Lobos add 10 in 2018 recruiting class

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The defending Mountain West champion University of New Mexico baseball program has added more talent and depth to its roster for the 2019 season as 10 players have inked for the Lobos for their 2018 recruiting class.
 
“We’re thrilled about the talent we have coming here,” UNM coach Ray Birmingham said. “We feel like we got guys that not only have the chance to be great baseball players, but great Lobos. Plus, we are getting great in-state talent as well.”
 
The class includes three pitchers, four infielders, an outfielder and a two players who may both pitch and play the infield. Five of the 10 players are from New Mexico from five different cities: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Roswell and Hobbs.
 2018 UNM Baseball Recruiting Class
 

A.J. Bregman
Left-Handed Pitcher
Albuquerque, N.M. (Albuquerque Academy)
6-0, 185 lbs
About Bregman: A left-handed pitcher from Albuquerque Academy and coach Andy Williams … Long projection-type pitcher with strong bloodlines … Bregman will provide much-needed depth from the left side and maintains a three-pitch arsenal … Son of Sam and Jackie Bregman … Father played baseball for the Lobos … Plays for Albuquerque Baseball Academy … Has two siblings Alex (23) and Jessica (22) … Brother Alex plays for the Houston Astros.
Birmingham says: “He’s a Bregman and that tell you all that you need to know. He’s going to figure it out here and I’m excited to see it. You know he’s going to come in and work hard.”
Why Bregman chose UNM: “I’m excited and honored to play for Coach Birmingham, Coach Jacome and the people of New Mexico. He’s a hard-working kid and he’s Bregman to work it out.”
 Kyle Conley
Left-Handed Pitcher
Spring, Texas (Oak Ridge HS)
5-11, 175 lbs
About Conley: An athletic left-handed pitcher with tremendous upside that comes out of Spring, Texas’ Oak Ridge High School (played for coach Mike Pirtle) … Quick-arm strike thrower … Conley features a three-pitch mix with a fastball that will be 87-90 mph … Potential to work in as a starter early in his career at UNM … Will provide much need depth to the left side … Played for Mizuno Select during the summer of 2017 … Son of Sean and Sherryl Conley … Has two siblings, Kevin (18) and Cary (21) … Helped Oak Ridge to the Class 6A Texas State quarterfinals (2016) and semifinals (2017) …
Birmingham says: “Conley has great potential and we’re excited to have him coming to Albuquerque. Anytime you can get a left-hander with this kind of upside, it’s a big deal.”
Why Conley chose UNM: “UNM baseball has a solid reputation for its coaching staff and a tradition of success on and off the field.”
 Zack Doak
Infielder
Tulsa, Oklahoma (Union HS)
6-1, 190 lbs
About Doak: A corner infielder that has shown the ability to really hit for Union High School and coach Shawn Newkirk … Has shown gap-to-gap power with potential to hit in the middle of the lineup.  Primarily a third baseman, but could also be used at as bullpen arm for the Lobos … Played for Tulsa Baseball Club during the summer of 2017 … Son of John and Debby Doak … Has one sibling, Kasey Doak (21) … Also lettered in football at Union … Plays baseball for the Tulsa Baseball Club … Hit .442 his junior year with two home runs, 13 doubles and 25 RBI.
Birmingham says: “Zack’s a third baseman with a big bat – something we’ve had success with here at UNM. He’s got a great makeup and we’re excited to have him coming to be a Lobo.”
Why Doak chose UNM: “I chose UNM because of the outstanding baseball program and the academic opportunities.”
 Joe Hagopian
Infielder
Woodland, Calif. (Jesuit HS)
5-11, 180 lbs
About Hagopian: Hagopian is an athletic player with a ton of utility who played for Jesuit High School and coach Joe Potulny … Son of Shant, Jolie and Ivy … A fierce competitor, Hagopian takes a football mentality to the baseball field … He is talented offender with an advanced approach at the plate that has a chance to impact the lineup as a true freshman … He is versatile enough to play anywhere on the field … Was a First-Team All-Delta League performer last season and All-Metro honorable mention … Also has started at safety for the football program and was named to the All-Delta League Second Team as a junior and was selected to the Optimist Football Bowl Game. … Also played baseball for the Chico Aces and Show California.
Birmingham says: “Anytime you get a chance to add an athlete like Joe and his competitive spirit to your program, it is a no brainer. He will enhance the play of his teammates and maintains leadership skills beyond his years. Joe hails from a successful high school program that breeds winners. We look forward to Joe’s future in a Lobo uniform.”
Why Hagopian chose UNM: “I chose the University of New Mexico because of the opportunity to earn a degree in my field of study, the great coaching staff and the baseball program has a chance to win a conference title every year and get to the College World Series.”
 Tyler Kelly
Infielder
Cottonwood, Ariz. (Mingus Union HS)
5-10, 180 lbs
About Kelly: A talented, three-sport athlete for Mingus High School … Is a consummate competitor … Displays a combination of quickness and power in a strong, compact frame … Kelly maintains a tenacity in his play that is invaluable to any program … He will have an excellent opportunity to hit at the top of the Lobo lineup. … Also plays running back for the football team (rushed for more than 1,000 yards) and guard for the basketball team. … Son of Pete and Gretle … Has two siblings, Pete (19) and Hailey (15)
Birmingham says: “Tyler is a great athlete and a great competitor. He’s a winner and I’m very excited for him to be here. Anytime you get someone who plays multiple sports, and is successful at them, you know you are getting someone who is going to be competitive and be a gamer.”
 Tristin Lively
Right-Handed Pitcher/Infielder
Las Cruces, N.M. (Las Cruces High)
6-0, 185 lbs
About Lively: Lively is a tremendous talent who maintains a ton of arm strength pitching in the low 90s … He has the makings of a wipeout breaking ball and a feel for a changeup … With solid zone feel, Lively possesses the ability to be a front-line starter … Lively’s athleticism may propel him to compete for a spot in the lineup as well … His combination of strength and speed cannot be ignored.
Birmingham says: “He’s another New Mexico kid with a big arm that can play multiple positions if need be. We’re excited about what he brings to the Lobos and could be another great UNM player to come out of the Las Cruces area.”
 Jack Murano
Right-Handed Pitcher
Rio Rancho, N.M. (Cleveland HS)
6-7, 180 lbs
About Murano: Projectable right-handed pitcher from Rio Rancho’s Cleveland High School and coach Shane Shallenberger … Pitches in the high 80s to low 90s … Murano is an athletic pitcher with a high ceiling in a large frame that will hold added weight and strength … He maintains an advance feel for the strike zone with three pitches that will allow him to pitch immediately in college … on of Steve and Linda … has two siblings, Karlie (19) and Kasey (11) … Helped Cleveland High School to the 2017 district title … Also plays for the Rio Rancho Cannons and the Albuquerque Baseball Academy.
Birmingham says: “Generally speaking with pitchers of Jack’s height, command is the lastly thing to come. However, Jack has always had solid zone feel with all of his pitches and we knew he needed to be a Lobo at a young age. His progression has been special to watch and we are always excited to welcome a New Mexico kid with his talent to Lobo Nation. I’ve been after Jack for a long time and I think he’s going to be special. Plus, he’s a New Mexico kid.”
Why Murano chose UNM: “It has a great environment and it’s a fantastic program. Everyone there seems to really want the best for you.”
 Tyrin Pacheco
Right-Handed Pitcher/Infielder
Hobbs, N.M. (Hobbs HS)
6-1, 190 lbs
About Pacheco: A talented two-way player who can remarkably pitch with both hands out of Hobbs High School and played for coach Marco Boyle … He’s shown some power at the plate and right-handed can pitch into the low 90s … He has tremendous life on his fastball with a solid breaking ball … Pacheco maintains the ability to play multiple positions in the infield … He will undoubtedly have an opportunity to impact future Lobo teams in a variety of ways … the son of Jaime and Mandi … has two siblings, Tyler (25) and Kylea (23) … Led Hobbs to a 2017 district championship and was named the 2017 pitcher of the year … Also plays for the Garciaparra Baseball Group and the Lubbock Baseball Academy.
Birmingham says: “Tyrin is a multifaceted player that will find a way to impact our program. He is another New Mexico kid that through his play and commitment made it apparent at a young age that we needed him in our program. We are always excited to expand our recruiting to all areas of New Mexico and Tyrin being from Hobbs – my hometown – is a great example of that.”
Why Pacheco chose UNM: “I chose to attend the University of New Mexico because of the academic opportunities afforded to me by UNM and because of the baseball teams’ coaching staff’s dedication to help their athletes succeed both on the baseball field as well as in the classroom. Also the baseball teams’ camaraderie was a big plus.”
 Ediberto Reyes
Infielder
Pharr, Texas (Valley View HS)
6-1, 190 lbs
About Reyes: A slick fielding middle infielder who can also play third base who is out of Valley View High School in Pharr, Texas (played for coach Mario Gonzalez) … An athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame who plays exceptional defense … A contact hitter who can drive the baseball to all fields … Played for the South Texas Sliders during the summer of 2017 … Son of Ediberto and Monica Reyes … Has two siblings, Abigail (19) and Daniela (13) …
Birmingham says: “I’m excited about him. He might be the best shortstop we’ve recruited here – at least the best middle infielder we have had for a long time.”
Why Reyes chose UNM: “I chose UNM because I feel the baseball program can really further my career and help me be a better person.”
 Cameron Stevenson
Outfielder
Roswell, N.M. (Goddard HS)
6-1, 195 lbs
About Stevenson: A tremendous athlete who also played quarterback at Goddard High School until his senior year … Has experience both in the infield and the outfield which will allow much-needed depth in both places … A plus runner who can be a power bat … Played for Amarillo Baseball Academy … Led Goddard to the 2017 state title and helped the program to state runner-up finishes the previous three seasons … Son of Alan and Rita Stevenson … Has four siblings, Kristen (21), Gerina (32), Michael Shane (34) and Jorge Ray (38) … Sister Gerina Piller is a golfer on the LPGA Tour that has earned more than $3.5 million in her career and had a decorated career at UTEP (graduating in 2007).
Birmingham says: “He comes from a big-time family. His sister is one of the top PGA players in the world. Cameron’s a great athlete and he’s a New Mexico kid. I’m excited about watching him develop here. He’s a winner as well, leading Goddard to a state title last year.”
Why Stevenson chose UNM: “It’s a competitive baseball program, a school with strict academics, there is an involved student body and a large campus with many opportunities to be successful.”