FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
LOS ANGELES – UCLA baseball head coach John Savage welcomed 13 newcomers to campus Thursday morning as fall quarter classes began in Westwood. Savage’s fifth full recruiting class at UCLA features 12 freshmen and one junior college transfer.
"We are very excited about this group of young players, particularly from a position player standpoint," Savage said. "We have a solid group of left-handed hitters who can run well, making our team very athletic. In addition, our three incoming right-handed pitchers will help add depth to our staff. Coach Vanderhook, Coach Pearse and our entire staff did an outstanding job putting this class together"
UCLA’s incoming class features four players selected in the 2009 MLB Draft – Cody Keefer (33rd round, Detroit), Scott Griggs (34th round, Seattle), Jeff Gelalich (41st round, Philadelphia) and Beau Amaral (45th round, Arizona). In addition, the Bruins have added Dean Espy, a 2008 MLB Draft selection (41st round, Colorado), who transferred to UCLA after playing his freshman season at South Mountain City College in Phoenix.
The Bruins’ recruiting class features four left-handed hitting outfielders in Amaral, Gelalich, Keefer and Dennis Holt. In addition to Espy, UCLA welcomes infielders Matt Giovinazzo, Cody Regis and Aaron Weimer. Griggs join Allen Aguilar and Ryan Deeter as right-handers on the Bruins’ pitching staff. Freshmen catchers Trevor Brown and Tyler Heineman complete the team’s incoming class.
2009-10 Newcomers at a Glance
Allen Aguilar
RHP, Freshman
Escondido, Calif. (St. Augustine HS)
6-2, 175 – R/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Allen is an exceptional athlete who looks to have a rubber arm and will be able to help us out of the bullpen."
Beau Amaral
Outfielder, Freshman
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Huntington Beach HS)
5-10, 175 – L/L
Head Coach John Savage says: "Beau has great instincts on how to play the game and is a terrific young outfielder. His defense and baserunning skills are very advanced, and we look forward to him contributing at UCLA."
Trevor Brown
Catcher, Freshman
Valencia, Calif. (Hart HS)
6-2, 170 – R/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Trevor is one of the best athletes in this class. He is a very versatile player with a great future as a catcher. He has been coached very well and will make an immediate impact in our program."
Ryan Deeter
RHP, Freshman
Newark, Calif. (Newark Memorial HS)
6-0, 165 – R/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Ryan has a tremendous slider and very good command of two pitchers. He will certainly add depth to our bullpen."
Dean Espy
Infielder, Sophomore
Mesa, Ariz. (South Mountain CC)
6-1, 195 – R/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Dean has a tremendous feel of the game and should make a significant impact within our program from the start. His knowledge and tools make him a very valuable player."
Jeff Gelalich
Outfielder, Freshman
La Verne, Calif. (Bonita HS)
6-1, 180 – L/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Jeff is a tremendous athlete with tools that will allow him to contribute as a freshman. He is a talented young player who has a bright future at UCLA."
Matt Giovinazzo
Infielder, Freshman
Laguna Hills, Calif. (Laguna Hills HS)
6-1, 195 – R/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Matt is a very good athlete who was injured as a high school senior, but we look for him to rebound and contribute this season."
Scott Griggs
RHP, Freshman
Alamo, Calif. (San Ramon Valley HS)
6-3, 195 – R/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Scott has one of the best arms of any player headed to college this fall. He has tremendous upside, and we are looking forward to having him join an already-talented pitching staff."
Tyler Heineman
Catcher, Freshman
Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Windward School)
5-10, 170 – S/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Tyler is a very durable catcher, a player who has tremendous feel on receiving, blocking and working with pitchers. He will be a great asset to our program."
Dennis Holt
Outfielder/Infielder, Freshman
Yorba Linda, Calif. (Esperanza HS)
6-2, 180 – L/L
Head Coach John Savage says: "Dennis is one our talented incoming left-handed hitters in this class. He is a tough-minded young player who can play the outfield in addition to first base."
Cody Keefer
Outfielder, Freshman
Davis, Calif. (Davis Senior HS)
6-1, 190 – L/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Cody is one of the most talented hitters we have recruited at UCLA and should be an impact player for us from the start. He combines power, speed and the ability to hit the ball to all fields."
Cody Regis
Infielder, Freshman
Glendora, Calif. (Glendora HS)
6-2, 205 – L/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Cody is one of the more advanced hitters from Southern California in the 2009 class. He is a durable athlete who brings the ability to play different infielder positions."
Aaron Weimer
Infielder, Freshman
Fresno, Calif. (Bullard HS)
5-11, 170 – L/R
Head Coach John Savage says: "Aaron is a very consistent defender and talented hitter who we look forward to watching develop into a solid Division I ballplayer."