Saint Louis head baseball coach Darin Hendrickson announced today that 10 student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University and play baseball for the Billikens. They will begin their eligibility in the 2018-19 academic year.
“Our coaches deserve all the credit for compiling this class, as it is a very important one as we will lose 13 seniors next spring,” Hendrickson said. “It is a large class that has experience, and they will need to be ready to contribute right away. One thing that stands out about this class is their athleticism as a group, in addition to how much winning these guys have done at top-notch programs. I am excited for them to hit the ground running and help us compete for an Atlantic 10 Conference title and an NCAA bid – our goals each and every year.”
Sam Butera | RHP | Skokie, Ill. (Niles West High School)
— Two-time All-Conference selection at Niles West High School.
— Went 8-2 and registered a 0.89 ERA last season.
— Opponents hit just .177 against him.
— Named the Wolves’ team MVP.
— Also competed for Top Tier.
Hendrickson on Butera: “I am excited to bring Sam to our staff. He is a hard-throwing right-hander with starter makeup, and his slider can compete at our level. Sam has an opportunity to compete for a spot in our rotation right away.”
Tyler Keppley | OF | Denver, Pa. (Cocalico High School)
— Three-time All-Section choice at Cocalico High School.
— Hit over .400 in two seasons.
— Honorable-mention All-America by Rawlings and Perfect Game.
— Perfect Game All-Tournament team and PG Series invitee.
— Played summer ball for MSI Bubba Baseball and his local Legion Post 429 squad.
Hendrickson on Keppley: “Tyler is a projected corner outfielder who has a tremendous physical presence. He showed great exit velocity and has potential be a major force in the middle of our lineup.”
Tauren Langley | IF | Edmonton, Canada (St. Francis Xavier HS/Cloud County Community College)
— Entering his sophomore season at Cloud County Community College in Junction City, Kan.
— Last year, he hit .305 with a team-best 29 extra-base hits.
— Led the Thunderbirds with a .599 slugging percentage and was second with 45 RBIs.
— Had 10 home runs and 19 doubles.
— Played summer ball for the Edmonton Cardinals, winning a provincial championship in 2016.
Hendrickson on Langley: “Tauren is a strong middle-of-the-order bat who is very good defensively at third base. He had double-digit homers at Cloud County, and will be expected to contribute for us right away.”
Ryan Maciel | OF | Garden Grove, Calif. (Westminster HS)
— Hit above .300 every year of his high school career at Westminster.
— Three-time first-team All-League selection.
— Voted the Lions’ team MVP.
— Hit .450 his freshmen campaign.
— Played summer ball for the GBG Renegades and was named to a Perfect Game All-Tournament Team after registering a .700 average in a tournament.
Hendrickson on Maciel: “Ryan is a left-hand hitting outfielder who has speed and a nice mix of athleticism. He projects to hit at the top of our lineup and can be really good at our park.”
Sean O’Brien | RHP | Pewaukee, Wis. (Marquette University HS)
— Entering his senior year Marquette University High School.
— Played summer ball for the GRB Rays.
Hendrickson on O’Brien: “Sean was a highly recruited pitcher before suffering an injury. He will need to get back on the mound this spring and summer, and will be back to form soon hitting the upper 80s and showcasing great pitchability.”
Cam Redding | C/INF | Wilmette, Ill. (New Trier HS)
— All-Conference and All-Area selection at New Trier High School.
— Helped high school team to a fourth-place finish in the state.
— Led the Trevians last year by hitting .422, including a .650 average in the state playoffs.
— Played summer ball for Top Tier.
— Named to the honor roll every semester of high school and was named to the IHSA All-Academic team.
Hendrickson on Redding: “Cam is a big, strong physical catcher. He has a great bat that will allow him to contribute right away. Cam is an exceptional student, and I expect him to be a key part of our lineup for the next four years.”
Tyler Reichenborn | CF | Brooklyn Park, Ill. (Blaine HS/Iowa Western CC)
— Entering his sophomore season at Iowa Western Community College.
— Hit .420 last year for the Reivers.
— Had nine doubles, three triples and 36 RBIs.
— Three-time first-team All-Conference selection for Blaine High School.
— Two-time team MVP for the Bengals.
Hendrickson on Reichenborn: “Tyler had a great year at Iowa Western, which posted a 44-16 record last season. He will be expected to patrol centerfield next year and hit at the top of our lineup. Tyler is fast, has great bat speed, and is a smart player.”
Colten Schild | IF | Greenville, Wis. (Fox Valley Lutheran HS)
— Three-time All-Conference selection at Fox Valley Lutheran High School.
— Helped team to a conference championship in 2015.
— Named All-State following his sophomore and junior seasons.
— Hit over .400 in each of his first three years of high school baseball.
— Also played football for the Foxes and was a first-team All-Conference wide receiver.
— Played summer ball for the GRB Rays.
Hendrickson on Schild: “Colten features a strong tool set that will translate well to the next level as a middle infielder. He will be a great addition to the Billikens and comes from a great program in the GRB Rays.”
Ryan Surin | LHP | Plainfield, Ill. (Joliet Catholic Academy)
— Entering his senior season at Joliet Catholic Academy.
— Recovering from an injury that forced him to miss the last two seasons.
— Played summer ball for the Cangelosi Sparks.
— Member of the National Honor Society and A Honor Roll.
Hendrickson on Surin: “Ryan may be the sleeper of our class after coming off Tommy John surgery. He is expected to be fully recovered in time for his senior season at Joliet Catholic. Ryan has a very good breaking ball and his development this spring will be key for his success.”
Scott Youngbrandt | RHP/IF | Tinley Park, Ill./Victor J. Andrew HS)
— Two-time All-Conference selection at Victor J. Andrew High School.
— All-State, All-Area and Conference Pitcher of the Year as a junior.
— Helped Thunderbolts to a 29-7 record last season.
— Honorable-mention All-America by Rawlings and Perfect Game.
Hendrickson on Youngbrandt: “Scott is a true two-way player who will contribute in the infield and on the mound. He is a highly touted recruit from the Chicago area who has electric stuff and is expected to find the field from day one.”
