UCLA Baseball Signs 14 Players to National Letters of Intent
The UCLA Baseball team has officially signed 14 players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. The 2015 class includes six pitchers, four outfielders, two catchers and two infielders.
All 14 players hail from the state of California, including five players who competed for the United States 18U National Team which won the gold medal at the COPABE Pan American Championship in September. Six of the 14 players are ranked in the Baseball America 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects and 12 players have earned Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American honors.
“We feel this class is very complete and is full of players that can immediately impact our program,” said UCLA Head Coach John Savage. “We are looking forward to having these guys join the program.”
The Bruins recruiting class includes left-handed pitchers Kolby Allard (San Clemente HS) and Justin Hooper (De La Salle HS), right-handed pitchers Brian Gadsby (Crescenta Valley HS), Peter Lambert (San Dimas HS), Kyle Molnar (Aliso Niguel HS) and Jonathan Olsen (Damien HS), catchers Michael Benson (Rancho Buena Vista HS) and Lucas Herbert (San Clemente HS), infielders Jake Hirabayashi (Notre Dame HS) and Tyler Nevin (Poway HS) and outfielders Daniel Amaral (Huntington Beach HS), Jordan Myrow (Notre Dame HS), Jake Pries (Junipero Serra HS) and Dayton Provost (Hart HS).
UCLA Baseball 2015 NLI Signees
| Name | Pos. | B/T | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | Previous School |
| Kolby Allard | LHP | L/L | 6-2 | 175 | San Clemente, Calif. | San Clemente HS |
| Daniel Amaral | OF | R/R | 5-11 | 170 | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Huntington Beach HS |
| Michael Benson | C | R/R | 6-0 | 185 | Vista, Calif. | Rancho Buena Vista HS |
| Brian Gadsby | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 170 | La Crescenta, Calif. | Crescenta Valley HS |
| Lucas Herbert | C | R/R | 6-1 | 195 | San Clemente, Calif. | San Clemente HS |
| Jake Hirabayashi | INF | R/R | 6-0 | 180 | Valley Village, Calif. | Notre Dame HS |
| Justin Hooper | LHP | R/L | 6-7 | 230 | San Ramon, Calif. | De La Salle HS |
| Peter Lambert | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 185 | San Dimas, Calif. | San Dimas HS |
| Kyle Molnar | RHP | R/R | 6-3 | 205 | Aliso Viejo, Calif. | Aliso Niguel HS |
| Jordan Myrow | OF | R/R | 5-11 | 188 | Sherman Oaks, Calif. | Notre Dame HS |
| Tyler Nevin | INF | R/R | 6-3 | 200 | Poway, Calif. | Poway HS |
| Jonathan Olsen | RHP | R/R | 6-3 | 185 | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. | Damien HS |
| Jake Pries | OF | R/R | 6-4 | 195 | San Juan Capistrano, Calif. | Junipero Serra HS |
| Dayton Provost | OF | L/R | 6-3 | 195 | Newhall, Calif. | Hart HS |
Kolby Allard
San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS)
LHP – 6-2, 175 – L/L
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at San Clemente High School (San Clemente, Calif.) under head coach David Gellatly … ranked No. 8 on Baseball America’s Top 50 Prospects for the 2015 MLB Draft … ranked No. 4 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects for 2015 … ranked No. 2 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the 18U COPABE Pan American Championship, leading the team to the gold medal … struck out seven of 11 batters faced in the COPABE Pan American Championship finals game win over Cuba … named Most Valuable Player at the 2014 Perfect Game All-American Classic … struck out all three batters faced in his lone inning of work … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … 2013 and 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Honorable Mention … named to the 2014 All-CIF Southern Section Division II First Team … as a junior at San Clemente HS, posted a 6-2 record with a 1.32 ERA in 13 appearances (seven starts), leading his team to the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … totaled 98 strikeouts and held opposing batters to a .180 average in his 63.2 innings … as a sophomore, posted a 5-1 record with a 1.43 ERA in 10 appearances … tallied 35 strikeouts in 54 innings.
Head Coach John Savage: “Kolby is one of the top left-handed pitchers in the country; he is very advanced. Kolby can throw four pitches for strikes and is clearly a guy that can pitch at the top of the rotation. He looked like the best pitcher in the country at the end of the summer.”
Daniel Amaral
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Huntington Beach HS)
OF – 5-11, 170 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach, Calif.) under head coach Benji Medure … played for the Kansas City Royals at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Honorable Mention … as a junior at Huntington Beach HS, batted .406 with one homerun, six doubles, 15 RBIs and 15 runs in 25 games, leading his team to the second round of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … stole 10 bases and posted a .529 on base percentage … father Rich and brother Beau played baseball and sister Jessica currently plays softball at UCLA.
Head Coach John Savage: “Daniel is a very athletic outfielder who can run and hit to all fields. Daniel will follow in the footsteps of his father Rich and his brother Beau, all great Bruins. Daniel is a strong right handed hitter. He plays for one of the best high school coaches in Southern California in Coach Medure.”
Michael Benson
Vista, Calif. (Rancho Buena Vista HS)
C – 6-0, 185 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Rancho Buena Vista High School (Vista, Calif.) under head coach Sheldon Watkins … ranked No. 82 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Sunshine West Showcase … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass Third Team All-American … as a junior, hit .372 with one homerun, six doubles, 15 RBIs and 15 runs in 31 games, while leading his team to the CIF San Diego Section playoffs … as a sophomore, hit .274 with two homeruns, one double, one triple, 16 RBIs and six runs in 34 games … threw out 12 of 12 attempted base stealers from behind the plate.
Head Coach John Savage: “Michael has a rare combination of being offensive and also being one of the best catchers in the country. Michael has a very strong and accurate arm.”
Brian Gadsby
La Crescenta, Calif. (Crescenta Valley HS)
RHP – 6-2, 170 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta, Calif.) under head coach Phil Torres … named to the 2014 All-CIF Southern Section First Team … named 2014 Glendale News-Press All-Area Player of the Year … named 2014 Pacific League Co-Player of the Year … as a junior at Crescenta Valley HS, posted a 9-2 record with a 0.82 ERA in 18 appearances, leading his team to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division II Playoffs … tallied 104 strikeouts, two saves and held opponents to a .162 batting average in 93.1 innings … as a sophomore, posted a 7-6 record with a 1.96 ERA in 17 appearances while earning All-Area and All-Pacific League First Team honors … totaled 68 strikeouts in 75 innings.
Head Coach John Savage: “Brian is a tremendous competitor that attacks you with many different arm angles. He is a versatile right handed pitcher that can pitch in many roles. Being a quarterback, Brian possesses strong leadership skills.”
Lucas Herbert
San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente HS)
C – 6-1, 195 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at San Clemente High School (San Clemente, Calif.) under head coach David Gellatly … ranked No. 58 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the 18U COPABE Pan American Championship, leading the team to the gold medal … threw out the only player to attempt to steal a base in the championship … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … 2013 and 2014 Perfect Game USA First Team Underclass All-American … as a junior at San Clemente HS, hit .284 with two homeruns, 11 doubles, 16 RBIs and 24 runs in 33 games, leading his team to the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … stole five bases and accumulated an on base percentage of .400 … as a sophomore, batted .280 with three homeruns, two doubles, 11 RBIs and 12 runs in 25 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Lucas is one of the most offensive catchers the country; he has power to all fields. He can really catch and throw and will be an immediate impact player at UCLA. Lucas will be catching Kolby which will be fun to watch this spring.”
Jake Hirabayashi
Valley Village, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
INF – 6-0, 180 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) under head coach Tom Dill … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American High Honorable Mention and 2013 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Third Team … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Games … as a junior at Notre Dame HS, hit .300 with five doubles, three RBIs and 17 runs in 26 games … totaled 14 stolen bases and posted a .411 on base percentage … as a sophomore, batted .289 with two homeruns, five doubles, 13 RBIs and 23 runs in 28 games … stole 10 bases and recorded a .423 on base percentage … as a freshman, hit .340 with three doubles, nine RBIs and seven runs in 19 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jake is a guy that has hit his entire high school career. He is a very versatile player that can play all over the infield. Jake is a guy that flew under the radar but we believe is a solid Pac-12 hitter.”
Justin Hooper
San Ramon, Calif. (De La Salle HS)
LHP – 6-7, 230 – R/L
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at De La Salle High School (Concord, Calif.) under head coach David Jeans … ranked No. 7 on Baseball America’s Top 50 Prospects for the 2015 MLB Draft … ranked No. 3 on Perfect Game USA’s list of Top 500 High School prospects for 2015 … ranked No. 3 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects named to the 2014 … named to Perfect Game All-American Classic West Team … retired the side in order in his one inning of work … 2014 Under-Armour All-American … played for the Oakland Athletics at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Sunshine West Showcase … participated in the U.S. 18U National Team Trials … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Second Team … as a junior, posted a 6-3 record with a 2.04 ERA in 11 appearances (11 starts), leading his team to the CIF North Coast Section Championship … tallied 58 strikeouts and held opponents to a .128 batting average in 44.2 innings … as a sophomore, recorded a 3-1 record with a 1.53 ERA in 11 appearances … accumulated 41 strikeouts and held opponents to a .168 batting average in 36.2 innings … as a freshman, pitched 0.2 innings, recording one strikeout.
Head Coach John Savage: “Justin is a big strong projectable left handed pitcher with a good arm. He comes from a very athletic family and we look forward to being a part of his development over the next 3 years at UCLA.”
Peter Lambert
San Dimas, Calif. (San Dimas HS)
RHP – 6-2, 185 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at San Dimas High School (San Dimas, Calif.) under head coach Mike Regan … ranked No. 59 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the 18U COPABE Pan American Championship, leading the team to the gold medal … started the first game for the U.S. against Argentina and struck out seven in five scoreless innings … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 All-CIF Southern Section Division IV First Team … named to the 2014 All-Inland Valley Team … as a junior, posted an 11-2 record with a 0.59 ERA in 14 appearances (13 starts), leading his team to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division IV playoffs … recorded 102 strikeouts in 83 innings, while also hitting .342 with 23 RBIs and 21 runs at the plate … as a sophomore, hit .383 with four doubles, 17 RBIs and 18 runs in 31 games … recorded an on base percentage of .442 and drew 11 walks … as a freshman, batted .312 with five RBIs and three runs in 10 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Peter is high pitch ability guy that has three above average pitches. He really came on this summer and had a big impact on Team USA. Peter has command of both sides of the plate with the fastball and two solid secondary pitches.”
Kyle Molnar
Aliso Viejo, Calif. (Aliso Niguel HS)
RHP – 6-3, 205 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Aliso Niguel High School (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) under head coach Craig Hanson … ranked No. 47 on Baseball America’s Top 50 Prospects for the 2015 MLB Draft … ranked No. 23 on Baseball America’s 2015 Top 100 High School Prospects … competed for the U.S. 18U National Team at the 18U COPABE Pan American Championship, leading the team to the gold medal … threw back-to-back one-hitters against Panama and Mexico, combining to throw a team-high 13 innings, while striking out 11 … named to Perfect Game All-American Classic West Team … retired the side in order in his one inning of work … 2014 Under Armour All-American … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2013 and 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … named to the All-Tournament Team at the 17U Perfect Game USA World Series … 2013 and 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Second Team … named to the 2014 All-CIF Southern Section Division II First Team … as a junior, recorded a 10-2 record with a 1.81 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts), while leading his team to the finals of the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … posted 81 strikeouts in 81 innings, while also hitting .320 with three homeruns, seven doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and 24 runs in 33 games at the plate … as a sophomore, recorded an 8-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts) … totaled 62 strikeouts in 77.2 innings, while also hitting .348 with three homeruns, nine doubles, one triple, 19 RBIs and 20 runs in 32 games at the plate … as a freshman, appeared in 16 games (12 starts), posting a record of 5-3 with a 1.44 ERA … racked up 27 strikeouts in 53.1 innings, and hit .288 with three doubles, nine RBIs and seven runs in 29 games at the plate.
Head Coach John Savage: “Kyle is a very talented projectable right handed pitcher who has a chance to be a major impact player in our program as a freshman. He has a tremendous fastball with a very advanced change-up. We are looking forward to having a chance to work with Kyle and help him progress in his development.”
Jordan Myrow
Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
OF – 5-11, 188 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) under head coach Tom Dill … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2014 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass California Showcase … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Games … 2013 Perfect Game USA Underclass Second Team All-American … as a junior, hit .299 with two homeruns, five doubles, one triple, 10 RBIs and 18 runs in 27 games … stole six bases and recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jordan has tremendous tools for a young player and a guy that we feel will only get better. Both he and Jake [Hirabayashi] come from a very successful program at Notre Dame High School. We are looking forward to having Jordan as a Bruin.”
Tyler Nevin
Poway, Calif. (Poway HS)
INF – 6-3, 200 – R/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Poway High School (Poway, Calif.) under head coach Bob Parry … named to the 2014 California World Series All-Tournament Team … named 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American Honorable Mention … missed his junior season due to injury … as a sophomore, hit .336 with one homerun, five doubles, two triples, 26 RBIs and 18 runs in 31 games … recorded an on base percentage of .390 and a fielding percentage of .968 … as a freshman, hit one double, one triple and drove in three runs in 43 at bats … son of former Major League Baseball player Phil Nevin.
Head Coach John Savage: “Tyler is a very advanced right-handed hitter who has very good defensive skills. Tyler did not play his junior year due to injury and appears to be completely healthy. Tyler has a chance to be a player who can have a big impact with the bat as a freshman. He also has plus make up.”
Jonathan Olsen
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Damien HS)
RHP – 6-3, 185 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Damien High School (La Verne, Calif.) under head coach Al Leyva … 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass First Team All-American … played for the Milwaukee Brewers at the 2013 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. … named to the 2013 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA Underclass Showcase … named to the 2013 Perfect Game USA WWBA World Championships All-Tournament Team … 2013 Perfect Game USA Underclass Third Team All-American … as a junior, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.13 ERA in four appearances (three starts), while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division II playoffs … also hit .293 with three homeruns, four doubles, one triple, 22 RBIs and 18 runs in 27 games at the plate … as a sophomore, hit .360 with one homerun, seven doubles, 11 RBIs and 13 runs in 23 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jon is one of the most complete pitchers in this class. Very clean right handed pitcher who will be an immediate impact player at UCLA. Jon has a plus curve ball with a very good fastball. We are really looking forward to Jon joining the program.”
Jake Pries
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
OF – 6-4, 195 – R/R
Two-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Junipero Serra Catholic High School (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) under head coach Brett Kay … named 2013 and 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American High Honorable Mention … as a junior, hit .275 with two homeruns, one double, one triple and 20 runs, while leading his team to the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … posted a .353 on base percentage and a .727 OPS … son of former UCLA baseball player Jeff Pries.
Head Coach John Savage: “Jake is a strong right handed hitter that has power to all fields. Jake is very athletic and comes from a very good high school program in J Serra. He will be well schooled and prepared for our program.”
Dayton Provost
Newhall, Calif. (Hart HS)
OF – 6-3, 195 – L/R
Three-year varsity baseball letterwinner at Hart High School (Newhall, Calif.) under head coach Jim Ozella … named to the 2014 Rawlings Top Prospect team at the Perfect Game USA National Showcase … named 2014 Perfect Game USA Underclass All-American High Honorable Mention … as a junior, hit .318 with one homerun, seven doubles, two triples, 14 RBIs and 19 runs in 26 games, while leading his team to the CIF-SS Division I playoffs … converted 12 of 14 stolen base attempts and recorded an on base percentage of .367 … as a sophomore, batted .312 with two homeruns, one double, one triple, nine RBIs and 14 runs in 26 games … converted 13 of 16 stolen base attempts and totaled 52 assists in the field … as a freshman, hit .303 with four doubles, seven RBIs and 16 runs in 21 games.
Head Coach John Savage: “Dayton is a versatile player who can play the middle infield as well as the outfield. He has tools to be able to compete at UCLA right away. Dayton comes from a program at Hart High School that has provided our program with several great players. Trevor Bauer, Trevor Brown, Pat Valaika, Luke Persico and Nick Valaika all came from Hart.”