2022 Pac-12 College Baseball Recruiting Classes Breakdown

Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program in college baseball. After presenting the Top 25 recruiting classes and the 10 classes that just missed the cut, Baseball America is breaking down every class in several of the biggest conferences in the country.

Presented here is team-by-team analysis for the Pac-12. Four teams from the conference ranked in the Top 25. Links to full breakdowns for those teams can be found below, as well as a snapshot view of the class. Full breakdowns for the teams that didn’t make the rankings can be found here.

The recruiting class rankings take into account all players from the high school and junior college ranks and were compiled following many conversations with coaches and scouts. Four-year transfers were not considered for the ranking. All player rankings are from the top 500 draft prospects list, which includes all draft-eligible players.

Arizona

Recruiting coordinator: Trip Couch
Top recruit: Aiden May, RHP (No. 325)
Ranking: NR

After a solid first season under coach Chip Hale, the Wildcats bring in a large group of newcomers. The class includes several junior college transfers, including May. He has a powerful fastball that gets up to the mid 90s and mixes in a hard breaking ball. His control still needs some refinement, but he offers plenty of upside.

Slugger Kiko Romero last spring helped Central Arizona JC win the national championship and was named MVP of the Junior College World Series after hitting six home runs. The lefthanded hitter produces excellent bat speed and, with it, big raw power. He profiles best at first base but could also play in an outfield corner. Lefthander Brandon Zastrow is a good athlete who could fill a variety of roles on the Wildcats’ staff. Catcher Colton Moore offers big righthanded power and a strong arm behind the plate.

The freshman class also has impact potential. Outfielder Brendan Summerhill has an easy lefthanded swing and a projectable 6-foot-3 frame. He’s a plus runner with a strong arm and a chance to grow into solid power as he physically matures. Shortstop Mason White, a local product, has solid all-around skills. The lefthanded hitter has good feel at the plate and produces surprising power. He’s a steady defender who fits well up the middle. Infielder Xavier Esquer is the son of Stanford coach David Esquer and plays with the instincts and understanding of someone who grew up around the game. He has a quick righthanded swing and can play anywhere on the infield. Righthander Kenan Elarton has a projectable 6-foot-4 build. His fastball works in the upper 80s now with room for more velocity as he physically matures, and he pairs it with a good changeup.

Arizona State

Recruiting coordinator: Sam Peraza
Top recruit: Isaiah Jackson, OF (No. 293)
Ranking: NR

Arizona State played heavily in the transfer portal this summer, bringing in a big, star-studded class that ranked No. 2. That class will draw the headlines and hype, as players like lefthander Ross Dunn (Florida State) and shortstop Luke Keaschall (San Francisco) will be expected to make big impacts this spring. But the Sun Devils’ traditional recruiting class can’t be overlooked.

Jackson, the younger brother of Dodgers righthander Andre Jackson, was drafted in the 18th round by the Astros. Listed at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, he has a strong build and lefthanded swing. He has plus raw power, a smooth swing and should be able to tap into his juice more as he improves as a hitter. He has a prototypical corner outfield profile. Shortstop Luke Hill shows off exciting athleticism. He’s an above-average runner, has a strong arm and easy actions on the infield. He has a good approach at the plate and quick hands that create plenty of bat speed. Shortstop Nu’u Contrades, the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year, stands out for his feel at the plate. The righthanded hitter consistently puts the barrel on the ball and hits a lot of line drives. He’s a good athlete and has solid infield actions. Slugger Dante Turgeon brings a big righthanded bat to the class. He stands out for his raw power and profiles as a corner player.

Righthander Dylan Gardner (326), a junior college transfer, came on strong this spring as his velocity jumped into the mid 90s. Listed at 6-foot-5, 195 pounds, he has short arm action and should be able to add more consistent velocity as he physically matures. He also mixes in a changeup and a slider. Righthander Logan Saloman, the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, has a big build at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds and a long track record of success. He isn’t overpowering, but his fastball works in the upper 80s and he mixes in a changeup and slider, creating a lot of weak contact.

California

Recruiting coordinator: Noah Jackson
Top recruit: Austin Turkington, RHP/UTL
Ranking: NR

Cal brought in a compact group of freshmen and junior college transfers, though that group includes some impact talent for the Golden Bears. Turkington has two-way potential and has an athletic, projectable build at 6-foot, 185 pounds that gives him high-end upside in either role. On the mound, his fastball gets into the low 90s and he pairs it with a short slider. He goes right after hitters and fills up the strike zone. At the plate, the righthanded hitter has good feel and power potential. As a position player, he profiles as a third baseman or a corner outfielder.

Shortstop Cade Campbell stood out as one of the better defenders in the prep class and he has the skills to immediately step into the position for the Golden Bears. His instincts, infield actions and hands all play well up the middle. Outfielder Darryl Dilworth Jr. has an exciting combination of speed and power. The righthanded hitter is a premium athlete and offers plenty of upside. Infielder Max Handron and catcher Isaiah Velazco, both junior college transfers, add more depth to the class. Handron, a lefthanded hitter, profiles well at second base. Velazco, a lefthanded hitter, also has the athleticism to play outfield.

Righthander Jack Kirrer had a strong track record of success in high school and can run his fastball up to 92 mph. He’s undersized for a righthander but has a good feel for pitching and a smooth delivery. Righthander Devin Mason has a projectable 6-foot-4 frame and offers significant upside. His fastball gets into the upper 80s now with room for more as he physically matures. Righthander Tyler Stasiowski, a junior college transfer, attacks hitters with a fastball-slider combination and his fastball works in the upper 80s.

Oregon

Recruiting coordinator: Jack Marder
Top recruit: Carter Garate, SS (No. 193)
Ranking: No. 5

Oregon quickly has made significant on-field strides under coach Mark Wasikowski, making back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and hosting regionals in 2021. Now, the Ducks have their first top-10 class since 2014. The class has impressive depth of talent and brings difference makers to Eugene, especially among position players. Garate long stood out for his defense, and his infield actions, hands and speed give him the tools to stay at shortstop. He’s made strides offensively and shows good contact skills at the plate. He’s lean at 6-foot-2, 160 pounds and will need to get stronger to reach his offensive ceiling, but the upside is clear.

Oregon State

Recruiting coordinator: Rich Dorman and Ryan Gipson
Top recruit: Gavin Turley, OF (No. 85)
Ranking: No. 16

Oregon State in 2021 brought its highest-ranked recruiting class (No. 6) to campus since 2013. The 2022 group doesn’t rank quite as high, but it’s another strong class for the Beavers, especially after Turley came to school despite being drafted in the 19th round by the D-backs. He is one of the toolsiest players in the country. He has elite speed, easy plus raw power and lightning-fast bat speed. His pure feel for hitting is the biggest open question for scouts and improving his approach at the plate would truly unlock his substantial upside.

Southern California

Recruiting coordinator: Travis Jewett
Top recruit: Ethan Hedges, INF/RHP
Ranking: NR

USC this summer underwent a coaching change, firing Jason Gill and hiring Andy Stankiewicz away from Grand Canyon to replace him. In the transition, Stankiewicz and Jewett hit the transfer portal hard, bringing in seven four-year transfers. The Trojans also have a solid freshman class, however.

Hedges has true two-way ability as an infielder and righthander. His fastball works around 90 mph, and he gets good life on the pitch, while also mixing in a promising slider and changeup. At the plate, the righthanded hitter has a good feel for the barrel and some power potential. He profiles best at third base, but he could help the Trojans in a variety of ways. Shortstop Kaikea Harrison was a late addition to the class following the coaching change and joins his older brothers KJ and Kalae in college baseball’s major conference ranks. He’s a lefthanded hitter with an easy swing and smooth infield actions. Outfielder Austin Overn is a two-sport star who is also playing football at USC as a wide receiver. On the diamond, he has an unorthodox lefthanded swing but makes consistent contact. He has elite speed and ran a 10.49-second 100-meter dash.

USC also adds two exciting catchers in the class in Luca DiPaolo and Jacob Galloway. DiPaolo is a good athlete who was also a high school football standout. The righthanded hitter has a disciplined approach at the plate and power potential. Galloway, like Harrison, was a late addition to the class. He had a strong track record of success in high school and has a solid lefthanded swing.

Stanford

Recruiting coordinator: Thomas Eager
Top recruit: Malcolm Moore, C (No. 66)
Ranking: No. 21

Stanford’s class is small, but it held together through the draft. As a result, the Cardinal bring in the top-ranked prep player not to sign in Moore and have a top-20 class for the third time in four years. Moore was one of the best prep hitters in the country. He has a strong offensive skill set and the lefthanded batter has an easy swing, good approach and massive power potential. He’s not as advanced defensively, but he has solid arm strength. Even if he does end up changing positions, his offensive ability will play well, and he has a middle-of-the-order profile.

UCLA

Recruiting coordinator: Bryant Ward
Top recruit: Payton Brennan, OF (No. 218)
Ranking: No. 22

UCLA a year ago landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. This year’s class is smaller and not as flashy but is a talented group. Brennan has a strong 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame and has plenty of tools. He has an exciting combination of plus raw power and speed, which plays well both on the bases and in center field. He’s an aggressive hitter and will need to refine his approach. He was limited over the last year by shoulder injuries, but he has significant upside for the Bruins.

Utah

Recruiting coordinator: Mike Brown
Top recruit: Kaden Carpenter, OF
Ranking: NR

Utah this year has a large group of newcomers that will have the opportunity to quickly make an impact, as the Utes have a young roster. Listed at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, Carpenter has a strong, physical build. The lefthanded hitter has plus raw power and an easy lefthanded swing. He also pitched in high school, running his fastball up to 90 mph, but he profiles best as a hitter and could be a middle-of-the-order, corner outfielder.

Catcher Cameron Gurney, a Canadian native, has a strong build at 6-foot, 200 pounds and the lefthanded hitter produces easy power. He has solid catch-and-throw skills behind the plate. Infielder Cole Hubka has a quick righthanded swing and is a steady defender up the middle. Second baseman Bruer Webster, a junior college transfer, was the NJCAA defensive player of the year in 2021. He stands out for his hands and actions on the infield, while also providing a steady lefthanded bat. Outfielder Karson Bodily, also a junior college transfer, has a compact lefthanded swing and a good approach at the plate.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, righthander Garrison Sumner has a solid build on the mound and exciting upside. His fastball gets up to 93 mph with a high spin rate and he pairs it with a hard, downer curveball. Righthander Anson McGorman pitched for the Canadian Junior National Team and throws his fastball in the low 90s. He mixes in a slider and a changeup. Righthander Merit Jones this spring was named Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year. He has a projectable 6-foot-3 frame, runs his fastball up to 91 mph and offers plenty of upside. Lefthander Ernie Lugo, a junior college transfer, has a big build at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and a heavy fastball.

Washington

Recruiting coordinator: Jake Silverman
Top recruit: Avia Arquette, SS (No. 109)
Ranking: NR

UW’s class took some hits in the transition from Lindsey Meggs, who retired following the season, to Jason Kelly, who was hired to replace him. Despite that, the Huskies brought in the third-highest ranked player in the conference, as Arquette ranked behind only Malcolm Moore (Stanford) and Gavin Turley (Oregon State) on the draft board.

Arquette was the top prep prospect in Hawaii and was the D-backs’ 18th-round draft pick. He’s a skilled defender with an above-average arm, smooth infield actions and standout athleticism. He has good feel at the plate and his projectable build portends more power and impact at the plate in time for the righthanded hitter. Outfielder Cooper Whitton has premium speed, which combined with his arm makes him a strong defender. He has a simple, smooth righthanded swing and power potential. Infielder Jeter Ybarra this spring led all California junior college players in batting. The lefthanded hitter fits anywhere on the infield.

Righthander Boston Warkentin, a native of British Columbia who pitched for the Canadian Junior National Team, has a physical 6-foot-3 frame. His fastball sits in the upper 80s, touching a tick higher, and he pairs it with a hard breaking ball. Lefthander Will Woodward was a three-sport star in high school and brings that athleticism to the mound. Listed at 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, his fastball works in the upper 80s and there may be more velocity to come as he physically matures and focuses on pitching.

Washington State

Recruiting coordinator: Jake Valentine
Top recruit: Shane Spencer, RHP
Ranking: NR

Washington State has a large group of newcomers that includes several junior college transfers, like Spencer, who figure to make an immediate impact for the Cougars. Spencer last spring helped Central Arizona JC to the national championship, going 14-1, 3.58. His fastball sits around 90 mph, and his changeup is his best offering, while he also mixes in a slider. He could slide right into the rotation in Pullman.

Lefthander Gio Mezzomo has a strong build and good feel on the mound. He pounds the strike zone with his upper-80s fastball and pairs it well with a breaking ball. Alan Shibley has the athleticism to play a variety of positions on the diamond and brings an exciting combination of speed and power to the lineup. He has a good approach at the plate. Righthander Jack Mount has a powerful fastball-slider combination. His fastball gets into the mid 90s and he could take on important innings out of the bullpen.  

The freshman class also includes some impact talent. Righthander Ryan Orr throws his fastball around 90 mph with good life. He’s a good athlete and pounds the strike zone with three pitches. Ty Kennedy offers above-average speed and athleticism and can play a variety of positions on the diamond. He does a good job of making consistent contact. Colton Bower and Griffin Sotomayer give the class a pair of strong defensive catchers. Outfielder Tyrus Williams adds premium speed and athleticism to the class.