coach Haynes have done a commendable job of selling this university and SFA Baseball. They deserve all the credit for the potential talent of this class.”
Sean Beasley | RHP | 6-3 | 175 | Van, Texas | Van HS
Able to play in the field and on the mound, it was as a pitcher where Beasley does the most damage for Van High School. With speed ranging anywhere from 87-90 miles per hour, Beasley helped his squad capture the District 14-4A regular season crown in 2015 before pitching the squad into the 2016 playoffs.
Carson Chapman | OF | 6-1 | 195 | Longview, Texas | Hallsville HS
Collected an impressive list of accolades during his junior season at Hallsville High School including First Team All-District and East Texas Max Preps First Team Outfield. With Chapman on its side, Hallsville High School ran its way to a 27-6 record including a 13-1 showing in district showdowns before seeing its 2016 season come to a close in the Region II semifinals.
Dru Dziedzic | LHP | 6-2 | 205 | Robinson, Texas | Robinson HS
Pitching losses were a thing foreign to SFA’s newest southpaw during a junior season a Robinson High School that saw him produce a 10-0 record with a 2.49 ERA. Buoyed by the left arm of the eventual Class 4A Second Team All-State selection, Robinson advanced to the semifinals of the UIL State Tournament and closed out its 2016 campaign with a 29-4 record which included a 10-1 showing in district tilts. In addition to his strong junior season, Dziezic accepted an invitation to the Texas Rangers’ area code tryouts. Perfect Game lists Dziezic as the 23rd-best pitching prospect in the state of Texas.
Trayson Kubo | RHP | 6-0 | 175 | Wahiawa Hawaii | Arizona Western College
Following his journey from Hawaii to the contiguous 48 states, Kubo made his mark as a reliable relief arm for Arizona Western College. In 39.2 innings of work, the right-hander sat down 38 batters via the strikeout and finished with a 3-4 record.
Jacob Norton | RHP | 6-5 | 195 | Waxahachie, Texas | North Central Texas College
Used largely as a reliever in his first season of collegiate action, Norton worked his way through 51.2 innings and fanned 51 opposing batters in that span. Armed with a slider that speeds in anywhere from 89-93 miles per hour, he made four starts and posted a record of 1-1 while helping NCTC turn in a 25-29 showing in 2016.
Tyler Pinkston | 1B/RHP | 6-3 | 250 | Rockwall, Texas | Weatherford CC
Stepping away from Nacogdoches for his sophomore season, Pinkston remained loyal to the Lumberjacks after showing flashes of power at the plate through his first season as a collegian. In his Jaycees Field debut as a freshman, Pinkston launched a three-run, walk off homerun that lifted the ‘Jacks to a 13-11 come-from-behind victory over Sacred Heart on Feb. 27. The Rockwall, Texas, product took part in 26 of SFA’s 60 engagements last season and finished with a slash line of .333/.379/.444. In all, Pinkston drove in nine runs and finished with 14 hits in his first season in purple and white.
Jordan Powell | RHP | 5-10 | 165 | Montgomery, Texas | Montgomery HS
Ranked as the 18th-best right-handed hurler in the state of Texas, Powell received an invite to the Texas Rangers’ area code tryout. With speed on his three-pitch arsenal that ranges from 88-90 miles per hour, Powell is projected to be a relief arm for the ‘Jacks once he arrives in Nacogdoches for the 2017 season.
Manny Ramirez | SS | 6-0 | 195 | Pima, Ariz. | Pima CC
Remaining in his home state of Arizona, Ramirez quickly made a name for himself as one of the top infielders among the Aztecs’ ranks by posting a slash line of .317/.388/.430. Ramirez drove in 40 runs and totaled 14 extra-base hits in 186 at bats. Through his freshman season, Ramirez struck out only 16 times and helped Pima Community College post a 30-26 overall record.
Jhon Santos | 3B | 6-2 | 220 | Santiago, Dominican Republic | Northern Oklahoma College
Making his round in the Oklahoma junior college circuit, Santos suited up for Western Oklahoma College in 2015 and took part in eight games for the NJCAA Division II program. In that time, Santos scored seven runs and drove in a pair scores to help the Pioneers rack up a 48-18 record.
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