SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word baseball program had signed a large contingent of 13 players during last week's signing period.
"We are very happy with this class," said head coach
Danny Heep. "Every one of these guys fits a need in our program. It was our goal to find left-handed hitters in this class with five signing with us. This is a very athletic and versatile class that should be ready to compete for a Southland Conference championship in 2018. These kids show a lot of character on and off the field. We are anxious to get them on campus and get to work with them."
The group of players will join the program in the fall of 2016 and the Cardinals become eligible for postseason play in the spring of 2018.
UIW Signing Class- David Anaya, Infielder, Brownsville, TX (Veterans Memorial HS)
6-0, 185, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Leo Rodriguez
Ranked by Perfect Game as the #13 Infielder in Texas
Heep on Anaya… "David is as good of a baseball player as there is in Texas. He is very skilled on the left side of the infield with a pure swing. Eventually he will be a power threat in the middle of the line up as his body develops."
- Sean Arnold, Catcher, Bryan, TX (Rudder HS)
6-0, 175, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Matt Harbin
Heep on Arnold… "Sean is a very athletic catcher. He is a plus runner that can play in the outfield too. We look for him to add a level of athleticism to our team that is unprecedented for a catcher. Depending on how he develops offensively, he will be a guy that can fill multiple roles in our lineup."
- Kyle Bergeron, Infielder, Bridge City, TX (Bridge City HS)
6-3, 185, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Chad Landry
Ranked by Perfect Game as a Top 500 player in the nation and the #15 middle infielder
Heep on Bergeron… "Kyle is a long, lanky, athletic middle infielder that can play multiple positions. He is a long lever guy that possesses power potential at the plate. Once his body fills out, he will be a middle of the lineup hitter for us. He is a really good baseball player."
- Nico Garza, Infielder-Pitcher, Lubbock, TX (Coronado HS)
6-2, 175, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Gary Hix
Ranked by Perfect Game as the #416 middle infielder in the nation and #30 in Texas
Heep on Garza… "Nico is a truly gifted athlete that can play multiple positions. He can do more things as a baseball player than anybody we've ever had here at UIW. We don't know where he will play yet, but we do know he will have an impact at multiple positions. He will be a power threat at the plate as he can hit the ball as far to right field as he can to the pull side. He will also be a factor on the mound for us, as he has been clocked up to 91 MPH."
- Kyler Genenbacher, Outfielder-First Base, Wolforth, TX (Frenship HS)
6-1, 190, Throws left, Bats left, Head Coach Chad Reynolds
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation
Heep on Genenbacher… "Kyler is exactly what we needed for this class. We needed a left handed hitting middle of the lineup guy. We will look at him in leftfield and rightfield as well as first base. He is a really skilled hitter and already has the power that plays at this level. As he develops, he has a chance to be a really special hitter."
- Anthony Gomez, Pitcher, Robstown, TX (Banquete HS)
5-9, 165, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Rusty Miller
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation and #79 pitcher in Texas
Heep on Gomez… "Anthony is a smaller guy with a big arm. He will pitch in the 88-92 MPH range and has a very quick arm. He comes from a well-coached high school program and will compete for innings as soon as he gets on campus."
- Garett Gonzales, Infielder, San Antonio, TX (Madison HS)
6-0, 170, Throws right, Bats left, Head Coach Chad Wehe
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation and #226 middle infielder
Heep on Gonzales… "Garrett is a perfect fit for us as a left hand hitting infielder that will be able to play any position. He is a good hitter and his power will continue to develop as he gets more physically mature in the next couple of years. He will be one of those guys that can do it all at the plate."
- Lukas Polanco, Catcher, North Richland Hills, TX (Richland HS)
6-3, 185, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Chuck Wells
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation and #28 catcher in Texas
Heep on Polanco… "Lukas is a very skilled catcher that is ready to play at this level right now. He has great range behind the plate and throws the ball very well. He has some strength and bat speed at the plate. He will develop into a good hitter and will be able to drive in runs hitting somewhere in the middle of our lineup."
- Anthony Ramirez, Outfielder, Fort Worth, TX (Boswell HS)
6-1, 180, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Steve Foster
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation and #44 outfielder in Texas
Heep on Ramirez… "Athlete, athlete, athlete! He comes from a great baseball family that we have a lot of respect for. He is our future centerfielder if everything pans out like it should. He needs to develop at the plate, but once he does, his upside has no limits.
- Luke Taggart, Pitcher, Portland, TX (Gregory-Portland HS)
6-3, 200, Throws right, Bats right, Head Coach Kehr Schulz
Ranked by Perfect Game as the #94 pitcher in Texas
Heep on Taggart… "Luke is a tall projectable right-handed pitcher that we feel like will develop into a power arm. He is up to 88-89 MPH at times and will be more consistent as he gets stronger and starts pitching full time."
- Lee Thomas, First Base, Katy, TX (Cinco Ranch HS)
6-2, 215, Throws left, Bats left, Head Coach Paul Plattsmier
Heep on Thomas… "Lee is a big, strong left-handed hitting first baseman. Again, he is a great fit for our program as a potential middle of the lineup hitter. He is a very skilled hitter and has power to all fields. As he makes the adjustments to the speed of the game at this level, he has a chance to be very prolific."
- Tanner White, Infielder, Cypress, TX (Cypress-Fairbanks HS)
5-10, 175, Throws right, Bats left, Head Coach Paul Orlando
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation and #32 infielder in Texas
Heep on White… "Tanner is another great fit for us. As a left hand hitting middle infielder, he will give us options. We expect him to come in and compete for a starting job as a freshman. He is a top of the lineup type hitter and adds depth of our team."
- C.J. Zepada, Catcher, Sinton, TX (Sinton HS)
6-0, 190, Throws right, Bats left, Head Coach Adrian Alaniz
Ranked by Perfect Game as a top 1000 player in the nation and #29 catcher in Texas
Heep on Zepeda… "C.J. is a left-handed hitting catcher that will be ready to contribute offensively as a freshman. Behind the plate he has good hands and good feet. He will bring us balance offensively as a catcher that will allow us to have another left-handed hitter in the lineup when needed."
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