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Esmay Inks Eight Recruits For 2005 Season
12/18/2003 12:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 18, 2003
SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Head Baseball Coach Tim Esmay today announced that he has received National Letters of Intent for the 2005 season from eight players. Three of the eight come from Lamar Community College, where Ute pitching coach Bryan Conger used to work. The other five are high school seniors; three are from Utah and two are from Arizona.
"In my eight years at Utah, not only is this our best recruiting class in terms of quantity, but also quality," Esmay said. "The only question about this class is whether we'll lose them to professional baseball in June. This is obviously a very exciting time for our program."
The group from Lamar includes Josh Cooper, a 6-3 pitcher, Chad Cullers, a 6-5 pitcher, and Adam Frank, a 6-1 catcher.
Cooper posted a 7-2 record last year as a freshman. In 14 appearances and 55 2/3 innings pitched, he struck out 70 batters.
As a senior in high school, he was drafted in the 40th round by the Seattle Mariners after striking out 95 batters. During his junior year, he compiled a 7-0 record with a 1.80 ERA and a state-high 96 strikeouts. His team also won the 4A state title.
"Josh has a 90+ mile per hour arm," Esmay said. "The fact that he has already been drafted speaks to his ability and potential."
A native of Pueblo, Colo., Cooper is the son of Jim and Kay Cooper.
Cullers went 11-2 last season at Lamar and started a team-high 14 games. He posted a 3.58 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings pitched. As a result, he was named second-team all-region.
During his senior year at Air Academy High School, Cullers was named first-team all-area after going 5-2 with a 1.30 ERA. His team went 16-5 and lost in the second round of the playoffs.
"Chad will be a definite impact guy for us," Esmay said. "He should start right away."
Cullers, from Colorado Springs, Colo., is the son of Rusty Cullers and Reba Ray.
A native of Paul, Idaho, Frank played in 51 games last year, starting 48. He hit .291 on the season, with 39 hits and 37 RBI. He also had a .987 fielding percentage.
During his four years at Minico High School, Frank never had a batting average below .350. He was named all-state and was a member of Team Idaho during his junior and senior years.
"Adam is by far one of the best catch-and-throw guys in the West," Esmay said. "He will definitely fill a catching need here at Utah."
Frank is the son of Vince and Marcia Frank.
The five high school signees are Troy Grundy of Helper, Utah, Steven Hirschfeld of Moab, Utah, Ryder Olsen of Orem, Utah, Brad DeVore of Phoenix and Tyler Falco of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Grundy, a 6-1 pitcher from Carbon High School, has been named first-team all-region and first-team all-state during each of the last two seasons when he averaged nine or more strikeouts per game. He was also named American Legion Outstanding Pitcher during the state tournament.
"Troy is rated one of the top 100 prospects in the country," Esmay said. "We look for him to be a big factor since he comes from the same championship program as Brady Martinez."
Grundy is the son of Scott Grundy and Brenda Hales.
A 6-5 pitcher, Hirschfeld went 7-2 with a 2.60 ERA last year as a junior. He had 67 strikeouts en route to being named all-state and his team's MVP. His team placed second in the state.
"Steven is the 'sleeper' or 'find' of our class," Esmay said. "His potential and upscale are huge."
Hirschfeld is the son of Rick and Cindy Hirschfeld.
Olsen, a 6-1 first baseman, is a two-time all-state and all-region pick. Last year, he was named MVP at Timpanogos High School after hitting .405 and posting a 7-1 record as a pitcher. During his sophomore season, Olsen went 4-0 on the mound and posted a .444 batting average. His team won the 4A state championship.
"Ryder is one of the premier power hitters in the state of Utah and one of the top prospects," Esmay said. "We're excited to get his bat and he should fill the void when Mike Westfall leaves at first base."
Olsen is the son of Chris and Jodie Olsen.
A 6-2 right-handed pitcher, DeVore went 5-2 as a junior with a 2.50 ERA. He threw a no-hitter in the semifinals of the Horizon National Invitational Tournament. His team was the state runner-up. As a sophomore, DeVore went 9-1 with a 2.10 ERA. His only loss was to the Canadian National Team. During his freshman campaign, he was 8-1 with a 2.25 ERA and threw back-to-back no-hitters.
"Brad has a chance to be a real fine pitcher," Esmay said. "He has already been in a state championship environment and his high school program is nationally ranked."
DeVore is the son of Pete and Lana Crimando.
Falco is a 6-0 centerfielder who was an honorable mention all-state pick last season as a junior at Horizon High School. An all-region honoree, he hit .370 with 43 hits, 34 runs and 28 RBI. He stole 18 bases, including a state-record-tying five in one game. His team placed second in the state.
"Tyler comes from a winning program," Esmay said. "We're excited that he can maintain the level of excellence we've established in centerfield here at Utah. He'll provide a tremendous amount of speed."
Falco is the son of Joe and Cindy Falco.
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