By Michael KlitzingAssistant Sports Editor
Jim Dietz’s trademark poker face did little to mask the San DiegoState head baseball coach’s enthusiasm as he perused the list — thelist of SDSU’s recruiting class for the 2002 season.
Aside from being the Aztecs skipper’s final recruiting class, ashe will retire at the end of 2001, the 31st-year coach feels it maybe one of his best.
The totals so far: 14 players pursued; 12 players signed; three ofthe top-100 prep players in Southern California.
“Man, oh man, what a recruiting class,” Dietz mused. “I’d say itis every bit as good as it was three years ago. We’ve signed 12players and five of them are the best local kids here in town.”
SDSU’s most heralded recruit is pitcher Hayden Penn from Santee.Penn is ranked No. 29 nationally by Baseball America and isconsidered one of the top high school pitchers in the state ofCalifornia.
“Hayden Penn’s potential is off the scale,” said director ofrecruiting and pitching coach Rusty Filter. “But he still has a lotto learn as a pitcher.”
Although he carries a lower profile than Hayden, Dietz saidpitcher Ronald Lindsey’s potential (Pt. Loma High) may be evenbetter.
The Aztecs also signed two members of the USA Junior NationalTeam, shortstop James Guerrero and catcher Jordan Swayden.
More offensive production could be on its way from the PacificNorthwest. Brian Kinsman of Klamath Falls, Ore., comes off a seniorhigh school season in which he hit 18 home runs, 16 triples and 15doubles.
Also notable is heavily-recruited outfielder Joshua Womack, aspeedster from Crawford High.
Meanwhile, St. Mary’s transfer Ryan Heil and Michael Gillen fromFresno City College provide the Aztecs with a pair of moundsmen withcollege experience. SDSU also has its eye on two more local prospectsthat it will pursue during the next signing period.
This was the Aztecs’ third quality class in four years. SDSU’s1999 and 2000 classes were ranked eighth and fifth, respectively, byBaseball America.
This time around, the Aztecs found the process easier than inyears past. One factor is the abundance of prospects on the currentroster — a roster which will no doubt be raided this June in theMajor League Baseball draft. But more important is the certaintyabout the direction of the program.
Last season, Dietz’s tenuous job status hurt the recruitingprocess. Now, signing with SDSU means playing for future Hall ofFamer Tony Gwynn, after a smooth transition.
According to Dietz, the promise of stability was the mostimportant factor.
“They knew that people weren’t going to be let go from theirscholarships (because of a new coach),” he said. “They knew Tonyplayed for me, so that makes it an easy transition when you do thissort of thing.”
Still, there is no guarantee that any of these recruits will everdon the Red and Black — each is subject to the MLB draft in June,and Dietz said he expects all 12 to be drafted.
At that point, the decision is up to the player and his familywhether a signing bonus is more appealing than a college education.
“We’re not going to be scared off by that,” Filter said. “If theywant to sign, that’s great. We can’t let it affect how we recruit.”
