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LAS CRUCES, NM – Coach Mike Kirby and the NM State baseball program continue to find success for the future of Aggie baseball. Throughout National Signing Day on Wednesday, NM State inked eight players, including high school prospects and transfers. The Aggies signed an incoming class that is loaded with talent, including two of the top six high school players in the state of New Mexico.
Matthew Cornelius | LHP | Pima Community College (AZ)
An Albuquerque native, Cornelius will be plenty familiar with the state of New Mexico when he arrives in Las Cruces. Cornelius won the Gatorade Player of the Year award in 2020-21 while attending St. Pius X High School. In his first year at Pima CC, the southpaw posted a 3-3 record in 33.1 innings pitched, striking out 43.
Fernando Barreda | RHP | Cochise College (AZ)
Coming from Cochise College, Barreda will look to make an immediate impact on the NM State starting rotation. Barreda made 18 starts last season, posting a 4.47 ERA with 60 strikeouts. This case, Barreda was selected to compete in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference All-Star Game. The Sahuarita, Arizona native spent the 2022 season playing with Treyjen Meza, one of the new faces for the Aggies in 2023.
Jesus Tovar | LHP | New Mexico Junior College
Posting an 8-1 record on the mound in his freshman season for the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds, Tovar caught plenty of attention. Tovar fanned 82 over 63.2 innings of work, spinning a complete game in the process. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Tovar will have the chance to play just down the road from his hometown when he arrives on campus.
Connor Wylde | LHP | Cypress College (CA)
A Huntington Beach, California native, Wylde made 12 appearances, including five starts for Cypress College last season. The 6’6″ left-hander has the potential to make an immediate impact for the NM State pitching staff once in Las Cruces. While at Cypress, Wylde was teammates with Noah Karliner, who signed with the Aggies for the 2023 season.
Thomas Teel | C | Nogales High School (AZ)
Perfect Game ranks Paul Thomas Teel as the top catcher in the state of Arizona for the Class of 2023. The backstop recorded a 1.87 second pop time and showcases elite footwork behind the dish. Teel is a right-handed hitter who drives the ball well with power.
Steve Solorzano | INF | Las Cruces High School (NM)
The hometown kid is staying home. Solorzano is ranked as the second best player in the state of New Mexico and the top third baseman in the state. Also mixes in time on the mound, touching as high as 91 in game, ranking in the 98th percentile of the 2023 class. Participated in the Area Code Games for the Reds, which features the top 220+ high school players across the country from the 2023 and 2024 classes.
Ty Acton | SS | Verrado High School (AZ)
Hailing from Buckeye, Arizona, Acton provided silky smooth hands defensively while also being able to flash the bat. Action enters National Signing Day as the 14th ranked shortstop in Arizona. He’ll bring a left-handed bat that will be able to find base hits to all fields when he arrives at The ‘Skew.
Jeter Mauzey | OF | Hamilton High School (AZ)
Mauzey is another elite high school player from the state of Arizona. Perfect Game ranks Mauzey as a top-ten outfielder in the state. Ahead of the 2022 season, Mauzey was named to the Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All American team as an honorable mention for the West region.
What They’re Saying
Head coach Mike Kirby | “I am very proud to announce and welcome this 2023-24 recruiting class to Las Cruces! This is an exciting time for our program. Coach Zuniga and Coach Van Horn did a fabulous job putting this group together to help improve our team. Pitching and defense wins championships and this is a group that will help us do just that. Welcome to the family, boys! Aggie Up!”
Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Keith Zuniga | “We are really excited about this class, from top to bottom we as a staff feel that these dudes can come in and make an impact right away! These guys are winners, come from winning programs and I have no doubt that they will make Aggie Nation proud! This class includes a mix of experienced pitching with a group of position players that we identified to be as some of THE BEST in the country! We are happy they are Aggies! Can’t wait to get to work. Aggie Up! “
Assistant Coach Brandon Van Horn | “This class embodies where the Aggie baseball program is headed. They are some of the best players and athletes in their regions, conferences, and states. They are winners and will come in and make an impact right away. This class is very diverse with All-Conference Junior College pitchers to Area Code Games participants to All-State high school players. Aggie nation should be really excited about not only this class but the direction of the Aggie baseball program. All the hard work and long hours from the staff, especially Coach Zuniga, is paying off and we are looking forward to more Championship teams in Las Cruces! Aggie Up!”
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