Oregon State signs seven position players and two pitchers

CORVALLIS — Oregon State loaded up on position players in its fall recruiting class, as only two of the nine players to sign letters of intent are pitchers. That helps the Beavers balance their roster somewhat, as last year’s class was heavy on pitching.

“This recruiting class is just like the last couple we have had,” OSU coach Pat Casey said Thursday in analyzing players who are projected to join the program for the 2010 season. “They are the best student-athletes we went out and found. They bring in the qualities we are looking for, not only on the field, but off it as well.”

The Beavers signed pitchers Jeff Ames of Vancouver, Wash., and Tony Bryant of Kennewick, Wash.; catchers Parker Berberet of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Andrew Susac of Roseville, Calif.; infielder/pitcher Matt Boyd of Mercer Island, Wash.; infielders Ryan Barnes of West Linn, Danny Hayes of Roseville, Calif. and Tyler Smith of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and outfielder J.J. Turbin of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Berebet is a sophomore at Cypress College in Cypress, Calif. The others are high school seniors.

All come highly-regarded but the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Bryant, a right-hander from Kennewick High, might be special.

“We think Tony is as good a guy that we’ve ever recruited out of high school, as far as pitching goes,” Casey said. “He wants to get better and has a passion to pitch in the College World Series. He could be a starter as a freshman; that’s the kind of body he has.”

Bryant was one of several top prospects the Beavers signed from Washington. He was rated as the No. 7 recruit in that state by BaseballNorthwest.com. First baseman/pitcher Matt Boyd of Eastside Catholic High in Mercer Island was rated No. 8 and right-handed pitcher Jeff Ames of Skyview High in Vancouver was rated No. 2.

Ames was ranked No. 4, Boyd No. 5 by the recruiting website pgcrosschecker.com.

Casey was also very pleased to land Susac from California.

“Andrew could be one of the best defensive catchers in the country, if not the best,” Casey said. “He has a tremendous arm and a huge upside. If we had to go out and pick a catcher from around the country, this is the guy we’d get. He’s going to be a leader.”