Matadors Announce 2019-20 Recruiting Class

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Head baseball coach Dave Serrano and his coaching staff have announced the 2019-20 recruiting class featuring nine pitchers and seven position players. Within the class, nine student-athletes are incoming freshmen while seven come to CSUN from junior colleges. A total of 15 are California products with 14 attending Southern California schools.

"I believe my coaching staff, led by recruiting coordinator Eddie Cornejo, recognized and filled many needs for next season and into the future," said Serrano. "This class has some depth to it and will bring to the campus of CSUN and Matador Field a group of student-athletes who will compete in the classroom and on the field."

"We are proud of our first recruiting class under coach Serrano at CSUN," said assistant coach Eddie Cornejo. "We needed some depth on the mound and position player versatility. We feel like we accomplished those goals without sacrificing offensive potential. What we're most proud of is the work ethic that these young men have and how competitive they will make our environment."

Jacob Bravo – INF/OF, 6-0, 200 lbs., Santa Barbara City College
Bravo lettered two seasons at Santa Barbara College after previously spending the 2018 campaign at the University of Oregon. Bravo batted .323 and slugged .615 with 21 runs and 20 RBI in 2020. He also took home Second-Team All-Western State Conference honors as a freshman. Prior to his college career, Bravo was a four-year letterwinner at St. Bonaventure High School where he led the Seraphs to three league titles. He was a three-time first-team all-league selection in high school while he also lettered in football and basketball.

"Jacob is a physical left-handed hitter that comes to us from two baseball schools," said Cornejo. "We loved his swing and feel to hit to all fields. In addition to his offensive potential, his speed gives us defensive versatility at first base and at a corner outfield position. We're excited to see how big his upside can be at CSUN."

Josh Haley – LHP, 6-0, 233 lbs., Santa Ana College
Haley started 12 games for Santa Ana College in two shortened seasons. Haley used a medical redshirt in 2019 after going 3-0 with 23 strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA in four games. He would race out to a 6-0 start in 2020, amassing 50 innings with a 3.22 ERA. Haley spent one season at the University of Arizona in 2018 where he totaled five strikeouts over seven games. He graduated from Gahr High School in 2017 where earned San Gabriel Valley Pitcher of the Year Honors in addition to All-State and All-CIF recognition in his senior season.

"Josh has spent the last two years developing with George Carralejo at Santa Ana College," said Cornejo. "He is a strike thrower and can control the running game. We felt he was as prepared as anyone to come to CSUN and compete right away."

Justin Henry – LHP, 6-0, 180 lbs., Fresno City College
Henry made 20 career appearances with Fresno City College and tallied 81 strikeouts and six wins in 60 innings. This past season, Henry posted a 2.13 ERA and 55 strikeouts as he helped the Rams go 17-3 including 7-0 in league play. In 2019, he sported a 2.55 ERA in 17 innings. Fresno City advanced to the CCCAA NorCal Super Regionals in Henry's freshman season. He sported a 3.15 ERA over his last two seasons at Central High School where he also lettered in football as a defensive lineman.

"Justin is one of the best junior college left-handed pitchers in the state," said Cornejo. "He has a swing and miss breaking ball and commands it well. We expect Justin to make some waves in the Big West right away."

Kyle Hoskins – RHP, 6-3, 190 lbs., Santa Ana College
Hoskins made 33 appearances at Santa Ana College over the past two seasons. He lowered his ERA from 4.19 from his freshman season to 1.14 in 2020. Hoskins also collected eight saves and 22 strikeouts in 23 innings of work this past season. He helped the Dons advance to the CCCAA SoCal Regionals in 2019 and go 18-4 this spring. Hoskins also was a standout on the Tustin High School baseball team where he posted a 3.53 ERA and 30 strikeouts as a senior.

"Since being converted into a side-arm pitcher, Kyle has become a proven relief pitcher at the junior college level," said Cornejo. "He is a great fit for Coach Serrano's style and we feel he will provide immediate depth to our staff."

Elias Jauregui – RHP, 5-10, 170 lbs., Chaffey College
Jauregui was a two-year letterwinner with Chaffey College where he won 12 games with a 2.35 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 107 innings. After earning All-South Coast Conference honors in 2019, Jauregui went 6-2 with 69 strikeouts and a 1.55 ERA this spring. He also earned two CCBCA Pitcher of the Week honors as a sophomore. Previously, Jauregui pitched for Pomona High School and helped the Red Devils advance to the postseason multiple times, highlighted by a final four appearance in the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs in 2018.

"Elias was among the state leaders in strikeouts," said Cornejo. "He's a twitchy athlete with a clean delivery. If he makes another jump next season, we feel like he will be a low 90's arm with a swing and miss secondary pitch that will make him tough on hitters."

Bobby Silvis – INF, 6-0, 165 lbs., Cypress College
Batting from the left side, Silvis spent the past two seasons at Cypress College. Silvis was hitting a robust .451 with 26 runs and 18 RBI in 2020. He also had a productive freshman campaign with the Chargers, batting .283 with 16 RBI and 16 runs. Prior to Cypress, Silvis hit .385 at the plate in his senior season at El Dorado High School. He was a three-year varsity letterwinner at El Dorado and a two-time first-team all-league selection.

"Bobby played under Anthony Hutting at Cypress College," said Cornejo. "He's a confident and competitive player that is coming into his own. His feel for the game will make him an impactful option."

John "Zuko" Tillman – LHP, 6-2, 200 lbs., Chaffey College
Tillman made 21 career appearances at Chaffey College. He logged 49 total innings and totaled 62 strikeouts in two seasons. In 2020, he earned a save in six innings of work. As a freshman, Tillman would strike out 53 batters over 42 innings to go with four wins. Tillman prepped at Redlands High School and helped his team advance to the CIF Southern Section playoffs over his last two seasons. He sported a 1.91 ERA and 39 strikeouts as a senior with the Terriers.

"Zuko is our second Inland Empire pitcher from coach Cordero's program in this class," said Cornejo. "He has a quick arm, throws strikes and has proven to handle some pressure. With more development, we feel he can be a low 90's thrower with command of the zone."

Ryan Ball – INF, 5-11, 180 Ibs., Trabuco Hills High School
Ball prepped at Trabuco Hills High School where he enjoyed a hot start to the spring. Batting from the left side, Ball hit .310 with seven RBI, six runs scored and three doubles while posting a .462 on-base percentage. Ball played at several infield positions including shortstop with the Mustangs and throws right-handed. He was a member of the team's 22-win squad in 2019.

"Not long after our coaching staff was assembled, Ryan committed to CSUN," said Cornejo. "We knew he shared our vision for the direction for this program. He is made of the right stuff and has a work ethic we hope other players will emulate. His arm strength will allow him to stay on the left side of the infield and his ability to hit will play up in the Big West."

Nathan Barraza – 1B/3B, 6-2, 190 lbs., Mission Hills High School
Barraza helped Mission Hills High School to a 6-1-1 start after batting .438 with 14 hits and 12 RBI. Barraza was coming off a junior season where he hit .386 with 39 hits, 19 runs and 15 RBI to go with a .430 on-base percentage. He helped the Grizzlies make the CIF San Diego Section playoffs each season, highlighted by a Division II championship win in 2018. Barraza was also a free safety and punter on the football team and played in the CIF open championship in 2017.

"He's physical and athletic," said Cornejo. "We loved his defensive versatility and upside as a hitter. Nathan's role will be what he makes of it."

Hayden Cody – RHP, 6-0, 175 lbs., Mission Viejo High School
Cody's 2020 season was off to outstanding start, highlighted by a no-hitter as he helped Mission Viejo High School go undefeated. He went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in his shortened senior season, which followed up a junior year where he registered a 2.00 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 49 innings. Cody earned Second-Team All-South Coast League honors in 2019. As a sophomore, he helped the Diablos make the postseason.

"Hayden was poised for a monster year," said Cornejo. "He attacks hitters and has an advanced feel for the breaking ball. He leads by example and we feel he will pitch early on in his CSUN career."

Reed Coffin – RHP, 6-1, 160 lbs., Rancho Buena Vista High School
Coffin totaled 12 strikeouts with a 1.27 ERA as a senior at Rancho Buena Vista High School. In his junior season, he amassed 67 strikeouts and a 1.72 ERA in 11 games. Coffin helped guide the Longhorns to the CIF San Diego Section Division III playoffs as a junior. In addition to baseball, Coffin also competed for his school's water polo team early in his prep career.

"Reed has the ideal projection we look for in a Big West pitcher," said Cornejo. "He has a lanky frame you can build on and he fills up the strike zone. He has an upper 80's fastball with some run and he goes right after hitters."

Kevin Fitzer – INF, 6-2, 175 lbs., Aliso Niguel High School
Fitzer occupied the middle infield positions for Aliso Niguel High School. He scored 10 runs in 11 games this past season in helping the Wolverines to a 7-4 start. Fitzer batted .302 in his junior campaign with 26 hits, 16 RBI and 13 runs, which earned him Second-Team All-Sea View League honors. He helped the Wolverines advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs in 2019.

"Kevin is a driven individual," said Cornejo. "He has a combination of speed, hand-eye coordination and glove skills that make us excited to see how he develops in the Big West."

Cameron Hood – LHP, 6-5, 220 lbs., Verrado High School
Hood racked up 15 strikeouts over his two starts in 2020 for Verrado High School in Buckeye, Ariz. Last season, he made 11 appearances and tallied 57 strikeouts over 37 innings. Hood helped the Vipers advance to the AIA State Championships in 2019 while he was a member of the team's league championship win in 2018. He also spent time on the school's swimming team.

"Cameron comes from an athletic family," said Cornejo. "He has a big projectable frame and has been making good strides in his development. He is mature and wants to be good. We think he'll be ready for the Division I transition."

Luke Powell – OF, 6-2, 185 lbs., Capistrano Valley Christian School
A two-sport athlete, Powell earned First-Team All-League honors in his junior season in baseball where he hit .433 with 26 hits and 14 RBI while posting a 0.91 ERA and nine strikeouts on the mound. He helped the Eagles win the San Joaquin League in 2019 and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division III playoffs. In basketball, Powell also was a standout as he scored in double figures over his last two seasons, highlighted by his 15 points per game as a senior.

"Luke was one of the more underrated players we found for this class," said Cornejo. "He's a talented basketball player and it shows with his athleticism in the outfield and even on the mound. Although we currently feel his upside will be as a hitter, we are excited to see what he can do when he devotes himself to baseball full time."

Ryan Wentz – RHP, 6-4, 205 lbs., South Hills High School
In just four starts in 2020, Wentz posted a 3-0 record with a 1.58 ERA, 18 strikeouts and one save for South Hills High School. Wentz worked 13.1 innings in 2020 before his senior season was cut short. He was a part of his team's league championship season in 2019, which also included a CIF Southern Section Division I appearance.

"Ryan has a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds with hands that swallow basketballs," said Cornejo. "He has a chance to have a power fastball down the line and we are excited to see where his ceiling ultimately is."

Christian "CJ" Yogi – INF, 5-10, 165 lbs., Millikan High School
Yogi earned First-Team All-League honors twice while at Millikan High School where he managed multiple positions on the infield. He batted .373 and slugged over .500 to go with 28 hits, 20 runs and 15 RBI in 2019. He was also a member of two league championship teams with the Rams. In his first season, he earned All-City Freshman of the Year accolades as he led off and hit over .300.

"CJ was the first commitment for our staff at CSUN," said Cornejo. "He was raised in a baseball family and is one of the more mature 18-year old's I have ever met. He prides himself on being a student of the game and will make an immediate impact for us."

#UniteTheValley

California State University Northridge Athletics

Matadors Announce 2019-20 Recruiting Class

Related News

Related Videos