PAC 12 Recruiting Classes (NORTH)
December 18, 2018
Oregon State
Total Commits: 12
National Top 500: 7
Immediate Impact Player: Will Frisch
Class Sleeper: Kyle Dernedde
OVERVIEW:
The defending National Champions continue to reload with one of the better recruiting classes in the country which includes players from eight states and Canada.
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Drew Gilbert LHP / Stillwater, MN / 2019LHP/OF Drew Gilbert could ultimately help the Beavers as both an outfielder and a pitcher. Shorter-framed at 5-foot-11, 160-pounds, Gilbert has an electric arm on the mound where his fastball has been up as high as 95 mph to go along with a firm, tightly-spun breaking ball that has the makings of a future out pitch. A left-handed hitter with gap to gap strength, and quick hands that drive the barrel through the zone, Gilbert has the ability and athleticism to play any outfield spot. Above all else, Gilbert’s toughness and blue-collar mentality will fit in very well in the Beaver program.
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Will Frisch RHP / Stillwater, MN / 2019RHP Will Frisch already possesses a fastball that has been up as high as 94 mph, and the durably-built, 6-foot-1, 210-pounder may have more in the tank. What separates Frisch is his ability to command a potential plus-changeup, which he has shown the ability to throw in any count while procuring swings and misses. Should his breaking ball continue to develop, Frisch has the makings of another elite arm for the Beavers.
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Cesar Valero SS / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2019INF Cesar Valero looks the part of a future middle of the order type bat at the collegiate level, already standing 6-foot-2, 186-pounds with broad-shoulders with some room to continue filling out. There is some swing and miss in the bat, but his fluent load and quick hands will provide plenty for the coaching staff to work with.
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Justin Boyd SS / Legend , CO / 2019SS Justin Boyd has many of the same attributes that previous Beaver standout infielders have displayed: sure-hands, a steady stroke, and a high baseball IQ. The right-handed hitting Boyd has a simple approach at the plate where he sprays the ball to all fields with gap to gap power likely. He will likely provide depth at any infield position although he definitely has a chance to stick at shortstop.
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GUT FEEL:
A trio of upside arms from three different states may ultimately play vital roles in Corvallis.
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Jack Washburn RHP / Webster, WI / 2019RHP Jack Washburn, the son of former big-league pitcher, Jarrod Washburn, has a quick right arm that allows him to throw a 90 mph fastball, and there is likely even more on the way. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound right-hander also features a sharp breaking ball, that, should it become more consistent in the future, could make him a key piece of a future Beavers team.
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Cooper Hjerpe LHP / Woodland, CA / 2019LHP Cooper Hjerpe’s whippy-quick left arm is already slinging fastballs up to 91 mph with some arm side life, and the wiry, 6-foot, 160-pound left-hander likely has more in there. His fluid delivery allows the fastball to play up even higher. His 128 strikeouts against just 10 walks in 53.2 innings last year is the type of stuff that fans in Corvallis have come to expect.
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Kai Murphy LHP / Red Mountain, AZ / 2019Rankings StateRank: 12 / POS: 2
Undersized left-handers have a long track record of success in the Oregon State program, and LHP Kai Murphy has a chance to be the next. Though he is just 5-foot-10, 165-pound, Murphy has the toughness to compete while on the mound, and varies his delivery and speed of his pitches to disrupt timing.
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FINAL THOUGHT:
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Kyle Dernedde SS / 2B / Tualatin, OR / 2019Oregon-native, Util. Kyle Dernedde has the look of a player who steadily finds his way into the lineup because of the winning qualities that he brings to the team. A right-handed hitter who can likely play any position on the field, Dernedde is a tough out at the plate where his quick hands and plate coverage allow him to utilize the entire field to spray line drives. His high energy should be welcomed in Corvallis.
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COMMITS:
| Justin Boyd | CO | Legend | 2019 | SS | #198 |
| Kyle Dernedde | OR | Tualatin | 2019 | SS | |
| Will Frisch | MN | Stillwater | 2019 | RHP | #125 |
| Drew Gilbert | MN | Stillwater | 2019 | LHP | #77 |
| Cooper Hjerpe | CA | Woodland | 2019 | LHP | #220 |
| AJ Lattery | MN | Prior Lake | 2019 | RHP | |
| Micah McDowell | AB | Okotoks Dawgs Academy | 2019 | OF | #223 |
| JD McLaughlin | AZ | Hamilton | 2019 | OF | |
| Kai Murphy | AZ | Red Mountain | 2019 | LHP | |
| Ben Steck | WA | Jackson | 2019 | C | |
| Cesar Valero | AB | Okotoks Dawgs Academy | 2019 | SS | #112 |
| Jack Washburn | WI | Webster | 2019 | RHP | #195 |
| Wyatt Young | TX | The Kinkaid School | 2019 | OF |
PLUS MORE BELOW>>>