While the 2020 spring season did not provide an appropriate showcase because of the cancellation of the season due to the coronavirus pandemic, several local high school seniors are looking forward to proving themselves at the next level after recently making college commitments.
East County teams have logged nine college commitments among the 2020 senior recruiting class, including three from Helix Charter High School and two each from Valhalla and Grossmont high schools.
Players who have committed to play the game they love at the next level include Helix’s Thomas Caneday (University of Nevada-Reno), Alonzo Richardson (San Diego State University) and Jordan Thompson (Louisiana State University), Valhalla’s Kyle Casper (University of Arizona) and Joseph Ingrassia (San Diego State University), Grossmont’s Anthony Mata (UC Riverside) and Danny Yanez (San Diego State University), Granite Hills’ T.K. Parker (Long Beach State) and Foothills Chrisitan’s Cade Cabral (San Diego Christian College).
Additionally, Santana junior Tyler Glowacki has committed to play at SDSU.
Casper, Ingrassia, Richardson, Thompson and Parker all participated in last year’s San Diego Section All-Star Game at Petco Park.
Casper is a member of Arizona’s highly lauded 2020 signing class announced by head coach Jay Johnson.
The Wildcats have landed a top-25 recruiting class for the third consecutive year. Casper is among five pitchers, four position players and another two players who are listed as both.
“We are very excited about this recruiting class,” Johnson said. “It has a great blend of talented pitchers and hitters, and I believe this group matches extremely well with the players currently on our roster in regards to ability and chemistry.
“The 2020 class positions us well for a strong future. This group also brings a high level of character to our program that will represent the university and the team in a first-class manner on and off the field.”
Casper logged a .379 hitting average with 23 doubles and 64 RBI in his first three years playing varsity ball with the Norsemen.
In seven games this spring he led Valhalla with a .474 hitting average.
Arizona recruiters feel Casper, a member of last year’s San Diego Section Division III championship team along with Ingrassia, profiles best as a center fielder with good arm strength, quick hands and bat speed at the plate. He projects as a player who should only continue to improve his overall game.
“Kyle is a great athlete who is fast, athletic, and physically strong,” Johnson said. “Kyle possesses great all-around tools in regards to bat speed, running speed and arm speed and has the chance to impact the game in many ways. Kyle’s best days are in front of him, and I believe Arizona is the perfect place for him to reach his full potential.”
Ingrassia’s career numbers include a 1.46 ERA, 13 wins and 216 strikeouts in 134 innings with an .146 opponent batting average.
He posted a 7-1 record with a 1.49 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 47 innings as a sophomore and was lights out with a 0.95 ERA, 5-2 record and 114 strikeouts in 66.1 innings as a junior.
Ingrassia (6-0, 155) ranked second on the team this spring with a .455 hitting average.
Grossmont advanced as far as last year’s Division I finals, finishing runner-up by a 1-0 score to Westview after winning the 2018 title.
Mata carries a career .271 hitting average from high school into college. He faced off this spring with a .346 average with five RBI in seven games.
Yanez hit .309 in 18 games last season for the Foothillers with six doubles, one home run and 11 RBI.
Cabral takes a .318 career hitting average with 26 RBI and 47 runs scored in 56 games the short distance over to San Diego Christian College. He hit .429 with two home runs and nine RBI in six games this spring.
