Baseball Signs 13 Newcomers For 2020
Brian Tom
11/20/2019
SEATTLE – Thirteen student-athletes signed letters of intent to play baseball for the University of Washington last week during the NCAA Early Signing Period. The recruiting class is comprised of six student athletes from Washington, five from California and one each from Oregon and Utah.
In the Huskies’ versatile class there are five pitchers, five infielders, two outfielders and a catcher. In addition, there are a couple of athletes in the class that expect to be two-way players.
The strength of the 2020 signing class is exemplified by eight players who competed at the prestigious 2019 Area Code Games. The Huskies had more representatives in those games than any other university.
“Congratulations to both Coach (Elliott) Cribby and Coach (Ronnie) Prettyman for what I believe to be one of the most talented and most balanced classes we’ve had in years,” Head Coach Lindsay Meggs said. “Off the field, this entire group has been great in the classroom and they’re all great people from great families. And between the lines, well this is the kind of group that can get us back to Omaha. My hat is off to Elliott, Ronnie, Dave (Nakama) and Joe (Meggs). Our entire staff should be proud of this group.”
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Carson Blatnick
Position: Catcher
Bats/Throws: L/R
Ht: 5-11
Wt: 170
Hometown/High School: Roseville, Calif./Oakmont
Notes: Helped Oakmont to their first Division 2 CIF San Joaquin Section championship in 18 years … has been First Team All-Metro twice, second team once and was Defensive Player of the Year … First Team All-Sacramento Bee.
Why Carson chose Washington: UW is one of the top academic universities with a beautiful campus, as well as a great athletic reputation with a storied baseball program along with a great coaching staff.
Coach Meggs on Blatnick: We believe we’ve found another potential All-Pac-12 catcher in Carson Blatnick. It’s not just the catching and throwing that get your attention with Carson, it’s his ability to steal low strikes and block that make him special. When you combine that with a left-handed bat that belongs in the middle of the batting order, well then you have a guy that can play this position at a pretty high level.I have no doubt that Carson has a chance to be the next great Husky catcher.
Michael Brown
Position: Infielder
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-5
Weight: 240
Hometown/High School: Vacaville, Calif./Vacaville
Notes: Ranked 39th overall in Perfect Game’s overall rankings after outstanding showings at PG Underclass All-American Games in 2018 and 2019 … represented the Athletics at the 2019 Area Code Games … 2018 and 2019 Monticello Empire All-League.
Why Michael loves baseball: It’s the greatest game in the world. Baseball has brought me many lifelong memories and friendships.
Coach Meggs on Brown: Michael Brown is the prototypical left-handed power bat that every coach would like to pencil in the middle of the lineup. But it’s not simply Michael’s power and RBI potential that gets your attention, it’s his feel for hitting. Michael uses the entire field. He can hit with two strikes and has an advanced feel for separating balls from strikes. When you combine all the above with the fact that he plays hard and is an above average first baseman, this guy is the real deal.
Kelly Corl
Position: Infielder
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
Hometown/High School: Seattle, Wash./O’Dea
Notes: First Team Washington 3A All-State and First Team All-Metro … Seattle Stars Player of the Year … holds the record for most triples at O’Dea … ranked 10th in Baseball Northwest’s list of prospects from Washington, No. 11 by Prep Baseball Report … represented the Royals at the 2019 Area Code Games.
Why Kelly loves baseball: I love baseball because it has always been my outlet and I get to play my heart out every time I’m on the field. Baseball has continued to be the thing that always makes me happy and makes things better. I have learned and grown so much from playing this sport.
Coach Meggs on Corl: Kelly Corl is a throwback; he’s a baseball player. He’s the guy you want up with the game on the line, and he’s going to make the big plays that get you off the field. We believe that it’s not just the players that get you to Omaha, it’s the people as well. And Kelly has a toughness about him that’s contagious, he makes everyone around him better. I expect Kelly to come in and compete immediately for AB’s at both second base and third base. This guy is a gamer.
Emilio Corona
Position: Outfielder
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 195
Hometown/High School: San Luis Obispo, Calif./San Luis Obispo
Notes: Led league with six home runs in 2019 and earned second-team All-Conference honors … was first team All-Conference in 2018 … has thrown 37 touchdowns for the football team that is currently in the semifinals of the Central Section CIF Division 3 championships.
Why Emilio loves baseball: I love the connections you make with others from all over the country and world. It makes you get out of your comfort zone and talk to new people.
Coach Meggs on Corona: Emilio is a 6.6 runner who can play all three outfield spots and hit virtually anywhere in the batting order. And while Emilio may be the most athletic guy in this class, it’s his toughness that we appreciate. An accomplished high school quarterback, we were drawn to his confidence and his toughness. Emilio takes the extra base, does the little things we love on defense, and is the guy you want up with the game on the line. Emilio’s all about toughness, he’s a grinder.
Breck Eichelberger
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-4
Weight: 180
Hometown/Previous Schools: Irvins, Utah/Salt Lake CC/Snow Canyon HS
Notes: Named Scenic West Athletic Conference First Team All-League after leading Salt Lake CC with a 9-2 record in 13 starts, three complete games and a 2.70 ERA ... struck out 69 batters in 73 1/3 innings ... originally attended San Francisco after an all-league senior year at Snow Canyon HS.
Why Breck loves baseball: I love baseball because no matter how old you are, you always feel like a kid when you're on the field competing to win.
Coach Meggs on Brown: Breck is everything you’re looking for when it comes to experience and upside. With a fastball that touches 94 and plus secondary stuff, Breck projects as a weekend starter who can compete for Friday night innings. And with Breck’s ideal frame and long levers, we think there’s more in the tank. I can’t wait to get Breck on campus and get him and Coach Cribby together. Breck is going to be fun to watch.
Cole Fontenelle
Position: Infielder
Bats/Throws: B/R
Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Hometown/High School: Sammamish, Wash./Skyline
Notes: No. 2 ranked player in Washington by both Prep Baseball Report and Baseball Northwest … No. 467 overall rated player by Perfect Game … was Second Team All-League as a sophomore and junior… represented the Royals at the 2019 Area Code Games.
Why Cole loves baseball: It gives me an opportunity to compete head to head with an opponent and there is no greater feeling in the world than squaring a ball up perfectly.
Coach Meggs on Fontenelle: Cole is a 6-foot-3 switch-hitting infielder from Skyline High Sschool who we believe is the most accomplished hitter in his class in the state of Washington. With Cole’s ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark and drive in runs, I expect him to come in and compete for at bats immediately. And while Cole is certainly an offensive player, he has a chance to be a solid corner infielder as well. With all that said, we think Cole will be an impact guy the minute he gets here.
Brock Gillis
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-2
Weight: 205
Hometown/High School: Everett, Wash./Cascade
Notes: Second Team All-WesCo as a sophomore and junior … No. 15 ranked player from Washington according to Baseball Northwest and Prep Baseball Report … represented the Royals at the 2019 Area Code Games … brother, Brett, pitches for the Portland Pilots.
Why Brock chose Washington: I’ve always loved the Huskies because I grew up near Seattle and they’ve always shown great pride. Learning about their amazing baseball program and top-tier education persuaded me even more to want to go to Washington.
Coach Meggs on Gillis: Brock continues the trend of arms in this class with true projection. And along with having weekend stuff, both right-handed and left-handed hitters struggle with Brock’s arm angle. His fastball and his slider are especially tough on right-handed hitters, but even the left handers struggle with the arm slot. When you combine the feel for three pitches and the deception involved in Brock’s delivery, we think Brock can be effective as both a starter and out of the pen.
Tyson Guerrero
Position: Pitcher/Outfielder
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
Hometown/Previous Schools: Chehalis, Wash./Lower Columbia CC/Washington State/W.F. West
Notes: Played both ways for Washington State in 2019, going 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA in 19 pitching appearances and hitting .277 with 5 doubles, a triple and two home runs in 94 at bats … one of his homers came against the Huskies … will play at Lower Columbia CC in 2020.
Why Tyson loves baseball: I love baseball because it has taught me how to be a team player and helped me grow up into the person I am today.
Coach Meggs on Guerrero: Tyson has emerged as one of the best left-handed pitchers in the Northwest. He has a plus-plus fastball with great feel for the breaking ball. And with the ability to throw three pitches for strikes, we expect Tyson to compete for Friday night innings. Tyson is also a proven hitter with extra-base power who can play the outfield. He is a legitimate Pac-12 two-way guy who when he arrives on Montlake has a chance to help us win a Pac-12 Championship.
Nick Kresnak
Position: Infielder/Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-1
Weight: 195
Hometown/High School: Lafayette, Calif./Acalanes
Notes: Named Diablo Athletic League MVP after his junior season … PBR Baseball’s No. 379th ranked player overall, No. 54 in California …represented the Athletics at the 2019 Area Code Games … also named Second Team All-League in football as a junior.
Why Nick loves baseball: I love baseball because it has taught me how to be a team player and helped me grow up into the person I am today.
Coach Meggs on Kresnak: We were drawn to Nick immediately because of his ability to hit for average, drive in runs and play third base. However, as Nick’s high school career has evolved, he has also proven to be an impact guy on the mound. Nick’s earned run average was 1.09 last year, so now we’re talking about a potential two-way guy. With all that being said, Nick’s greatest quality is that he’s simply a winner. At the end of the day, Nick is going to find a way to beat you.
Dylan MacLean
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: L/L
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Hometown/High School: Portland, Ore./Central Catholic
Notes: Mt. Hood Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State in 2019 … No. 4 ranked player from Oregon according to Baseball Northwest … represented the Royals at the 2019 Area Code Games … played summer ball for the Corvallis Knights.
Why Dylan loves baseball: I love to compete and also love the relationships that are built between teammates.
Coach Meggs on MacLean: Dylan MacLean will arrive on Montlake as possibly our most accomplished pitcher in this class.He has the prototypical body that we are all looking for, and with his work ethic we know that his best day are still ahead of him. Dylan proved to be a great competitor last year as he led the state of Oregon in strikeouts. And with his high spinning fastball and a great feel for his curveball and change, Dylan will compete for weekend innings as soon as he gets on campus.
Reilly McAdams
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-5
Weight: 190
Hometown/High School: Seattle, Wash./Ingraham
Notes: Led the Seattle Metro League with a 0.81 ERA in 2019 and was First Team All-Seattle Metro … No. 3 ranked player in Washington according to Prep Baseball Report and No. 6 according to Baseball Northwest.
Why Reilly loves baseball: It has always given me an escape from everything. When I get on the field, I can just clear my head and have fun.
Coach Meggs on McAdams: Reilly McAdams is already considered by many to be one of the top right-handed pitchers in the state of Washington. Reilly has the prototypical 6-foot-4 frame that every college baseball coach is looking for in a power pitcher. And when you combine that projectible frame with an already above average feel for the slider and the change up, well you can see why we believe Reilly’s best days are ahead of him. Reilly will compete for front-line innings the day he arrives on campus.
Trip McKinlay
Position: Infielder
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Hometown/High School: Moraga, Calif./Campolindo
Notes: Will play for Campolindo HS in Moraga as a senior after playing for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., his freshman through junior years … IMG was No. 1 in the USA and won the 2019 National Championship … five teammates were selected in the 2019 MLB Draft, including three in the first two rounds … maintained a .990 fielding percentage all three years at IMG.
Why Trip chose Washington: It’s a great place to play baseball, has a family atmosphere, a tremendous coaching staff and top academics.
Coach Meggs on McKinlay: We were attracted to Trip because of his ability to play both shortstop and second base.But in reality, Trip could probably play every position on the field. Trip is a baseball rat who understands the game, plays hard and does all the little things that help you win. While Trip will come in and battle for innings in the middle of the diamond, it’s his feel for the game that’s going to get him on the field. Trip is a baseball player, and he makes everyone around him better.
Davis Spencer
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220
Hometown/High School: Ellensburg, Wash./Ellensburg
Notes: No. 14 ranked player in Washington according to Baseball Northwest and No. 16 by Prep Baseball Report … represented the Royals at the 2019 Area Code Games … helped Ellensburg win back-to-back 2A Washington State Championships … All-League in 2019.
Why Davis chose Washington: I chose Washington because it immediately felt like home, and I wanted my dad to be able to come watch me play.
Coach Meggs on Spencer: When it’s all said and done, we believe Davis Spencer is going to be one of those classic Northwest power arms. Standing almost 6-foot-7, Davis has tremendous tilt on the fastball and is already a very uncomfortable at bat for both right- and left-handed hitters. Along with the obvious upside, Davis is also a good competitor with a great work ethic. And once the slider and the change up catch up to his fastball, we believe Davis has a chance to be an All-Pac-12 performer.
