Oregon State baseball released a list Tuesday featuring 11 players who signed their National Letters of Intent to play with the Beavers starting in the 2017 season.
Five of the 11 players from Oregon, while three others are from Washington. Two of the remaining signees are from California and another is from Utah.
“We have some guys who are very multi-talented; they can play different positions. There is a good balance within the class,” Oregon State coach Pat Casey said in a statement. “We have guys in this class who we feel can come in and play right away.”
Oregon State’s most recent freshman class was ranked ninth in the country by D1baseball.com in October.
Click here for the full release from the team. Below is the list of players Oregon State signed, along with individual descriptions provided by the Beavers:
Andy Armstrong: “(He) comes to the program after three years at West Salem High School. A 5-foot-9 infielder, he earned 6A All-State honors after his junior season, where he batted .411 with nine doubles, 29 runs batted in and 19 stolen bases. He was named his conference’s player of the year.”
Dakota Donovan: “A 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher from Pine View High School in Utah. Playing at the 3A level, he was named All-State after his junior campaign, one that saw him post an 11-0 record and 1.10 earned run average in 15 games. He struck out 92 in 65 2/3 innings last season.”
Grant Gambrell: “A pitcher and infielder from Buchanan High School in Clovis. Standing at 6-foot-4, he was named First-Team All-State as a junior after batting .434 with an on-base percentage of .537. He hit one home run and drove in 19 while posting a 4-1 record and 2.02 ERA in 45 innings on the mound.”
Preston Jones: “Coming off an All-State season as well at Mountain View High School in Vancouver. A 5-11 outfielder, he batted .538 last season, collecting six doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI to go along with 19 stolen bases. Jones’ brother, PJ, played collegiately at Washington State and is now in the Seattle Mariners organization.”
Tyler Malone: “A 5-11 infielder from Woodcreek High School in Roseville, Calif. He was named All-City and First-Team All-League his junior year, in which he batted .421 with seven doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI to go along with 14 stolen bases. His father, Todd, played professionally in the New York Yankees organization.”
George Mendazona: “(He) will join the Beavers from Ridgeview High School in Redmond. The grandson of OSU great Jim Jarvis, he’s a 6-foot infielder who was named All-State as a junior. He batted .570 last season, tallying 16 doubles, nine triples and three home runs with 29 RBI and 15 stolen bases.”
Jake Mulholland: “A 6-foot-3 left-handed pitcher from Snohomish High School. He was named All-State and All-Conference after a 9-0 junior season. He posted a 1.15 ERA in 10 games, striking out 84 batters in 61 innings of work. He also batted .409 with 12 RBI.”
Adley Rutschman: “A 6-foot-2 utility player from Sherwood High School, was an All-State selection after his junior campaign. Last year, he batted .444 with seven doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI. During summer ball, he batted .482 with seven home runs, 29 RBI and seven stolen bases.”
Mitchell Verburg: “A 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher, will join the program from Lake Oswego High School. Named a top prospect at the Perfect Game National Showcase, he is coming off a 5-3 season on the mound, posting a 2.14 ERA in 18 games. He struck out 95 in 74 innings.”
Elliot Willy: “A 6-foot utility player from Bend High School, where he has lettered for two seasons. As a junior, he was named First-Team All-League and Second-Team All-State after batting .391 with eight doubles, six home runs and 33 RBI.”
Taylor Wright: “(He) will join Casey’s program from Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Wash. A 6-foot-3 outfielder, he was named All-Conference his junior year after batting .400 with eight doubles, one home run and 19 RBI to go along with eight stolen bases.”
— Danny Moran
