BROOKINGS – South Dakota State head coach Rob Bishop has announced that six high school standouts and one junior college transfer have signed a National Letter of Intent, indicating they will enroll in the fall of 2019 and compete for the Jackrabbit baseball team.
“The 2019 recruiting class is one that our coaching staff is very excited about,” Bishop said. “My assistant coaches have done tremendous work identifying players and people who fit at SDSU. Each of these student-athletes will make us better with their baseball skill level, but the more exciting piece to me personally is the character and work ethic of the group as a whole. Fans and alumni of Jackrabbit baseball will enjoy watching the impact that this group will make on the program.”
The signees are:
• Wyatt Andersen, utility player, Minden, Iowa
• Rick Atkins, pitcher, Marion, Iowa
• Drake Frazier, outfielder, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Nathan Holliday, pitcher, Muscatine, Iowa
• Adam Mazur, pitcher, Woodbury, Minn.
• Garrett Ries, catcher, Robins, Iowa
• Nathan Steenblock, outfielder/pitcher, Des Moines, Iowa
In addition, Mitchell High School standout Carson Max has been accepted for admission to SDSU and plans to join the Jackrabbit baseball team next fall.
Andersen has been associated with the Perfect Game baseball program, earning underclassman honorable mention All-America recognition in 2018 and all-tournament honors five times. He was a first-team all-district wide receiver for Tri-Center High School this past fall, tallying 36 receptions for 510 yards and four touchdowns.
A member of the Gold Honor Roll, he plans to major in physics at SDSU.
Atkins, a left-handed pitcher, has compiled an 11-3 record over the past two seasons at Marion High School, earning second-team all-state honors to go along with first-team recognition at the conference, metro and district levels. He made eight starts in 2018, posting a 5-1 record with a 0.80 earned run average. Atkins held the opposition to a .146 batting average and struck out 82 batters against 15 walks in 52 2/3 innings pitched during his junior season.
Also an honor roll student, Atkins intends to major in business economics.
Frazier has patrolled center field for Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, earning first-team all-district honors both as a sophomore and junior. He batted .402 as a sophomore and .349 during his junior campaign.
Frazier plans to pursue a degree in business and marketing.
Holliday played the 2018 season at Des Moines Area Community College, where he posted a 5-2 record and 2.14 ERA, while striking out 50 in 52 1/3 innings. He also played in the field, batting .260 with six doubles, four home runs, 10 stolen bases and 24 RBIs. Previously, Holliday was a second-team all-state selection at the prep level. He is currently studying educational psychology.
Mazur has played on two state-qualifying teams at Woodbury High School, earning all-conference and all-section honors as a junior. His 75 strikeouts in 2018 were the third most in the state of Minnesota. Mazur plans to seek a degree in business management or sports marketing.
Ries earned second-team all-division honors in 2018 and is a two-time all-district honoree at Cedar Rapids Xavier High School. He has batted over .300 each of the last two seasons while displaying extra-base power with a combined nine triples and three home runs.
On track to graduate with high honors, he plans to pursue a degree in business.
Steenblock has excelled both in the outfield and on the mound for Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines. He posted a 1.81 ERA pitching, along with a .283 batting average. Steenblock also has competed in track and field, earning first-team all-state recognition and running on the state-champion sprint medley relay team.
An all-academic selection by the Central Iowa Metropolitan League in both baseball and track, Steenblock plans to major in business.
A three-sport athlete, Max was a member of consecutive American Legion state runner-up teams. He is the defending state Class A champion at 195 pounds in wrestling and earned all-state honors in football three times after totaling 282 tackles.
A Gold Honor Roll student, he plans to major in human biology.
