2012 Class Ranked 23rd by Baseball America

Posted: Oct 25, 2012

DURHAM, N.C. – Cal State Fullerton's 2012 class was ranked the No. 23 recruiting class in the nation, according to Baseball America's annual evaluation.

Under second-year head coach Rick Vanderhook and recruiting coordinator Mike Kirby, the Titans have welcomed 14 freshmen to Goodwin Field, and fans got the first chance to watch the newcomers in scrimmages last weekend at UNLV, as CSF recorded two victories (7-2; 17-7).

The Titans' fall schedule will run through Nov. 9 with all scrimmages at Goodwin Field open to the public. For a schedule click HERE.

Fullerton's fall will be highlighted by hosting Family Fun Day at Goodwin Field on Saturday, Nov. 3, which will include a free youth clinic followed by a scrimmage against UC Santa Barbara that is set for a 2 p.m. first pitch.

Fullerton's 2012 class ranks second amongst Big West Conference opponents as the Gauchos were ranked 12^th with 23 newcomers including 19 freshmen and four junior college transfers. The Titans and Gauchos were the only BWC programs to make the top 25, while Long Beach State and Pacific each received consideration.

Last month, Collegiate Baseball ranked Fullerton's 2012 recruiting class at No. 17.

Vanderbilt earned Baseball America's top billing with 11 incoming freshmen.

From the top-25 breakdown, five of Fullerton's 2013 opponents also had ranked recruiting classes; No. 2 UCLA (April 2, May 14), No. 11 Texas Christian (Feb. 22-24), No. 12 UC Santa Barbara (April 12-14), No. 15 Texas A&M (Mar. 8-10), and No. 19 USC (Feb. 15, April 9).

Fullerton's class includes infielder Jake Jefferies, who was selected by Washington in the 34^th round of the 2012 MLB Draft. A native of Pleasanton, Calif., Jefferies was named to the All-East Bay first team after hitting .474 with 19 RBIs, 13 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases during his senior season at Foothill High School.

Right-hander Justin Garza is a 2012 graduate of Bonita High School in La Verne, Calif. Following his senior year on the mound, Garza was named to the Max Preps and Baseball America All-American teams, respectively, and was also named the CIF Southern Section Division III Player of the Year after finishing the season with a 12-1 record, 0.72 ERA and 101 strikeouts.

Thomas Eshelman, a 2012 graduate of Carlsbad High School, impressed this summer pitching in the West Coast League with the Klamath Falls Gems. The rookie was named the No. 10 prospect in the league by Baseball America, and was also voted to the all-WCL second team. In 16 appearances and 29 and 1/3 innings pitched, he managed a 5-0 record with three saves while striking out 35.

Freshman infielder David Olmedo-Barrera was selected in the 40^th round by the Oakland A's in the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft after earning being named a two-time first team Mission League selection at St. Francis High School (Las Canada, Calif.).

Freshman right-hander Shane Stillwagon was named to the 2012 CIF Southern Section Division V team in 2012 after finishing the year with a 3-1 record and 0.39 ERA while leading Valley Christian High School to the Olympic League championship.

The class also includes Nico Darras (Laguna Beach, Calif./JSerra HS), who was named to the 2012 South Orange County All-Star Team, as well as catcher A.J. Kennedy, who was a three-time all-Orange League first team pick at Savanna High School in Anaheim, Calif.

Infielder Tanner Pinkston (Dublin, Calif./Dougherty Valley HS) was a two-time Diablo Foothill Athletic League pick, and right-hander Joe Navilhon was an all-Bay Valley Athletic League selection at Freedom High School in Antioch, Calif.

Right-hander Kyle Murray was voted the Pacific League Co-Player of the Year at Crescenta Valley High School in 2012, and 2012 Coronado High School graduate Jake Meloche was a two-time all-Western League second team pick.  Right-hander Miles Chambers was a three-time all-Capital Valley Conference selection at Rio Linda High School (Rio Linda, Calif.), and Bryan Conant (Alta Loma, Calif./Alta Loma HS) was selected to play in the 2012 Inland Empire Baseball Coaches' Association all-star game. The class also includes right-hander Henry Omana, who finished his senior season at Diamond Bar High School with a 5-1 record and 1.11 ERA.