Editor-in-Chief
CSU Bakersfield’s baseball head coach Jeremy Beard has announced the program has signed three junior college transfers to National Letters of Intent.
Jesse Rowley, an outfielder from Utah State University Eastern, Noah Cordova, a right-handed pitcher from Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Graham Kuck, a left-handed relief pitcher from Riverside City College are three names Beard has added to next year’s roster.
They will all be playing as juniors next season.
“We’re really excited about the guys,” said Beard. “We’ve added a two legitimate power arms and a left-handed bat with some pop.”
Rowley was named a Region XVIII First Team selection in his freshman year after hitting .350 with three home runs, 19 runs batted in and 16 stolen bases. As of April 25, he was hitting .371 with five homers.
“Jesse is a string left-handed bat who can play multiple positions and has been tested against quality pitching,” said Beard. “We feel comfortable he’s going to come in here and be a guy we can lean on to start.”
The 6-foot-6-inch Cordova has made seven appearances this spring for Chandler-Gilbert CC, starting three times. He is sporting a 3.41 earned run average with 27 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched, as of April 25.
“Noah is a guy who can pitch and start in the Pac-12 [Conference],” said Beard. “He’s the kind of guy we need around here and we’re not settling for anything less.”
Kuck has pitched in 21 games and recorded seven saves this year for Riverside CC. He also has a 2.55 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.
“Graham is a power-lefthander who lives in the upper 80s and low 90s with a slider,” said Beard. “He has the mentality we need and gives us a presence.”
Beard mentioned has been trying to “layer” his recruiting classes to prepare the program for Big West Conference play. CSUB will make the move to the conference in time for the 2021 season.
“These are great guys for immediate impact, these guys have been battled tested,” said Beard. “We’re trying to contend every year for a title.”
All stats are from gorunners.com.
