Baseball Signs Three to National Letters of Intent

Bakersfield, Calif. – The California State University, Bakersfield Baseball head coach Jeremy Beard announced the signing of Riley Kasper, Konnor Palmeira and Trevor Pruitt to National Letters of Intent, Thursday morning. All three signees bring Division I experience to the Roadrunner roster, with Kasper and Palmeria adding position player value and Pruitt bringing experience to the CSUB pitching staff.

"We're excited to announce the signings of three talented ballplayers," Beard explained. "They are part of a large group that will help us immediately in 2023. This is our second class as a Big West program, and the group we're putting together proves our ability to attract top talent to Bakersfield."

Riley Kasper, IF/OF | Mission Viejo, Calif. (Capistrano Valley / Saddleback College / UC Irvine)

Kasper (6-1, 185 lbs) was a four-year starter at shortstop for Capistrano Valley High School, where he earned All-CIF honors and All-League status in both baseball and football.

He began his collegiate career at Saddleback College, hitting .323, with 20 doubles, 10 triples and a pair of home runs in 316 at bats and 83 games played for the Gauchos in 2018 and 2019. While splitting time between the infield and outfield, Kasper scored 76 runs and drove in 49 during his two seasons at Saddleback.

He transferred to UC Irvine for the COVID-19 shortened 2020 campaign, starting all six games in which he appeared and hitting .259 with a pair of doubles and a home run, along with four runs scored and five RBI.

"Riley brings Big West experience and success to Bakersfield, along with an ability to play all three outfield positions and each corner infield. With a physical presence in the box, and speed, power and versatility throughout his game, he's a tremendous pick up for our program."

Konnor Palmeira, C/IF | Kahului, HI (Kamehamea-Maui / U. Hawai'i / Everett CC)

Palmeira (6-0, 195 lbs) earned All-State Honorable Mention and was listed as a National Top-100 catching prospect as a prep, after hitting over .400 as a junior and senior at Kamehamea-Maui High School in Hawai'i.

He hit .233 with a pair of home runs as a freshman at the University of Hawai'i, making 10 starts and 21 appearances, while seeing time at first, third and catcher for the Rainbow Warriors. Palmeira hit .258 in Big West action, including a single, two walks, a run scored and an RBI in two starts against CSU Bakersfield.

Palmeira transferred to Everett Community College for the 2022 season, hitting .323 in 50 games played, doubling 12 times, tripling twice, belting eight home runs and driving in 41. He earned 2nd-Team Pacific Association All-American at first base following the season.

"Another player with Big West experience, Konnor is a physical stick with the ability to make an immediate impact on the middle of our order. He hits for both average and power and brings positional versatility to our defense."

Trevor Pruitt, RHP | Peoria, Ariz. (Sunrise Mountain / UT Arlington)

Pruit (5-11, 180 lbs) transfers to CSUB following four seasons at Texas-Arlington, where he made 24 appearances out of the Maverick bullpen, striking out 27 in 30.1 innings pitched and limiting opponents to a .281 batting average against.

He made a career high 14 appearances in 2022, pitching to a 5.50 earned run average and striking out eighteen opponents in as many innings.

Pruitt was twice honored as a Sun Belt All-Academic selection and comes to Bakersfield with one season of eligibility remaining. He prepped at Sunrise Mountain High School in Peoria, Ariz., where he was a Second-Team All-State performer.

"Trevor has pitched in big moments throughout his college career and brings a real knack for changing speeds to our staff. His ability to throw a mix of pitches in any count or situation will provide versatility to our staff in 2023."

Kasper, Palmeira and Pruitt join a 2022-23 recruiting class that already includes pitchers Trevin Crowley, Ryan Figueroa, Trent Prokes and Tally Wright, two-way threat Ky Hoskinson and position players Max Bernal, Jared Bujanda and Logun Clark.

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Baseball Signs Three to National Letters of Intent