Baylor baseball signed seven players for its 2019 roster on Wednesday, adding more talented arms to an already solid team coming off a 2017 NCAA Regional appearance.
“This group coming in for 2019 has our coaching staff excited,” said head coach Steve Rodriguez, who heads into his fourth year with the Bears. “We went heavy on pitching to bolster the amount of quality frontline arms that will make an immediate impact to our pitching staff. We also added a very solid infielder that will be a bigtime bat in our lineup. Our coaching staff continues to recruit the best athletes possible, which has already paid dividends with our regional appearance last year. Our program is developing a solid foundation for the future and we are very excited about the direction we are going.”
The class features six right-handed pitchers, one of which also plays first base, and one infielder. Six of the players are from Texas and one is from California. Bios for each signee are below.
BRAXTON ASHCRAFT | RHP | L-R | 6-5, 195 | FR | ROBINSON H.S. | ROBINSON, TX
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner at Robinson High School … Three-time District Champion at RHS, including 2017 state runner-up … Awarded 2016 District Newcomer of the Year … Named 2017 District MVP … Named 2017 Super Centex Player of the Year … Member of 2017 all-state and state all-tournament teams … 2017 Under Armour All-American … Three-year varsity football letterwinner as wide receiver … Holds Texas state record for season receiving yards with 1,937 in 2016 … Named AP first-team all-state wide receiver.
Personal: Son of Tony and Karen Ashcraft … Member of National Honor Society … Plans to major in engineering.
LOGAN FREEMAN | RHP | R-R | 6-1, 200 | JR | MCLENNAN C.C. | BUFFALO, TX
McLennan Community College: Made 10 starts in 14 appearances as freshman in 2017 … Posted 6-1 record with 5.01 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 55.2 innings … Helped team to conference and regional titles and JUCO World Series appearance in 2017.
High School: Recorded .390 batting average and 9-1 pitching record with 0.93 ERA at Buffalo High School … District 23-3A MVP … First-team all-district in baseball and football … First-team academic all-state in baseball and football.
Personal: Son of Lacy and Andrea Freeman … Member of National Honor Society … General studies major.
BROOKS HELMER | RHP/1B | R-R | 6-4, 225 | FR | ROCKWALL H.S. | ROCKWALL, TX
High School: Three-year letterwinner at Rockwall High School … Pitched, played first base and designated hitter at RHS … Helped team to 2015 district championship and regional semifinals … Team won 2016 bi-district championship … Finished 2017 season as co-district champions and regional semifinalists … Named second-team all-district pitcher in 2016 … Earned 2017 district MVP … Tied team record with 11 straight wins on mound.
Personal: Son of Brad and Jana Helmer … Member of National Honor Society … Intends to major in business.
RICKY MARTINEZ | INF | R-R | 6-0, 195 | FR | SAINT FRANCIS H.S. | MORGAN HILL, CA
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner at Saint Francis High School … Two-time WCAL League champion and 2017 WCAL Tournament champion … Named 2016 WCAL first-team shortstop … Named to 2016 Mercury News first-team All-Bay Area as shortstop … Won SFHS Gold Glove Award in 2016 … Named to All-CCS first team after hitting .405 as junior with one home run and nine doubles.
Personal: Son of Rick and Sherry Martinez … Scholar Athlete and named to High Honor Roll … Plans to major in health sciences.
ANDERSON NEEDHAM | RHP | R-R | 6-4, 190 | FR | ROCKWALL HEATH H.S. | HEATH, TX
High School: Attended Rockwall Heath High School in Heath, Texas … Pitched and played outfield … Helped team to 2016 state runner-up finish … Named first-team all-district pitcher in 2016 … Named 2016 academic all-state … Also played football at RHHS … Named first-team all-district punter in 2016 … Finished 2016 football season with 701 rushing yards, 619 passing yards, 443 receiving yards and 995 punting yards.
Personal: Son of David and Kindra Needham … National Honor Society member … Intends to major in business.
RYAN SEGNER | RHP | R-R | 6-2, 185 | FR | FREDERICKSBURG H.S. | FREDERICKSBURG, TX
High School: Three-year letterwinner at Fredricksburg High School … Named second-team all-district pitcher as freshman in 2015 … Unanimous first-team all-district pitcher and first baseman in 2016 … Academic all-district choice in 2015 and 2016 … Also lettered in track & field in 2015 and 2016 as discus thrower.
Personal: Son of James and Crissy Segner … Undecided on major.
BRANSON WILSON | RHP | R-R | 6-3, 194 | FR | SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | FORT WORTH, TX
High School: Two-year varsity letterwinner at Southwest Christian School … Helped team to 2015 district title … Also three-year varsity football letterwinner as defensive end and wide receiver.
Personal: Son of Corbin and TJ Wilson … Undecided on major.
