Ducks sign 10 to Letters of Intent
11/17/16 | Baseball
Oregon adds seven pitchers and three outfielders for 2018 season
EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon baseball coach George Horton announced the signing of 10 players to National Letters of Intent on Thursday. The Ducks' class features seven pitchers and three outfielders. Nine of the 10 players are high school recruits while one is a junior college outfielder.
"We are excited to see what an impact this group will make on the field, in the community, and to the rest of our organization as leaders," Horton said. "We can't wait to start working with them on a daily basis. It is a group with great potential. We think their incredible character will lead to quality in everything they do."
The class includes players from six different states, with three coming from California, two from Hawaii and Oregon, and one each from Washington, Arizona and Minnesota.
Hit .302 with six doubles and 16 RBI as a freshman at Tacoma Community College … Named NWAC Player of the Week after hitting .667 with five RBI and seven runs scored … A four-year letterman at Timberline High School in Lacey, Wash., as well as a team captain during senior season ... Second-team Washington 4A All-State selection as a senior … Named first-team All-Narrows 4A following his senior season, while claiming second-team all-league honors as a junior … Junior college baseball coach is Ryan Mummert and high school baseball coach was Mark Rubadue.
Horton said: "Taylor is a welcome addition to our program from Tacoma CC that will complement our 2 incoming freshman in the OF. He brings us another 6.6 runner to roam PK Park. He has plenty of physical tools and with continued development will bring us some right handed power to balance out our lineup."
Hunter Breault, RHP, 6-2, 200, Kapolei, Hawaii (Kamehameha Schools)
A three-year letterman at Kamehameha Schools Kamehameha, Hawaii … Went 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 29.2 innings pitched as a junior … Played for the Cincinnati Reds' Area Code Team in the summer of 2016 … Got the win in a 2015 state tournament first-round game pitching 3.1 innings with four strikeouts … High school baseball coach is Thomas Perkins.
Horton said: "We have been aware of Hunter for a few years now and he has really worked hard to develop into a top prospect. We believe that if he doesn't end up a weekend starter he most certainly has a chance to develop into another one of our dominant closers." "
Jonny DeLuca, OF, 6-0, 185, Agoura Hills, Calif. (Agoura HS)
A three-year letterman at Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, Calif., as well as a two-year team captain ... Helped team to a league championship during freshman, sophomore and junior seasons … Named first-team All-Marmonte League in as a junior, while claiming second-team honors as a sophomore and honorable mention recognition following freshman season … Named second-team Perfect Game Underclassmen All-America … Hit .386 with a school-record 26 stolen bases as a junior, while batting .333 as a sophomore and .309 as a freshman … Also a standout in the long jump … High school baseball coach is Anthony Chevrier.
Horton said: "Jon was the first commit for us in this class. He is another exciting player that will help make our pitchers better by playing spectacular defense with his 6.6 speed and plus arm. As a switch hitter he can present many problems for the opponents pitching staff."
Peyton Fuller, RHP, 6-3, 175, Ashland, Ore. (Ashland HS)
A two-year letterman at Ashland High School in Ashland, Ore. … Named second-team Oregon 5A all-state as a pitcher in 2016, while earning first-team All-Midwestern League as well … Went 7-1 with a 2.02 ERA while striking out 71 in 52 innings pitched in 2016 … Batted .360 during his junior season with a home run, seven doubles and 19 RBI … Also a two-year letterman in basketball for Ashland … High school baseball coaches are Charlie Hall and Nick Hall.
Horton said: "Peyton comes from a very proud baseball tradition at Ashland High School. We are excited about the 2 sport athleticism he brings to the mound which will compliment his development under Coach Dietrich's tutelage. It always brings us great pride to keep excellent players from Oregon in Oregon."
Cullen Kafka, RHP, 6-4, 190, Walnut Creek, Calif. (De La Salle HS)
Received honorable mention all-state and all-league recognition after his junior year in 2016 … Finished junior season with a 2-1 record and a 1.50 ERA … An Underclassmen High honorable mention selection by Perfect Game … High school coach is David Jeans.
Horton said: "Cullen brings great mound presence, a winning mentality and a 4 pitch strike throwing mix from powerhouse De La Salle High School. He has had to patiently wait behind some talented arms during his time at DLS but will be counted on heavily this year as a senior to help defend their CIF title."
Markus Ramos, RHP, 6-3, 205, Ewa Beach, Hawaii (Campbell HS)
A two-sport letterman all four years at James Campbell High School … A 2016 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America High Honorable Mention selection … Named to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I All-Tournament Team in 2016 … Threw a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts in the 2016 state tournament quarterfinals … … A member of Campbell's 2015 HHSAA state championship team … Also played wide receiver for the Campbell football team earning first-team All-OIA honors … High school baseball coach is Rory Pico.
Horton said: "Markus is a two-sport high school athlete that is physically imposing on the mound. We feel that his development will take a big jump forward now that he is focusing only on baseball. He will bring a competitive, team-first attitude that fits right into our core values.
Jimmy Ramsey, RHP, 6-8, 250, Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka HS)
A two-year letterman at Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, Minn. … Claimed first-team all-state and first-team All-Minnesota State High School League honors as a junior, while claiming first-team all-league and second-team all-state recognition as a sophomore … Finished 2016 4-0 with a 0.91 ERA, while hitting .417 with six home runs and 12 doubles … As a sophomore, went 5-1 with a 1.03 ERA while batting .510 with five home runs … A second-team Perfect Game Underclassmen All-American in 2016 … Earned preseason underclassmen honorable mention recognition from Perfect Game in 2015 … High school baseball coach is Paul Twenge.
Horton said: "Jimmy comes to us from the heart of the Midwest and brings a large 6'8" frame with a raw power FB/SL combination. He could also factor in at 1B with his size and left handed power bat potential. We are looking for Jimmy to take the next step and hit the ground running when he gets here."
Kolby Somers, LHP/1B, 6-1, 200, Hillsboro, Ore. (Century HS)
A three-year letterman at Century High School in Hillsboro … Named to the Oregon 6A All-State Baseball Team as an outfielder in 2016 … A 2016 All-Metro League selection as an outfielder and pitcher as a junior … Selected to USA Today's All-USA Oregon First Team as an outfielder … Finished 2016 with a 1.70 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched while also hitting .490 … Also made the Oregon 6A all-state and all-league teams as a first baseman as a sophomore batting .457 … On the mound as a sophomore finished with a 2.93 ERA while striking out 62 in 43 innings pitched … Claimed honorable mention all-league honors as both a pitcher and first baseman as a freshman finishing with a 2.54 ERA and a .356 batting average … Part of the Kansas City Royals' Area Code Team in 2016 … High school baseball coach is Mason Wright.
Horton said: "We believe Kolby is one of the top 2017 prospects in Oregon and we are thrilled he chose the Ducks. Kolby has the mentality and stuff to make an immediate impact for us. He had a tremendous summer which has validated what we think of his abilities. We are excited to add another Oregonian into our program."
Brett Walker, RHP, 6-4, 180, Fresno, Calif. (Clovis North HS)
A three-year letterman at Clovis North High School and a team captain during senior season ... Earned first-team all-state and all-league honors as a junior ... An all-state underclassmen first-team selection by CalHiSports as a utility player in 2016 … Finished his junior year 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched … As a sophomore, earned honorable mention all-league honors after finishing with a 3-5 record and a 2.28 ERA in 55.3 innings pitched ... Had two complete games as a sophomore while fanning 32 in 10 appearances … High school coach is Chris Patrick.
Horton said: "Brett is a sinker guy from a ¾ arm slot that gets a ton of groundballs. He will fit perfectly in our park and within our philosophy of pounding the bottom of the zone and letting our defense work. He has been the workhorse for Coach Patrick at a very successful Clovis North."
Evan Williams, OF, 6-0, 180, Scottsdale, Ariz. (Horizon HS)
A three-year letterman at Horizon High School and a team captain as a junior … Batted .279 as a junior and claimed honorable mention all-district honors … A 2015 second-team Arizona Baseball Coaches Association selection and a first-team All-Desert Valley Conference pick after hitting .385 as a sophomore … Finished freshman season with a .408 batting average … A 2016 Perfect Game Underclassmen All-America High Honorable Mention selection … High school coach is Eric Kibler.
Horton said: "Evan is a very exciting player with great physical tools. He defends at a very high level with a plus arm. Offensively he has the ability to be a disruptive right handed force at the top of our lineup during his time in Eugene. He is no stranger to excellence coming from one of the premier high schools on the west coast."
