Hirtensteiner Announces Signing of Six Recruits
11/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MALIBU, Calif. - Head Coach Rick Hirtensteiner released the Pepperdine baseball recruiting class this week, with six athletes signing to play for the Waves in 2018.
Hirtensteiner, who is in his second season as Pepperdine's head coach, will welcome six players to the program in Daniel Budke, Blake Harrison, Blake Hunt, Michael Malinchak, Matt Mitchell and Dane Morrow.
"I am grateful to coaches Cooper Fouts and Rolando Garza for their tireless efforts in not only finding great baseball players, but finding baseball players who have the attributes we look for in a Pepperdine athlete; tough and competitive, selfless and team oriented, baseball and academically minded, and in tune with the Christian mission of Pepperdine University," said Hirtensteiner. "It is exciting to see how these student athletes embody these characteristics and truly want to be Pepperdine Waves. I am eager to see these student athletes grow and mature physically, mentally and emotionally over the next four years, not only on the field, winning games, but in the classroom, developing their minds and becoming leaders in society."
Here's a look at the recruits:
Daniel Budke - INF/OF - 6'0", 200 - James E. Taylor High School - Houston, Texas
Budke brings a power bat to Pepperdine after posting a .362 batting average over the course of his high school career. He drove in 64 runs with 20 doubles, five homers and one triple in his three varsity seasons at James E. Taylor High School. With his senior season yet to commence, Budke has earned All-District first and second team honors, Greater Houston Infield third team and team offensive MVP recognition. He helped lead Taylor to District Championships in 2014 and 2015 and Texas 6A State Playoff appearances the last three years.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Daniel: "I am excited Daniel Budke will be on the field for the Waves in the 2018 season. Daniel is a right-hand hitting, middle of the lineup bat, with power to all fields, while still being a tough out at the plate and having a knack for driving in runs. Daniel is versatile on the field and can play the corner infield and outfield positions. Daniel is a perfect fit for Pepperdine University - excels as a student, is a tremendous baseball player and wants to serve others."
Daniel on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because it was a great fit athletically, academically and spiritually, as well as being a beautiful place to grow in all of these areas."
Blake Harrison - RHP/OF - 6'1", 175 - San Ramon Valley High School - Danville, Calif.
Harrison has been a three-year standout at San Ramon Valley High, putting up big numbers both on the mound and at the plate. Harrison has a career ERA of 1.80 and has also hit .381 with five homers. He was named to the All-East Bay Athletic League team as a junior this past season and as a sophomore he was one of two underclassmen on the varsity squad and was the only one to start. Harrison played his club ball for Lamorinda Baseball and was named a 2015 and 2016 Underclass Honorable Mention by Perfect Game, also earning an invite to the 2015 Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Blake: "For the 2017 recruiting class, pitching was a priority and right-handed pitcher Blake Harrison is an important part of a strong class of pitchers. Blake is a bulldog on the mound, has good life to his fastball, with a hard breaking ball. Blake attacks hitters, has no fear and is extremely athletic. He thrives when pitching in big games and I expect to see that continue with him winning many games in his career at Pepperdine. In addition to pitching, Blake's extreme athleticism allows him to be a two way player for the Waves. With his speed, arm and athleticism, he can play all 3 outfield positions extremely well. At the plate, Blake has good bat speed and plate discipline which make him a very tough out. Blake always plays the game hard and I am excited he is a Wave."
Blake on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose to attend Pepperdine because of its appealing campus, high quality academics and elite baseball program."
Blake Hunt - C/1B/OF - 6'3", 200 - Mater Dei High School - Costa Mesa, Calif.
Hunt has put up big numbers in his three years so far at Mater Dei High School, posting an impressive split with a career .303 batting average, .357 OBP and .767 OPS. Hunt has three homers, 25 RBI and 46 total hits, and has been named Defensive Player of the Year twice. He has also earned All-Trinity League second team twice. Hunt has also been a standout in the classroom, earning Honor Roll and Principal's list twice. Hunt played club ball for the SoCal Birds, Team California and SoCal Rebels, winning a national championship with the Rebels in 2013 and All-Tournament honors with Team California in 2015.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Blake: "Blake Hunt has all the tools to be a great hitter at Pepperdine. He has strong hands, great hand-eye coordination, toughness at the plate and a strong work ethic. Blake can play both catcher and first base, but runs well enough to play outfield when needed. Blake has the rare combination of hitting for power and average that you don't typically see in a young player, and Blake still has a huge upside. We expect Blake to make an immediate impact for the Pepperdine baseball program."
Blake on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because I felt at home with the coaching staff and on campus. I felt welcomed into the family on my visit and had a great sense of unity among the coaches and players. Campus location played another part as it's not too close or too far from my parents. Finally, the academics and possibilities after graduation led me to believe it would be the best place for me to spend the next four years."
Michael Malinchak - OF - 6'4", 190 - American Heritage High School - Delray Beach, Fla.
Malinchak is a versatile player out of Delray Beach, Fla. He posted a breakout junior season this past year, hitting .360 at the plate, posting a .500 OBP and stealing 11 bases for American Heritage High School. Malinchak helped American Heritage to a 4A District Championship in 2015. He was also named the Most Outstanding Student of the junior class for his work in the classroom. He played his club ball for the West Boca Panthers and Elite Squad.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Michael: "Michael Malinchak will bring an incredible amount of athleticism to our lineup. He is a tall, athletic player who can run extremely well and also brings power to the plate. He is a very dynamic player who will help the Waves win games in many different ways from stealing bases to making great catches in the outfield, and scoring and driving in runs. Michael runs well enough to play centerfield but brings the power game of a corner outfielder to the lineup."
Michael on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because of the excellent academics and strong baseball program."
Matt Mitchell - LHP - 6'4", 195 - Bishop Gorman High School - Las Vegas, Nev.
Mitchell has posted prodigious numbers for Bishop Gorman through his first three years on the mound. He has a 20-2 career record through three seasons and 116.2 innings pitched, posting a 1.68 ERA, 105 strikeouts and just 29 walks. Mitchell was named the Southern Nevada Pitcher of the Year, all-state first team, all-region and all-division first team as well during his junior season. He earned all-region and all-division honors as a freshman and sophomore as well, and was named All-Southern Nevada as a freshman. Mitchell holds the Bishop Gorman school record for lowest single-season ERA with a 0.74 mark in 2016. His team won a state championship in 2015 and finished second in the national rankings that year, with Mitchell going 7-0 on the mound.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Matt: "The Waves coaching staff is thrilled Matt Mitchell will be pitching in a Pepperdine uniform next year and I expect him to make an immediate impact. Matt is an extremely experienced and polished left-handed pitcher, who we believe can pitch on the weekends as a freshman. Matt has a very good three-pitch mix, throws a ton of strikes down in the zone with all of his pitches and is a tough competitor. Matt has experienced much success at the high school level and we expect that success to continue in a Waves uniform."
Matt on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because it is a smaller, Christian, private school, with great academics and a great baseball program. I also chose it because the coaches treated me really well and I felt welcomed to attend such a magnificent school."
Dane Morrow - RHP - 6'2", 190 - Oaks Christian High School - Malibu, Calif.
Morrow has been a standout for the last three years for nearby Oaks Christian High School under head coach Royce Clayton. Morrow was named all-league first team this past season and was team MVP. He posted a 2.51 ERA in 61.1 innings pitched as a junior, striking out 36 batters and tossing three complete games. Morrow also hit .320 at the plate last season, with 24 hits, 10 RBI and nine runs scored. His team won league championships in 2014 and 2016. He played his club ball for the Garciaparra Baseball Group for 4 years and the Conejo Valley/TO Big League 18u.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Dane: "Dane Morrow is a big, physical, athletic right-handed pitcher with a big upside. He attacks hitters with pitches low in the zone and forces early contact. His work ethic is outstanding, which, combined with his athleticism, makes Dane a tough pitcher to beat who will continue to improve. I look forward to watching Dane pitch for us, help the Waves win games and reach our ultimate goal of playing in Omaha and winning a College World Series."
Dane on why he chose Pepperdine: "Personal relationships with successful past Pepperdine players like Cole Cook and Jon Moscot, really helped my decision. I had confidence in the quality of the baseball program, it is similar to my high school in student life, is faith based and because of the close proximity to family."
