UCLA Baseball Signs 13 Players to NLIs
November 23, 2015 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – UCLA Baseball has officially signed 13 players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The 2016 class includes five outfielders, four pitchers, two infielders and two first basemen.
Of the 13 signees, 12 hail from the state of California, including three who competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the World Cup in Japan this September. Those three players each rank within the top five players in the state of California, with seven more players from the class ranking within the top 50 in the state (as ranked by Perfect Game USA). The lone out-of-state signee ranks as the seventh best player in the state of Washington. Overall, 12 of the 13 players earned Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American selections in 2015.
“We are very excited about this group of players and their impact on our program,” said UCLA Head Coach John Savage. “The depth of this class should be as good as any in the country. Coach [Bryant] Ward has done a great job of putting the finishing touches to this class. Our entire coaching staff did a tremendous job with this assembly of players.”
The Bruins recruiting class includes left-handed pitcher Nick Scheidler (La Costa Canyon HS), right-handed pitchers Ryan Garcia (La Salle HS), Kevin Gowdy (Santa Barbara HS) and Kyle Mora (Los Alamitos HS), outfielders Mickey Moniak (La Costa Canyon HS), Jordan Prendiz (Mt. Whitney HS), Blake Rutherford (Chaminade Prep), Jarron Silva (St. Mary's HS) and Jeremy Ydens (St. Francis HS), infielders Ryan Kreidler (Davis HS) and Chase Strumpf (JSerra Catholic HS) and first basemen Logan Pouelsen (Huntington Beach HS) and Michael Toglia (Gig Harbor HS).
Bios on each of the 13 signees can be found below.
Ryan Garcia
Sierra Madre, Calif. (La Salle HS)
RHP – 6-0, 170 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at La Salle High School (Pasadena, Calif.) under head coach Mike Parisi … ranked No. 39 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 316 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA third team Underclass All-American … named to the 2015 PG/Evoshield National Championship All-Tournament Team … 2014 Perfect Game USA honorable mention Underclass All-American … named to the 2014 PG MLK Championship All-Tournament Team … as a junior at La Salle HS, struck out 11 batters in 11.1 innings pitched … hit .468 with 18 runs and 15 RBI … as a sophomore, hit .282 with 12 runs and 14 RBI, leading his team to the CIF-SS Division III playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Ryan is guy that we got out of our December camp last year. He is an athletic right handed pitcher who plays SS in high school. Ryan has one of the better arms in Southern California. He has an above average change up with a curveball that has depth.”
Kevin Gowdy
Santa Barbara, Calif. (Santa Barbara HS)
RHP – 6-2, 170 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Santa Barbara High School (Santa Barbara, Calif.) under head coach Donny Warrecker … ranked No. 11 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … ranked No. 5 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 30 on MaxPreps list of Top 50 High School juniors … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … 2015 All-Channel League first team selection … led the U.S. 18U National Team to the gold medal at the World Cup in Japan … pitched two scoreless innings in the World Cup semifinals … competed in the 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2015 National Showcase … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the Baseball America 2015 Area Code Games All-Tournament team … 2014 Perfect Game USA honorable mention Underclass All-American … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2014 Junior National Showcase … named to the 2014 PG WWBA World Championship All-Tournament team … 2014 All-Channel League Honorable Mention … as a junior at Santa Barbara HS, went 3-0 with a 0.27 ERA, leading his team to the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … struck out 42 batters in 26 innings, allowing just one earned run … as a sophomore, posted a 1.27 ERA in 23 innings, leading his team to the CIF-SS Division II playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Kevin is one of the best right handed pitchers in the country. He proved that this summer with Team USA. Along with a low 90's fastball Kevin has a slider that really adds to his repertoire. He is a potential front line pitcher the day he arrives onto our campus.”
Ryan Kreidler
Davis, Calif. (Davis HS)
INF – 6-2, 170 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Davis High School (Davis, Calif.) under head coach Dan Ariola … ranked No. 23 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 163 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … played for the New York Yankees at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 All-DVC first team selection … 2014 Sacramento Bee All-Metro first team selection … 2014 MaxPreps All-American … played for the Oakland Athletics at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … missed his junior year at Davis HS due to injury … as a sophomore, hit .438 with 32 runs and 28 RBI, leading his team to the CIF-Sac-Joaquin Division I Championship … as a freshman, hit .304 with 12 runs and 21 RBI.
Head Coach John Savage: “Ryan is one of the best middle infielders in the country. He has tremendous defensive skills with outstanding make up. Ryan comes from a very good program at Davis High School. He is a two-sport athlete who is a winning player.”
Mickey Moniak
Encinitas, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS)
OF – 6-2, 190 – L/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at La Costa Canyon High School (Carlsbad, Calif.) under head coach Justin Machado … ranked No. 7 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … ranked No. 3 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 17 on MaxPreps list of Top 50 High School juniors … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … led the U.S. 18U National Team to the gold medal at the World Cup in Japan … 2015 CalHiSports All-State first team Underclass All-American … 2015 MaxPreps All-State first team All-American … 2015 MaxPreps Underclass first team All-American … 2015 All-CIF-San Diego Section Division I first team selection … competed in the 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2015 National Showcase … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the Baseball America 2015 Area Code Games All-Tournament team … 2014 Perfect Game USA second team Underclass All-American … 2014 All-CIF-San Diego Section Division I first team … named to the 2014 PG/Evoshield National Championship All-Tournament Team … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2014 PG Underclass All-American Games … as a junior at La Costa Canyon HS, hit .426 with 29 runs and 28 RBI, leading his team to the finals of the CIF-San Diego Section Division I playoffs … as a sophomore, hit .461 with 34 runs and 27 RBI, leading his team to the finals of the CIF-San Diego Section Division I playoffs … as a freshman, hit .304 with two runs and four RBI.
Head Coach John Savage: “Mickey has proved that he is one of the best hitters in the country. The combination of his bat and his ability to run makes Mickey one of the most dynamic players in the country. He has all of the tools to change a game on both sides of the ball.”
Kyle Mora
Los Alamitos, Calif. (Los Alamitos HS)
RHP – 6-1, 180 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Los Alamitos High School (Los Alamitos, Calif.) under head coach Matt Nuez … ranked No. 92 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 500 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA high honorable mention Underclass All-American … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 Perfect Game USA high honorable mention Underclass All-American … as a freshman, led his team to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Kyle has continuously gotten better over the last 12 months. He has a good projectable frame that will allow him to make even more strides as he enters UCLA. He has done a good job of repeating his delivery as his stuff improves.”
Logan Pouelsen
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Huntington Beach HS)
1B/RHP – 6-1, 190 – L/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, Calif.) under head coach Benji Medure … ranked No. 29 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 220 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … 2015 CalHiSports All-State first team Underclass All-American … 2015 CIF-Southern Section Division I first team selection … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 Perfect Game USA third team Underclass All-American … 2013 PG WWBA West Memorial Day Classic MVP … as a junior at Huntington Beach HS, allowed zero runs and struck out eight in 10.1 innings pitched, leading his team to the 2015 CIF-SS Division I Championship … as a sophomore, hit .280 with 10 runs and 19 RBI, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … as a freshman, hit .330 with 13 runs and 20 RBI, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Logan has a tremendous arm with left handed power. He is advanced in playing the game and should add versatility to our roster. Logan comes from one of the best high school programs in Southern California in Huntington Beach High School.”
Jordan Prendiz
Visalia, Calif. (Mt. Whitney HS)
OF – 5-10, 170 – L/L
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Mt. Whitney High School (Visalia, Calif.) under head coach Nick Yockey … ranked No. 44 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 360 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA second team Underclass All-American … played in the 2015 National Showcase … 2014 Perfect Game USA honorable mention Underclass All-American … named MVP of the 2014 PG/Evoshield National Championship … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect team at the 2014 PG Underclass All-America Games … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2014 Sunshine West Showcase … as a junior at Mt. Whitney HS, hit .455 with 23 runs and 15 RBI, leading his team to the semifinals of the CIF-Central Section Division II playoffs … as a sophomore, hit .402 with 24 runs and 19 RBI, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-Central Section Division II playoffs … as a freshman, racked up 10 hits, 10 runs and eight RBI, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-Central Section Division II playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jordan is one of the best players in Central California. He can put pressure on defenses by the way he handles the bat and with his speed. Jordan is a tremendous defender who can go get the ball in the outfield.”
Blake Rutherford
Simi Valley, Calif. (Chaminade Prep)
OF – 6-2, 190 – L/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Chaminade College Prep (West Hills, Calif.) under head coach Frank Mutz … ranked No. 2 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … ranked No. 1 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 3 on MaxPreps list of Top 50 High School juniors … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … led the U.S. 18U National Team to the gold medal at the World Cup in Japan … 2015 CalHiSports All-State first team Underclass All-American … competed in the 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the Baseball America 2015 Area Code Games All-Tournament team … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect team at 2015 PG World Series … 2014 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the 18U COPABE Pan American Championship in 2014, leading the team to the gold medal … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named MVP of the 2014 PG MLK Championship … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2013 Perfect Game USA All-America Games … as a junior at Chaminade Prep, hit .435 with four homeruns, 20 runs and 14 RBI … as a sophomore, hit .409 with five runs and five RBI, leading his team to the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs … as a freshman, hit .322 with 14 runs and seven RBI, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Blake has established himself as the premier outfielder in the country in this class. He has all the tools you would want in a player. We are looking forward to watching him this spring at Chaminade. Along with Mickey Moniak and Kevin Gowdy, they represented UCLA very well on the USA team this past summer.”
Nick Scheidler
Carlsbad, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS)
LHP – 6-2, 170 – L/L
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at La Costa Canyon High School (Carlsbad, Calif.) under head coach Justin Machado … ranked No. 74 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 500 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA honorable mention Underclass All-American … named to the 2015 California World Series All-Tournament team … named to the 2015 PG WWBA 16U National Championship All-Tournament team … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2015 Sunshine West Showcase … named to the Rawlings Top Prospect list at the 2014 Underclass California Showcase … named to the 2014 PG/Evoshield National Championship All-Tournament team … as a junior at La Costa Canyon HS, went 7-2 with a 1.25 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched, leading his team to the finals of the CIF-San Diego Section Division I playoffs … as a sophomore, led his team to the finals of the CIF-San Diego Section Division I playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Nick is a solid left handed pitcher who competes and makes pitches. He is very athletic and should be a good addition to our pitching staff. We have seen him up to 88 with the ability to move the ball with advanced secondary pitches.”
Jarron Silva
Stockton, Calif. (St. Mary's HS)
OF – 5-10, 170 – L/L
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at St. Mary's High School (Stockton, Calif.) under head coach Rob Selna … ranked No. 49 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 395 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA high honorable mention Underclass All-American … 2015 All-Tri-City Athletic League first team selection … competed in the 2015 National Showcase … played for the New York Yankees at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … as a junior at St. Mary's HS, hit .369 with 29 runs and 14 RBI, leading his team to the final of the CIF Sac Joaquin Division I playoffs … as a sophomore, hit .362 with 26 runs and 16 RBI, leading his team to the final of the CIF Sac Joaquin Division I playoffs … as a freshman, played in four games, scoring three runs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jarron is a very hardnosed player who can run and hit. He is constantly working to get better and will make an impact in our outfield. Jarron is very athletic and has great instincts to play the game.”
Chase Strumpf
Ladera Ranch, Calif. (JSerra Catholic HS)
INF – 6-1, 180 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at JSerra Catholic High School (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) under head coach Brett Kay … ranked No. 31 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 244 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … ranked No. 21 on MaxPreps list of Top 50 High School juniors … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team Underclass All-American … 2015 All-Trinity League first team selection … 2015 All-County second team selection … 2014 Perfect Game USA second team Underclass All-American … led the U.S. 15U National Team to the Pan Am Championship in 2013 … as a junior at JSerra Catholic HS, led his team to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs … as a sophomore, led his team to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Chase is one of the best hitters in Southern California. Chase has made a big impact throughout his high school career at JSerra both with the glove and the bat. Along with Ryan Kreidler, these two physical infielders are very capable of playing major roles as freshmen in the Pac-12 right away.”
Michael Toglia
Gig Harbor, Wash. (Gig Harbor HS)
1B – 6-5, 200 – S/L
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Gig Harbor High School (Gig Harbor, Wash.) under head coach Pete Jansen … ranked No. 7 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of Washington … ranked No. 481 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … USA Today Class 4A Washington second team All-State selection … 2015 All-Narrows League first team selection … 2015 All-Area first team selection … played for the Kansas City Royals at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 All-Narrows League first team selection … 2014 All-Area second team selection … as a junior at Gig Harbor HS, hit .296 with 25 runs and 20 RBI, leading his team to the semifinals of the WIAA State Championship playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Michael is a tremendous young hitter who can hit for average and power from both sides of the plate. He is another very good athlete who should make an immediate impact on our roster. We are very excited to get one of the best players out of the Northwest in the 2016 class.”
Jeremy Ydens
Campbell, Calif. (St. Francis HS)
OF – 6-2, 175 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at St. Francis High School (Mountain View, Calif.) under head coach Mike Oakland … ranked No. 33 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top High School Prospects in the state of California … ranked No. 255 in the 2016 Perfect Game USA Top 500 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA high honorable mention Underclass All-American … 2015 MaxPreps Underclass first team All-American … 2015 CalHiSports All-State first team Underclass All-American … 2015 MaxPreps All-State first team All-American … 2015 CalHiSports State Junior of the Year … 2015 San Jose Mercury News All-Area Player of the Year … 2015 Prep2Prep All-Central Coast Section Player of the Year … 2015 San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro team selection … played for the New York Yankees at the 2015 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 Perfect Game USA high honorable mention Underclass All-American … named to the 2014 PG MLK Championship All-Tournament team … as a junior at St. Francis HS, hit .404 with 35 runs and 22 RBI, leading his team to the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division championship … also went 7-3 with a 1.69 ERA as a pitcher … as a sophomore, hit .333 with eight runs and eight RBI, leading his team to the quarterfinals of the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jeremy is one of the best players in Northern California. Jeremy is an impact right handed hitter who should hit for average as well as power. He has the tools to play as a freshman.”