November 29, 2010
SEASIDE, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay new baseball coaching staff under the direction of head coach #Walt White# has announced its first recruiting class. The early signing class of 2011 will grace the CSUMB campus next fall and will look to have an immediate impact on the university, athletic department, and baseball program. CSUMB had nine future Otters sign their Letters of Intent during the recent early sign period.
“This is the best early sign class I have had in my 16 years of coaching,” White said. “This is a deep, balanced, dynamic, and athletic class that will come in and have a huge impact on our program. Every one of these players has great baseball ability, but more importantly, they bring an attitude and personality to our program that will set the tone for this baseball team from here on out.”
White also expects his team to emerge as a national power with this group. He went on to say “The recruiting process by our staff was all about building relationships, trust, and the belief in our program by these players. This is the first step of something very special. We will put this recruiting class up against any other one in the nation… at any level.
Matt Blake – RHP – West Ranch High School: Matt Blake comes to CSUMB from West Ranch High School where he was a part of two straight playoff teams in the very tough Foothill Athletic League. Through fall games thus far, Blake sports a 1.81 ERA.
Coach White on Blake: “Matt comes from a great high school program and baseball area, where I know he has been coached well and played against great competition. He has a great change-up with a lot of velocity projection in his body. He has a high level of character and we expect him to come in here and help us win lots of championships.”
Chris Blanton – 1B/OF/LHP – Burlingame High School: Chris Blanton signs with the Otters after winning a Central Coast Section Division II Championship with Burlingame High School in 2010. Blanton had a banner junior season, where he was named All-Peninsula Athletic League first team, All-San Mateo County first team, and All-Northern California second team. Blanton was also named to the All-Tournament Team in the prestigious Nor Cal World Series. He also holds the school records for RBI's in a game (6) and RBI's in a season (37).
Coach White on Blanton: “Chris was one of our primary targets in this early sign class. He has the ability to have a huge impact on our program in a variety of ways. At the plate he is an extremely tough out from the left side of the plate and he has the ability to hit for power and for average. In the field he is an advanced defender at either the first base or outfield spot. On the mound he is a fierce competitor with a great breaking pitch. Chris is going to lead us to a lot of victories over the next 4 years.”
Steven Farnworth – RHP – West Ranch High School: Coming to the Monterey Bay from Southern California is pitcher Steven Farnworth. The West Ranch High School product will bring a dynamic young arm into the fold for the Otters. In the Valley Invitational League, Farnworth compiled a 2.62 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched, and a 4.5 strikeout/walk ratio. Farnworth will lead a high-powered pitching staff for West Ranch this year.
Coach White on Farnworth: “Steven is a very exciting addition to our pitching staff. He has an electric arm with some plus pitches. He is a very good athlete and will only gain more strength and explosiveness by being in our program. He has a high ceiling and should be involved in many Otter victories and championships the next four years. He is a smart and dedicated young man that will fit in perfectly.”
Devin Finn – OF – Amador Valley High School: Devin Finn joins CSUMB
baseball from Amador Valley, where he led his team to an East Bay Athletic League title and the first North Coast Section title in school history. During his junior year, Finn batted .330 with five doubles.
Coach White on Finn: “Devin is a very polished young player that is scrappy with a great personality. He has flashed some pop at the plate to go along with his ability to hit for a high average. In the field he covers a lot of ground in the outfield and has a strong arm. Devin has a high ceiling as a ballplayer, but above all else he is a great young man that has the kind of character we are looking for.”
Nolan Flashman – RHP – University High School: Signing a National Letter of
Intent with the Otters is Nolan Flashman, a big, strong right handed pitcher from University High School. During his junior season at University, Flashman was an All-League first team selection by sporting a 4-2 record with a 2.28 ERA, and a .197 opponent batting average. Flashman also dominated at the plate, hitting .426 with 30 RBI's.
Coach White on Flashman: “Nolan is an extremely projectable Right Handed Pitcher. He has a loose arm with an athletic and strong body. He has a chance to lead our pitching staff and someday get drafted. We expect great things out of him the next four years and to lead us to a lot of championships on the mound.”
Garrett Gemgnani – C – Culver City High School: Garrett Gemgnani comes to CSUMB from Culver City High School, where he was the MVP of the Ocean Athletic League during his junior season. Gemgnani hit .326 with 30 runs scored, and 32 runs batted in while flashing supreme defensive skills behind the plate.
Coach White on Gemgnani: “Garrett is an impressive young player. He is a great kid that is really excited to join what we are building here. On offense he has an advanced approach. He is able to hit to all fields and has developing power. On defense he is a great athlete behind the plate and has a strong and accurate throwing arm.”
Matt Urakami – IF – Branham High School: Solidifying the defense in the middle of the field for the 2011 recruiting class is Matt Urakami of Branham High School. Urakami was an All-Blossom Valley Athletic League first team infielder in 2010. He was an unstoppable force at the top of the Bruins lineup, hitting .402 with a .622 slugging percentage and a .510 on base percentage. He is widely considered one of the premier defenders in Northern California.
Coach White on Urakami: “Matt was another young man we targeted very early in the recruiting process. He is a dynamic player that can really wreak havoc on the competition. On offense he can hit for average, has good speed, and can hit for a lot of extra base hits. In the middle of the field he has very smooth actions, great hands, and solid footwork. He is a serious minded student-athlete and will be a lot of fun to watch for our fans.”
Cody Van Aken – RHP/C – Live Oak High School: Cody Van Aken signed his National Letter of Intent to join the CSUMB squad for the 2012 season. Van Aken is a legitimate two-way player that is a threat on the mound and behind the plate. The All-Blossom Valley Athletic League first team selection batted .391 with a .596 slugging percentage and 18 runs batted in. As a pitcher he went 4-3, striking out 29 batters in 35 innings.
Coach White on Van Aken: “Cody is an elite athlete that will help us in a number of ways during his career at Monterey Bay. On the mound he has 4 plus pitches and great pitchability and projection. At the plate he is a solid left-handed hitting catcher. He has a winner's attitude and personality and will fit in great here.”
Jesse White – C – Salinas High School: Jesse White joins the Otters from Salinas High School, where he will look to have an immediate impact on the program. The local star led the Cowboys to a 22-8 record in 2010 behind the plate with his stellar glove work and rocket arm. White garnered All-Tri County Athletic League second team for his efforts and looks to build upon his impressive junior campaign going into his senior season.
Coach White on White: “Signing Jesse White is a huge step for this program. He has superior defensive skills at the catching position. He is athletic and has one of the strongest arms I have ever seen from a high school player. He is going to instantly be one of the top catching prospects in college baseball. He has a power bat that will continue to develop here. Jesse should play professionally one day and we are thrilled to enhance his development until then.”
