From Arizona Athletics
Tucson, Ariz. – Coach Jay Johnson and the Arizona Wildcats announced their 14-man recruiting class for 2017 on Thursday.
Johnson's second class at Arizona includes eight pitchers, three outfielders, two infielders and a catcher. Of the 14, 10 hail from California or Arizona. Johnson also welcomes in future student-athletes from Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Nevada.
The Wildcats will welcome in 11 high school products and three junior college players.
"This is a great day for Arizona Baseball," Johnson said. "We believe we found a great blend of players with upside with future growth potential along with a bunch of winners and high level performers, which I am excited about. This group will fit well with the current players in our program as we continue to lay the foundation of Arizona Baseball for the long run and work to play a brand of baseball that our University, the city of Tucson, and the state of Arizona can be proud of."
Here's more information on each player:
Michael Benson
Catcher
Vista, Calif. | Palomar JC/Rancho Buena Vista HS
- Hit. 419 with eight home runs as a senior at Rancho Buena Vista HS in 2015; 34th round pick of Rockies in 2015
- Hit .370 (.470 in conference) with three home runs as a freshman at Palomar Junior College
- 2016 Pacific Association Division Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner at Palomar
- First-Team ABCA /Rawlings Pacific Division All-American at Palomar
"Michael is a great defensive catcher with a strong throwing arm who has improved as an offensive player in his time at Palomar. He was drafted out of high school by the Colorado Rockies and I like the progression he has made as a player." – Coach Jay Johnson
Jacob Blas
Infield
Carlsbad, Calif. | San Marcos HS
- Hit .402 as a junior with 2 HR, 16 SB, 19 RBI and 33 runs scored; posted a .484 OBP
- Avocado East League MVP
- Member of 15U Team USA
- Member of CIF Championship team in 2016 at San Marcos HS
"Jacob is one of the elite infielders in the class of 2017 in California. He is an elite defensive player with high level infield actions and arm strength. He is a great athlete that can impact the game in many ways. He is a leader on the field, and a great fit for us. We are excited to see his development here at Arizona as a high impact player." – Coach Jay Johnson
Quinn Flanagan
Right-handed Pitcher
Chandler, Ariz. | Corona del Sol HS
- 2016 Perfect Game Second-Team Underclass All-American
- Posted a 6-1 record with a 1.56 ERA as a junior with 56 Ks in 49 1/3 IP
- AIA All-Section 1st Team
- American Family Insurance All-USA Arizona Baseball Division 1 Second-Team
"Quinn is one of the best high school pitchers in the state of Arizona. He is a big physical pitcher with a great arm, feel for his off speed, and a great competitive presence. He has a great future awaiting here and will be a big part of our pitching staff for the next several years." – Coach Jay Johnson
Josh Haley
Left-handed Pitcher
Lakewood, Calif. | Gahr HS
- San Gabriel Valley Pitcher of the Year
- All-CIF First-Team
- Dream Team Selection First-Team
- Second-Team All-State
"Josh is a winner at one of the best high school programs in Southern California. He is a high level pitch ability guy with 3 pitches that are usable. He has a little bit of JC Cloney in him. I am excited about Josh. His competitive nature will serve us well." – Coach Jay Johnson
Gil Luna
Left-handed Pitcher
Casa Grande, Ariz. | Casa Grande HS
- Posted a 1.16 ERA with 138 strikeouts as a junior
- Louisville Slugger All-American
- AIA Section Player of the Year
- AIA All-Division First-Team
"Gil had arguably the best season of any high school pitcher in the state of Arizona in 2016. He has an electric arm (up to 91 MPH), and will make an immediate impact for us. He has strike out stuff and will be a fixture of our pitching staff for a long time." – Coach Jay Johnson
Tucson, Ariz. – Coach Jay Johnson and the Arizona Wildcats announced their 14-man recruiting class for 2017 on Thursday.
Johnson's second class at Arizona includes eight pitchers, three outfielders, two infielders and a catcher. Of the 14, 10 hail from California or Arizona. Johnson also welcomes in future student-athletes from Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Nevada.
The Wildcats will welcome in 11 high school products and three junior college players.
"This is a great day for Arizona Baseball," Johnson said. "We believe we found a great blend of players with upside with future growth potential along with a bunch of winners and high level performers, which I am excited about. This group will fit well with the current players in our program as we continue to lay the foundation of Arizona Baseball for the long run and work to play a brand of baseball that our University, the city of Tucson, and the state of Arizona can be proud of."
Here's more information on each player:
Michael Benson
Catcher
Vista, Calif. | Palomar JC/Rancho Buena Vista HS
- Hit. 419 with eight home runs as a senior at Rancho Buena Vista HS in 2015; 34th round pick of Rockies in 2015
- Hit .370 (.470 in conference) with three home runs as a freshman at Palomar Junior College
- 2016 Pacific Association Division Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winner at Palomar
- First-Team ABCA /Rawlings Pacific Division All-American at Palomar
"Michael is a great defensive catcher with a strong throwing arm who has improved as an offensive player in his time at Palomar. He was drafted out of high school by the Colorado Rockies and I like the progression he has made as a player." – Coach Jay Johnson
Jacob Blas
Infield
Carlsbad, Calif. | San Marcos HS
- Hit .402 as a junior with 2 HR, 16 SB, 19 RBI and 33 runs scored; posted a .484 OBP
- Avocado East League MVP
- Member of 15U Team USA
- Member of CIF Championship team in 2016 at San Marcos HS
"Jacob is one of the elite infielders in the class of 2017 in California. He is an elite defensive player with high level infield actions and arm strength. He is a great athlete that can impact the game in many ways. He is a leader on the field, and a great fit for us. We are excited to see his development here at Arizona as a high impact player." – Coach Jay Johnson
Quinn Flanagan
Right-handed Pitcher
Chandler, Ariz. | Corona del Sol HS
- 2016 Perfect Game Second-Team Underclass All-American
- Posted a 6-1 record with a 1.56 ERA as a junior with 56 Ks in 49 1/3 IP
- AIA All-Section 1st Team
- American Family Insurance All-USA Arizona Baseball Division 1 Second-Team
"Quinn is one of the best high school pitchers in the state of Arizona. He is a big physical pitcher with a great arm, feel for his off speed, and a great competitive presence. He has a great future awaiting here and will be a big part of our pitching staff for the next several years." – Coach Jay Johnson
Josh Haley
Left-handed Pitcher
Lakewood, Calif. | Gahr HS
- San Gabriel Valley Pitcher of the Year
- All-CIF First-Team
- Dream Team Selection First-Team
- Second-Team All-State
"Josh is a winner at one of the best high school programs in Southern California. He is a high level pitch ability guy with 3 pitches that are usable. He has a little bit of JC Cloney in him. I am excited about Josh. His competitive nature will serve us well." – Coach Jay Johnson
Gil Luna
Left-handed Pitcher
Casa Grande, Ariz. | Casa Grande HS
- Posted a 1.16 ERA with 138 strikeouts as a junior
- Louisville Slugger All-American
- AIA Section Player of the Year
- AIA All-Division First-Team
"Gil had arguably the best season of any high school pitcher in the state of Arizona in 2016. He has an electric arm (up to 91 MPH), and will make an immediate impact for us. He has strike out stuff and will be a fixture of our pitching staff for a long time." – Coach Jay Johnson
