Baseball | 11/18/2014 9:00:00 AM

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State Head Coach Ty Harrington announced the signing of 12 new Bobcats during the early signing. The signees, which consist of 10 freshmen and two transfers, will join Harrington's squad next fall for the 2016 baseball season.
 
"In order to compete and contend for championships, you must have good consecutive recruiting classes, and we've been able to do that," said Harrington. "This class is incredibly athletic, and that is exciting. Everyone in this group has won championships, and they bring a championship attitude. I'm also extremely proud of our recruiting coordinator Jeremy Fikac, and Mike Silva, for the class they have been able to put together. I'm excited about what it means for our future."
 
All the signees come from Texas and the group consists of four pitchers, three two-way players, two catchers, two infielders and a player who could see time in both the outfield and infield.
 
Set to join the Bobcats for the 2016 season are Jacob Almendarez (Pearland HS, OF/IF), Wes Engle (Euless Trinity HS, LHP), Jonathan Hennigan (Galveston College, LHP), Ryan Larison (Galveston College, RHP), Ryan Leftwich (Cy Ranch HS, IF), Ryan Newman (Brenham HS, C), Jonathan Ortega (Victoria East HS, IF), Anthony Pagano (Atascocita HS, LHP/OF/1B), Nick Perez (Stphen F. Austin HS, RHP/IF), Felipe De Jesus Rodriguez III (John B. Alexander HS, C), Weston Seay (Hallettsville HS, RHP) and Brayden Theriot (Elkins HS, OF/RHP).
 
Look below for information on each one of the new members of Texas State Baseball.

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Jacob Almendarez: OF/IF | 5-8 | 160 | Pearland, Texas
Pearland HS, Head Coach Anthony Scalise | Houston Heat, Coaches Phil Cross and Jeremy Knox
Named to the Texas 5A State All-Tournament Team … Made the 2014 Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association Junior All-Stars … All-Houston Honorable Mention … Named a Houston Chronicle High School Athlete of the Week nominee … Hit .333 overall and .360 in the 2014 postseason.
 
Personal: Born September 24, 1996 … Son of Carol and Cecil Almendarez, Jr. … Has a sister, Jenna … Chose Texas State because of the great coaching staff and how much he loved campus … Recruited by Tulane, Rice, Houston, and Sam Houston State … Hobbies include ping pong … Nicknamed Pacman … Major is exercise and sports science.
 
Assistant Coach Mike Silva on Almendarez: Speed. He's one of the fastest guys I've ever seen or recruited. He really impresses you with how he can run the bases. He is a prototypical centerfielder and has the arm strength to play all three outfield positions. He's likely a leadoff guy in the lineup with the ability to wreak havoc on the bases and steal a lot of bags. One of the benefits of his athleticism is that it gives him the ability to move to either middle infield position.

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Wes Engle: LHP | 6-4 | 195 | Bedford, Texas
Euless Trinity HS, Head Coach Will Averitt | Fort Worth Cats, Coach Bruce Kirby
All-District Honorable Mention Pitcher … Named the team's offensive MVP … As a junior was a unanimous All-District First Team selection at first base … Recognized as the team's overall MVP.
 
Personal: Born December 16, 1996 … Son of Susan Williams and Tom Engle … Has three siblings: Erin, Julia and Will … Chose Texas State because of the overall atmosphere and academic prestige … Recruited by Houston, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Wichita State, West Virginia, Dallas Baptist and UALR … Father played football at TCU and grandfather played football at Texas A&M … Major is undecided.
 
Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach Jeremy Fikac on Engle: He is a two-way player for Texas State. He can play first and is a lefty on the mound and at the plate. At 6-foot-4, physical and athletic, he fits the theme of this class and what we are trying to do in recruiting. Long pitchers that create angle with their fastballs on the mound are what we try to identify, and Wes does just that.

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Jonathan Hennigan: LHP | 6-4 | 175 | Center, Texas
Center HS, Head Coach Jeremy parker | Galveston College, Head Coach Chris Joblin
Named All-District 3A-18 First Team in high school … Led Galveston College to a 41-19 record.
 
Personal: Born August 27, 1994 … Son of Kim and Phil Hennigan … Grandfather played professionally for the New York Mets and Cleveland Indians … Chose Texas State because it is where he wants to be when the Bobcats win the College World Series … Recruited by UCF, Louisiana Tech and Stephen F. Austin … Hobbies include baseball, fishing and hunting … Nicknamed Leroy … Major is undecided.
 
Fikac on Hennigan: Hennigan is a long, loose, left-handed arm with electric stuff. He has range anywhere from 88-92 mph and can throw three pitches for strikes. His breaking ball has depth and is a true out pitch. He projects to be a weekend starter at the Division I level.

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Ryan Larison: RHP | 6-3 | 190 | Luling, Texas
Luling HS, Head Coach Logan Cordes | Galveston College, Head Coach Chris Joblin
In high school, was named All-District all four seasons, twice as a pitcher, once as a second baseman and earned the All-District Most Valuable Player award in 2012 … Led Galveston College to a 41-19 record … In 2011, won the Team MaxBat Home Run Derby … Finished third in the 2011 Team MaxBat Mr. Baseball competition.
 
Personal: Born February 9, 1995 … Son of Pam and Kenneth Larison … Has an older sister Devin … Chose Texas State because it was close to his family and has a great baseball program … Recruited by Stephen F. Austin and Louisiana Tech … Hobbies include fishing, hunting and gaming … Nicknamed Larry … Major is business.
 
Fikac on Larison: He'll make an immediate impact for us. As a transfer, he adds an experienced arm to the staff. We have been able to monitor his progress since he has been in our camps, and he has really made a jump while at junior college. His velocity ranges from 89-91 mph with a really good slider that he throws as hard as 84 mph.

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Ryan Leftwich: IF | 5-10 | 170 | Cypress, Texas
Cy Ranch HS, Head Coach John Pope | Houston Heat, Coaches Phil Cross and Jeremy Knox
Led his team to the Texas 5A State Championship in 2013, finishing with a record of 31-6 … Led his team to a 34-8 finish in 2012 … In 2014, led his team to the 17-5A District Championship and the regional quarterfinals with a 24-6-1 record … Was an All-District Honorable Mention in 2013 and All-District Second Team in 2014 … A four-year letterman.
 
Personal: Born August 22, 1996 … Son of Amy and Ted Leftwich … Recruited by Sam Houston State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Tulane and Stephen F. Austin … Favorite hobbies include baseball and hanging out … Nicknamed Lefty or Ryno … Major is business finance.
 
Silva on Leftwich: He might be the best defender coming out of high school that I saw this year. He is a true shortstop with the athleticism to play around the middle. Offensively, he projects as a leadoff type of hitter, but he does have gap power. He'll provide a spark at the plate and around the bases with his speed.

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Ryan Newman: C | 6-0 | 225 | Brenham, Texas
Brenham HS, Head Coach Lanny Williams | Houston Heat, Coaches Phil Cross and Jeremy Knox
Led team to the regional finals … Named Newcomer of the Year … Earned the All-District Most Valuable Player award … Named All-District First Team … Earned a Texas All-State nod.
 
Personal: Born December 17, 1996 … Son of Jenny and Chris Newman … Has an older sister Kelsey … Chose Texas State for the coaching staff … Recruited by Ole Miss, Houston and Blinn … Hobbies include CrossFit … Major is undecided.
 
Silva on Newman: Ryan might be the best hitter in the entire class. The kid can really hit. No matter the situation, he can hit in it. He does a good job behind the plate. He has some leadership skills, is tremendously competitive and has a really hard work ethic. Ryan has the ability to play either corner infield position, but he probably projects, with Felipe as well, as our future behind the plate.

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Jonathan Ortega: IF | 5-8 | 170 | Victoria, Texas
Victoria East HS, Head Coach Wesley Kolle | Houston Heat, Coaches Phil Cross and Jeremy Knox
Named All-State First Team … Recognized as the district's Most Valuable Player … First Team All-District short stop … Named the Newcomer of the Year … Made the Perfect Game All-Tournament Team … Also played quarterback for the football team where he was named the offensive MVP … Member of the National Honor Society.
 
Personal: Born September 27, 1996 … Son of Jessica Ortega … Has two younger brothers: Zachary and Bryson … Chose Texas State for the baseball program … Recruited by Rice … Hobbies include football and basketball … Nicknamed JO … Major is business management.
 
Silva on Ortega: He adds leadership ability for us. He is a strong defender in the middle of the field. He can play either shortstop or second base, but, realistically, he can probably play any position on the field. He is an offensive sparkplug with the energy that he brings. He has the ability to run and steal bases, and he has shown the ability to hit at a high level in every level of competition in which he has played.

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Anthony Pagano: LHP/OF/1B | 6-0 | 190 | Humble, Texas
Atascocita HS, Head Coach Eric Matthews | Houston Heat, Coaches Phil Cross and Jeremy Knox
Was named All-District 13-5A First Team in both 2013 and 2014 … Earned the 2014 Region 2 Most Valuable Player award … Recognized on the Texas 5A State All-Tournament Team in 2013 and 2014 … Named All-Houston Pitcher Second Team and was a THSBCA All-State Third Team Pitcher … Selected to play for Team Texas in the 2013 sophomore and 2014 junior Sunbelt Classic Tournaments … Selected to the 2014 HABCA Junior All-Stars … Named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament Team … Finished 2014 with 49 hits, 42 RBI, .392 average and .510 on-base percentage … Pitched 79.2 innings with 86 strikeouts and just 28 walks for a 1.67 ERA in 2014.
 
Personal: Born February 17, 1997 … Son of Claudine and Anthony Pagano … Has a younger sister, Alexa … Chose Texas State because of the baseball program, college degree options, campus and location … Hobbies include working out, sports and fishing … Is a volunteer coach for mentally and physically disabled children with the Humble Baseball Association – ARM League … Major is engineering and business.
 
Fikac on Pagano: He led his team to the state tournament last year, both at the plate and with his arm. He'll be a two-way player for the Bobcats with the ability to hit from the left side he is a lefty on the mound. He has a bulldog mentality on the mound and his competitiveness makes him special.

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Nick Perez: RHP/IF | 6-2 | 200 | Austin, Texas
Stephen F. Austin HS, Head Coach Glenn Bacak | Houston Heat, Coaches Phil Cross and Jeremy Knox
Was named the Freshman Newcomer of the Year … Earned All-District First Team honors in sophomore and junior seasons.
 
Personal: Born September 9, 1996 … Son of Jean Garcia and Fidel Perez, Jr. … Has an older sister Maricella … Chose Texas State for the opportunity to attend school and play baseball close to home … Recruited by Houston, LSU, Sam Houston State and Oklahoma State … Hobbies include playing sports … Major is undecided.
 
Fikac on Perez: He is one of the best two-way players in the 2015 class that we saw. He is physical. He can run. He can hit. He has power. He has arm strength. He can play infield or outfield and he likes to compete! He has reached as high as 93 mph on the mound. Nick projects as a corner infielder and will pitch as well. The bigger the moment, the better the kid gets!

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Felipe De Jesus Rodriguez III: C | 5-11 | 200 | Laredo, Texas
John B. Alexander HS, Head Coach Mario Garcia | Waco Storm, Coach Todd Haney
In his junior season, named All-District Catcher … Earned an All-State Honorable Mention … Led his team to a 28-4 record.
 
Personal: Born June 28, 1996 … Son of Rosalinda and Felipe Rodriguez, Jr. … Has two older sisters and a younger brother: Stephanie, Jennifer and Alex … Chose Texas State because it was his best choice and top pick … Recruited by Stephen F. Austin and Dallas Baptist … Hobbies include riding horses and fishing … Major is kinesiology.
 
Silva on Rodriguez: He's physical and athletic and has had the opportunity to play on some really good high school teams. He has been an elite player since his early teens and has continued to grow and develop. He'll show really good defensive skills behind the plate and has the ability to hit at a really high level.

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Weston Seay: RHP | 5-11 | 190 | Hallettsville, Texas
Hallettsville HS, Head Coach Calvin Cook |Austin/Houston Banditos, Coach Calvin Shiraldi
Led team to a 91-20 record over the course of his high school career … Won the Texas 2A State Championship in 2013 with a 35-3 record … As a freshman, was named All-District Second Team Pitcher … Earned All-District First Team honors as an infielder in sophomore season … Named All-District MVP in 2014 … Finished 2014 with an 0.28 ERA, 157 strikeouts and a 13-1-1 record … Was an All-State pitcher … Won the 2014 Perfect Game WWBA 17U World Championship with the Banditos … Named to the Perfect Game WWBA South Qualifier All-Tournament Team in both 2013 and 2014.
 
Personal: Born September 3, 1996 … Son of Susan and Urban Seay … Has an older brother Andy … Chose Texas State because of the baseball program, coaches, facilities, location and the geographic information sciences degree … Recruited by UTSA, Air Force, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Dartmouth … Hobbies include hunting … Major is geographic information sciences.
 
Fikac on Seay: He is very competitive and reminded us a lot of former Bobcat Mitchell Pitts in the recruiting process because of that. I feel like he can come in and throw two plus pitches for strikes immediately and has one of the better breaking balls I've seen from a high school pitcher. Weston likes coming right at hitters, and that caught our attention. He wants the ball in big moments!

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Brayden Theriot: OF/RHP | 6-2 | 200 | Sugar Land, Texas
Elkins HS, Head Coach Tyler Porter | South Texas Sliders, Coach Matt Pierce
Earned All-District First Team honors … Achieved academic excellence all four years of high school … Also competed in swimming, in which he qualified for state.
 
Personal: Born December 19, 1996 … Son of Sheryl and John Theriot … Has an older sister Brittani … Chose Texas State because he loved the campus and all it offers … Hobbies include fishing and hanging out with friends … Nicknamed Bray … Major is undecided.
 
Silva on Theriot: He is probably a true two-way guy. He is physical, athletic and strong. He has great arm strength and anyone who sees him notices it right off the bat, whether he is in the outfield or pitching. On the mound, he'll be easy around 90 mph, but he'll go higher. He is a true two-way guy with power from the right side of the plate. He is a tremendously competitive kid with great athleticism. He qualified for state as a swimmer. He'll come in and be a legitimate two-way threat for us.