FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton's 2013 recruiting class received a No. 12 evaluation from Baseball America's annual top-25 review.
Last month, Collegiate Baseball evaluated the 2013 class at No. 7 in the nation.
Fullerton was the only program from the Big West Conference ranked in Baseball America's top-25 evaluation, and CSF was one of only three programs from California ranked in the top-25 along with No. 22 Loyola Marymount and No. 24 USC.
Entering his third-year as head coach at Cal State Fullerton, Rick Vanderhook along with recruiting coordinator Mike Kirby, has now brought in back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes as the 2012 class received a No. 23 ranking from Baseball America last year.
The 2012 class produced Thomas Eshelman, the Collegiate Baseball and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Pitcher of the Year in addition to 2013 Big West Pitcher of the Year, Justin Garza.
Florida, Texas and South Carolina received the top-three rankings, respectively, from Baseball America's evaluation.
The Titans have added 11 newcomers for the 2014 season, after finishing the 2013 season with a record of 51-10 (.836) – the second-best wining percentage in program history. After winning its 27th conference title (19th Big West), the Titans received a No. 5 national seed and advanced to the Fullerton Super Regional before losing back-to-back games to eventual College World Series champion UCLA.
Fullerton is currently in the middle of its fall schedule, and this weekend will hold two intrasquad scrimmages at Goodwin Field beginning at 3:45 p.m. on Friday and 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. The Titans will complete their fall ball schedule on Saturday. Nov. 16, hosting the team's annual Family Fun Day at Goodwin Field.
The 2013 class includes right-hander Phil Bickford and infielder Timmy Richards.
Selected by the Toronto Blue Jays as the 10th overall pick of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player, Bickford elected to attend Cal State Fullerton. A 2013 graduate of Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif., Bickford led the Lions to the CIF Southern Section Division IV championship with an 18-strikeout performance in a 4-0 shutout of El Rancho High School. His senior season honors included: CIF Southern Section Division IV Player of the Year, Max Preps California Medium Schools Baseball all-state team, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team, Ventura County Star Player of the Year and Tri-Valley League MVP.
Richards was selected in the 40th round by the Miami Marlins in the 2013 MLB Draft. A 2013 graduate of Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif., he played three seasons (2011-13) and was named first team all-Moore League following his senior campaign.
Freshman infielder Taylor Bryant (La Quinta, Calif./La Quinta HS) was a two-time (2012 & 2013) first team all-Desert Valley League selection, and during his senior season batted .337 with three home runs, 21 RBIs and 12 stolen bases along with a .500 on-base percentage as the Blackhawks advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Freshman right-hander Chad Hockin (Upland, Calif./Bonita HS) was evaluated by Perfect Game as the No. 6 prospect in the West Coast League after spending his summer with the Medford Rogues. Hockin was named first team all-Hacienda League after finishing his senior season with a 1.40 ERA and five wins on the mound.
Freshman right-haner Ryan Kayoda (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro HS) received several accolades following his senior season including Orange Country Register All-County Pitcher of the Year, CIF Southern Section All-Division I Team, Max Preps All-State, South Coast League MVP and second-team All-American. He finished the year on the mound with a 9-1 record, 0.36 ERA, 12 appearances and 74 strikeouts in 78 and 1/3 innings.
Freshman catcher Niko Pacheco (Fresno, Calif./Bullard HS) played four years of varsity baseball and following his senior season was named Fresno Bee honorable mention and first team County Metro Athletic Conference after batting .345 with 13 RBIs. In his first year behind the plate during his junior season in 2012, was named the Fresno Bee Player of the Year after helping Bullard to a Valley League Championship and its first Central Section title in 13 years.
Freshman third baseman Christian Rossi (Fresno, Calif./Clovis North HS) was named to the 2013 Fresno Bee first team twice (2012 & 2013), and led the Broncos to the CIF Central Section Division I championship in 2013 as Clovis North finished the season with a 27-6 record.
Sophomore outfielder Tyler Stieb was named an all-Northern California outfielder and a Big 8 Conference first team outfielder as a freshman in 2013 at Delta Community College in Stockton.
Freshman outfielder Marcus Vidales (Woodland, Calif./Pioneer HS) was named to the all-Tri-County League and the Optimist All-Star game after batting .382 with 17 RBIs, one home run, a .520 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases during his senior season.
Fullerton's newcomers for the 2013-14 academic year also include Dom Davis (Chino, Calif./Rio Hondo CC) and Maxwell Gibbs (Huntington Beach, Calif./Marina HS).