BOSSIER CITY, La. - Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers Baseball announced the signing of eight new players for the upcoming 2020 season. The list of newcomers includes three players from Canada and five from Texas. There are two catchers, two pitchers, two infielders, one outfielder and one utility player. Cavaliers head coach Bobby Gilliam commented on each of his new players:
Alejandro Cazorla
"Alejandro Cazorla is a versatile utility player from the Okotoks Dawgs Black Academy team in Alberta Canada. He has soft hands to play middle infield, the arm to play third base and the athleticism to play anywhere on the baseball diamond. He has the tools and actions to be a plus defender at the college level. At the plate, he creates very good hip-shoulder separation which allows him to put good swings on the ball and create solid pop gap to gap. He uses his lower half very efficiently and has a consistent bat path that allows him to stay through balls constantly. We expect Cazorla to be an impact player for us right away. We are extremely excited that he chose Bossier Parish for his first two years of college baseball."
Connor Caskanette
"Connor Caskenette is a 6-foot, 200-pound catcher from the Mid Island Pirates in British Columbia, Canada. He is an advanced receiver, tremendous blocker and has a strong accurate arm from behind the plate. With a consistent pop time of 1.90, Caskanette has the tools to be a great defensive catcher. At the plate, Caskanette shows some line drive ability, and a ton pop to all fields. Expect Caskanette to produce a lot of loud contact at the plate in future years. In addition to playing with the Mid Island Pirates, Caskanette was invited to travel with Team Canada in March of 2020. Caskanette will be a great addition to our baseball team for the next two years."
Justin Breen
"Justin Breen is another player from the Okotoks Dawgs Black Academy Team in Alberta, Canada. Breen is a big bodied, strong kid with enough versatility to play the corner infield. He has good feel for third and first base and has the actions to be a solid defensively player at the college level. Breen is also very exciting at the plate where we expect a lot of offense from him. He may have the most pop in our 2020 recruiting class thus far. We expect Breen to be a middle of the order type hitter for us as he will hit the ball extremely hard and consistent. We are excited that Justin chose BPCC for his first two years of collegiate baseball."
Cole Ketzner
"Cole Ketzner, from Magnolia, Texas, is another strong addition to the early recruiting class. Cole is a right handed swinger with great pop and carry. He has loose hands and an explosive lower half that allows him to hit for serious power. He has the potential to be a middle of the order hitter for us. Defensively, Ketzner is great behind the plate. He has great fundamental skills and the ability to block the baseball at a high level. Cole also plays for the Hunter Pence Baseball Academy in Houston, Texas. We are excited that Cole chose BPCC as his home for the next two years."
Jaden Adams
"Jaden Adams is a middle infielder from George Ranch High School in Texas. Adams has the tools to be a dynamic player at the college level. With his ability to run and hit the ball, Jaden will be an offensive impact the day he steps on campus. Defensively, Adams has great feet and very soft hands. Not only will he make the routine plays, he can make the tough ones look easy. Adams also plays ball for the Hunter Pence Baseball Academy. Jaden is a great pick up for us and we expect him to help us in all aspects of the game. His explosiveness and athleticism as a player will be extremely beneficial, we are very excited to have him."
Collin Young
"Collin Young is an outfielder from Magnolia, Texas. He is another great athlete in this recruiting class. The Hunter Pence Baseball Academy product will compete for playing time right away. At the plate, he has advanced feel for getting the barrel to the ball, making him an offensive asset right away. Defensively, Young can hold down any outfield position. With his quickness and arm strength in the outfield, Young has all the defensive tools we look for in an outfielder. Expect Young to be a standout player here at BPCC. We are very excited to have him on board."
Dylan Hill
"Dylan Hill from Garland, Texas, is a power right handed pitcher and corner infielder. On the mound, Hill will contribute immensely. With a 6'4" frame and a very strong arm, the sky is the limit for Hill. He shows the ability to pound both sides of the plate, as well as a great feel for plus secondary offerings. He has a clean, efficiently delivery which is repeatable, allowing him to throw strikes consistently. At the plate, Hill has a lot of pop. We expect Dylan to be an impact for us on both sides of the ball. In the summer, Hill plays for the DFW Twins. We are really looking forward to Dylan stepping on campus."
Cross Holder
"Cross Holder is a left handed pitcher from Omaha, Texas. He is another arm that we expect to contribute right away. With a smooth delivery and arm that works, Holder has the potential to be a plus velocity guy. Holder already has the ability to throw strikes with three pitches. With his athleticism and competitiveness on the mound, Cross is a guy we know will throw quality innings for us as soon as he steps on campus. He is a polished arm with a very high ceiling. We are excited Holder chose BPCC to start his college career."
In 2019, BPCC Baseball had its first winning season in two decades. The Cavaliers finished with a 31-21 overall record and a 14-16 record in NJCAA Region XIV. BPCC reached the Region XIV Tournament for just the second time in program history.
The Cavaliers have five returning position players in 2020, including catcher Adrian Minjares, who was a First-Team All-Region and All-Conference selection in 2019. BPCC also returns its top two pitchers in Dylan Collins and Jose Cabrera, Jr.
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