'Eaters Add Six Transfers to Signing Class
August 31, 2026 | Baseball
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine baseball signed eight on National Signing Day, and has continued to add through the transfer portal following the 2026 season. The 2026 class hails from all over California filling every position on the diamond with skill and potential to add to the robust depth in the program already, and has grown to 14 members with two junior college additions and four from the Division I level.
Will Bandel | C - "Will is a proven winner at every stop he's had. He has potentially the most well-rounded game for a catcher in his class. Will has all of the defensive skills you look for in a catcher. He is getting to more game power at the plate, and he continues to improve." - head coach Ben Orloff
Jack Champlin | RHP/INF - "Jack is the definition of baseball player and winner. He has good infield actions and strength has improved his offensive game. Jack has separated himself on the mound as maybe the best high school reliever last year. He recorded a win or save in every post season win St John Bosco had last year. He can reach 91mph with a plus SL and CH. Jack will make an instant impact next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Kaleb Derosier | INF - "Kaleb is a physical kid that is just scratching the surface on how good he is going to be. He is a threat to hit an extra-base hit every time he comes to the plate. He offers a lot of potential defensive versatility and addresses the need for real right-handed power in the lineup." - head coach Ben Orloff
Troy Khasaempanth | LHP - "Troy is an athletic left-handed pitcher with a loose arm. He has been up to 90mph and has a feel for two off speed pitches. As Troy continues to get stronger, he looks to be a potential weekend starting pitcher." - head coach Ben Orloff
Emmett Kopp | RHP - "Emmett is a late bloomer that continues to improve at a rapid rate. He is a physical presence and a good athlete with huge upside. He has been into the low 90s with a good slider and change. Emmett's strike throwing ability is impressive. We can't wait to see how he does this year in the Trinity League and look forward to seeing him grow on our campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Ryan Lopetegui | OF - "Ryan is a local South Bay guy that is coming back home. He hit in the middle of the lineup for a good SEMO team last year. Ryan hit 7 home runs, drove in 45 runs, and stole 13 bases. We hope Ryan is a guy that can help solidify the middle of the lineup." - head coach Ben Orloff
Braden Oliver | INF - "Braden is a physical shortstop. He has been a performer his entire career at Agoura. Braden has advanced bat-to-ball skills and strike zone recognition. He profiles defensively as a true shortstop that can stay at the position." - head coach Ben Orloff
Thomas Padilla | RHP - "Thomas had a great summer between Area Codes, scout ball, and Jupiter. He has a competitive level every time he takes the ball that is special. Thomas has been up to 93mph and has a present plus change up. He will make an instant impact when he shows up on campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Rocky Palacio | RHP - "Rocky had a good year as a starting pitcher at Cypress College. He went 8-1 in the Orange Empire Conference. Rocky is in the low 90s with a good slider. His experience is going to help us immediately." - head coach Ben Orloff
Nathaniel Pimentel | LHP - "Nate is a guy that we can't wait to see on campus. He's an exciting LHP with a fastball that's been as high as 96mph. Nate is going to have a huge impact this year and going forward with us. He is very driven and has a huge ceiling." - head coach Ben Orloff
Kassius Thomas | RHP - "Kassius Thomas comes to us after leading Stanford in appearances on the mound last year. He has been up to 96 with a plus cutter. He is able to induce ground balls at a very high level. It is great to add another experienced arm to contribute right now. Kassius' makeup makes everyone around him better." - head coach Ben Orloff
Jaden Valenzuela | OF - "Jaden is coming off a very productive summer and was one of the first commits in this class. He sees the ball well on offense and has a knack for hitting the ball on the barrel to all fields. He profiles as a top-of-the-lineup bat that can play all three outfield positions." - head coach Ben Orloff
Reece Van Alen | RHP - "Reece established himself as a starting pitcher at Reedley in his first year in college. He threw 80 innings this past year and struck out over a hitter an inning. As Reece continues to mature physically, he's going to see all his stuff tick up." - head coach Ben Orloff
Tyler Wood | RHP - "Tyler is a very experienced RHP that is familiar with our conference. Tyler always gave us problems when we faced him with some of our good offenses. Tyler can be in the low 90s with a plus slider. He will make an instant impact for us." - head coach Ben Orloff
| Student-Athlete | Ht / Wt | B/T | Position | Hometown | School(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Bandel | 6-0 / 185 | R/R | C | Temecula, Calif. | Temecula Valley HS |
| Jack Champlin | 6-1 / 160 | R/R | RHP/INF | Long Beach, Calif. | St. John Bosco HS |
| Kaleb Derosier | 6-4 / 195 | R/R | INF | Pasadena, Calif. | Maranatha HS |
| Troy Khasaempanth | 6-0 / 160 | L/L | LHP | Corona, Calif. | Santiago HS |
| Emmett Kopp | 6-7 / 210 | R/R | RHP | San Clemente, Calif. | JSerra Catholic HS |
| Ryan Lopetegui | 6-2 / 185 | R/R | OF | Redondo Beach, Calif. | Redondo Union HS - L.A. Harbor College - Long Beach City College - SEMO |
| Braden Oliver | 6-3 / 185 | R/R | INF | Westlake Village, Calif. | Agoura HS |
| Thomas Padilla | 6-2 / 175 | R/R | RHP | Corona, Calif. | Santiago HS |
| Rocky Palacio | 6-2 / 195 | R/R | RHP | Irvine, Calif. | Portola HS - Cypress College |
| Nathaniel Pimentel | 6-1 / 184 | L/L | LHP | Alta Loma, Calif. | Alta Loma HS - Cal State Bakersfield |
| Kassius Thomas | 6-2 / 207 | R/R | RHP | Los Angeles, Calif. | Sierra Canyon HS - Duke - Stanford |
| Jaden Valenzuela | 6-2 / 185 | L/L | OF | Chino Hills, Calif. | Ayala HS |
| Reece Van Alen | 6-0 / 150 | R/R | RHP | Fresno, Calif. | Clovis West HS - Reedley College |
| Tyler Wood | 6-3 / 190 | R/R | RHP | Danville, Calif. | De La Salle HS - UC Davis |
Will Bandel | C - "Will is a proven winner at every stop he's had. He has potentially the most well-rounded game for a catcher in his class. Will has all of the defensive skills you look for in a catcher. He is getting to more game power at the plate, and he continues to improve." - head coach Ben Orloff
Jack Champlin | RHP/INF - "Jack is the definition of baseball player and winner. He has good infield actions and strength has improved his offensive game. Jack has separated himself on the mound as maybe the best high school reliever last year. He recorded a win or save in every post season win St John Bosco had last year. He can reach 91mph with a plus SL and CH. Jack will make an instant impact next year." - head coach Ben Orloff
Kaleb Derosier | INF - "Kaleb is a physical kid that is just scratching the surface on how good he is going to be. He is a threat to hit an extra-base hit every time he comes to the plate. He offers a lot of potential defensive versatility and addresses the need for real right-handed power in the lineup." - head coach Ben Orloff
Troy Khasaempanth | LHP - "Troy is an athletic left-handed pitcher with a loose arm. He has been up to 90mph and has a feel for two off speed pitches. As Troy continues to get stronger, he looks to be a potential weekend starting pitcher." - head coach Ben Orloff
Emmett Kopp | RHP - "Emmett is a late bloomer that continues to improve at a rapid rate. He is a physical presence and a good athlete with huge upside. He has been into the low 90s with a good slider and change. Emmett's strike throwing ability is impressive. We can't wait to see how he does this year in the Trinity League and look forward to seeing him grow on our campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Ryan Lopetegui | OF - "Ryan is a local South Bay guy that is coming back home. He hit in the middle of the lineup for a good SEMO team last year. Ryan hit 7 home runs, drove in 45 runs, and stole 13 bases. We hope Ryan is a guy that can help solidify the middle of the lineup." - head coach Ben Orloff
Braden Oliver | INF - "Braden is a physical shortstop. He has been a performer his entire career at Agoura. Braden has advanced bat-to-ball skills and strike zone recognition. He profiles defensively as a true shortstop that can stay at the position." - head coach Ben Orloff
Thomas Padilla | RHP - "Thomas had a great summer between Area Codes, scout ball, and Jupiter. He has a competitive level every time he takes the ball that is special. Thomas has been up to 93mph and has a present plus change up. He will make an instant impact when he shows up on campus." - head coach Ben Orloff
Rocky Palacio | RHP - "Rocky had a good year as a starting pitcher at Cypress College. He went 8-1 in the Orange Empire Conference. Rocky is in the low 90s with a good slider. His experience is going to help us immediately." - head coach Ben Orloff
Nathaniel Pimentel | LHP - "Nate is a guy that we can't wait to see on campus. He's an exciting LHP with a fastball that's been as high as 96mph. Nate is going to have a huge impact this year and going forward with us. He is very driven and has a huge ceiling." - head coach Ben Orloff
Kassius Thomas | RHP - "Kassius Thomas comes to us after leading Stanford in appearances on the mound last year. He has been up to 96 with a plus cutter. He is able to induce ground balls at a very high level. It is great to add another experienced arm to contribute right now. Kassius' makeup makes everyone around him better." - head coach Ben Orloff
Jaden Valenzuela | OF - "Jaden is coming off a very productive summer and was one of the first commits in this class. He sees the ball well on offense and has a knack for hitting the ball on the barrel to all fields. He profiles as a top-of-the-lineup bat that can play all three outfield positions." - head coach Ben Orloff
Reece Van Alen | RHP - "Reece established himself as a starting pitcher at Reedley in his first year in college. He threw 80 innings this past year and struck out over a hitter an inning. As Reece continues to mature physically, he's going to see all his stuff tick up." - head coach Ben Orloff
Tyler Wood | RHP - "Tyler is a very experienced RHP that is familiar with our conference. Tyler always gave us problems when we faced him with some of our good offenses. Tyler can be in the low 90s with a plus slider. He will make an instant impact for us." - head coach Ben Orloff
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