Long Beach State University Athletics
Dirtbags Add Nine During Early Signing Period
11/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Long Beach State baseball head coach Troy Buckley announced the signing of eight prep players and one junior college transfer to National Letters of Intent to become Dirtbags in the 2015-16 school year.
The eight prep players to sign NLIs are Willie Aguilar, Chris Fife, Anthony Guardado, Jacob Hughey, Chris Rivera, Jay Rohman, Brooks Stotler and Eli Thomas. Keith Kozak signed with the Beach and will transfer from Southwestern College.
"We are excited about this class as we continue to fulfill both our short term and long term needs. Jesse Zepeda and Mike Steele worked very hard and were very diligent in putting this class together," said Buckley. "The two standout traits of the players in this class are their athleticism and that they are 'baseball players.' Regardless of whether a recruit is a pitcher or position player, they display good instincts, feel, and awareness. They understand the importance of playing the game versus showcasing. We look forward to their progress and development and their arrival to campus next fall."
Buckley, in his fifth season at LBSU, led the Dirtbags back into the postseason last year with an appearance in the NCAA Gainesville Regional final. The Dirtbags went 34-26 in 2014 and finished second in the Big West with a 17-7 record.
Meet the Long Beach State signing class of 2014:
Willie Aguilar (INF - Fountain Valley High School)
Willie Aguilar is coming off a solid junior season that earned him a flurry of awards. He was selected to the CalHi Sports All-State Underclass second team after a successful season at Fountain Valley High School. He helped his team to a league championship in 2014 and was selected to the All-Sunset League first team. As a sophomore, Aguilar was an All-CIF selection. He also comes to the Beach with international experience as a member of USA Baseball's U14 team.
Coach Buckley on Aguilar: "Willie is an athletic infielder who has great feel for the game. He has a solid offensive skill set along with plus actions defensively. His versatility is a plus with the ability to play anywhere inside the diamond. He has bloodlines to our program in being related to former Dirtbag Edgar Varela who played here from 2000-2003."
Chris Fife (INF - Pacific Grove HS)
Chris Fife signed with the Beach from Pacific Grove High School near Monterey, Calif. Fife was an All-County and All-League selection as a junior after hitting .366 with 13 RBI and nine doubles. He helped his team to back-to-back CIF Division III state championships as a freshman and sophomore with his team posting a perfect 31-0 record his sophomore season.
Coach Buckley on Fife: "We are excited about Chris's addition to the program. Chris is a very fundamentally sound player who has a lot of maturity. He has a good 'internal clock,' demonstrates plus ball security and can play shortstop, third base and second base. He has a simple, on-line swing and his commitment to switch hitting is a real positive."
Anthony Guardado (RHP - Nogales HS)
Anthony Guardado has been an impact player for the last three seasons at Nogales High School in La Puente, Calif. The utility infielder began his career with an All-League second team nod as a freshman and earned the same honor as a sophomore. Last year, Guardado was honored on the All-League first team.
Coach Buckley on Guardado: "We are excited to add Anthony to this recruiting class. He fulfills a need in the pitching area where he can come in and make an immediate contribution. Anthony possesses clean arm action, plus arm speed and has solid secondary pitches. We look forward to his growth."
Jacob Hughey (INF - Millikan High School)
Jacob Hughey will make his way to the Beach from nearby Millikan High School in Long Beach, Calif. Hughey enters his senior season at Millikan as the No. 8 left-handed pitcher in California and 39th-ranked lefty nationally, according to Perfect Game. As a two-way player last year, Hughey hit .385 while compiling a 1.92 ERA and striking out 48 over 40 innings pitched. He is already a two-time All-Moore League selection.
Coach Buckley on Hughey: "On the mound, Jacob has a fast arm along with solid mechanics. He has plus life on his fastball, good action on his breaking ball and a developing changeup. He will continue to improve on the mound as his career continues and his athleticism and feel for the game is aided by his ability to hit and play first base.
Chris Rivera (RHP - Watsonville High School)
Chris Rivera will head south to the Beach from Watsonville High School where he is the first student-athlete in over three decades to sign on to play an NCAA Division I sport. He was the Santa Cruz County Pitcher of the Year in 2014 and was also named MVP of the Monterey Bay League's Pacific Division. He struck out 126 batters over 67.1 innings pitched and posted a 0.83 ERA.
Coach Buckley on Rivera: "Chris is a highly competitive, mature and athletic right-handed pitcher. He has a high level of pitchability and is able to throw three pitches for strikes. He has an advanced feel for his changeup and an ability to keep the ball on the ground, which is very exciting. Chris has great mound presence which will also aid him when he transitions to our level."
Jay Rohman (RHP - Wilson High School)
Jay Rohman is finishing up his high school career across the street from Blair Field at Wilson High School. Rohman has proven to be an effective pitcher as an underclassman. As a sophomore he threw the first four innings of a no-hitter in Moore League play. He will get the chance to make a big impact as a senior at Wilson after an impressive summer and fall.
Coach Buckley on Rohman : "Jay is another local product who has had an excellent summer and fall on the mound. He is a physical right-handed pitcher who currently features a two-pitch mix (fastball-breaking ball) and will gain valuable game experience in his senior year. He has solid presence and displays an 'attack mentality' on the mound."
Brooks Stotler (OF - Rancho Buena Vista High School)
Brooks Stotler is in line for an impactful senior season at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, Calif. Stotler helped his team to a spot in the CIF Open Division playoffs last year as an outfielder. He was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and has earned Academic Recognitio at his high school.
Coach Buckley on Stotler: "Brooks is a projectable, athletic left-handed hitting outfielder that has shown constant improvement with his game and skill set. He can really run, has solid hand-eye and is advanced with the short game. Brooks projects well into our style of baseball and we are excited for his arrival."
Eli Thomas (OF - Temescal Canyon High School)
Eli Thomas signed with the Beach after a successful junior campaign at Temescal Canyon High School in Lake Elsinore, Calif. He was selected as an All-Sunbelt League first team outfielder and named to the South roster for the North-South California All-Star game, featuring upcoming seniors. After a big game at the plate, Thomas was named the South's MVP.
Coach Buckley on Thomas: "Eli is a strong, physical and athletic right-handed hitting outfielder who plays the game very aggressively. He fits well into the ability to cover our outfield at Blair and has very encouraging projection as an offensive player. His competitiveness, work ethic and aptitude are all plus traits that we are very excited about."
Keith Kozak (RHP - Southwestern College)
Keith Kozak will play at Southwestern College in San Diego, Calif. this year after spending a year at Chaffey College and will transfer to LBSU as a junior. He pitched mainly out of the bullpen in 2014 in helping his team to a conference championship. He went 2-0 with one save in 14 appearances and struck out 24 over 22-plus innings. He attended Temecula Valley High School and compiled a 1.97 ERA as a senior.
Coach Buckley on Kozak: "At six feet four inches and 200 pounds, Keith is physical with solid projection to his frame. He has three pitches that he can throw for strikes, demonstrates solid pitchability and strike throwing ability. He displays a strong competitiveness and has a chance to make an immediate impact as a starter upon his arrival."
