University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruins Welcome 10 Freshmen to Campus
The 2015 Pac-12 Conference Champion UCLA Baseball program welcomes 10 incoming freshmen to campus this fall for the 2016 season. Head Coach John Savage brings in another strong recruiting class, featuring five pitchers, one first baseman, two infielders and two outfielders.
“We are very excited about this group of players,” said UCLA Head Coach John Savage. “These players have tremendous make-up and outstanding up-side, and we believe they will translate into contributors for the program.”
UCLA’s class, which was ranked No. 3 by Baseball America, includes left-handed pitcher Justin Hooper (De La Salle HS), right-handed pitchers Brian Gadsby (Crescenta Valley HS), Kyle Molnar (Aliso Niguel HS), Jonathan Olsen (Damien HS) and Jack Ralston (Hart HS), first baseman Jake Pries (Junipero Serra HS), infielders Jake Hirabayashi (Notre Dame HS) and Dayton Provost (Hart HS) and outfielders Daniel Amaral (Huntington Beach HS) and Jordan Myrow (Notre Dame HS).
UCLA Baseball 2015 Recruiting Class
| Name | Pos. | B/T | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | High School |
| Daniel Amaral | OF | R/R | 5-11 | 180 | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Huntington Beach HS |
| Brian Gadsby | RHP | R/R | 6-1 | 170 | La Crescenta, Calif. | Crescenta Valley HS |
| Jake Hirabayashi | INF | R/R | 5-11 | 190 | Los Angeles, Calif. | Notre Dame HS |
| Justin Hooper | LHP | R/L | 6-5 | 230 | San Ramon, Calif. | De La Salle HS |
| Kyle Molnar | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 195 | Aliso Viejo, Calif. | Aliso Niguel HS |
| Jordan Myrow | OF | R/R | 5-10 | 185 | Los Angeles, Calif. | Notre Dame HS |
| Jonathan Olsen | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 185 | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. | Damien HS |
| Jake Pries | 1B | R/R | 6-3 | 200 | San Juan Capistrano, Calif. | Junipero Serra HS |
| Dayton Provost | INF | L/R | 6-1 | 175 | Santa Clarita, Calif. | Hart HS |
| Jack Ralston | RHP | R/R | 6-4 | 220 | Valencia, Calif. | Hart HS |
Daniel Amaral
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Huntington Beach HS)
OF – 5-11, 180 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, Calif.) under head coach Benji Medure … 2015 Division I All-CIF Southern Section Player of the Year … 2015 Division I first team All-CIF-SS selection … 2015 MaxPreps All-State first team selection … 2015 Orange County Register All-County team selection … 2015 LA Times All-Area team selection … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region All-American Honorable Mention … played for the Kansas City Royals at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Honorable Mention … as a senior at Huntington Beach HS, batted .394 with 34 runs, leading his team to the CIF-SS Division I championship … as a junior, batted .406 with one homerun, six doubles, 15 RBIs and 15 runs in 25 games, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … father Rich and brother Beau played baseball and sister Jessica currently plays softball at UCLA.
Head Coach John Savage: “Daniel is a very athletic outfielder who can run and hit to all fields. He will follow in the footsteps of his father Rich and his brother Beau, all great Bruins. Daniel is a strong right handed hitter that played for one of the best high school coaches in Southern California in Coach Medure.”
Brian Gadsby
La Crescenta, Calif. (Crescenta Valley HS)
RHP – 6-1, 170 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta, Calif.) under head coach Phil Torres … 2015 first team All-Pacific League selection … 2015 Division II second team All-CIF-SS selection … 2015 MaxPreps All-State second team selection … 2015 LA Daily News All-Area team selection … named 2015 and 2014 Glendale News-Press All-Area Player of the Year… 2014 Division II All-CIF SS first team selection … named 2014 Pacific League Co-Player of the Year … as a senior at Crescenta Valley HS, posted a 12-4 record with a 0.57 ERA over 109 innings pitched, leading his team to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division II Playoffs … tallied 104 strikeouts to just 13 walks, adding two saves … as a junior, posted a 9-2 record with a 0.82 ERA in 18 appearances, leading his team to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division II Playoffs … tallied 104 strikeouts, two saves and held opponents to a .162 batting average in 93.1 innings … as a sophomore, posted a 7-6 record with a 1.96 ERA in 17 appearances while earning All-Area and All-Pacific League First Team honors … totaled 68 strikeouts in 75 innings.
Head Coach John Savage: “Brian is a tremendous competitor that attacks you with many different arm angles. He is a versatile right handed pitcher that can pitch in many roles. Being a quarterback, Brian possesses strong leadership skills.”
Jake Hirabayashi
Los Angeles, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
INF – 5-11, 190 – R/R
Four-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) under head coach Tom Dill … ranked No. 85 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region second team All-American … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American High Honorable Mention and 2013 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Third Team … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Games … as a senior at Notre Dame HS, hit .348 with 33 runs and 15 RBI in 29 games, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … as a junior, hit .300 with five doubles, three RBIs and 17 runs in 26 games … totaled 14 stolen bases and posted a .411 on base percentage … as a sophomore, batted .289 with two homeruns, five doubles, 13 RBIs and 23 runs in 28 games … stole 10 bases and recorded a .423 on base percentage … as a freshman, hit .340 with three doubles, nine RBIs and seven runs in 19 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jake is a guy that has hit his entire high school career. He is a very versatile player that can play all over the field. Jake is a guy that flew under the radar but we believe he’s a solid Pac-12 hitter.”
Justin Hooper
San Ramon, Calif. (De La Salle HS)
LHP – 6-5, 230 – R/L
Four-year varsity baseball letterwinner at De La Salle High School (Concord, Calif.) under head coach David Jeans … drafted in the 25th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers … ranked No. 7 on Baseball America’s Top 50 Prospects for the 2015 MLB Draft … ranked No. 3 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects for 2015 … ranked No. 1 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … ranked No. 3 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team All-American … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region first team All-American … 2015 MaxPreps All-State second team selection … 2015 Contra Costa Times All-Area team selection … 2015 San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro team selection … 2015 Prep2Prep All-North Coast Section second team selection … named to the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic West Team … retired the side in order in his one inning of work … 2014 Under-Armour All-American … played for the Oakland Athletics at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Sunshine West Showcase … participated in the U.S. 18U National Team Trials … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Second Team … as a senior at De La Salle HS, went 6-3 with a 1.50 ERA in 12 starts, leading his team to the CIF-NCS Division I championship game … struck out 64 batters in 51.1 innings pitched … as a junior, posted a 6-3 record with a 2.04 ERA in 11 starts, leading his team to the CIF-NCS Division I championship … tallied 58 strikeouts and held opponents to a .128 batting average in 44.2 innings … as a sophomore, recorded a 3-1 record with a 1.53 ERA in 11 appearances … accumulated 41 strikeouts and held opponents to a .168 batting average in 36.2 innings … as a freshman, pitched 0.2 innings, recording one strikeout.
Head Coach John Savage: “Justin is a big strong projectable left handed pitcher with a good arm. He comes from a very athletic family and we look forward to being a part of his development over the next three years at UCLA.”
Kyle Molnar
Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Aliso Niguel HS)
RHP – 6-2, 195 – R/R
Four-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Aliso Niguel High School (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) under head coach Craig Hanson … drafted in the 25th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals … ranked No. 47 on Baseball America’s Top 50 Prospects for the 2015 MLB Draft … ranked No. 23 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … 2015 Perfect Game USA first team All-American … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region first team All-American … ranked No. 8 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the 18U COPABE Pan American Championship, leading the team to the gold medal … threw back-to-back one-hitters against Panama and Mexico, combining to throw a team-high 13 innings, while striking out 11 … named to Perfect Game All-American Classic West Team … retired the side in order in his one inning of work … 2014 Under Armour All-American … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2013 and 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … named to the All-Tournament Team at the 17U Perfect Game USA World Series … 2013 and 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Second Team … named to the 2014 All-CIF Southern Section Division II First Team … as a senior at Aliso Niguel HS, went 7-4 with a 1.57 ERA in 13 starts, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … struck out 86 batters, walking just 11, in 76 innings pitched … as a junior, recorded a 10-2 record with a 1.81 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts), while leading his team to the finals of the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … posted 81 strikeouts in 81 innings, while also hitting .320 with three homeruns, seven doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and 24 runs in 33 games at the plate … as a sophomore, recorded an 8-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts) … totaled 62 strikeouts in 77.2 innings, while also hitting .348 with three homeruns, nine doubles, one triple, 19 RBIs and 20 runs in 32 games at the plate … as a freshman, appeared in 16 games (12 starts), posting a record of 5-3 with a 1.44 ERA … racked up 27 strikeouts in 53.1 innings, and hit .288 with three doubles, nine RBIs and seven runs in 29 games at the plate.
Head Coach John Savage: “Kyle is a very talented projectable right handed pitcher who has a chance to be a major impact player in our program as a freshman. He has a tremendous fastball with a very advanced change-up. We are looking forward to having a chance to work with Kyle and help him progress in his development.”
Jordan Myrow
Los Angeles, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
OF – 5-10, 185 – R/R
Four-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) under head coach Tom Dill … ranked No. 34 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … 2015 Perfect Game USA honorable mention All-American … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region first team All-American … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass California Showcase … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Games … 2013 Perfect Game USA Underclass Second Team All-American … as a senior at Notre Dame HS, hit .270 with 24 runs and 20 RBI in 29 games, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … as a junior, hit .299 with two homeruns, five doubles, one triple, 10 RBIs and 18 runs in 27 games … stole six bases and recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jordan has tremendous tools for a young player and a guy that we feel will only get better. Both he and Jake [Hirabayashi] come from a very successful program at Notre Dame High School. We are looking forward to having Jordan as a Bruin.”
Jonathan Olsen
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Damien HS)
RHP – 6-2, 185 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Damien High School (La Verne, Calif.) under head coach Al Leyva … ranked No. 36 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … 2015 Perfect Game USA honorable mention All-American … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region first team All-American … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2013 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass Showcase … named to the 2013 Perfect Game USA WWBA World Championships All-Tournament Team … 2013 Perfect Game USA Underclass Third Team All-American … as a senior at Damien HS, led his team to the third round of the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … as a junior, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.13 ERA in four appearances (three starts), while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … also hit .293 with three homeruns, four doubles, one triple, 22 RBIs and 18 runs in 27 games at the plate … as a sophomore, hit .360 with one homerun, seven doubles, 11 RBIs and 13 runs in 23 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jon is one of the most complete pitchers in this class. Very clean right handed pitcher who will be an immediate impact player at UCLA. Jon has a plus curve ball with a very good fastball. It is great to see Jon fully healthy this fall.”
Jake Pries
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
1B – 6-3, 200 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Junipero Serra Catholic High School (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) under head coach Brett Kay … drafted in the 37th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles … ranked No. 89 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … 2015 Perfect Game USA honorable mention All-American … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region second team All-American … named 2013 and 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American High Honorable Mention … as a senior at Junipero Serra Catholic, hit .307 with seven doubles, 17 runs and 18 RBI, while leading his team to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … as a junior, hit .275 with two homeruns, one double, one triple and 20 runs, while leading his team to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … posted a .353 on base percentage and a .727 OPS … son of former UCLA baseball player Jeff Pries.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jake is a strong right handed hitter that has power to all fields. Jake is very athletic and comes from a very good high school program in J Serra. He will be well schooled and prepared for our program.”
Dayton Provost
Santa Clarita, Calif. (Hart HS)
INF – 6-1, 175 – L/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Hart High School (Newhall, Calif.) under head coach Jim Ozella … ranked No. 52 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects in California for 2015 … 2015 Perfect Game USA honorable mention All-American … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region first team All-American … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … named 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American High Honorable Mention … as a senior at Hart HS, hit .247 with 17 runs, while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division I championship game … as a junior, hit .318 with one homerun, seven doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs and 19 runs in 26 games, while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … converted 12 of 14 stolen base attempts and recorded an on base percentage of .367 … as a sophomore, batted .312 with two homeruns, one double, one triple, nine RBIs and 14 runs in 26 games … converted 13 of 16 stolen base attempts and totaled 52 assists in the field … as a freshman, hit .303 with four doubles, seven RBIs and 16 runs in 21 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Dayton is a versatile player who can play the middle infield as well as the outfield. He has tools to be able to compete at UCLA right away. Dayton comes from a program at Hart High School that has provided our program with several great players. Trevor Bauer, Trevor Brown, Pat Valaika, Luke Persico and Nick Valaika all came from Hart.”
Jack Ralston
Valencia, Calif. (Hart HS)
RHP – 6-4, 220 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Hart High School (Newhall, Calif.) under head coach Jim Ozella ... 2015 LA Daily News All-Area Player of the Year … 2015 MaxPreps first team All-State selection … All-CIF-Southern Section first team selection … 2015 Santa Clarita Valley Signal All-Area first team selection … 2015 Perfect Game USA California Region honorable mention All-American … 2015 and 2014 All-Foothill League first team selection … as a senior at Hart HS, went 7-3 with a 2.06 ERA over 13 appearances (12 starts), while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division I championship game … struck out 72 batters in 78.1 innings pitched … as a junior, posted a 7-0 record with a 1.29 ERA in 54 innings, while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … as a sophomore, struck out 20 batters over 11 appearances.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jack has tremendous upside and we believe he is only going to get better. He can pitch with his fastball and he is really improving his secondary pitches. We look forward to having Jack as a part of our team this season.”