The baseball landscape is changing within our state as top prospects in recent and current classes have decided to "take their talents" to Nevada universities or colleges instead of the out of state alternative. Nevada prospects are already at a disadvantage, compared to our surrounding states with only 3 in-state collegiate options after high school (California - 135, Arizona - 18, Utah - 6). In recent years, choosing a local program was AN option for the top players in the state and now we are seeing that they are becoming THE option with steady increases in Top 10 ranked prospects choosing Nevada programs to further their baseball careers. Recent high round MLB Draft picks coming out of our in-state institutions has played a major role in athletes opting to stay home and create something special with players they have grown up playing with and/or against during their prep careers.

The 2020 recruiting class for CSN features twelve Nevada prospects, mostly comprised of players who have slipped through the cracks in the recruiting process or are late bloomers in the baseball world. The Coyotes are bringing in 7 of the Top 30 players in Nevada's 2020 class and Assistant Coach, Matt Stoner (MS), sat dow with PBR Nevada Scouting Director, Brett Harrison (BH), to breakdown the upcoming class, what it takes to become a Coyote and the recent shift in the Nevada baseball landscape. 

(BH) What are some key things you look for in a recruit?

(MS) The player has to be a good fit to carry on the culture that the staff and previous player have built here throughout the program's history. We're going after the top talent in town, but they also have to buy into what we have already established here or else it wouldn't be a good fit.

(BH) Where do you get most of your recruiting done?

(MS) We get most of our recruiting done during the high school season. We have used the PBR events that take place high school during the high school off-season to help identify players we want to go after. Once the high school season starts, we get out to watch games around town and we also love to watch players practice. Practice tells us a lot about what kind of player we would be getting.

(BH) When a player gets on campus, what are some “Non-Negotiables” that plays should be able to expect?

(MS) Going to class, effort and accountability. We take great pride in how the players in our program treat people whether it is classmate, teammates or members of the community.

(BH) Do you think we have the talent in Nevada to get CSN back to Grand Junction?

(MS) 100%. We focus on getting our core guys from Nevada with our occasional bounce backs or out of state player that help supplement our group of local talent. 

(BH) Why do you think the number of local recruits staying home has increased in recent years?

(MS) Word of mouth from past and present players on the experience they have had during their time in our program and the resources we are able to provide at CSN. The relationships we have created with programs around the country allow us to place our guys in major programs after their time with us at CSN including Arizona, Pitt, Baylor, Houston, Pepperdine, UNLV and many more. I think prospects are realizing the quality of baseball and benefits we are able to provide as a program to our players, making Junior College is a viable option for our top local players.

(BH) How does the CSN staff feel about the stacked 2020 recruiting class they have coming in next year?

(MS) We couldn’t be more excited about the class we have coming in. It is up for debate, but I think this is the best freshman class coming into CSN in the program's 20-year history. Our 2020 recruiting class consists of 12 very good baseball players; guys who want to win and have won throughout their prep careers. 

(BH) How does the recent NJCAA ruling to allow players to receive another year of eligibility effect your recruiting process in the coming years?

(MS) I think it will benefit us tremendously, there will be a number of bounce backs that should become available could help us out on top of the excellent class we already have coming in.

--

The CSN staff couldn't be any more excited about the core they have coming in with Desert Oasis' shortstop, Colby Smith, Basic's center fielder, John-Howard Bobo, and Legacy's catcher, Fabian Torres, plugging up three premium positions for the Coyotes the next two seasons. Beyond these three, you have High Ceiling, Under the Radar prospects like Bishop Gorman's utility, Dominyck Bullard, and a pair of budding legit prospects out of Green Valley in Gavin Malcom and Max Leuga, Basic's Demitrius Vigil, who should continue to make big leaps under the CSN pitching staff, three sport star, Diego Trujillo, coming out of Laughlin to play of the Coyotes, and the reigning Northern Nevada Offensive Player of the Year in Damonte Ranch's Everett Williams. The class is rounded out by three Southern Nevada prospects that should have a chance to make an immediate impact for the Coyotes in Desert Oasis products, Colton Zobrist and Nate Slaman, and Silverado's, Caleb Hubbard. Coach Stoner was correct in saying, "This is the best freshman class coming into CSN in the last 20 years", and this could be attributed to the growing trend of players choosing to stay home for their collegiate careers.

A program that has been in the backyard of Las Vegas for the last 20 years, CSN has always had to deal with the stigma of Junior Colleges being a lesser route for a prospect. The recent change of tides can be attributed to the consistent success the Coyotes have had with consistent deep playoff runs, possessing one of the premium baseball facilities into state and the volume of players moving on to some of the premier programs in the country following their two years at CSN. Just as players have to pass the "Eye Test" to begin the recruiting process, collegiate programs also have to pass the "Eye Test" now with facilities, uniforms and available resources and the Coyotes have remained at the forefront of that effort with constant facility upgrades and pristine playing conditions, it is hard to find a better Junior College venue in the country. This class is the beginning of what could be a trend that bring Nevada baseball to prominence, just as our surrounding state place huge focus on keep the best players in-state, Nevada's top prospects choosing to "stay home" could bring a bright future to Silver State baseball.

#ForNevadaByNevada

--

The Upperclass Top Prospect Games is an INVITE ONLY event featuring top 2021 prospects from around the state. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 7 - Wednesday, July 8 at UNLV Players will participate in a pro-style workout, followed by simulated game-play. 

The event is limited in the number of participants.  Pitchers will be evaluated/videoed during live game action. Rosters will be organized/built by specific positions to maximize playing time/exposure for each player. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, please get your registration in as soon as possible, as roster spots are limited, both by total quantity and by position.