As SDSU baseball continues its final push in the regular season, next season will bring in a new face in Parker Kristall, a transfer recruit from West Valley College, a community college in Northern California.
Like many players on the team, the depth of the coaching staff is what sealed the deal for his commitment to The Mesa.
“The coaching staff for me was the biggest draw to SDSU,” Kristall said. “I really believe in Coach Vance and his staff, their ability to develop players and commitment to winning.”
Kristall played two-way at his previous stop, pitching mainly in relief and seeing time in the lineup as a designated hitter and outfielder. He plans to continue as a two-way player with the Aztecs, making him the only one.
In 14 appearances on the mound, including two starts, he had a 1-0 record with a 4.85 ERA, along with five saves and 36 strikeouts. As for the hitting side, Kristall was one of the top hitters for the Vikings, either leading or in the top three in every major offensive category.
He had the second highest batting average (.390), on base percentage (.509), hits (67), triples (1) and walks (2), led the team in slugging percentage (.785), doubles (21), runs (75), stolen bases (31) and home runs (15) and was third in RBIs (53).
With his strong combined efforts, he won the Coast South Conference “Big Stick Award” and First Team Coast South Two-Way Player Award.
As a Southern California native, Kristall comes back with something he felt he was missing while playing in Northern California: the chance to share his college baseball experience with family in person.
“It means I get a lot more support from my family,” Kristall said. “Having my mom and brother coming to watch every game is something I’ve really missed.”
The transition from JUCO baseball to the Pac-12 is not easy. Still, Kristall is approaching the higher level of competition as an opportunity to improve and grow as a player.
“I’m looking forward to experiencing a higher level of baseball,” Kristall said. “I get to learn what it takes to win and to be a professional baseball player.”
While Kristall’s versatility as a two-way player stands out, his biggest goal at SDSU is to make an impact within the clubhouse and continue building the culture that has become a cornerstone of the program. That mentality has been shared throughout the roster and among the program’s incoming recruiting class.
“I’m coming to SDSU with a winning mentality,” he said. “Skill set aside, I’d like to add to the already great culture of the baseball program and prove myself as a leader.”
Between the opportunity to play closer to home, compete at a higher level and join a program built around culture and development, Kristall feels that San Diego is the right place to continue his baseball journey.
“I’m extremely excited to represent SDSU and play under a great coach,” Kristall said. “I’m looking to be the type of player that brings the team together and raises the standard on the field every day.”
