Looking to improve his pitching staff, Ball State University baseball coach Greg Beals signed four pitchers on the first day of the early signing period.
Pitchers Jonathan Cisna, Derek Grabner, Kyle Raleigh and Wes Winkle are joined by second baseman Stephen Claypool and catcher Kevin Franchetti. The players will join the team for the 2010 season.
"One thing that really stands out to me is the four pitchers, three of them left-handers in the group," Beals said. "We were looking to beef up the quality and the depth of our pitching."
Four of the recruits are from Indiana, including Winkle, who attends Yorktown High School. The lone right-handed pitcher of the group, Winkle is also expected to compete for time in the outfield.
"Ball State was just the right fit for me," Winkle said. "I've been working with [pitching coach Mike] Stafford, and it's close to home."
Winkle is a three-sport athlete at Yorktown, playing football and basketball as well. Winkle has twice helped the Tigers to the state final four in baseball, a winning trait that Beals said all the recruits share.
"If you look at their histories, they all have championships," Beals said. "I think that expectation of being successful means a lot to us."
The recruiting period is not done, and the Cardinals might still add more players to the class.
"We're still looking at a few players," Beals said. "I think we met our initial needs in putting together a baseball club next year."
Beals said if more players are to be added, they would likely be either pitchers or outfielders.
All of the players are high schoolers, except Grabner who will be a junior college transfer from Lincoln Trail College.
"We like to do as much as we can with high school guys," Beals said. "They're here for four years, and it helps build stability."
Grabner will join his former teammate Morgan Coombs at Ball State. Beals said he was becoming comfortable with Lincoln Trail coach Mitch Hannahs.
"The coaches do a great job there," Beals said. "They are well prepared to play Division I baseball. I like what they're doing there."
Overall, Beals said he is very pleased with the initial recruiting class his coaching staff has put together.
"I have to commend my staff for the work they put in this summer," Beals said. "The quality of the program and university allows us to reach out and recruit regionally."
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