Anteater Baseball Adds Four Transfers to 2025 Signing Class
November 14, 2024 | Baseball
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine baseball signed seven on National Signing Day later adding four impact transfers and followed that with six addition signees for a total of 17 in the signing class. The 2025 class is a small, skillful crop highlighting pitching, defense, and some two-way ability from up-and-down the California coast. Head Coach Ben Orloff and the staff are excited to announce this crew that maximizes the program's strength and potential while adding to the rich and recent heights the Anteaters have reached.
Junior Barajas | C - "Junior is a 6-3, left-handed hitting catcher. He checks every box you would hope to find in an amateur catcher. He is a plus receiver who can really throw. There is power in the bat and he sees the ball well. We can't wait to see the immediate impact he will make next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Caden Castles | RHP - "Cade had a great summer against some of the best competition in the country. We have followed Cade for a long time and it's been fun to watch his growth. His fastball reaches the low 90s, but his slider is the difference maker. It is a swing and miss pitch that he throws for strikes on command." - head coach Ben Orloff
Cole Clark | INF - "Cole has emerged as one of the better hitters in the state. He had a great summer against some of the best competition in the country. It is rare to find a left handed hitter with power that can play all over the infield. Cole loves to play and is constantly improving his game." - head coach Ben Orloff
Tommy Farmer | OF - "Tommy comes to us after having over 200 plate appearances at Texas last year. He is about as good of athlete as there is in the country. We are excited to watch Tommy's game flourish here next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Dylan Hillman | INF - "Dylan had arguably the best junior college season in the state. We are excited that he will come in as a sophomore and we will get him for a few years. Dylan will help replace of losses in the middle infield and make us better." - head coach Ben Orloff
Hunter Manning | RHP - "Hunter has the prototypical right handed pitcher build. He currently has a fastball that gets to the low 90s and also a feel for several off speed pitches. Hunter has a great work ethic and is determined to maximize his potential. He is another guy we have followed for a long time and are excited for him to be here next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Zane Nordquist | LHP - "Zane is coming off one of the best high school years in the state last year. He struck out over 100 batters and threw back-to-back no hitters. Zane is extremely competitive and has an elite curve ball. He is the type of player that will make an immediate impact once he gets on campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Peyton Rodgers | RHP - "Peyton had a very successful freshman season at SDSU. He is a natural strike thrower with a plus slider. Peyton can pitch in any role and we anticipate playing a huge role in our pitching staff in 2026." - head coach Ben Orloff
Lucas Schermer | INF/OF - "Lucas is a player that has huge upside. He fits the mold of a physical and athletic right handed hitter that can play all over the diamond. He is going to be a fun guy to follow as he continues to mature." - head coach Ben Orloff
Alex Schmidt | RHP/UTL - ""Alex looks the part as a physical right handed pitcher. His fastball reaches the low 90s with little effort. He is currently a two way player with power on both sides of the ball. We are excited to get him to campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Kai Smith | OF - "Kai is coming off a big junior college season as well. He flirted with hitting over .500 and brings an exciting athlete to our outfield. Kai will add a good element to our team." - head coach Ben Orloff
| Student-Athlete | Ht / Wt | B/T | Position | Hometown | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Alvarez | 6-2 / 180 | L/R | INF | Chino, Calif. | Cal State Bakersfield & Ganesha HS |
| Junior Barajas | 6-3 / 200 | L/R | C | Solana Beach, Calif. | Saddleback JC |
| Caden Castles | 6-1 / 175 | R/R | RHP | Davis, Calif. | Davis HS |
| Cole Clark | 6-0 / 170 | L/R | INF | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Huntington Beach HS |
| Julian Custer | 6-2 / 185 | R/R | RHP | San Diego, Calif. | UC San Diego & Francis Parker HS |
| Connor Dietsch | 6-3 / 198 | R/R | C | Mission Viejo, Calif. | Santa Ana College & Mission Viejo HS |
| Tommy Farmer | 6-3 / 210 | R/R | OF | Santa Monica, Calif. | Oaks Christian HS & University of Texas |
| Dylan Hillman | 5-11 / 180 | R/R | INF | Danville, Calif. | Monte Vista HS & College of San Mateo |
| Hunter Manning | 6-5 / 210 | L/R | RHP | Valencia, Calif. | West Ranch HS |
| Zane Nordquist | 5-11 / 170 | L/L | LHP | Oceanside, Calif. | El Camino HS |
| Efren Ortega | 5-11 / 190 | R/R | C | Sylmar, Calif. | Long Beach State & Birmingham HS |
| Daniel Polasek | 6-1 / 180 | L/L | OF | Martinez, Calif. | Los Medanos College & Alhambra HS |
| Peyton Rodgers | 5-11 / 175 | R/R | RHP | Solana Beach, Calif. | Torrey Pines HS & San Diego State |
| Lucas Schermer | 6-3 / 195 | R/R | INF/OF | Hermosa Beach, Calif. | Mira Costa HS |
| Alex Schmidt | 6-1 / 215 | R/R | RHP/UTL | Sherman Oaks, Calif. | Granada Hills Charter HS |
| Kai Smith | 6-0 / 190 | R/R | OF | Danville, Calif. | De La Salle HS & Los Medanos College |
| Alex Umland | 6-4 / 220 | R/R | RHP | Los Angeles, Calif. | University of Oregon & Windward HS |
Junior Barajas | C - "Junior is a 6-3, left-handed hitting catcher. He checks every box you would hope to find in an amateur catcher. He is a plus receiver who can really throw. There is power in the bat and he sees the ball well. We can't wait to see the immediate impact he will make next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Caden Castles | RHP - "Cade had a great summer against some of the best competition in the country. We have followed Cade for a long time and it's been fun to watch his growth. His fastball reaches the low 90s, but his slider is the difference maker. It is a swing and miss pitch that he throws for strikes on command." - head coach Ben Orloff
Cole Clark | INF - "Cole has emerged as one of the better hitters in the state. He had a great summer against some of the best competition in the country. It is rare to find a left handed hitter with power that can play all over the infield. Cole loves to play and is constantly improving his game." - head coach Ben Orloff
Tommy Farmer | OF - "Tommy comes to us after having over 200 plate appearances at Texas last year. He is about as good of athlete as there is in the country. We are excited to watch Tommy's game flourish here next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Dylan Hillman | INF - "Dylan had arguably the best junior college season in the state. We are excited that he will come in as a sophomore and we will get him for a few years. Dylan will help replace of losses in the middle infield and make us better." - head coach Ben Orloff
Hunter Manning | RHP - "Hunter has the prototypical right handed pitcher build. He currently has a fastball that gets to the low 90s and also a feel for several off speed pitches. Hunter has a great work ethic and is determined to maximize his potential. He is another guy we have followed for a long time and are excited for him to be here next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Zane Nordquist | LHP - "Zane is coming off one of the best high school years in the state last year. He struck out over 100 batters and threw back-to-back no hitters. Zane is extremely competitive and has an elite curve ball. He is the type of player that will make an immediate impact once he gets on campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Peyton Rodgers | RHP - "Peyton had a very successful freshman season at SDSU. He is a natural strike thrower with a plus slider. Peyton can pitch in any role and we anticipate playing a huge role in our pitching staff in 2026." - head coach Ben Orloff
Lucas Schermer | INF/OF - "Lucas is a player that has huge upside. He fits the mold of a physical and athletic right handed hitter that can play all over the diamond. He is going to be a fun guy to follow as he continues to mature." - head coach Ben Orloff
Alex Schmidt | RHP/UTL - ""Alex looks the part as a physical right handed pitcher. His fastball reaches the low 90s with little effort. He is currently a two way player with power on both sides of the ball. We are excited to get him to campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Kai Smith | OF - "Kai is coming off a big junior college season as well. He flirted with hitting over .500 and brings an exciting athlete to our outfield. Kai will add a good element to our team." - head coach Ben Orloff
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