BAKERSFIELD, Calif. ? In assembling the foundation for CSUB's first-ever baseball team, Head Coach Bill Kernen laid down the first set of building blocks by early signing 14 individuals to join the Roadrunner program in 2008-09.
“We competed for and signed 14 top-level high school student-athletes in this first-ever early recruiting class,” said Kernen. “Several of them are on various high school pre-season All-America lists and four of them are rated in the Top 1000 players in the USA by Perfect Game Crosschecker.
“I was very encouraged by the response that I received from athletes and their families during the initial recruiting process. I admire these players for their courage and vision to be able to entrust their futures to us, to be able to envision what's going to happen and to want to be a part of it. It takes a special person to do that.”
Included in the group of freshmen that signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period are 13 California residents (two Bakersfield natives) and one player hailing from Nevada. Four of the 14 have been nationally recognized by Perfect Game USA, while three are listed as Teamone West Top 20 prospects.
Below is an alphabetical listing of the ?Runners' early recruiting class.
Matthew Akiyama, 2B/SS, 5-7, 150, R/R, Lomita, Calif./Bishop Montgomery HS
Coach Kernen says: “A fine young man and student-athlete with the quickest double play turn I've ever seen at second base.”
Garrett Branske, C/RHP, 6-2, 185, R/R, Chino, Calif./Chino HS
Coach Kernen says: “A focused, disciplined catcher with a very strong arm and athleticism to match.”
Mick Gaston, RHP/OF, 6-4, 196, R/R, Quartz Hill, Calif./Quartz Hill HS
Coach Kernen says: “A legitimate two-way player with a fine arm and future as a power hitter.”
Ryan McIntyre, OF, 6-1, 180, L/R, Henderson, Nev./Coronado HS
Coach Kernen says: “An excellent athlete, plus an arm from right field and talented left-handed hitter.”
Martin Medina, C/RHP, 5-11, 195, R/R, Ventura, Calif./Saint Bonaventure HS
Coach Kernen says: “He can literally play every position on the field with quality, including catch and pitch.”
Jonathan Montoya, LHP, 5-7, 152, L/L, Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills HS
Coach Kernen says: “A left-handed pitcher with command of three pitches and a big, big heart.”
Robbie Mousselli, P/3B, 6-0, 175, R/R, Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS
Coach Kernen says: “A talented two-way athlete who I would best describe as a real ?ballplayer'.”
Ricky Plascencia, SS/RHP, 6-0, 175, R/R, Fontana, Calif./A.B. Miller HS
Coach Kernen says: “A right-handed pitcher with athleticism, live arm, movement and top-level competitive character.”
Jeremy Rodriguez, C/3B, 5-8, 180, B/R, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Crespi HS
Coach Kernen says: “A switch-hitting catcher who can really hit, catch and lead.”
Eric Sanchez, SS, 5-11, 170, R/R, Corona, Calif./Santiago HS
Coach Kernen says: “???A shortstop with great actions, arm and range. What I like best, however, is his desire.”
Stuart Smith, 1B/OF, 6-2, 210, L/R, Ventura, Calif./Saint Bonaventure HS
Coach Kernen says: “A quality athlete with a beautiful left-handed swing that will generate power.”
Jacob Valenzuela, RHP/INF, 5-7, 170, R/R, Bakersfield, Calif./Garces HS
Coach Kernen says: “A hard-nosed right-handed pitcher/shortstop with a very high upside.”
Brandon Van Dam, RHP/IB, 6-7, 225, R/R, Lancaster, Calif./Quartz Hills HS
Korie Walkley, RHP/INF, 6-0, 170, R/R, Bakersfield, Calif./Centennial HS
Coach Kernen says: “A right-handed pitcher with good stuff that is going to get even better. He is also a great competitor.”
