IRVINE, Calif. --- National Signing Day commenced and head coach Ben Orloff and his staff welcomed in seven new Anteaters with this class who signed their National Letters of Intent on the first day of Wednesday, November 11. The class of California freshmen range from all parts of the field with three infielders leading the way, a catcher, an outfielder, and a pair of pitchers in a multi-talented group that the staff are excited to start working with.
  

Student-Athlete	Ht / Wt	B/T	Year	Position	Hometown	School
Wyatt Bush	6-1 / 180	R/R	Freshman	Infielder	Murrieta, Calif.	Paloma Valley HS
Chase Call	6-2 / 205	R/R	Freshman	Catcher	Porter Ranch, Calif.	Calabasas HS
William Gleed	6-1 / 203	R/R	Freshman	Infielder	Ladera Ranch, Calif.	San Juan Hills HS
Jonathon Hernandez	5-10 / 160	R/R	Freshman	Infielder	La Puente, Calif.	South Hills HS
Myles Smith	6-1 / 185	L/R	Freshman	Outfielder	Inglewood, Calif.	Crossroads HS
Danny Suarez	6-3 / 185	R/R	Freshman	Pitcher	Trabuco Canyon, Calif.	Trabuco Hills HS
Finnegan Wall	6-2 / 200	R/R	Freshman	Pitcher	Hesperia, Calif.	Sultana HS

Wyatt Bush | Freshman, INF - "Wyatt is among the best true shortstops in the state.  He is very intelligent and has a great feel to play defense at the highest level.  He has continued to add strength and his played very well recently.  Wyatt has a chance to be a key fixture in the middle of the diamond for us." - head coach Ben Orloff

The gifted shortstop out in the Inland Empire flashes the leather with the best of them earning praise from UCI's head coach and a talented SS in his own right. With Paloma Valley High School, he earned All-League his first two years and added All-CIF and Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore hitting .404 with 20 runs scored and 10 RBI in 28 games. He was on his way to a magical junior season and more accolades before the season was cut short eight games in with his average at .520 adding six more runs and five RBI.



Chase Call | Freshman, C - "Chase is a future middle of the lineup bat.  He has power to all fields and continues to become a more complete hitter.  Defensively, Chase can catch and play at three outfield positions.  He is a rare combination of power, athleticism, and ability to play premier defensive positions."- head coach Ben Orloff

A thumping right-handed bat is what Chase Call brings out of Porter Ranch, Calif. home of another big Anteater bat and Brandon Lewis. The Calabasas High School student-athlete was named captain in his junior season with a robust resume behind him from Minority Baseball Prospect All-American and success with his travel team, PFA, that finished first in the Arizona Fall Classic to a spot on the basketball team to his involvement with the Roots and Shoots Club. Overall, Call can't wait to get started as an 'Eater

"Apart from the excellent chemistry of the baseball team, I chose to attend UC Irvine because of the excellent baseball coaching staff. After long talks with my family in regards to making a college decision, we came to the conclusion that UC Irvine was my best fit. Another reason for my decision making was the amazing academic prestige of the school. Not only am I going to a top school for baseball, I'm attending a great academic school that I will be proud to get m degree from."



William "Dub" Gleed | Freshman, INF - "Dub is a guy that we have always seen hit in games against frontline pitching.  One of the last times I saw him, he hit three balls off the left field wall.  Dub has a big arm and can be a plus defender on the left side of the infield.  His well-rounded game will give him a chance to play early in his career."- head coach Ben Orloff

William Stanton Gleed is his given name, but it's easy enough to call him "Dub". His journey started in Utah before coming to Southern California and landed at San Juan Hills High School. His bat has been his pride and joy helping him to Most Valuable Hitter, Offensive Production, and All-League awards all in his sophomore season where he hit .302 with 27 runs scored, four doubles, a home run, and 14 RBI. He's kept that clip going through his 10 games as a junior hitting .394 with two more doubles, two triples, six RBI, and eight runs scored. He's also been busy with TB SoCal and GBG travel teams and the Atlanta Braves scout team, but he's excited for UCI for more than the program. "It is a great place for academics, somewhere I've felt most comfortable and at home to help me reach my goals in the classroom and on the field."



Jonathon Hernandez | Freshman, INF - "Jonathon is a prototypical top of the lineup hitter.  He can really run, manage the strike zone, and collect hits.  Jonathon can play all three infield positions.  He loves to play.  We think his toughness and athleticism will be perfect  fit for us."- head coach Ben Orloff

Fans will get used to hearing and spelling the name of Jonathon Hernandez with his deadly combination of speed, contact hitting, toughness, defensive versatility, and on top of it all, a winner. He collected two league titles in his first two seasons at South Hills High School in addition to all-league honors. The youngest of four, proximity to his hometown of La Puente, Calif. was vital, but he also has his sights set on the greatness of the school, the program, and of course, being down the street from the beach.



Myles Smith | Freshman, OF - "Myles has giant upside.  He has really come on strong this last year.  He performed really well at the Area Code Games in Georgia and has solidified himself as one of the best position players in the state.  Myles is a physical, left handed hitting outfielder that can run and slug.  Myles really separates himself with him ability to manage the strike zone and get on base."- head coach Ben Orloff

A glowing review from the UCI head coach for the Los Angeles and Inglewood native. He started off well at Crossroads High School as the program's Rookie of the Year from 2 HR, 11 RBI, and a .292 average, but he also scored a CIF Championship on the basketball team. Smith continued to grow adding three triples and 15 runs scored in his sophomore year, but really found his stride in his truncated, nine-game junior season. Smith was skyrocketing with a .478 average highlighted by six doubles and two home runs, but as Ben mentioned, they couldn't keep him off the baseball. A .675 OBP came with 16 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, and 14 walks to four strikeouts. His accolades were not going unnoticed especially at the WWBA Perfect Game series in which he and his travel squad, TB SoCal, finished first. When UC Irvine came calling, he couldn't say no. "I chose Irvine because I loved the campus and its atmosphere. The coaching staff is incredible and relatable, and I couldn't have seen myself anywhere else."



Danny Suarez | Freshman, RHP - "Danny has been on our radar for years now.  He has the pitcher frame that you dream on.  He has good feel for his secondary pitches and his fastball has been up to 90.  Danny is very young for his grade and he is going to be very fun to follow as he continues to physically mature.  He is another guy that projects to be a weekend starter during his time here."- head coach Ben Orloff

Tough to miss the 6-3 presence of Danny Suarez throwing right in the Anteaters' backyard of Trabuco Hills High School. The righty had earned the program's Cy Young award as a freshman and all-league as a sophomore before an impressive start to his junior season where he had 10 strikeouts and a 0.88 ERA in his 11 innings over three appearances on the mound. In addition to excelling with his travel squad So Cal Giants, he earned California Scholarship Federation member status and has his eyes on a biology or exercise science major. A big reason he chose UC Irvine was the great education paired with the program's resources and coaches he can learn from.



Finnegan Wall | Freshman, RHP - "Finnegan is another guy that performed well at the Area Code Games.  He is an athletic, right handed pitcher that can run his fastball into the low 90s.  However, what makes him special is his ability to succeed in games.  He can throw multiple pitches for strikes and is very competitive.  His drive to continue to get better is infectious and we can't wait to see him in the weekend starting rotation."- head coach Ben Orloff

A long way from Massachusetts where Finnegan Wall was born right in the heart of the Cape Cod League, but his baseball exploits have matched it. His athletic presence on the mound at Hesperia's Sultana High School has pushed the program to a CIF Second Round appearance as a sophomore and First Team All-League honors of his own. He's made a name for himself with his travel team, PFA, finishing first in the SWWB Tournament and collecting some admirers in the 2020 Area Code Games in Georgia, so much so that he was featured in his hometown Victorville Daily Press, and Finnegan is ready to hit the ground running. "I loved the area and the feel of the school. Most importantly, I love the baseball program and can't wait to be part of it and play for the great coaching staff."