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Now that the early signing date has come and gone and many of the top players have inked their decisions, PBR Nevada reached out to several prospects to discuss their college selections.  We will start at the top of our rankings and visit first with Aaron Roberts (2019, RHP/IF), about choosing the University of California.

PBR: Why did you choose Cal?  
Roberts: My choice was based on a myriad of decisions. It’s Cal Berkeley, one of the more prestigious universities in the world.  My education is very important to me and I couldn’t think of a better institution of higher learning with a baseball program that is on the rise.  Another reason were the Coaches. The Head Coach Mike Neu was very approachable, professional and really laid out his vision for the Cal Baseball Program and pitched in the MLB. In addition, his Assistant Coach, Noah Jackson is an outgoing & friendly guy that I could relate to.  I see him as “Players Coach” and he was always accessible.  I felt that the entire coaching staff at Cal gives me the best advantage to become a better baseball player. Another reason I chose Cal was their understanding of being a two-way player. It’s important to me to keep all my options open at the collegiate level. I feel I can contribute with pitching, I can help produce runs with my bat, and help my team on the field defensively. Several schools talked to me about being a two-way player, but it didn’t reflect on their roster. When I looked at Cal, I immediately saw Tanner Dodson who played outfield and was a closer. Tanner was 1 of 3 Finalists for the 2018 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award. That spoke volumes to me.  Lastly, I love the Bay Area and Northern California, I have lots of family & friends close by. I love the weather, totally different than Vegas. I love the cool breeze from the Pacific Ocean and I was born not far from Berkeley in Fairfield, CA so it feels like home. On a side note, one of my favorite restaurants is approximately 10 minutes away from Cal, so as I mentioned, my decision was based on a lot of different things.

PBR: What coach on staff was your primary recruiter and how it that relationship? 
Roberts: I would have to say it was Coach Noah Jackson. We officially met when I was playing with my High School Team at a Lion’s Tournament in Southern California, however, he says he’s been scouting me since he saw me at the NorCal World Series. Coach Noah Jackson was a student-athlete at Cal, he’s played in the MLB, he’s been a Professional Scout, and loves the game. I can pretty much ask him any question and he’s always there to assist me. We have a great relationship. We recently spent some time together at my Official Visit, watched the Big Game vs. Stanford, I had a great time with Coach Jackson, Coach Neu, the coaching staff, and got to meet the players.  I also had an opportunity to hang out with Andrew Vaughn and spend time with him at his home.  

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Roberts: USC, ASU, UNLV, UC SAN DIEGO, STANFORD, UC SANTA CLARA, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT & WASHINGTON STATE and others. 

PBR: Where did the coaching staff first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Roberts: Both Coach Neu & Coach Jackson saw me at the NorCal World Series during the Summer leading into my Sophomore year. I did well at that event and Coach Noah Jackson has watched me from that time on.  Coach Neu and Coach Jackson stayed in touch with me via phone and they would look at the updates on my website. My Parents post all my highlights, pitching, hitting, and defense on that site which they still post them to this day. Both coaches also connected on the phone with my parents & myself. Everything came together for me when I was at a game in Arizona and Coach Neu flew out to meet me personally. After that meeting, I was sold, he flew from the Bay Area to Arizona to spend a few hours with me and that personal attention and effort made a great impression on me and my parents. He spent time answering all my questions and relaying to me how valuable of an asset I would be to the Cal Baseball Program. By the time he landed back in the Bay Area, he had landed me as a recruit. I called Coach Noah Jackson and gave him the news while Coach Neu was flying home. 

PBR: Who has helped you the most to get to where you are today?
Roberts: The answer to this question will always be my Dad.

Yes, there have so many awesome coaches that have helped me grow as a baseball player. Coach Buboltz, my high school coach has been a big influence on my development and I will never forget playing all 4 years as a starter for him, and the rest of the coaches here at Desert Oasis. Coach Triumph, Coach Mailhot, Coach Robert, Coach Shane…they all have encouraged and inspired me. 

I also want to give a huge shout out to Coach Rob Bruno from NorCal, my summer coach. He’s been a huge contributor to me growing as a baseball player and getting my name out into the baseball world. There’s only one Coach Rob, he’s so intense but in a great way. There are many, many, others, like my “Uncle” DJ that has opened doors for me that have made a difference for me and too many others to name that have really taken time to help me & my game.

Of course if I had to pick one, it would be my Dad. He’s helped me the most by teaching me to love and respect the game of baseball. He taught me the value of working hard to get better. The many hours of extra practice while most people went home, he and I would go out and throw, hit, and take grounders every day.  I did not understand the power in what he was doing at first, but now I do. He was helping me become the player that I am today and will become over time, he helped me create a work ethic. He always says, “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” So far so good, Cal Berkeley and MLB Scouts are texting, calling and coming over the house. Thanks Dad. 

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer/fall and what has that experience been like? 
Roberts: During the past few Summers, I have split my time with two travel teams, The 2019 NorCal Nationals and the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces are my American Legion travel team which mostly consists of my high school team. Coach Paul Buboltz coaches the HS team which converts to the summer team.  Going on the trips with my HS team are some of the best memories ever and I know I improved a lot every summer because of it.  

Coach Rob Bruno is the Coach of The NorCal 2019 Nationals team and he’s taught me a lot. He has a unique coaching style and he took my game to another level. He gave me amazing exposure in the baseball world and he brings the talent. I love that the NorCal team consisted of top-notch players, and everyone playing was a D1 player. The competition is at a high level on that team. 

PBR: What plans does the coaching staff have for you during your freshman year?
Roberts: This was a quote from Coach Mike Neu in a 11/26/2018 article: Neu on Roberts: "Two-way player with a high, high velocity fastball and big time power. We feel like we got the best player in the state of Nevada with Aaron. He's got a chance to help us both on the mound and as a hitter right away. He's a dynamic player with the things that he can bring. He's got major tools with his power and velocity." 

To answer your question, I plan on just like I did my Freshmen year in High School, to be a starter and help my team win.

PBR: What is your most memorable baseball moment to date?
Roberts: It was in Summer of 2016, the summer before my Sophomore year, winning the Nevada State American Legion Tournament against Basic High School. I hit a homerun along with a sac fly to help us win the Championship game. That was my first State Championship. We also won the AL State Championship this past summer 2018, the goal this year is to win the Nevada State HS Championship this Spring 2019!  We have a Super team and I like our chances!

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter/pitcher you have faced in Nevada?
Roberts:  Toughest pitcher I ever faced was Jack Little. When I was a Freshman, he was arguably the best pitcher in Nevada.  He could bring the heat and his 2^nd and 3^rd pitch was pretty good. Jack now plays for the Stanford Cardinals in the Bay Area. I could meet Jack my Freshman year again. Looking forward to it. 

The toughest hitter I've faced was Austin Wells. He’s a baller and the last time I faced him I struck him out.