Hirtensteiner Announces Recruiting Class
11/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine baseball head coach Rick Hirtensteiner released the Waves' recruiting class this week, with 10 athletes signing National Letters of Intent to play for the Waves in 2019.
"Cooper Fouts and Rolando Garza have both done an extraordinary job with this year's recruiting class," said Hirtensteiner, who enters his third season at the helm for the Waves. "I thank them for their tireless efforts to evaluate baseball ability, build relationships with student-athletes and find the best fits for Pepperdine University. I would also like to thank the families of the coaches and their support during a very difficult and demanding recruiting season and the many days and nights these men are away from their wives and children."
"I believe each of our recruits has 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," continued 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 young men 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."
The Pepperdine staff still expects to add other recruits to the group at later signing periods. Here's a look at the 10 incoming Waves who recently signed NLI's.
Jack Baird - 6-4, RHP - Legend HS - Parker, Colo.
Baird comes to Pepperdine from Legends HS in Parker, Colo. where he has already earned all-conference and all-state honors, and was named the Legends HS 2017 Pitcher of the Year. This past spring he posted a 1.86 ERA, compiling a 5-1 record and 45 strikeouts over the course of 37.2 innings pitched. Baird also pitched for the Slammers Martin travel team along with fellow recruit Luke Ziegler. He plans to major in communications or advertising once at Pepperdine.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Baird: "Jack is a lean and athletic right-handed pitcher with great upside. He has quick-twitch type muscle actions, which project well for his baseball future. Jack has a live fastball with a swing-and-miss breaking ball. He pitches with a quick tempo and is fearless on the mound. Jack has the ability to be dominant on the mound and will be a big part of the Waves pitching staff in 2019."
Baird on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because I believe it was my best opportunity to grow academically, athletically and in my faith. I also loved the idea of going to school in Malibu."
Grant Georges - 6-3, LHP - Flower Mound HS - Flower Mound, Texas
Georges comes to Pepperdine after being named a PBR Senior Top Prospect. He compiled a 0.95 ERA in 22 innings pitched this past season, giving up just three earned runs. He also posted a 1.04 WHIP. Playing for the Texas Stix Black travel ball team, Georges tossed 28 innings, posting a 1.75 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 30 strikeouts to just six walks. He was also the starting pitcher in the All-Academic Game in the Senior Fall Classic in Arizona. Georges plans to major in business administration.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Georges: "Grant is a left-handed pitcher with the ability to retire both left and right-handed batters. He attacks hitters with a four-pitch mix, including a cutter that can be devastating to right-handed hitters. Grant pitches with a calm yet intense demeanor, allowing him to be consistent in all situations. With a projectable frame and clean arm, I expect Grant to continue improving and have much success in a Waves jersey."
Georges on why he chose Pepperdine: "Pepperdine is an irresistible school. With factors such as the education, support from professors, level of competition on the baseball field, focus on faith and an ocean view from all areas of the campus, it is an option that is hard to say no to. This school has everything that a college student-athlete would want. Pepperdine has one of the greatest coaching staffs in California and an excellent baseball program in general. I chose Pepperdine for the combination of a prestigious education and the quality of baseball."
Trevor Kniskern - 5-11, INF/RHP - Pompano Beach HS - Lighthouse Point, Fla.
Kniskern is both a pitcher and middle-infielder hailing from Lighthouse Point, Fla. With an extensive list of prep accolades already, Kniskern has been named the 2017 Class 5A Player of the Year and to both the all-district and all-county teams each of the last two seasons, in addition to earning team MVP honors both seasons. Last year he batted .432, with four homers, 27 RBI and 10 stolen bases, while also compiling an 11-1 record, 1.08 ERA and 94 strikeouts on the mound. Kniskern played his travel ball for Elite Squad Baseball. He plans to major in business at Pepperdine.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Kniskern: "Trevor is a two-way player who has a chance to make an impact both on the mound and in the field. As a pitcher, Trevor has great attack to his fastball and a swing-and-miss curveball. At the plate, Trevor is a remarkably consistent player proven by his 23-game hitting streak during his high school season. Whether on the mound or with the bat, Trevor will have a very positive impact for the Waves in the 2019 season."
Kniskern on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because of the academics, baseball program and coaching staff, as well as the awesome location."
Justin Lutes - 6-1, 1B - Liberty HS/College of Southern Nevada - Henderson, Nev.
Lutes is a junior college transfer from the College of Southern Nevada, where he put up a dominant freshman season on the way to being named the Player of the Year in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Lutes hit .376 with 46 RBI, six home runs and 53 walks, putting up some of the best offensive numbers for the Coyotes since Bryce Harper won 2010 SWAC Player of the Year honors. Lutes also had a dominant prep career at Liberty HS, hitting over .400 as a senior to help lead the team to a Nevada State Championship and earn All-State second team honors. He played his travel ball for the Nevada Wildcats. Lutes plans to major in communications with a minor in marketing at Pepperdine.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Lutes: "Justin is a true left-handed power hitter, with the ability to hit for power to all fields and at the same time display extraordinary plate discipline. Justin is a middle of the order bat and will drive in many run for the Waves in 2019. On defense, Justin has shown great instincts, defensive awareness and is a plus defender."
Lutes on why he chose Pepperdine: "I felt that Pepperdine was the best fit for me, not only from a baseball standpoint but an academic one as well."
Greg Mehlhaff - 6-1, 3B/1B - Clackamas HS - Gresham, Ore.
Mehlhaff is a corner infielder who comes to Pepperdine as the Waves' lone recruit out of the Pacific Northwest. During his three varsity seasons at Clackamas HS, Mehlhaff has earned all-state and all-league honors each of the last two seasons and has been his team's Offensive Player of the Year both seasons as well. He hit .395 this past year with 27 RBI, two homers, one triple, eight doubles and an OPS of 1.067 to help lead the Cavaliers to a 2017 Oregon 6A State Championship. He played his travel ball with Showtime College Prep Baseball. Mehlhaff has also excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 GPA as a member of the National Honor Society for the last two years. He plans to major in business finance.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Mehlhaff: "Greg is an advanced hitter with great strike-zone awareness and overall approach at the plate. He has shown the ability to use the whole field to hit, is a very tough out and can still drive the ball to the outfield for extra-base hits. Greg is a versatile defender as he has the arm-strength and athleticism to play third base, hits well enough to play first base and runs well enough to play the corner outfield positions."
Mehlhaff on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine for multiple reasons. Primarily, I selected Pepperdine because of its academic excellence and the level of school it is. My parents have always instilled an academics first mentality into me and I work very hard to maintain my grades. Thus, Pepperdine will challenge me academically and within the field of my major. Additionally, I love the coaches and baseball program that have given me the opportunity to play Division I baseball. Lastly, the beautiful location and sunny weather drew me in, as I was looking to get out of the rainy weather in Oregon. All in all, Pepperdine provided me the best opportunity to further improve my academic knowledge, baseball career and personal values."
Yuji Sakane - 6-1, LHP/OF - Temple City HS - Temple City, Calif.
Sakane is a left-handed pitcher out of Temple City, who has also played some first base and outfield during his prep career. He was named an Underclass All-American honorable mention by Perfect Game. Playing his travel ball with the SoCal Bombers 2018 Black squad, Sakane earned All-Tournament honors at the 2016 Evoshield National Championship and at the 2016 WWBA Underclass World Championship. Over the last two seasons he has posted a 1.97 ERA and 7-3 record, including a 1.70 ERA as a junior last year. Sakane has also hit .324 in 45 games at the plate.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Sakane: "Yuji is a strike-throwing machine. He has the ability to repeat his delivery and can use his fastball extremely well to both sides of the plate. He attacks hitters with a good three-pitch mix, pitches low in the zone and forces early contact. Yuji is a competitor on the mound and will also help the Waves as a left-handed bat with the ability to hit for average and extra bases."
Dylan Weiss - 6-2, OF - Lake Travis HS - Austin, Texas
Weiss is one of two recruits out of the state of Texas signed by the Waves this year, coming to Malibu from Austin after a standout prep career. Weiss has played three varsity seasons so far and was named Lake Travis Defensive MVP as a junior last year. He hit .387 with 28 RBI last season and was named to the All-District first team. Weiss played his travel ball for the Austin Wings. He plans to major in business at Pepperdine.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Weiss: "Dylan is an extremely athletic outfielder who has the rare combination of speed and power. He is dangerous at the plate, with the ability to hit for extra bases, can put pressure on the opposing pitchers with his base-running, and on the defensive side has significant range and a strong arm in the outfield."
Weiss on why he chose Pepperdine: "It's a great academic school with smaller class sizes. I also fell in love with the location and coaching staff."
Charlie Welch - 6-0, C - Thomas Jefferson HS - Clearwater, Fla.
Welch is another recruit from the state of Florida for the Waves and comes to Malibu after standout seasons behind the plate with both Thomas Jefferson HS and the Ohio Warhawks travel ball squad. He was All-Pinellas County as a freshman and sophomore and is a three-time Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention. He also attended the 2017 Perfect Game National Showcase. Welch posted an impressive .529 average with eight doubles and two homers over his 2017 prep season and with the Warhawks hit .431 with seven doubles and a pair of homers this past summer. With a 3.91 GPA, Welch has been on the President's list each year. He plans to major in business.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Welch: "Charlie brings a tremendous work ethic as well as leadership skills to the Waves lineup. Charlie is a well-balanced catcher with success both as a defender and hitter. He has great communication skills to handle the pitching staff and with his overall baseball knowledge, it will be like having an additional coach on the field. Charlie has an aggressive approach at the plate and has a knack for driving in runs."
Welch on why he chose Pepperdine: "The decision of where I wanted to go to college came down to what felt like home to me. Ever since my first phone call with Coach Fouts, I had a good feeling about Pepperdine. Over the course of two months, we had frequent communication and things began to come together. Coach Hirtensteiner flew all the way across the country to watch me play, and I was offered immediately after that. From there, I was invited out for an official visit with my family. Over the course of the visit, I met with the athletic director, an academic advisor, current baseball players and the whole coaching staff. That single day is what ultimately helped me make my final decision. With a combination of the Christian environment, prestigious academic institution and a tradition-rich baseball program, it was evident that Pepperdine is where I needed to be. I am truly blessed and humbled with this opportunity, and I am more than excited to become a Wave."
Wyatt Young - 5-6, SS/2B - Mid-Pacific Institute - Honolulu, Hawaii
Young is a switch-hitting middle-infielder out of Mid-Pacific Institute in Hawaii. He signed with the Waves after three solid varsity seasons including this past year when he hit .426 over 29 games. Young also played for the Victoria Harbourcats as the youngest player to compete in the West Coast League. He hit .250 in 11 summer league games. Young has also earned Honor Roll and Presidential List honors for his work in the classroom. He plans to major in business.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Young: "Wyatt is exactly what we are looking for in a baseball player. He is a tireless worker, tough competitor and great teammate. Wyatt is a switch-hitting middle-infielder who possesses great instincts. He is a very dynamic player who will help the Waves win games in many different ways; stealing bases, making plays in the infield, and scoring and driving in runs. I expect Wyatt to be an immediate contributor to the Waves lineup."
Young on why he chose Pepperdine: "Pepperdine was one of the first schools to show interest in me, they knew what I could do with my skills and size didn't matter. The location and size of the school played a big part also. I felt it was a perfect fit for me. The beach is pretty much the backyard of the school, which reminds me of home. After visiting the Pepperdine campus and seeing all it has to offer, it is the best fit for me."
Luke Ziegler - 6-3, RHP - Valor Christian HS - Castle Pines, Colo.
Ziegler is another right-handed arm out of Colorado coming to the Waves in 2019. During a stellar prep career at Valor Christian, he has been named to all-state and all-conference first teams twice, and was the Colorado 4A Player of the Year. Ziegler helped his team win two Colorado 4A State Championships and was named to the Denver Post All-State Team. This past year he posted a 1.76 ERA, 7-1 record and 76 strikeouts, which came on the heels of a 6-1, 2.11 ERA, 48 strikeout season in 2016. He played his travel ball with Slammers Martin along with fellow Colorado recruit Jack Baird and competed for the Cincinnati Reds Area Code team. Ziegler was named to the 2017 Academic All-State team and plans to major in business administration at Pepperdine.
Coach Hirtensteiner on Ziegler: "Luke is a big, physical right-handed pitcher who attacks the zone with all of his pitches. He is a mature pitcher in that he can attack each hitter's weaknesses, handles the running game, fields his position well and absolutely knows how to win ballgames. Luke has won many big games in high school and he will continue to win big ballgames in a Waves uniform."
Ziegler on why he chose Pepperdine: "I chose Pepperdine because of the high level of academics, strong baseball program and beautiful location."
