University Southern California Trojans
Photo by: John McGillen
USC Baseball 2017 Recruiting Class Ranked 17th Nationally
September 12, 2017 | Baseball, Features
Baseball America ranked the USC recruiting class 17th-best.
LOS ANGELES – Baseball America has ranked USC baseball's 2017 recruiting class the 17th best in the nation, it was announced today.
USC's class of 13 newcomers to Troy is made up of seven pitchers (five of those left handed), and six position players, including one catcher, three infielders, one outfielder and one utility player. Three in the class were drafted out of high school in the 2017 MLB First Year Players Draft, led by RHP Kyle Hurt, who was drafted in the 345th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, along with infielder Ben Ramirez and pitcher Alex Cornwell who were both drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th and 37th rounds, respectively.
The Trojans' 17th place ranking is the third-highest of any Pac-12 squad, behind fourth-ranked Arizona State and 16th ranked UCLA.Â
On the class, head coach Dan Hubbs said, "I think it's a great class. It boasts pitchers from both the right and left sides who are high-level, proven winners over their high school careers. For the position players we have brought in big, athletic players who project to have power from both the right and left sides of the plate. We think this class ranks as one of the best classes we have brought in in five seasons."
To read the full Baseball America article, click HERE.
Meet all members of the 2017 recruiting class in alphabetical order:
LHP John Beller / Manhattan Beach, Calif. (St. John Bosco HS)
A two-year letterwinner at St. John Bosco HS…Rawlings Perfect Game Preseason 3rd Team All-American and 2nd Team All-State in 2017 as a senior…2017 Trinity League Scholar Athlete of the Year…Earned 2nd Team All-Trinity League honors as a junior in 2016 and a senior in 2017…Threw a no-hitter against Servite High School in 2016 as a junior…Threw 6.1 innings at the Perfect Game World Series…Boasted an ERA of 1.94 as a junior in 68+ innings of work…Had a 1.3 ERA in about 70 innings of work as a senior in 2017…Combined for 150 plus strikeouts in his high school career.
INF Chase Bushor / Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Georgetown University/Santa Fe Christian HS)
Two-year starter at Georgetown University at SS. In 2016 led the team with 12 doubles, ranked third with a .287 batting average. Drove in 21 runs and scored 25…At Santa Fe Christian HS, led his team to the 2011 and 2012 CIF titles…Earned 1st Team All-League as junior and senior, 2nd Team All-League as a sophomore…Was team captain his junior and senior years.
LHP Alex Cornwell / La Canada, Calif. (Maranatha HS)
A three-year letterwinner at Maranatha HS…Earned 2nd Team All-League honors as a junior…2017 Rawlings Perfect Game Honorable Mention….California All-Region 2nd Team honoree…Was drafted in the 37th Round by the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 MLB First Year Players Draft.
LHP Isaac Esqueda / Pomona, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)
A three-year letter winner at Bishop Amat HS…Three-time All-Del Rey League, Two-time Del Rey League Pitcher of the Year, 2017 All-CIF Southern Section, Div. 3, 1st and 2ND Team All-San Gabriel Valley during his HS career, Earned All-Area First Team honors,  All-American Second Team selection, MVP in the San Gabriel Valley, All-CIF…Threw his first career no-hitter on March 20, 215 and followed with a second combined no-hitter on April 28, 2015.
LHP Brian Gursky / Granger, Ind. (IMG Academy)
2017 Rawlings PG Honorable Mention All-American, Central All-Region First Team, top ranked player in his position in Indiana by Perfect Game…Played four years of varsity baseball…Participated in the 2015 Area Code underclass games…Invitee to the 2016 Area Code Games…Participated in the Tournament of Stars…2015 NTDP USA…2016 Preseason All-American.
OF Trevor Halsema / El Cajon, Calif. (Madison HS)
Four-year letterwinner at Madison HS…2017 Rawlings PG Honorable Mention All-American, Second Team All-California Region…Earned First Team All-League honors his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons…Led team to the CIF semifinals vs. Eastlake HS. Â
RHP Kyle Hurt / Del Mar, Calif. (Torrey Pines HS)
Four-year letterwinner at Torrey Pines HS…All-League, All-State Honors, Perfect Game All-American, 27th Overall Player in the Class of 2017 by Perfect Game, 6th best in his position of RHP…Was also an Under Armour All-American…A s a senior in 2017 Earned 2nd Team All-League, 2nd Team All-CIF…Earned First Team All-League honors as a junior, All-CIF and All-State as a junior…Had an ERA of 1.51 with 15 wins in 153.1 innings pitched, tallied 187 strikeouts and held opponents to a .195 batting average.
RHP Riley Lamb / Rancho Murieta, Calif. (Elk Grove HS)
A two-year letterwinner at Elk Grove HS…CA All-State First Team by MaxPreps…All-State First Teamer by CalHi Sports…First Team All-League as a Junior and Senior…Earned Second Team All-Metro as a junior, First Team All-Metro as a senior…Sacramento Bee Player of the Year…2017 Rawlings Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American…California All-Region First Team in 2017.
INF Jamal O'Guinn / Fresno, Calif. (Buchanan HS)
A four-year letterwinner in baseball at Buchanan HS…Four-time All-League honoree, Twice earned All-Conference, 2014 and 2017 League Player of the Year, Two-time All-American…All-Section honoree all four years of high school…Two-time Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger Award…Helped lead team to the State and National baseball championship as a junior in 2016…His career batting average in high school was .340.
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C Grant Parker / La Canada, Calif. (La Canada HS)
A two-year letterwinner at La Canada HS…Was All-Rio Hondo League as a junior in 2016 and a senior in 2017…Was the Player of the Year in 2017….Had a batting average of .375.
INF Ben Ramirez / Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake HS)
Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th Round of the 2017 MLB First Year Players Draft out of Eastlake HS in Chula Vista, Calif….Four-year letterwinner in both baseball and basketball in HS…Earned All-American and All-League honors, All-Region Team, 91st Overall Player in Class of 2017 by Perfect Game, 17th best at his position shortstop…Competed in the Under Armour All-America Game, the Perfect Game All-America Game, Area Code Games…Helped lead Eastlake HS to the CIF Open Division championship…In 2017 as a senior batted .455 with four home runs and 35 RBIs…Named Eastlake HS Student-Athlete of the Year.
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LHP Augie Sylk / Pacific Palasades, Calif. (Palisades Charter HS)
2017 Rawlings PG Honorable Mention All-American, All-Region Second Team…Two-year letterwinner in baseball at Palisades Charter HS…Earned All-City honors a s a senior, Preseason All-American in 2015.
INF Bart West / Singapore (Singapore American School)
A four year letterwinner at the Singapore American School…Was the South East Asia Regional Cup MVP, 3 times (2012-15) he was the best hitter on his team and twice (2014-15) he was the best pitcher in the South East Asia Games…Helped lead his team to two South East Asia Youth Baseball titles, his team reached the finals of the tournament all four years…Hit .636 as a senior throughout the SE Asia Tournament, hit .900 as a senior in Singapore rec league.
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USC's class of 13 newcomers to Troy is made up of seven pitchers (five of those left handed), and six position players, including one catcher, three infielders, one outfielder and one utility player. Three in the class were drafted out of high school in the 2017 MLB First Year Players Draft, led by RHP Kyle Hurt, who was drafted in the 345th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, along with infielder Ben Ramirez and pitcher Alex Cornwell who were both drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th and 37th rounds, respectively.
The Trojans' 17th place ranking is the third-highest of any Pac-12 squad, behind fourth-ranked Arizona State and 16th ranked UCLA.Â
On the class, head coach Dan Hubbs said, "I think it's a great class. It boasts pitchers from both the right and left sides who are high-level, proven winners over their high school careers. For the position players we have brought in big, athletic players who project to have power from both the right and left sides of the plate. We think this class ranks as one of the best classes we have brought in in five seasons."
To read the full Baseball America article, click HERE.
Meet all members of the 2017 recruiting class in alphabetical order:
LHP John Beller / Manhattan Beach, Calif. (St. John Bosco HS)
A two-year letterwinner at St. John Bosco HS…Rawlings Perfect Game Preseason 3rd Team All-American and 2nd Team All-State in 2017 as a senior…2017 Trinity League Scholar Athlete of the Year…Earned 2nd Team All-Trinity League honors as a junior in 2016 and a senior in 2017…Threw a no-hitter against Servite High School in 2016 as a junior…Threw 6.1 innings at the Perfect Game World Series…Boasted an ERA of 1.94 as a junior in 68+ innings of work…Had a 1.3 ERA in about 70 innings of work as a senior in 2017…Combined for 150 plus strikeouts in his high school career.
INF Chase Bushor / Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Georgetown University/Santa Fe Christian HS)
Two-year starter at Georgetown University at SS. In 2016 led the team with 12 doubles, ranked third with a .287 batting average. Drove in 21 runs and scored 25…At Santa Fe Christian HS, led his team to the 2011 and 2012 CIF titles…Earned 1st Team All-League as junior and senior, 2nd Team All-League as a sophomore…Was team captain his junior and senior years.
LHP Alex Cornwell / La Canada, Calif. (Maranatha HS)
A three-year letterwinner at Maranatha HS…Earned 2nd Team All-League honors as a junior…2017 Rawlings Perfect Game Honorable Mention….California All-Region 2nd Team honoree…Was drafted in the 37th Round by the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 MLB First Year Players Draft.
LHP Isaac Esqueda / Pomona, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)
A three-year letter winner at Bishop Amat HS…Three-time All-Del Rey League, Two-time Del Rey League Pitcher of the Year, 2017 All-CIF Southern Section, Div. 3, 1st and 2ND Team All-San Gabriel Valley during his HS career, Earned All-Area First Team honors,  All-American Second Team selection, MVP in the San Gabriel Valley, All-CIF…Threw his first career no-hitter on March 20, 215 and followed with a second combined no-hitter on April 28, 2015.
LHP Brian Gursky / Granger, Ind. (IMG Academy)
2017 Rawlings PG Honorable Mention All-American, Central All-Region First Team, top ranked player in his position in Indiana by Perfect Game…Played four years of varsity baseball…Participated in the 2015 Area Code underclass games…Invitee to the 2016 Area Code Games…Participated in the Tournament of Stars…2015 NTDP USA…2016 Preseason All-American.
OF Trevor Halsema / El Cajon, Calif. (Madison HS)
Four-year letterwinner at Madison HS…2017 Rawlings PG Honorable Mention All-American, Second Team All-California Region…Earned First Team All-League honors his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons…Led team to the CIF semifinals vs. Eastlake HS. Â
RHP Kyle Hurt / Del Mar, Calif. (Torrey Pines HS)
Four-year letterwinner at Torrey Pines HS…All-League, All-State Honors, Perfect Game All-American, 27th Overall Player in the Class of 2017 by Perfect Game, 6th best in his position of RHP…Was also an Under Armour All-American…A s a senior in 2017 Earned 2nd Team All-League, 2nd Team All-CIF…Earned First Team All-League honors as a junior, All-CIF and All-State as a junior…Had an ERA of 1.51 with 15 wins in 153.1 innings pitched, tallied 187 strikeouts and held opponents to a .195 batting average.
RHP Riley Lamb / Rancho Murieta, Calif. (Elk Grove HS)
A two-year letterwinner at Elk Grove HS…CA All-State First Team by MaxPreps…All-State First Teamer by CalHi Sports…First Team All-League as a Junior and Senior…Earned Second Team All-Metro as a junior, First Team All-Metro as a senior…Sacramento Bee Player of the Year…2017 Rawlings Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American…California All-Region First Team in 2017.
INF Jamal O'Guinn / Fresno, Calif. (Buchanan HS)
A four-year letterwinner in baseball at Buchanan HS…Four-time All-League honoree, Twice earned All-Conference, 2014 and 2017 League Player of the Year, Two-time All-American…All-Section honoree all four years of high school…Two-time Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger Award…Helped lead team to the State and National baseball championship as a junior in 2016…His career batting average in high school was .340.
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C Grant Parker / La Canada, Calif. (La Canada HS)
A two-year letterwinner at La Canada HS…Was All-Rio Hondo League as a junior in 2016 and a senior in 2017…Was the Player of the Year in 2017….Had a batting average of .375.
INF Ben Ramirez / Chula Vista, Calif. (Eastlake HS)
Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 35th Round of the 2017 MLB First Year Players Draft out of Eastlake HS in Chula Vista, Calif….Four-year letterwinner in both baseball and basketball in HS…Earned All-American and All-League honors, All-Region Team, 91st Overall Player in Class of 2017 by Perfect Game, 17th best at his position shortstop…Competed in the Under Armour All-America Game, the Perfect Game All-America Game, Area Code Games…Helped lead Eastlake HS to the CIF Open Division championship…In 2017 as a senior batted .455 with four home runs and 35 RBIs…Named Eastlake HS Student-Athlete of the Year.
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LHP Augie Sylk / Pacific Palasades, Calif. (Palisades Charter HS)
2017 Rawlings PG Honorable Mention All-American, All-Region Second Team…Two-year letterwinner in baseball at Palisades Charter HS…Earned All-City honors a s a senior, Preseason All-American in 2015.
INF Bart West / Singapore (Singapore American School)
A four year letterwinner at the Singapore American School…Was the South East Asia Regional Cup MVP, 3 times (2012-15) he was the best hitter on his team and twice (2014-15) he was the best pitcher in the South East Asia Games…Helped lead his team to two South East Asia Youth Baseball titles, his team reached the finals of the tournament all four years…Hit .636 as a senior throughout the SE Asia Tournament, hit .900 as a senior in Singapore rec league.
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