(Editor's note: MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS - Introducing the addition of five players to his program on Wednesday, Montana State University Billings baseball head coach Derek Waddoups welcomed his first group of letter of intent signings.
Two of the new players will join the two-time reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference Champion Yellowjackets’ program in time for the spring of 2021, while the other three will begin their MSUB careers during the 2021-22 academic year.
“Recruiting Coordinator Matt Hape along with assistant coach Jarrod Molnaa continue to do a fabulous job developing relationships on the recruiting trail,” Waddoups said, crediting his two assistant coaches. “Their efforts are paying dividends as we continue to add high character, self-motivated, hard-working student-athletes to our MSUB ‘Jackets family.”
Information about each of the five signees can be found below.
Carson Green
Position: Infielder
Hometown: Kennewick, Washington
Previous Schools: Kamiakin High School/Walla Walla Community College
Green will be available to play for the 'Jackets in the spring of 2021, after transferring from Walla Walla Community College. His sophomore season got off to a blistering start, as Green hit .538 with two home runs and nine RBIs before the 2020 campaign was canceled after just eight games.
As a freshman in 2019, Green led Walla Walla in home runs with eight and RBIs with 39, while playing in 38 games and hitting .286. He had team highs of 48 hits, 10 doubles, and 168 at-bats, while also stealing six bases and slugging .500. Playing primarily second base, Green was a first-team NWAC selection after the 2019 campaign.
During his prep career, Green played middle infield for four seasons at Kamiakin High School under head coach Steve Woods.
Coach Waddoups on Green: "Carson is a very athletic infielder that has shown the ability at the college level to hit for power. He brings a sense of optimism with him to the yard and is a gritty, resilient, athlete. We love his ability to be the energizer to a team on the offensive or defensive side of the game. He is intelligent and will have a positive impact on the group."
Green on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the winning culture that is here and I believe it is the best fit for me."
Diego Hernandez
Position: Outfielder/Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Kuna, Idaho
Previous School: Kuna High School
In his last full season on the diamond, Hernandez was named the South Idaho Conference Player of the Year as a junior in 2019 at Kuna High School. He hit .467 with 35 hits and 33 RBIs on the season to help lead the team offensively. On the mound, he carried a 7-2 record with a 2.50 earned run average and 42 strikeouts.
In addition to his success as a four-year letter-winner on the diamond, the 6-foot-6 Hernandez also competed on the basketball team as a forward for three seasons. Hernandez is also set to join the Yellowjackets this spring.
Coach Waddoups on Hernandez: "Diego is a stud athlete. He has the ability to really go get it in the outfield, along with good plate discipline and the ability to put a charge into the ball offensively. We also love his ability to compete on the mound. He will be an impact player here at MSUB for years to come. In the recruiting process one of the things that stood out most was the way people talk about his character. He is an all-time great dude."
Hernandez on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the caliber of baseball and experience of the coaching staff. They welcomed me in with open arms, and I felt as if the coaching staff truly believed in me as a player. It has been my dream since I started playing baseball at three years old to play in the NCAA and MSUB offered me that opportunity. The campus is beautiful and the facilities are top notch. Billings felt most like home, and I was beyond comfortable here. I am excited for the memories and opportunities that will be built in my next four years here. GO JACKETS!"
Cooper Dulich
Position: Shortstop/Right-Handed Pitcher
Hometown: Encinitas, California
Previous School: La Costa Canyon High School
Dulich is a four-year shortstop at La Costa Canyon High School, playing under head coach Justin Machado. He earned a spot on the varsity team by his sophomore season, after being named the program's freshman defensive player of the year.
Coach Waddoups on Dulich: "We are so excited for Cooper to join the 'Jacket baseball family. He is a high character guy, and we look forward to his impact on our clubhouse as well as on the baseball field. He has good arm strength and his defensive ability projects well in the middle infield. He also shows power potential and the ability to be an impact bat and arm. His athleticism projects well and we are excited to see his growth."
Dulich on choosing MSUB: "Montana's scenery, seasons, and outdoor lifestyle has always been a draw to me and I wanted to experience something different from what I have experienced in California. The baseball team has a great record and after meeting with some of the players, seeing the fields and the school, and talking with the coaches, I felt like I would fit in and could contribute something. I appreciate the coaches' philosophy about bringing optimism, positive energy, and leadership to the field and to our lives in general, and I'm excited to be a part of the program."
Logan Fragomeni
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher/First Baseman
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Previous School: Wayzata High School
Competing for four seasons while at Wayzata High School, Fragomeni saw action all over the diamond. He brings potential on the mound as a pitcher, and also has experience catching, as a corner infielder, and in the outfield. He was also his team's captain, and brings a left-handed bat into the Yellowjacket lineup.
Coach Waddoups on Fragomeni: "Logan is a big and physical athlete. He has juice at the plate and will be a game-changer with his ability to hit from the left side. He will also impact the game on the mound for us. It is fun to recruit great athletes that can impact the game in a variety of ways. We look forward to getting Logan on campus and watching him compete."
Fragomeni on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of its outstanding baseball prestige. The coaching staff and I really get along, and I think MSUB is a school I can really thrive at."
Bodee Wright
Position: Shortstop
Hometown: Morgan, Utah
Previous School: Northridge High School
Wright played shortstop while at Northridge High School for two seasons, starting since his sophomore year in 2018. As a sophomore, Wright led the team in batting average and hits. He was a first-team all-region selection, and also earned Northridge High School Male Athlete of the Month for May of 2019.
Coach Waddoups on Wright: "Bodee is a grinder. He plays the game hard and has the ability to change the game with his speed. He is a productive hitter and consistent defender. We love the positive energy that he will bring to our program. His high character and desire to compete stood out to us through the recruiting process."
Wright on choosing MSUB: "When I went on a visit to MSUB, I fell in love immediately with the campus. I loved how the coaches organized their practices, the camp I attended, and how they talked about servant leadership. As I watched the practices, I admired how hard they worked, and hard work is something I've always prided myself on. The opportunities MSUB offered both athletically and academically were also perfectly in line with my interests. MSUB is a community and culture I am excited to be a part of."
