LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The New Mexico Highlands Baseball Team and head coach
Steve Jones announced Friday (July 11) of the addition of 11 junior college and one high school player for the 2015 season.
"We have several quality returners from last year's club and the additions to the 2014-15 class should add depth, talent and competition to the program," Jones stated. "This class fills some big holes for us athletically but also carries on the tradition of great character and solid academics for the Cowboy baseball program."
Scott Alvarez will join the Highlands baseball team after spending last season playing under head coach Eric Thompson at Pratt CC in Pratt, Kansas. Alvarez is slated to play first base and is a native of Brighton, Colorado.
"Scott brings a right-handed physical presence to our lineup," Jones explained. "He is a great student and should hit in the middle of our lineup."
Trevor Anthony will be a utility player for the Cowboys after playing for head coach Frank Avilla at Lassen CC in Susanville, California. Trevor hails from Gridley, California.
"Trevor played the outfield at Lassen but I expect him to be a valuable utility guy for us also being able to play in the infield," Jones said.
Outfielder
Christian Benitez will come to Highlands from Trinidad State College in Trinidad, Colorado, where he played for head coach Matt Torrez. Last season with the Trojans, Benitez batted .323 with 53 hits in 57 games, including 11 extra-base hits.
"Christian will provide great athleticism to our outfield as well as an offensive presence with speed in the front of our line up," Jones noted.
Right-hander
Avery Brandon will toe the rubber for the Cowboys after playing for head coach Frank Avilla at Lassen CC in Susanville, California. He is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Avery was a two-way guy at Lassen that really showed great progress on the mound at the end of the season," Jones explained. "He should compete for a spot in our rotation."
Shortstop
Jesus Caporal won a Gold Glove under head coach Mike Salazar at Rio Hondo CC in Whittier, California. He hit better than .320 in the Foothill Conference.
"Shortstop was our number one recruiting priority and we found a very good one in Jesus," Jones said.
Jordan Climpson will play outfield or infield for the Cowboys after playing for Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. Jordan hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"Jordan brings great experience and athleticism to our program. He is an offensive presence that should be a big run producer for us," Jones stated.
Kenneth Fudge will play in the outfield for Highlands after playing under head coach Brad Rupert at Shasta CC in Redding, California.
"Kenneth is a very athletic left-hand hitter and should hit in the top of the order and can play anywhere in the outfield," Jones said.
Omar Garcia, who hails from El Paso, Texas, will play in the middle infield for Highlands. Omar played with current Cowboys
Joe Cervantes at Howard JC in Big Springs, Texas.
"Omar is a versatile infielder that really has a chance to put up good offensive numbers for us," Jones noted.
A Phoenix, Arizona, native, right-handed pitcher
Alex Gutierrez will make the transition from across town as he pitched for Luna CC under former Cowboy Antonio Siqueiros. In 11 appearances last season for the Roughriders, Gutierrez went 5-4 in 11 appearances with team-best in both innings pitched (72) and ERA (3.38).
"Alex put up very consistent numbers at Luna in a tough JC conference. We expect him to be a rotation guy for us," Jones explained.
The only high school player in the class of 2015,
John Jensen was an "outstanding student and a great athlete" at Hope Christian HS in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to Jones.
"I expect him to compete immediately for a job in our outfield," Jones added.
Julian Moroyoqui is a right-hand pitcher and utility player that comes from Longmont, Colorado. Moroyoqui played with Benitez for head coach Matt Torrez at Trinidad State JC in Trinidad, Colorado. In 13 appearances for the Trojans, Moroyoqui went 3-2 with seven saves and a 4.73 ERA.
"We expect Julian to fill our closer's role as well as add depth to our infields and behind the plate," Jones said.
Playing for head coach Todd Inglehart of Cochise JC in Douglas, Arizona, right-handed pitcher
Jacob Potts is from Phoenix, Arizona.
"Jacob has big-game experience, pitching in the JC World Series for the Apaches. He has a chance to be a frontline rotation guy for us," Jones said about his final signee.
