KINGSVILLE, Texas - 13 newcomers will don the Blue and Gold for head coach Jason Gonzales on the diamond for the Texas A&M-Kingsville baseball program's upcoming 2022 season.
"We are incredibly excited about the class we have assembled from this recruiting cycle," said Gonzales. "Coach [Jeremy] Flores has been working tirelessly on the recruiting trail since he joined our staff.
"We have addressed immediate needs, added depth at certain positions, and positioned ourselves for future success in a highly competitive conference."
Joining the team for next spring include Ramsey Amador, Shelby Becker, Jessie Gonzalez, Andrew Hernandez, Luis Martinez, Staton Pakebusch, Kyle Perales, Brandon Ramirez, Blake Rogers, Robbie Spencer, Colton Taylor, Daniel Trevino, and Nick Wolff. All 13 will look to add to the illustrious history of Javelina baseball that has seen five trips to the NCAA South Central Regional in the last 10 seasons, including the historic 2018 run to the USA National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., for the Division II Baseball Championships.
Ramsey Amador - INF, 6-3, 200, R/R, Edinburg, Texas (Robert Vela HS / Wharton County JC)
Amador joins the Hogs after a stint at Wharton County Junior College. The Edinburg, Texas, native collected his first collegiate hit in a 9-3 win over Bossier Parish on January 29 as he went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and added another hit against Baton Rouge on February 28.
Prior to his time at Wharton County, Amador was a two-sport letter winner for Robert Vela High School for the baseball and football teams. He was named All-State, collected Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year citations, added a Cy Young award and was a Preseason All-American and Newcomer of the Year.
The son of Cindy and Ramiro, Amador will pursue a degree in business management at TAMUK.
Gonzales on Ramsey Amador - "Ramsey will compete in a competitive infield for us and has the ability to hit in the meat of our lineup. He had an excellent high school career and brings size and strength to our lineup."
Shelby Becker - INF, 6-1, 190, R/R, Giddings, Texas (Giddings HS / Paris JC)
A district champion from Giddings High School and Paris Junior College, Becker joins the Hogs after a standout junior collegiate career where he collected 52 hits for a .321 clip at the plate in 2021 as he finished with nine doubles, six home runs, 38 runs and 39 RBI.
Becker's 2020 season featured 21 hits for a .300 average along with three doubles, one triple, four home runs, 16 runs and 20 RBI. His first year at Paris included a .250 clip with 37 hits, 14 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 31 runs and 37 RBI.
The 2017 prep season for the Buffaloes ended in a district championship for Becker and he finished his senior year as a First Team All-State selection as a third baseman.
The son of Amanda and Michael, Becker will pursue a degree in accounting as he attends Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Gonzales on Shelby Becker - "Shelby had a great junior college career and his value to us will be to drive in runs in the heart of our order from his two years of success from the junior collegiate ranks. We targeted Shelby early in our recruiting process and are excited to have him on campus."
Jessie Gonzalez - INF, 5-10, 170, L/F, Robstown, Texas (Robstown HS / Laredo CC / UTRGV / Cisco CC)
Another junior college product from the Coastal Bend region, Gonzalez comes to Kingsville after spending the 2021 season as a member of the Cisco baseball team, preceded by a year at UTRGV and Laredo Community College. His most recent outing in 2021 for Cisco included a .434 clip at the plate behind 23 hits, four doubles, four triples, one home run, 22 runs and 12 RBI.
Prior to the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Gonzalez played for Laredo where he hit .232 with 23 hits, five doubles, two triples, 10 runs and 13 RBI. His prep career for the Cotton Pickers included a First Team All-District selection as a shortstop.
The son of Mary Jane and Alejandro, Gonzalez will pursue a degree in architectural engineering at TAMUK.
Gonzales on Jessie Gonzalez - "Jessie brings a defensive-first mentality to our team but also has the chance to hit for a high average. He is a local player from the area that we are excited to see play here. We've been following him since his high school days and couldn't be more excited about seeing him wearing the Blue and Gold."
Andrew Hernandez - RHP, 6-2, 175, R/R, Corpus Christi, Texas (Foy H. Moody HS / Texas A&M International / Wharton County JC)
Another signee from Wharton County Junior College by way of Foy H. Moody High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, Hernandez joins the Javelinas after two years at Wharton County where he made 10 starts and seven relief appearances on the mound. The 2021 season saw him finish with a 4.19 ERA in 11 appearances with a 3-2 record and 38 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched.
Hernandez's first year in junior college included a 3.77 ERA and a 2-3 record with one save in six appearances along with 28 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched. He began his career at fellow LSC school Texas A&M International in 2019 where he finished with a 4-5 record and 5.06 ERA in 12 starts and two relief appearances. He struck out 50 and held opponents to a .289 average in 58.2 innings pitched for the Dustdevils his first season.
The son of Kristin and Albert, Hernandez will pursue a degree in communications at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Gonzales on Andrew Hernandez - "Andrew is a coastal bend product with both Division II and junior college experience. He will certainly add value to our pitching staff and will have the ability to be a starter for us. Andrew has the ability to pitch at a very high level."
Luis Martinez - RHP, 6-3, 190, R/R, La Grulla, Texas (La Grulla HS / Incarnate Word / Coastal Bend CC)
Joining the Javelinas by way of Incarnate Word, Coastal Bend Community College and La Grulla High School, Martinez began his collegiate career in 2019 as he made 22 appearances and finished with a 4-2 record, 47 strikeouts and a 4.10 ERA in 37.1 innings pitched. He followed that up with a 4-1 record in 2020 behind 55 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched along with a 1.89 ERA before he took his talents to San Antonio.
Martinez's lone year at Incarnate Word included nine relief appearances for a 0-1 record and six strikeouts across 9.1 innings pitched.
The prep career for Martinez as a two-sport letter winner included a 20-strikeout game along with a no-hitter behind 15 strikeouts as a junior where he collected 176 strikeouts in total. He was eventually named First Team All-District as a pitcher and a shortstop for his efforts on the diamond.
The son of San Juanita and Hector, Martinez will pursue a degree in education as he attends Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Gonzales on Luis Martinez - "Luis is someone we've followed since his high school days. We've watched his progress through the years and are elated to have him join the Pack. Luis has the ability to add great value to a very good pitching staff and will be relied on to give us a lot of innings this season."
Staton Pakebusch - C, 6-0, 240, R/R, Yoakum, Texas (Yoakum HS)
Coming to Kingsville by way of Yoakum High School, Pakebusch was a standout catcher for the Bulldogs in his prep career as he was named District MVP for three consecutive years starting as a sophomore and was named All-State for his efforts behind the plate.
The son of Mandy and Scott, Pakebusch will pursue a degree in business management as he attends TAMUK.
Gonzales on Staton Pakebusch - "Staton comes to us after having a highly decorated high school career. He comes from a very good program and has been coached extremely well. Staton has the ability to hit for power and drive in runs for us for a long time and he has a bright future with the Pack."
Kyle Perales - INF, 6-3, 245, R/R, Hidalgo, Texas (Hidalgo HS)
A four-sport letter winner from Hidalgo High School, Perales comes to Kingsville after finishing his prep career as a member of the Pirate football, basketball, baseball and track and field teams.
The son of Sonya and Jose Luis, Perales will pursue a degree in criminal justice while at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Gonzales on Kyle Perales - "Kyle has the ability to hit for a lot of power and drive in runs in the middle of our lineup for many years. Kyle brings size and strength, things you can't teach. He continues the great connection we've had from the Rio Grande Valley and his future is extremely bright for the Javelinas."
Brandon Ramirez - OF, 5-11, 175, R/R, San Diego, Texas (San Diego HS)
A five-sport letter winner at San Diego High School, Ramirez was part of the district championship football team for the Vaqueros as a senior, added a district and area championship for the track and field team while advancing to the regional and state meets. He ran the second-fastest time in the mile relay in school history and was also named First Team All-District for the football team.
The son of Melissa and Baltazar, Ramirez will pursue a degree in sports business management as he attends Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Gonzales on Brandon Ramirez - "Brandon is a local product with plus athleticism. He has the ability to run, steal bases and patrol the outfield for years to come. We are excited to get to coach someone with his talents."
Blake Rogers - RHP, 6-5, 225, R/R, Inez, Texas (Industrial HS)
A two-sport letter winner at Industrial High School in Vanderbilt, Texas, Rogers pulled double-duty on the mound and at the plate for the Cobras as his senior season featured a .303 batting average with five home runs as he was named Team MVP for the second consecutive season as well as a First Team All-District honoree.
Rogers' senior season also included 107 strikeouts across 14 appearances along with a 2.04 ERA on the hill.
The son of Jessica and Brandon, Rogers will pursue a degree in kinesiology at TAMUK.
Gonzales on Blake Rogers - "Blake has the size and strength and projects as a starter for us. He is a strike-thrower who has the ability to see his velocity climb with our strength and conditioning program. Blake has a very bright future with us."
Robbie Spencer - RHP, 6-5, 200, R/R, Portland, Texas (Gregory-Portland HS)
A two-sport letter winner from the Coastal Bend region, Spencer joins the Javelinas after an illustrious career at Gregory-Portland High School for the baseball and boy's basketball teams.
Spencer's senior year featured an 11-2 record with 96 strikeouts and a 1.30 ERA for the Wildcats. The team finished with a 35-4-1 overall record, including a 14-2 mark in district games, for the single-season school wins record as well as a district championship and an appearance in the regional semifinal game. He was a First Team All-District selection and All-State academic honoree as a senior and added a Second Team All-District citation as a member of the boy's basketball team.
The son of Jennifer and Rob, Spencer will pursue a degree in electrical engineering as he attends TAMUK.
Gonzales on Robbie Spencer - "Robbie is a local product that we are very excited about. He brings size and athleticism to our program with the ability to help us immediately. He finished up a highly successful high school career, leading his team deep into the playoffs. Robbie is a hard thrower with great ability to get strikeouts and has a very high ceiling."
Colton Taylor - RHP, 6-4, 210, R/R, Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada (General Amherst HS / Frank Phillips College)
Hailing from north of the border, Taylor joins TAMUK after three years playing for Frank Phillips College and a prep career at General Amherst High School in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada. His most recent season for Frank Phillips in 2021 featured three saves in 15 appearances on the mound as he finished with 28 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched.
The shortened 2020 season included 15 strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched across two appearances for a 4.70 ERA, while his first season in 2019 featured 10 relief appearances, a 1-0 record and 11 strikeouts in 10.2 innings pitched.
The son of Jodi and Rob, Taylor will pursue a degree in athletic training as he attends Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Gonzales on Colton Taylor - "Colton brings junior college experience and a lot of innings to our staff. We believe Colton has untapped potential that we can't wait to get out of him. He has the ability to start or come out of the bullpen, adding versatility to our staff."
Daniel Trevino - RHP, 6-1, 190, R/R, Sinton, Texas (Sinton HS)
Another two-sport letter winner from the Coastal Bend region, Trevino comes to Kingsville after a decorated career at Sinton High School for the baseball and football team. As a member of the Pirate baseball team he was named First Team All-District as a second baseman and All-State Elite as a third baseman.
The son of Diana and Michael, Trevino will pursue a degree in business management at TAMUK.
Gonzales on Daniel Trevino - "Daniel is another coastal bend product that comes from a highly respected program and coaching staff. Daniel brings versatility, athleticism and a winning attitude, and he has a very bright future for the Javelinas."
Nick Wolff - C/OF, 6-3, 200, L/R, Klein, Texas (Home School / Blinn CC)
Wolff comes to Kingsville after a two-year career at Blinn Community College. He was named a JUCO All-Star after the 2019 season where he played in 24 games and finished with a .333 average behind 18 hits in 54 at-bats, three doubles, three home runs, 10 runs scored and 13 RBI. He connected for his first career home run on March 16 against Laredo and repeated the feat against Wharton County on March 28 and against Coastal Bend on April 29.
The 2021 season saw Wolff finished with a .253 average on 25 hits in 99 at-bats along with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, 22 runs and 14 RBI. He connected for three hits against Temple on February 6 and dropped his first triple against Galveston on March 10.
The son of Raegan and Russell, Wolff will pursue a degree in wildlife and range management while at TAMUK.
Gonzales on Nick Wolff - "Nick brings experience from a great junior college program. He has played against great competition and has seen some big games. He's caught some high-caliber pitching and will add value to our catchers. We look forward to getting him on campus."
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