Courtesy of GoXavier.com
CINCINNATI – Head coach Scott Googins and Xavier baseball announced the addition of eight new recruits on Thursday, adding a talented group to the 2018 roster during the early signing period.
THE SIGNING CLASS
Ryan Altenberger – IF – Morton, Ill. (Morton HS)
Matt Givin – IF – Castle Pines, Colo. (Rock Canyon HS)
Allbry Major – OF – Indianapolis, Ind. (North Central HS)
Evan Miller – RHP – Harrison, Ohio (Harrison HS)
Nick Nelson – RHP – Maysville, Ky. (Mason County HS)
Trevor Olson – LHP – Chippewa Falls, Wisc. (Chippewa Falls HS)
Jared Solomon – RHP – Millville, Pa. (Millville HS/Lackawanna College)
Nick Zwack – LHP – Monticello, Minn. (Monticello HS)
Evan Miller – RHP – Harrison, Ohio (Harrison HS)
• A 6-foot-1 right-hander with a plus fastball, capable of throwing in the low 90’s.
• Helped Harrison to a 21-8 record in 2016, winning nine games with a 0.84 ERA and striking out 63 in 58 innings.
• Sister, Katelyn, was a dancer at UK and brother, Austin, plays baseball at D-III Wisconsin-Superior.
Coach Googins on Evan Miller:
“We had a chance to see Evan as much as anyone during the recruiting process. My take away from those outings is how well he can compete with his fastball. He has a big arm, but also shows great touch when he takes some off of his fastball.”
Nick Nelson – Pitcher – Maysville, Ky. (Mason County HS)
• A 6-foot-2 righty, Nelson throws a five-pitch mix, including a four and two-seam fastball to go with a cutter, curve and change-up.
• Posted a 6-2 record and a 1.65 ERA with an impressive 106 strikeouts in just 57.2 innings as a junior.
• Picked up 2016 KHSAA All-State Honorable Mention honors.
• Plans to major in pre-medicine.
Coach Googins on Nelson:
“Nick has the best breaking ball I saw this summer, possibly even in a few summers. He has a good fastball to go with it, along with a good idea how to use both. His ability and demeanor should allow for him to make a smooth transition as he moves up to the next level.”
Trevor Olson – Chippewa Falls, Wisc. (Chippewa Falls HS)
• A projectable lefty at 6-foot-6, Olson features a fastball that touches 88 MPH and a sharp curve.
• Named First Team All-Big Rivers as a junior.
• Finished the season with a 5-2 record and a 1.18 ERA to go with 69 strikeouts in 41.1 innings pitched.
Coach Googins on Olson:
“Trevor is a big left-handed arm out of Wisconsin. He competes at a very high level in the summer on one of the best summer teams in the country and then shifts gears to basketball during the winter months. With his size and athleticism, the ceiling is very high for Trevor over the next few years.”
Jared Solomon – Pitcher – Millville, Pa. (Millville HS)
• A 6-foot-1 right-handed pitcher, Solomon comes to Xavier via Lackawanna College (PA). He was one of eight players on his team to sign NLI’s to attend either a D-I or D-II program.
• Also has one season of collegiate experience at D-II Alderson Broaddus University, where he went 2-2 and held opponents to a .213 batting average.
• Compiled a 2.93 ERA in three varsity seasons, striking out 155 batters in 110 innings. Had a superb junior season, posting a 1.50 ERA in 42 innings. Also hit .371 over his high school career.
• Four-year varsity letterwinner in both basketball and baseball at Millville HS.
Coach Googins on Solomon:
“Jared has some of the best “stuff” in this class. He is a special kid that knows how to work on and off the field and is extremely motivated. He has a chance to pitch against great competition this spring and summer before getting on campus. I am excited we have the opportunity to help him grow the remainder of his college career.”
Nick Zwack – Pitcher – Monticello, Minn. (Monticello HS)
• A 6-foot-3 lefty with a projectable frame and ability to touch 88 MPH, also featuring a 12/6 curve..
• Recorded a 1.62 ERA in 52 regular season innings during the 2016 season, striking out 78 and allowing just 34 hits.
• A team captain for baseball, Zwack also plays hockey and is the starting quarterback for the Monticello football team.
• Earned Academic All-State honors in three sports.
Coach Googins on Zwack:
“Nick is very athletic and has a great frame. On the mound, he creates a tough downward angle with a good fastball. His best quality, though, is how tough he is. He loves to compete. Some of that comes from his three-sport background, which includes football in the fall and hockey in the winter. I love where he is at now and I expect his growth to take off when we channel that competitiveness full-time into baseball.”
Allbry Major – Outfielder – Indianapolis, Ind. (North Central HS)
• 6-foot-5, switch-hitting outfielder known for his athleticism.
• Posted top outfield velocity (91 MPH) at the Perfect Game Fall Academic Showcase in 2016 and was also one of the fastest participants in the 60-yard dash (6.75).
• Named All-Marion County and led North Central to Marion County Championship in 2016.
• Earned Academic All-Conference honors in each of the last three years.
• Father, Kendrick, ran track at Indiana State University.
Coach Googins on Major:
“Allbry is an extremely talented athlete that is only going to keep getting better as he grows into his body. He shows plenty of bat speed now, and as he adds strength he is going to be a legitimate power threat from both sides of the plate. His athleticism and reads on the ball will allow him to be a difference-maker on defense as well.”
Ryan Altenberger – Infielder – Morton, Ill. (Morton HS)
• Altenberger hit .406 in 2015 and .388 in 2016, recording a .980 or better fielding percentage at the shortstop position in both seasons.
• Also has a 9-1 record as a pitcher over the last two seasons.
• Listed as one of the top-30 players in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report.
• Helped Morton HS team set a school record with 30 wins in 2015 in addition to capturing a conference title in 2016.
• An honor roll student, Altenberger also does fundraising for the Central Illinois Children’s Hospital.
• Father, Peter, was a baseball player at Purdue University and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Coach Googins on Altenberger:
“Ryan is the spark-plug type player that sets the tone for the team with how hard he plays the game. He has an advanced approach at the plate and more pop in his bat than his size would lead you to believe. Defensively, his skill set will allow him to be a strong defender at all three infield spots.”
Matt Givin – Shortstop – Castle Pines, Colo. (Rock Canyon HS)
• A three-year varsity baseball player at Rock Canyon, Givin hit .383 as a sophomore and .321 as a junior.
• A shortstop and pitcher with a 6-foot-2 frame, Givin will join his brother, Chris, as an infielder on the team. The two could potentially form a double-play combo in coming seasons, as Chris will begin his junior season when Matt arrives on campus.
• Helped Rock Canyon win the Colorado State 5A Championship as a sophomore.
• Named a 2016 Under Armour Preseason All-American and played in the prestigious Arizona Junior Fall Classic last season.
• Has served as class president at Rock Canyon HS and was named Academic All-State.
• Givin’s mother, Jean, played college basketball at Plymouth State.
Coach Googins on Givin:
“Matt is one of the more polished players that we’ve had the chance to bring into the program. It’s evident in the way he plays just how much he loves watching and playing baseball. Offensively, he can spray the ball to all fields with the ability to drive the gaps. In the field, his range and arm strength will allow him to stay at shortstop at the next level.”
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