Baseball Inks 12 for 2017

Omaha, Neb. - Creighton baseball coach Ed Servais has announced the signing of 12 players to national letters of intent for the 2017 season. The Bluejays will add two infielders, two right-handed pitchers, three southpaws, two outfielders and three two-way players.

"We have a large group of highly talented players coming in and that is largely due to the efforts of Rich Wallace and Brian Furlong," said Servais. "This class will shape our program for the next several years and I'm excited by that."

Joining the Bluejays after first being noticed during a Creighton camp, Chris Burica is a 6'6'', 200-pound left-handed pitcher from Anaheim Hills, Calif. Burica made 11 starts for Orange Lutheran HS last season, closing the season with a 1.99 ERA, a 2-1 record as he allowed 26 hits in 31.2 innings.

"We were also able to see Chris at camp this summer and were very impressed with his delivery, fastball command, and breaking ball," said Servais. "We really like the way he works and think he's got a shot to play a big role for us in the future."

Isaac Collins is a 5'10'', 175-pound infielder from Maple Grove, Minn. A three-year all-conference selection, Collins hit .376 at Maple Grove High School last year. The switch hitter is also dynamic in the field, setting the school record for fielding percentage.

"Isaac is a young man we are looking forward to working with as a switch-hitting infielder," noted Servais. "He has the ability to be in the same place as a lot of the outstanding infielders we have had in the past few years."

A 6'6'' left handed pitcher from Colorado Springs, Colo., Brice Johnson posted a 2.84 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 36 innings last year. A two-year letterwinner for Pine Creek High School, Johnson was a 2015 Colorado Academic All-State First Team selection. Johnson was selected to play in the Southern Colorado All-Star Game as a junior and is a Perfect Game Rocky Mountain Showcase Top Prospect.

"Brice is a projectable left-handed pitcher who has great upside," said Servais. "We've followed his progress for over a year now and are extremely excited to get him on campus. He will add a great balance to our pitching staff and he really fits that left handed need for us."

One of two junior college players in the signing class, Thomas Luevano is a 6'2'', 190-pound infielder/right-handed pitcher from Santa Clarita, Calif. Luevano hit .313 in his first season at Moorpark College, the same junior college as current Bluejay Riley Conlan. On the mound Luevano was 3-0 with four saves in 15 games as a freshman. Luevano graduated from Bishop Alemany High School before heading to Moorpark College.

"Thomas is a versatile infielder and pitcher who will be able to help us immediately in the infield," said Servais. "He has a dynamic arm on the mound that should add depth to our pitching staff."

A 5'10'' outfielder from Tampa, Fla., Nick Ortega is ranked as the the 53rd best player in the state of Florida by Max Preps. Ortega is expected to fit into the Creighton system nicely with defense as a priority, but he also showed a great ability to handle the bat. Ortega hit .422 as a sophomore in 28 games.

"Nick is the son of a former player Eddie Ortega. Nick can play all three outfield positions and has a great feel for the game," said Servais.

Will Robertson is a 6'1'', 190-pound outfielder from Fatima, Mo. The left-handed hitter has already started for two seasons at Fatima High School, blasting the game-winning home run in the Missouri State Championship game last season. He was also on the Comets 2013 Class 3 Championship squad.

"Will is a left-handed hitter we saw this summer," noted Servais. "His bat will be close to being ready to play as a freshmen and has great versatility to play the corner outfield and at first base."

An middle infielder from Scottsdale, Ariz., Ben Rodenberg stands 6'1' and weighs 170-pounds. Rodenberg hit .311 as a junior at Cactus Shadows High School, collecting 22 RBI in 31 contests. He smacked four home runs in each of his previous two seasons and earned Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention for his play in the summer. Rodenberg also earned all-conference honors last season.

"We had a chance to see Ben play this summer in Arizona and really liked his range and enthusiasm for playing the game," commented Servais. "We believe with his experience he will make the jump to college baseball rather quickly."

Drew Smith is a 5'10", 185-pound infielder/outfielder from Elkhorn, Neb. Smith was one of three juniors named to the All-Nebraska First Team last spring as he closed the 2015 season hitting .467, with 29 runs scored and 11 doubles. Smith was even better this summer for Elkhorn Post 211, leading the state in batting average (.516), hits (95) and home runs (16) while tying for the lead in triples (10).

"Drew put up some outstanding power numbers in high school and I think he can provide some great offense for us," said Servais.

The second junior college signee is Grant Spranger, a 6'2", 210-pound left-handed pitcher from Bettendorf, Iowa. The southpaw went 6-1 in his first season at Southeastern CC, including a 4-0 mark in conference play. A graduate of Bettendorf High School, Spranger tossed two complete games in 11 starts during his freshman campaign (59.0 innings).

"Grant is a junior college lefty who provides an experienced arm," said Servais. "We really like his stuff as well as his ability to compete. Grant is someone who can help as a starter or out of the pen."

Standing 6'5'' at 210-pounds, righty Ryan Swanson brings an imposing frame to the Bluejay dugout from Eden Prairie, Minn. Swanson went 6-2 as a junior, closing the season with a 2.18 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 40 innings. Swanson made an impact in his first start for Eden Prairie, notching a no-hitter against Andover in April. Swanson is ranked as the sixth prospect in the Minnesota 2016 class, according to Prep Baseball Report.

"Ryan is a physical right-handed pitcher with tremendous upside," noted Servais. "We feel he has a chance to help us out on the mound right away."

Another Nebraska product, Parker Upton is a 6'1" 175-pound switch-hitting infielder and right-handed pitcher from Grand Island, Neb. A Lincoln Journal-Star Super All-State First team selection last season, Upton hit .375 with 24 RBI for Grand Island High School in 2015. On the bump he was equally impressive, posting a 0.98 ERA with two saves and a 3-0 record. During summer ball Upton was a Perfect Game All-America Honorable Mention selection.

"Parker is an offensive-minded player who has recently taken up switch-hitting," noted Servais. "That is a tool which will really make him valuable during his college career."

Rounding out the 2016 signing class is a 6'3'', 185-pound right-handed pitcher from Melbourne Beach, Fla., Jackson Vescelus. A 2015 Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention, Vescelus led his summer ball team (the Brevard Aces) to the 2015 Florida State Championship.

"Jackson is another pitcher with a great opportunity to contribute right away," commented Servais. "He throws from a unique arm slot and has the ability to land three pitches for strikes, but his ability to compete may be his best asset."

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