John Savage
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Baseball Announces 2025 Signing Class
November 22, 2024 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES - UCLA baseball head coach John Savage officially announced the program's 2025 recruiting class on Thursday. The class features 11 standout players hailing from California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Washington.
Savage's incoming class boasts two players among the top-100 nationally, Angel Cervantes and Zach Strickland. UCLA is also set to welcome the top-ranked catcher from Washington, Truitt Madonna, and Hawaii's No. 1 right-handed pitcher, Elai Iwanaga. According to Perfect Game, this class is initially ranked 35th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten.
"This class will have an immediate impact in our program," Savage said, "The make-up of this class is exceptional and will bring in more talent into our program as young players. The coaching staff has done a really good job of putting it together."
Below are capsules on each player in the new class, including a report from Coach Savage.
Aiden Aguayo
Infielder โ Whittier, Calif. (La Mirada HS) โ 6-0/175
Awards/Stats: In the state of California, ranked the No. 7 shortstop and No. 21 overall prospect according to Prep Baseball โฆ Three-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Participated in 2023 Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games โฆ Invited to 2024 Perfect Game National Showcase โฆ Hit .333 with six doubles, four home runs, and 24 RBI in his junior campaign โฆ Three-time First Team All-Gateway League selection.
Savage Says: "Aiden is a very skilled player. He can really play defense at a high level with tremendous ball skills. He has feel for barrel awareness and can hit the ball all over the yard. Aiden should be a tremendous college player."
Dominic Cadiz
Infielder โ Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Notre Dame HS) โ 6-2/205
Awards/Stats: Tabbed as No. 4 third baseman in the state of California and ranked No. 76 overall prospect โฆ Twice named Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Slashed .350/.436/.650 in his junior season โฆ Hit a league-leading 12 doubles and six homers while collecting 31 RBI in 2023 โฆ Received First Team All-Mission League honors following his junior year.
Savage Says: "Dominic is a hitter that has control for the zone and tremendous power potential. He is a natural hitter who is trending to be a middle-of-the-lineup-type presence."
Angel Cervantes
Right-Handed Pitcher โ Lynwood, Calif. (Warren HS) โ 6-3/193
Awards/Stats: Ranked No. 2 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball โฆ Named No. 5 overall prospect in the state of California โฆ Played in 2024 Perfect Game All-American Classic and National Showcase โฆ Two-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Did not allow an earned run in his junior year โฆ Received All-CIF honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons โฆ Threw a no-hitter in back-to-back seasons (2023 and 2024) โฆ Named Area Code Games Pitcher of the Week on Aug. 16 โฆ Competed at USA Baseball U18 National Team training camp.
Savage Says: "Angel is clearly one of the best pitchers in the country. He has elite command with loud stuff. Angel repeats himself at a very high rate and constantly delivers his pitches out of the same window."
Tyler Dunning
Infielder โ Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (JSerra Catholic HS) โ 6-2/185
Awards/Stats: No. 6-ranked shortstop in the state of California and No. 18 overall prospect according to Prep Baseball โฆ Tabbed Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) in 2024 โฆ Attended JSerra Catholic where recent UCLA draft picks Luke Jewett and Cody Schrier prepped.
Savage Says: "Tyler is a really good-looking middle infielder who has tremendous first-step quickness. Tyler has plenty of arm to play on the left side of the diamond and has shown versatility throughout his high school career."
Mack Edwards
Left-Handed Pitcher โ Reno, Nev. (Reno HS) โ 6-5/220
Awards/Stats: No. 1 left-handed pitcher in Nevada and No. 10 overall prospect according to Prep Baseball โฆ Participated in 2024 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. โฆ Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Named First Team All-Northern Nevada โฆ Posted a 1.40 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 64.2 innings pitched in 2024 โฆ Plays under Pete Savage, older brother of John Savage, at Reno High School โฆ His father Kevin played baseball at Oregon State and his Uncle Billy Paganetti played baseball at Stanford โฆ Also lettered in basketball and won a regional championship at Reno High School.
Savage Says: "Mack has had an outstanding high school career. He is a player that exudes 'team' and has been a clutch pitcher throughout his young career. Mack has tremendous pitch-ability with a good breaking ball."
Hayden George
Right-Handed Pitcher โ San Clemente, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic HS) โ 6-4/210
Awards/Stats: Ranked No. 36 right-handed pitcher in the state of California and No. 107 prospect overall โฆ Led his team to Trinity League title in 2023 โฆ Went 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA and 39 strikeouts in his sophomore season โฆ Named Second Team All-Trinity League โฆ Two-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game).
Savage Says: "Hayden is a big, strong right-handed pitcher who has a tremendous ceiling. He is only getting better and he is a guy that competes in one of the toughest leagues in the country. Watching his development is going to be exciting for our program."
Trey Gudoy
Outfielder โ Escondido, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) โ 5-11/180
Awards/Stats: In the state of California, ranked No. 12 outfielder and No. 71 overall prospect โฆ 2023 Perfect Game National Showcase invitee โฆ Named Preseason Underclass All-American twice โฆ Hit. 459 with 13 doubles two home runs and 26 RBI in his freshman season โฆ In his high school career, posted a batting average of .429 with 23 doubles and four homers.
Savage Says: "Trey has elite bat-to-ball skills and is a hitter who can spray the ball from line to line. Trey is an ideal college outfielder who has a bright future in Westwood."
Elai Iwanaga
Right-Handed Pitcher โ Mililani, Hawaii (Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) โ 6-0/155
Awards/Stats: No. 1-ranked right-handed pitcher in the state of Hawaii and No. 3 overall prospect โฆ Twice named Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Was invited to 2024 Perfect Game National Showcase โฆ Participated in the 2024 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif.
Savage Says: "Elai has electric stuff with a wipeout breaking ball. Elai is one of the most competitive pitchers in the country. He attacks hitters the way you want an elite high school pitcher to do so. His athleticism is evident every time he steps on the mound."
Truitt Madonna
Catcher โ Seattle, Wash. (Ballard HS) โ 6-3/215
Awards/Stats: No. 1 ranked catcher from the state of Washington according to both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball โฆ Ranked No. 7 overall prospect in Washington โฆ Hit .421 with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, and an on-base percentage of .547 in his junior season โฆย Also played football at Ballard High School in Seattle, Wash., playing quarterback and outside linebacker โฆ Named First Team All-Metro League in 2024 after leading the league in slugging percentage (.818).
Savage Says: "Truitt is one of the most athletic catchers in the country. He has all the tools you are looking for as a receiver and thrower. He was a quarterback in high school who has all the intangibles to be an elite player at UCLA."
Maverek Russell
Infielder โ Whittier, Calif. (La Mirada HS) โ 6-0/180
Awards/Stats: Named Press-Telegram Player of the Year and Gateway League MVP following his junior season โฆ Named First Team Division I All-CIF and First Team All-State โฆ Top-ranked first baseman in California according to both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball โฆ No. 71 overall prospect in the state โฆ Hit. 402 with four home runs and 21 RBI in his junior season โฆ Posted a .378 average in three years of varsity baseball.
Savage Says: "Maverek is one of the best pure hitters in Southern California. he can flat hit with the ability to control the zone. Maverek can play both corner infield spots and he is a guy that has a chance to be an impact offensive player right away in our program."
Zach Strickland
Right-Handed Pitcher โ Arcadia, Calif. (Marantha HS) โ 6-2/190
Awards/Stats: Ranked No. 6 right-handed pitcher in the state of California and No. 20 overall prospect โฆ Earned No. 27 ranking nationally โฆ Invited to 2024 Perfect Game All-American Classic and National Showcase โฆ Three-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Went 8-0 and allowed just three earned runs in his junior season, good for a 0.40 ERA โฆ Racked up 88 strikeouts and walked 11 in 53 innings pitched in 2024 โฆ Held opposing hitters to a batting average of .110 โฆ Kept a 1.02 ERA and posted a 21-3 record in three years of varsity action โฆ Tossed a no-hitter while striking out 17 in May of his junior season โฆ Topped the velocity leaderboard (95.8 mph) at Prep Baseball ProCase โ West in June.
Savage Says: "Zach is a guy that combines touch, feel, and velocity. It's a combination you don't see in many young pitchers. Zach loves to compete and should be an impact pitcher as a freshman. He knows himself very well and he is a guy that will be fun to watch progress through our program."
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Savage's incoming class boasts two players among the top-100 nationally, Angel Cervantes and Zach Strickland. UCLA is also set to welcome the top-ranked catcher from Washington, Truitt Madonna, and Hawaii's No. 1 right-handed pitcher, Elai Iwanaga. According to Perfect Game, this class is initially ranked 35th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten.
"This class will have an immediate impact in our program," Savage said, "The make-up of this class is exceptional and will bring in more talent into our program as young players. The coaching staff has done a really good job of putting it together."
Below are capsules on each player in the new class, including a report from Coach Savage.
Aiden Aguayo
Infielder โ Whittier, Calif. (La Mirada HS) โ 6-0/175
Awards/Stats: In the state of California, ranked the No. 7 shortstop and No. 21 overall prospect according to Prep Baseball โฆ Three-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Participated in 2023 Perfect Game Underclass All-American Games โฆ Invited to 2024 Perfect Game National Showcase โฆ Hit .333 with six doubles, four home runs, and 24 RBI in his junior campaign โฆ Three-time First Team All-Gateway League selection.
Savage Says: "Aiden is a very skilled player. He can really play defense at a high level with tremendous ball skills. He has feel for barrel awareness and can hit the ball all over the yard. Aiden should be a tremendous college player."
Dominic Cadiz
Infielder โ Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Notre Dame HS) โ 6-2/205
Awards/Stats: Tabbed as No. 4 third baseman in the state of California and ranked No. 76 overall prospect โฆ Twice named Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Slashed .350/.436/.650 in his junior season โฆ Hit a league-leading 12 doubles and six homers while collecting 31 RBI in 2023 โฆ Received First Team All-Mission League honors following his junior year.
Savage Says: "Dominic is a hitter that has control for the zone and tremendous power potential. He is a natural hitter who is trending to be a middle-of-the-lineup-type presence."
Angel Cervantes
Right-Handed Pitcher โ Lynwood, Calif. (Warren HS) โ 6-3/193
Awards/Stats: Ranked No. 2 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball โฆ Named No. 5 overall prospect in the state of California โฆ Played in 2024 Perfect Game All-American Classic and National Showcase โฆ Two-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Did not allow an earned run in his junior year โฆ Received All-CIF honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons โฆ Threw a no-hitter in back-to-back seasons (2023 and 2024) โฆ Named Area Code Games Pitcher of the Week on Aug. 16 โฆ Competed at USA Baseball U18 National Team training camp.
Savage Says: "Angel is clearly one of the best pitchers in the country. He has elite command with loud stuff. Angel repeats himself at a very high rate and constantly delivers his pitches out of the same window."
Tyler Dunning
Infielder โ Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (JSerra Catholic HS) โ 6-2/185
Awards/Stats: No. 6-ranked shortstop in the state of California and No. 18 overall prospect according to Prep Baseball โฆ Tabbed Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) in 2024 โฆ Attended JSerra Catholic where recent UCLA draft picks Luke Jewett and Cody Schrier prepped.
Savage Says: "Tyler is a really good-looking middle infielder who has tremendous first-step quickness. Tyler has plenty of arm to play on the left side of the diamond and has shown versatility throughout his high school career."
Mack Edwards
Left-Handed Pitcher โ Reno, Nev. (Reno HS) โ 6-5/220
Awards/Stats: No. 1 left-handed pitcher in Nevada and No. 10 overall prospect according to Prep Baseball โฆ Participated in 2024 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. โฆ Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Named First Team All-Northern Nevada โฆ Posted a 1.40 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 64.2 innings pitched in 2024 โฆ Plays under Pete Savage, older brother of John Savage, at Reno High School โฆ His father Kevin played baseball at Oregon State and his Uncle Billy Paganetti played baseball at Stanford โฆ Also lettered in basketball and won a regional championship at Reno High School.
Savage Says: "Mack has had an outstanding high school career. He is a player that exudes 'team' and has been a clutch pitcher throughout his young career. Mack has tremendous pitch-ability with a good breaking ball."
Hayden George
Right-Handed Pitcher โ San Clemente, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic HS) โ 6-4/210
Awards/Stats: Ranked No. 36 right-handed pitcher in the state of California and No. 107 prospect overall โฆ Led his team to Trinity League title in 2023 โฆ Went 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA and 39 strikeouts in his sophomore season โฆ Named Second Team All-Trinity League โฆ Two-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game).
Savage Says: "Hayden is a big, strong right-handed pitcher who has a tremendous ceiling. He is only getting better and he is a guy that competes in one of the toughest leagues in the country. Watching his development is going to be exciting for our program."
Trey Gudoy
Outfielder โ Escondido, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic HS) โ 5-11/180
Awards/Stats: In the state of California, ranked No. 12 outfielder and No. 71 overall prospect โฆ 2023 Perfect Game National Showcase invitee โฆ Named Preseason Underclass All-American twice โฆ Hit. 459 with 13 doubles two home runs and 26 RBI in his freshman season โฆ In his high school career, posted a batting average of .429 with 23 doubles and four homers.
Savage Says: "Trey has elite bat-to-ball skills and is a hitter who can spray the ball from line to line. Trey is an ideal college outfielder who has a bright future in Westwood."
Elai Iwanaga
Right-Handed Pitcher โ Mililani, Hawaii (Kamehameha Schools Kapalama) โ 6-0/155
Awards/Stats: No. 1-ranked right-handed pitcher in the state of Hawaii and No. 3 overall prospect โฆ Twice named Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Was invited to 2024 Perfect Game National Showcase โฆ Participated in the 2024 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif.
Savage Says: "Elai has electric stuff with a wipeout breaking ball. Elai is one of the most competitive pitchers in the country. He attacks hitters the way you want an elite high school pitcher to do so. His athleticism is evident every time he steps on the mound."
Truitt Madonna
Catcher โ Seattle, Wash. (Ballard HS) โ 6-3/215
Awards/Stats: No. 1 ranked catcher from the state of Washington according to both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball โฆ Ranked No. 7 overall prospect in Washington โฆ Hit .421 with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs, and an on-base percentage of .547 in his junior season โฆย Also played football at Ballard High School in Seattle, Wash., playing quarterback and outside linebacker โฆ Named First Team All-Metro League in 2024 after leading the league in slugging percentage (.818).
Savage Says: "Truitt is one of the most athletic catchers in the country. He has all the tools you are looking for as a receiver and thrower. He was a quarterback in high school who has all the intangibles to be an elite player at UCLA."
Maverek Russell
Infielder โ Whittier, Calif. (La Mirada HS) โ 6-0/180
Awards/Stats: Named Press-Telegram Player of the Year and Gateway League MVP following his junior season โฆ Named First Team Division I All-CIF and First Team All-State โฆ Top-ranked first baseman in California according to both Perfect Game and Prep Baseball โฆ No. 71 overall prospect in the state โฆ Hit. 402 with four home runs and 21 RBI in his junior season โฆ Posted a .378 average in three years of varsity baseball.
Savage Says: "Maverek is one of the best pure hitters in Southern California. he can flat hit with the ability to control the zone. Maverek can play both corner infield spots and he is a guy that has a chance to be an impact offensive player right away in our program."
Zach Strickland
Right-Handed Pitcher โ Arcadia, Calif. (Marantha HS) โ 6-2/190
Awards/Stats: Ranked No. 6 right-handed pitcher in the state of California and No. 20 overall prospect โฆ Earned No. 27 ranking nationally โฆ Invited to 2024 Perfect Game All-American Classic and National Showcase โฆ Three-time Preseason Underclass All-American (Perfect Game) โฆ Went 8-0 and allowed just three earned runs in his junior season, good for a 0.40 ERA โฆ Racked up 88 strikeouts and walked 11 in 53 innings pitched in 2024 โฆ Held opposing hitters to a batting average of .110 โฆ Kept a 1.02 ERA and posted a 21-3 record in three years of varsity action โฆ Tossed a no-hitter while striking out 17 in May of his junior season โฆ Topped the velocity leaderboard (95.8 mph) at Prep Baseball ProCase โ West in June.
Savage Says: "Zach is a guy that combines touch, feel, and velocity. It's a combination you don't see in many young pitchers. Zach loves to compete and should be an impact pitcher as a freshman. He knows himself very well and he is a guy that will be fun to watch progress through our program."
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