Colorado Signing Day: Division I Mid-Major Outlook
November 30, 2023
On Wednesday, November 8th, thousands of high school baseball players across the country signed their National Letters of Intent to successfully fulfill their dedication to playing baseball at the collegiate level, with hundreds of players in Colorado alone going through this process.
The PBR Colorado staff is featuring players who have signed their NLI to play baseball at the Division I level. These athletes have been rewarded for their continuous hard work and help to set a standard for future prospects in the state of Colorado. The signees will be divided into two articles, one featuring the Division I Power 5 signees, and one highlighting the Division I Mid-Major signees.
DIVISION I MID-MAJOR SIGNEES:
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Athan Kroll RHP / Valor Christian , CO / 2024Dallas Baptist University (2023 Record: 47-16) Kroll is a high-end athlete that comes with plenty of upside on the mound. Kroll's 6'4'' frame has already produced a fastball up to 94 mph during his 2023 spring campaign, and he should only continue to develop. The Dallas Baptist commit also has quality spin (2500 RPMs) on both his fastball and off-speed to only add to his already sky-high ceiling.
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Easton Miller RHP / OF / Fossil Ridge, CO / 2024United States Air Force Academy (2023 Record: 28-31) Easton Miller is ranked 4th overall in the state's 2024 class and rounds out a strong group of right-handed pitchers at the top of the rankings. The fastball on Miller has been ramped up to 93 mph at times with an off-speed pitch he can spin into the mid 2000s. The Air Force commit has a strong and athletic frame that projects to get even better as he continues to develop.
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Hunter Smolinski SS / 2B / Fruita Monument, CO / 2024Grand Canyon University (2023 Record: 37-21) Smolinski sits atop the left-handed hitters in the Colorado 2024 class and comes with a very high ceiling. The Grand Canyon University commit hit .606 this spring (71 at-bats) with 4 home runs, 6 triples, 10 doubles, and a 1.752 OPS as a junior at the 5A level in Colorado. Smolinski has also posted a 95 mph top exit-velocity in past events with clean actions in the infield. As Smolinski develops as a senior, we could see him continue to make plenty of noise.
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Sean Togher UTILITY / 1B / Fort Collins, CO / 2024California Baptist University (2023 Record: 28-30) Togher is another fine lefty in these rankings as he comes in as 8th overall ranked player in Colorado's 2024 class. The senior is committed to playing baseball at Cal. Baptist in spring 2025, but we can also tell you that as a junior this spring he put on a show. Togher hit to the tune of a .538 average (78 at-bats) and 1.485 OPS with 4 homers, 3 triples, and 8 doubles. There is also plenty of upside to be had with Togher on the mound from the right-side thanks to a fastball in the mid 80s. Togher pitched to a 2.04 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 48 innings in spring 2023. We have seen Togher hit for over a 94 mph exit-velocity in events past while he also has the ability to play multiple positions all around the baseball diamond.
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Cade Collins SS / 2B / Dakota Ridge, CO / 2024Wofford College (2023 Record: 40-19) Collins might just have the best tools out of this group of lefties thanks to a 95.5 mph top exit-velocity and a 6.92 60 yard dash time. In spring 2023, Collins hit .456 (68 at-bats) with a 1.400 OPS, 10 stolen bases, 3 home runs, 4 triples, and 6 doubles. The tall, wiry, and athletic frame on Collins should continue to get stronger and develop which gives the Wofford commit a high ceiling in the near future.
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Danny Cook SS / Lewis Palmer, CO / 2024Pepperdine University (2023 Record: 19-30) Cook hit .535 (71 at-bats) with 4 home runs, a 1.579 OPS, and 10 stolen bases at the Colorado 5A level in spring 2023. The physical right-handed swing from Cook comes with a higher level approach in the box while he continues to develop.
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Logan Reid LHP / 1B / Cherokee Trail , CO / 2024University of Houston (2023 Record: 36-23) Reid is the #1 ranked LHP in the Colorado 2024 class and showcases a fastball in the upper 80's with exceptional spin and great feel for a change-up. The southpaw has a repeatable delivery and attacks hitters with his full arsenal of pitches. The lefty has been a consistent riser and the high pitch-ability on Reid allowed him to pitch in pivotal games down the stretch and into the 5A state championship this spring.
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Grant Shepardson RHP / Mountain Vista, CO / 2024University of San Francisco (2023 Record: 18-29) Shepardson was a 2022 Future Games attendee and comes with a fastball in the upper 80s to low 90s to go along with his changeup, curveball, and slider. In spring 2023, Shepardson pitched 56.1 innings with a 2.98 ERA and 72 strikeouts. Shepardson is still actively developing and has continued to see his velocity increase. The tall and athletic frame on Shepardson should progress well at San Francisco as he continues to develop.
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Cameron Larson RHP / Cherry Creek, CO / 2024Wofford College (2023 Record: 40-19) Larson is a seasoned arm with a fastball around 90 mph and quality spin. Larson also creates deception with a whippy lower 3/4 arm slot. Wofford signed an intriguing arm here as the ceiling on Larson continues to grow while he has some unique mechanics.
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Zak White RHP / OF / Centaurus, CO / 2024St. Mary's College (2023 Record: 23-28) White is now committed to St. Mary's College in California after showcasing a fastball around 90 mph this summer and fall. The frame on White is easy to dream on as he is a physical athlete that moves well on the mound. White also throws from a lower 3/4 arm slot which could give his fastball even more deception and run through the zone. The senior flashes a high-powered fastball while developing strong off-speeds and is certainly one to track in spring 2024.
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Eddison Esquivel OF / 1B / Cherry Creek , CO / 2024University of San Francisco (2023 Record: 18-29) Esquivel was a standout at the 2023 State Games thanks to a 103.8 mph top exit-velocity and an 88 mph outfield velocity. The Cherry Creek senior is ranked as the 3rd best outfielder in the 2024 Colorado class, and he is committed to play baseball at the University of San Francisco after graduation. Strong left-handed swing with the ability to lift and drive the baseball.
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Austin Bowker RHP / OF / Rock Canyon, CO / 2024University of San Diego (2023 Record: 24-25-1) Bowker is now signed to play college baseball at the University of San Diego after showcasing a fastball in the upper 80s this summer, along with a quality breaking ball. The tall and strong frame on Bowker gives him plenty of upside to get even better and he did pitch to a 1.98 ERA across 35.1 innings this spring to go with his 40 strikeouts.
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Paul Hughes RHP / 3B / Cherry Creek, CO / 2024Miami University (OH) (2023 Record: 21-35) Hughes is another 2022 Future Games alumni and he led the Cherry Creek pitching staff in innings in 2023 with 41 innings pitched, a 2.56 ERA, and 28 strikeouts. We have seen Hughes ramp the fastball into the upper 80s with plenty of pitch-ability. The tall frame on Hughes should only continue to get stronger as he heads to Miami (OH) after this upcoming spring.
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Brady Snow RHP / 1B / Chatfield Senior, CO / 2024Wofford College (2023 Record: 40-19) Snow has upside with the bat and on the mound as the senior is signed to play at Wofford College after spring 2024. This spring, Snow belted 8 homers with a 1.235 OPS while showcasing a fastball in the mid 80s. Snow has a big and strong frame that flashes athleticism with plenty of feel.
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Tate Gargasz RHP / 3B / Palmer Ridge, CO / 2024Santa Clara University (2023 Record: 36-20) Gargasz has touched 90 mph with the fastball at times while spinning all three of his curveball, slider, and fastball around 2500 RPMs. The Future and West Coast Games attendee comes with some pitch-ability as well and is actively developing heading into 2024.
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Gunnar Duncan C / 2B / Eaton, CO / 2024Butler University (2023 Record: 12-43) Duncan has been a standout at Eaton HS over the years and has now earned himself an opportunity with Butler after graduation. The catcher comes with a pop time range of 1.87 to 1.90, a 79 mph catcher throwing velocity, and a 94 mph top exit-velocity. In spring 2023, Duncan hit .506 (89 at-bats) with 2 home runs, a 1.333 OPS, and 18 stolen bases at the Colorado 3A level.
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Brody Chyr OF / 1B / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2024Loyola Marymount University (2023 Record: 29-24) Chyr is a strong athlete that should thrive at the next level with Loyola Marymount. The senior runs a 6.83 60 yard dash, has a 100 mph top exit-velocity, and a 78.3 mph bat speed. The lefty has a smooth, yet strong swing that bodes well for the future as his frame should continue to develop. This spring, Chyr hit .383 (89 at-bats) with 2 home runs, 17 stolen bases, and a 1.047 OPS.
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Jack Perotti LHP / OF / Legend, CO / 2024University of Nevada (2023 Record: 20-33) The lefty is a 2022 Future Games attendee that comes with a fastball in the mid 80s and feel for his off-speed. Perotti has an easy and repeatable delivery while his athletic frame should only continue to get stronger.
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Brady Hudson RHP / SS / Holy Family, CO / 2024University of Northern Colorado (2023 Record: 11-34) As a junior this spring, Hudson pitched to the tune of a 1.02 ERA with 51 strikeouts across 34.1 innings. The now senior is tall with a developing frame and plenty of pitch-ability at the moment. Hudson has chosen to stay in state and play Division I baseball as he could have a chance to insantly impact the Northern Colorado program in spring 2025.
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Asher Clark RHP / Lutheran, CO / 2024Sacramento State University (2023 Record: 30-26) Clark is an intriguing arm as he has a tall and wiry frame that is already generating a fastball in the mid to upper 80s with quality spin. The upside on Clark might only just be starting to be tapped into since he is 6'4'' and will likely get much stronger at his Division I program in Sacramento. Clark's fastball is already somewhat unique since he can spin it into the 2300s with an average IVB (induced vertical break) of 17.
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Kaveh Meredith RHP / Erie, CO / 2024University of Northern Colorado (2023 Record: 11-34) Meredith will be staying in Colorado after the 2024 spring season and he also has a chance to impact the Northern Colorado program right away. The fastball on Meredith sits in the mid 80s with a quality changeup and curveball mix. Meredith has a strong and athletic frame that could really develop at the next level.
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Lucas Stone OF / LHP / Eaton, CO / 2024University of Northern Colorado (2023 Record: 11-34) Stone is a 2023 West Coast Games attendee that comes with a 94 mph top exit-velocity from the left-side. As a junior this spring at the 3A level in Colorado, Stone hit .470 (83 at-bats) with a 1.277 OPS.
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Brayden Yasuzawa C / 2B / Cherry Creek, CO / 2024Villanova University (2023 Record: 14-37) Yasuzawa is a seasoned catcher with over a 95 mph top exit-velocity and some athleticism. In spring 2023, Yasuzawa hit .357 (56 at-bats) with a 1.015 OPS at the 5A level in Colorado. The senior plays the game hard and controls things exceptionally well behind the plate.
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Adam Smith SS / RHP / Rock Canyon, CO / 2024Utah Valley University (2023 Record: 34-24) Smith is an intriguing young athlete that has showcased a 96 mph top exit-velocity at past events. The senior has the ability to play multiple positions while his swing creates plenty of leverage with the lower half, along with some plate coverage. Smith should only continue to develop and get stronger as an athlete.
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Cole Jenkins SS / 2B / Chaparral, CO / 2024United States Air Force Academy (2023 Record: 28-31) Jenkins is a premium athlete that will be taking his talents to the Air Force Academy baseball program here in Colorado following the 2024 spring season. The senior runs a 6.82 60 yard dash, hits for a 97 mph top exit-velocity, and throws in the mid 80s across the diamond from the infield. Jenkins plays a clean shortstop and has a chance to impact the Air Force baseball program right away if he continues to sharpen his tools.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Northern Colorado Preseason ID | CO | 02/04 | The Sports Stable - Boulder, CO |
| Colorado Springs Preseason ID | CO | 02/11 | The Farm Sports |
| Denver Preseason ID | CO | 02/18 | Marucci Clubhouse |
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