ALBUQUERQUEM, N.M. – The University of New Mexico baseball team is proud to announce its signing class, which includes four high school athlets from the state of New Mexico.
“This is one of the better recruiting classes in New Mexico history,” head coach Ray Birmingham said. ” I tip my hat to Coach (Ken) Jacome and his recruiting efforts. He has done a super job bringing in good talent. Now we just have to sweat losing some guys to the MLB Draft.”
The class is 15 players strong, including 14 high school players from seven states, and was spearheaded by Jacome, who is the team’s recruiting coordinator.
Cole Anderson (R/R) – OF Rocky Mountain HS – Wellington, CO – 5-10/175
As a junior in 2014 he hit .494 (42-85) with 14 RBIs, 37 runs, 14 doubles, a triple, three home runs, 13 steals, a .575 OBP, a .788 SLG and a 1.362 OPS to earn First Team All-State (5A) by Denver Post for state champs … was the team’s leadoff hitter and led 5A in runs … also named to USA Today’s All-Colorado Baseball Team … in three years has hit .548 (54-118) with 26 RBIs, 57 runs, 15 doubles, three triples, three homers, 20 stolen bases, a .543 OBP, a .711 SLG, and a 1.255 OPS … played with incoming freshmen Carl Stajduhar and Tyler Stevens in high school … plays club ball for Rocky Mountain Legion.
“Cole is a great athlete,” Jacome said. “He’s a plus, plus runner with tremendous bat speed. He has a chance to hit and hit with power in addition to being one of the best runners on the team.”
Austin Bell (L/L) – OF – La Cueva HS – Albuquerque, NM – 5-9/175
As a junior hit. 403, slugged .687 and stole 12 bases to earn All-District honors for the state champions … named to the 5A State All-Tournament Team … earned All-State Academic honors and was a state finalist for Wendy’s High School Heisman … plays for the Albuquerque Baseball Academy.
“He comes from a winning program and plays for the Albuquerque Baseball Academy,” Jacome said. “He’s another good runner that can really hit. He has a chance to hit for a high average and defend very well at any outfield position.”
Aaron Corral (R/R) – INF – Capistrano Valley Christian HS – Riverside, CA – 5-10/170
In three years on varsity has hit .281 (50-178) in 65 games … has recorded 25 RBIs and scored 35 runs … has seven doubles, one triple and one homer with 17 steals … as a junior in 2014 hit .304 … named First Team All-League as a sophomore in 2013 … homered in the PerfectGame WWBA National Championship Tournament … plays club ball for OC Extreme and the Colton Nighthawks.
“Aaron is a middle infielder that can really defend,” Jacome said. “He has really good bat speed with a chance to hit for a high average. On top of that he’s a very good runner.”
Fernando Fernandez-Beltran (L/L) – LHP – NMJC – Quebec, Canada – 6-0/185
Went 4-1 with a team-leading 3.28 ERA in 49.1 innings over 12 appearances (nine starts) for the Thunderbirds … struck out 44 batters on the year … tossed one complete game and held opponents to a .257 batting average against as NMJC won the WJCAC with a 28-8 league record … named a Texas-New Mexico Junior College All-Star … played for Team Canada … drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 27th round of the MLB Draft out of high school.
“Fernando is the real deal,” pitching coach Dan Spencer said. “He has great pitchability, and he’s really mature. He can start or pitch out of the pen. He should be an immediate impact guy for us. He’s also a great student.”
Austin Isenhart (L/L) – LHP – Glendora HS – San Dimas, CA – 6-0/185
As a junior in 2014 he went 1-1 with a 1.94 ERA in 21.2 innings … struck out 24 and held opponents to a .215 batting average … was 7-3 with a 2.25 ERA for Glendora’s JV squad in 2013 … hurled 46.2 innings over 11 appearances and struck out 62 versus just 11 walks … plays club ball for the So Cal Cardinals.
“He sits about 85-86 (mph) with a real curve,” said Spencer. “He throws it for strikes. He’ll be given the chance to be a lefty specialist at first, but he could be a starter by the end because he has a good changeup. We’re very excited to have him.”
Jared Mang (R/R) – INF – Los Alamos HS – Los Alamos, NM – 5-10/190
Named the Gatorade New Mexico Player of the Year after batting .605 with 35 runs, 44 RBIs and a pair of home runs while leading the Hilltoppers to the 4A quarterfinals as a junior in 2014 … stole 21 bases and slugged .926 … was also dominant on the mound going 8-2 with a 1.01 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 55.2 innings … other honors include being named Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention in both 2013 and 2014 and to the ABCA/Rawlings High School Region 7 All-Region Team (only player from New Mexico) … back-to-back District 2-4A Player of the Year … also an excellent student with a 3.84 GPA and member of National Honor Society …plays for the Albuquerque Baseball Academy.
“Where do you start?” Jacome said. “He can play second or third and he’s a big-time hitter. He’ll be drafted pretty high next June. He’s a great baserunner and a super athlete that plays multiple sports but is now concentrating on baseball. We’ll look for him to play a lot as a freshman.”
Erick Migueles (L/R) – OF – Canyon Del Oro HS – Tucson, AZ – 6-0/180
As a junior in 2014 he hit .520 (39-75) with 47 RBIs, five doubles, three triples and 12 home runs … also walked 21 times to boast a .633 OBP … slugged 1.146 and recorded a 1.780 OPS to earn First Team All-Southern Arizona honors and Perfect Game 2014 Underclass Honorable Mention … played in the Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament and plays club ball for the Yankees Scout Team.
“Erick has big-time power,” Jacome said. “He has a plus arm in the outfield and plays for probably the best high school team in Arizona. They have seven players that signed with Division I schools. He has a chance to hit in the middle of the order for us as a freshman.”
Gage O’Brien (R/R) – RHP – Catalina Foothills HS – Tucson, AZ – 6-3/180
In two seasons of varsity has gone 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA in 13 appearances, including a 2.33 ERA as a sophomore in 2013 … has struck out 22 in 23.2 innings and limited opponents to a .222 batting average against … plays club ball for 520 Elite as well as Yankees Scout Team.
“He’s a big-bodied righty with a real curveball,” Spencer said. “He’s a bit of a late bloomer, but he jumped on the scene late in the summer and is long and athletic. He has a good chance to have a great breaking ball.”
Andrew Pratt (R/R) – C – La Cueva HS – Albuquerque, NM – 6-2/205
As a junior in 2014 he hit .458 with 38 RBIs and eight homers … allowed only two base stealers all season … named All-District, All-Metro, All-State, a Second Team Louisville Slugger HS All-American, and First Team catcher on USA Today All-USA New Mexico Team … plays for the Albuquerque Baseball Academy.
“He profiles behind the plate,” Spencer said. “He’s big and strong with a good arm. We’re very excited to get him because he offers the whole package as a catcher. We think he’s going to add a lot of depth to the position.”
Peyton Remy (R/R) – RHP – Legend HS – Parker, CO – 6-2/180
As a junior in 2014 he struck out 39 in eight appearances … struck out four and allowed just one run in 3.0 innings at the 2014 Area Code Games … also played in the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship Tournament in Jupiter, Fla. … went 5-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 10 appearances (seven starts) as a sophomore in 2013 … struck out 48 and walked just 18 in 37.0 IP … limited opponents to a .200 batting average against and a .314 OBP … also hit .292 as a sophomore when playing third … plays club ball for the Colorado Slammers.
“He has the best arm in the 2015 Colorado class,” Spencer said. “He’s a really good athlete with a quick arm. He’ll sit 90-91 with solid secondary stuff. He’s athletic like Preston Ryan. It might take him a year to put it all together, but he has very exciting stuff.”
Donnie Sands (R/R) – INF/RHP – Salpointe HS – Tucson, AZ – 6-2/190
As a junior in 2014 he hit .415 (27-65) with 22 RBIs, 22 runs, 11 doubles, one triple, three home runs, five stolen bases, a .466 OBP, a .753 SLG, and a 1.220 OPS … also made four appearances on the mound and went 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA … started twice and completed both games … also recorded one save and struck out 20 in 11 innings … held opponents to a .100 batting average against and a .167 OBP … originally from Albuquerque … played with O’Brien for 520 Elite and Yankees Scout Team.
“He’s a very good athlete with a good arm,” said Spencer. “We’re looking at him as a two-way player, but he has the body type and arm strength to help on the mound right away.”
Jacome agreed saying, “He’s going to be drafted pretty high. He has a chance to be an impact guy right away as a middle-of-the-order hitter. He’ll also probably throw a lot of innings as a freshman.”
Austin Treadwell (R/R) – OF/RHP – Eldorado HS – Albuquerque, NM – 6-3/200
Named 2014 5A All-State and All-Metro as OF after hitting .330 (29-88) with 24 RBIs, eight doubles, a triple, three homers, a .545 SLG, and a .923 OPS … was also superb on the mound with a 3-2 record and a 5.09 ERA in 22 innings … struck out 20 and held opponents to a .225 batting average … played in the Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament and was named a Perfect Game 2014 Underclass Honorable Mention … in two years on varsity he has hit .303 (47-155) with 37 RBIs, 15 doubles, one triple, five homers, a .509 SLG and a .899 OPS … on the mound he is 6-4 with a 5.66 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 50.2 innings … pls for Albuquerque Baseball Academy.
“His best tool is his arm,” Spencer said. “He’s raw, but his stuff is very good and solid. He’ll get better the more he pitches. I really want him on the mound.”
Christian Tripp (R/R) – RHP – Klein HS – Spring, TX – 6-6/200
As a junior recorded a 1.765 ERA in 45.2 innings going 5-3 … also hit .365 with 1 home run and 29 RBIs … earned First Team All-District 13-5A and helped lead team to playoffs in 2014 … named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2014 17U Perfect Game BCS Finals in Fort Myers, FL. … also named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2013 16U Perfect Game BCS Finals in Fort Myers, FL. … 2014 PG Underclass Honorable Mention … plays club ball for the Houston Banditos.
“He’s a big boy with a high, three-quarters arm slot,” Spencer said. “He’s a sinkerballer with a nice curve. He doesn’t throw that hard right now, but we think he will. We love his athleticism and his frame, and he has faced good high school and summer competition in Texas.”
Jacob Westerman (R/R) – INF – Ballard HS – Seattle, WA – 6-3/185
Has hit .350 (42-120) in three years on varsity … hit .333 (20-60) in 20 games as a junior in 2014 to earn Second Team All-League in KINGO 4A … hit .367 (22-60) in 21 games as a sophomore in 2013 … shows good patience with 20 walks and a career .451 OBP … has also stolen 15 bases … an excellent fielder, only made one error his sophomore season … plays club ball for Boys of Summer Seattle.
“He’s a tall, fast infielder,” said Spencer. “He can really run. He’ll be able to stay in the infield and play just about anwhere. He’s a high-end athlete that will have a chance to hit for high average.”
Jaylyn Whitehead (L/L) – LHP – Olympia HS – Ocoee, FL – 6-0/160
Helped the Titans to a 25-3 record and a No. 7 national ranking by posting a 2-0 record with a 1.17 ERA. Held opponents to a .143 BAA and a .250 OBP … plays club ball for CFBL Mizuno.
“He’s very smooth with a lot of skill,” said Spencer. “He’s long and loose. He reminds me of a Tom Glavine-type. He’ll definitely pitch as a freshman. He’ll be a guy as he grows into his body. He came to our camps and really wanted to be a Lobo. We’re thrilled to have him.”