EVANSVILLE –Â Building off of last season, University of Evansville head baseball coach Wes Carroll has announced the signing of nine players in the 2023 class.
“What a great start to the 2023 recruiting class. I want to thank the coaching staff for putting in so much time and effort finding these future Aces,” said Carroll. “The Aces baseball program got better this week with the addition of nine student-athletes that are not only talented on the field but in the classroom as well. It starts on the mound where we added 3 LHP’s and 2 RHP’s that can make immediate impacts. We’ve also added to the middle of our field by signing a frontline Catcher, an athletic Short Stop and 2 outfielders that have plenty of tools. This is a very well-rounded recruiting class that will continue to elevate our program for many years to come.”
The nine members of the class represent four states and two countries with four staying in-state to play for the Aces. Of the nine soon-to-be Aces, five will join Evansville’s pitching staff and four will bolster UE’s hitting and defense.
BJ Peart, MI, People’s Christian Academy, Markham, Ontario, Canada
Coming to the River City from Canada, BJ Peart brings in experience from the top travel league in the country. A 6’3″, 190 lb. middle infielder, Peart competed for the Toronto Mets in travel ball in the Canadian Premier Baseball League.
“Brodie has a real feel for the game that gives him a chance to contribute in a big way early in his career,” said Coach Matt Wollenzin. “He possesses a consistent path at the dish that allows him to use the whole field and we believe he has a chance to develop juice as he continues to grow into his frame. He’s a sound defender that slows the game down and brings a mature defensive presence. Above all we are excited to bring BJ’s passion for the game into the UE family.” Â
Chance Bentley, C, Connersville HS, Connersville, Ind.
Bentley signs with the Aces after an impressive junior campaign at Connersville HS. The Connersville, Ind. native hit a scorching .430 at the plate in 30 games as a junior in 2022, driving in 24 runs and smashing a trio of homers.Â
“Chance is an elite catcher that we are thrilled to sign,” said Carroll. “He is a leader and has a great feel for the game behind the plate. Chance has an opportunity to make an immediate impact on our program and has a bright future in an Aces uniform.” Â
Kenton Deverman, LHP, Fort Zumwalt West HS, Dardenne Prairie, Mo.
Another St. Louis area product to join the Aces, Kenton Deverman adds a talented left-handed arm to the team. In 2022, Deverman recorded a 7-1 record with 71 punch-outs in 52.2 innings.
“Kenton Deverman is a projectable left-handed pitcher with a quick arm and a high spinning fastball,” said Coach Tyler Shipley. “He continues to develop physically and has not even begun to scratch the surface of what he is capable of on the mound. I am extremely excited to watch Kenton grow in our program, and I am confident that he will play a significant role on our pitching staff in the future.”Â
Jacob Jarvis, LHP, Jefferson College, Farmington, Mo.
Bringing collegiate experience, JuCo lefty Jacob Jarvis provides further depth for a talented Aces pitching staff. At Jefferson College in 2022, Jarvis tallied eight appearances, earning a win in relief, and striking-out 17.
“Jacob is a power left-handed pitcher that comes to us from one of the premier junior college programs in this region in Jefferson College,” said Shipley. “Within the past six months he has had a major increase in velocity and has blossomed into a front-line caliber arm that we are excited to have join the program. Jacob has all of the intangibles with a physical frame, fastball up to 93mph, feel for his secondary pitches, and a great work ethic, but beyond that he is an even better individual that will add veteran leadership to this highly talented incoming recruiting class.” Â
Charlie Longmeier, Outfielder, Seymour HS, Seymour, Ind.
Staying in-state for his college baseball, outfielder Charlie Longmeier adds a well-rounded player to the Evansville squad. As a junior for Seymour HS, Longmeier hit .429 recording 25 RBI with eight doubles and six triples.
“We are excited to have Charlie join our program,” said Carroll. “He is an athletic Outfielder and student of the game. Charlie has great hand eye coordination at the plate and always finds ways to barrel baseballs. He fits our mold and the type of student-athlete here at UE. Looking forward to getting him on campus next fall.”Â
Matt Maloney, RHP, Southwestern Illinois College, Mokena, Ill.
The second JuCo product in the 2023 class, Matt Maloney helps bolster the Aces pitching staff. Coming to Evansville from Southwestern Illinois College, Maloney made an appearances last season for Titans to open his collegiate career.
“Matt Maloney is a player that I have been following since his travel ball days pitching for the Cangelosi Sparks out of the Chicagoland area,” said Shipley. “As Matt has continued to develop and mature physically his ability has increased significantly, but one of traits that has always stood out to me about Matt is his competitive nature. There is no situation that is too big for him as he has proved throughout high school, summer ball, and his first season at SWIC. He hasn’t even begun to reach his full potential yet, and he is a pitcher that we hope will play a major role during his time on campus.”Â
Aaron Nehls, Outfielder, North HS, Evansville, Ind.
The second North HS Husky to join the roster, outfielder Aaron Nehls stays home to help lead the Aces. As a sophomore in 2021, Nehls hit .346 for the Huskies, driving in 1 runs and generating 11 extra-base hits.
“Aaron is a local kid which is the backbone of our program and we are happy he is staying home,” said Carroll. “He is a great athlete that has potential to be a five-tool player on the field. Aaron plays with the type of energy and passion we look for here at UE.” Â
Kevin Reed, LHP, Martinsville HS, Martinsville, Ind.
Making the two hour trip south to the River City, Kevin Reed brings another talented left arm to the program. As a junior in 2022, Reed recorded a 2.27 ERA, striking-out 94 while allowing 36 hits and 20 runs against 210 batters. At the plate, Reed impressed as well, hitting .312 batting average, adding 27 runs, 18 RBI’s and 7 home runs last season. His efforts earned him an All-State honorable mention and All Mid-State Conference honors.
“We are extremely excited about the signing of Kevin Reed as part of our 2023 recruiting class,” said Shipley. “Kevin attacks the strike zone with a fastball up to 90mph and shows an above average breaking ball the keeps hitters from ever getting comfortable in the box. He is one of the top pitching prospects in Indiana and will be a vital member of our pitching staff from the time that he steps on campus. “
Kellen Roberts, RHP, Monroe HS, Monroe, Mich.
Coming to Evansville from Michigan, Kellen Roberts adds depth to its pitching staff right a talented right-hander. Prior to his junior season in 2022, Roberts was selected as a Perfect Game Preseason All-American honorable mention in the central region.
“Kellen spent this past summer pitching against some of the top teams in the country and consistently had success regardless of who he was facing,” said Shipley. “He is a great competitor and is very athletic, and we are excited to see what he is capable of once he is focusing solely only on baseball. Roberts already runs his fastball up to the low 90’s and has the ability to throw an elite breaking ball, he has tremendous upside, and we cannot wait to watch him develop in our program.” Â
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