News Summary
San Diego State University’s new baseball head coach, Kevin Vance, has restructured the team by adding 19 collegiate transfers, including 13 from Power 5 programs. This move aims to strengthen the lineup after losing key players to the transfer portal. With additions from renowned programs and experienced coaching staff, Vance looks to restore the Aztecs’ competitiveness in collegiate baseball.
San Diego, CA – San Diego State University’s new baseball head coach, Kevin Vance, has significantly revamped the roster with the addition of 19 collegiate transfers, including 13 players hailing from Power 5 programs. This move is part of Vance’s strategy to strengthen the team after a challenging period marked by key players entering the transfer portal.
Out of the 19 new Aztecs, five transfers come from Oregon State University, while two are from the University of Arizona, which had a successful run to the 2025 College World Series. Additionally, the new roster features two players from Arizona State University and one from the University of Oregon.
At the forefront of Vance’s recruitment efforts, the transfers from Oregon State include infielders Levi Jones, Tyce Peterson, Dawson Santana, and Jabin Trosky, along with pitcher Drew Talavs. Peterson posted the most impressive stats, batting .288 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in the previous season. Trosky also had a solid year in 2024 with a .288 average but has faced injuries over the past two seasons. Santana, on the other hand, had limited appearances, starting only three games with a .200 average, while Jones contributed with a .240 average across 16 games. Reliever Talavs struggled in his outings, finishing with a 10.13 ERA.
The roster additions continue with Alec Belardes and Rohan Lettow from Arizona State, as well as Bryce McKnight and Carson Johnson from Arizona, both of whom were previously coached by Vance. Other notable transfers include Adam Magpoc from Boston College, with a career batting average of .258, and Trey Telfer, the only local player on the roster, who comes from Indiana with a 4.15 ERA. Additionally, Zach Justice, who did not register a hit in two games played at Oregon, was highly ranked as a catcher coming out of high school, while David Ladjevic arrives from Golden West College with a 4-3 record. Nick Falla brings his experience as a dominant pitcher from Allegany College of Maryland, where he recorded a 1.08 ERA. Minor contributions are expected from Colton LaFave and Simon Lemke, both bullpen arms with respectable collegiate statistics.
Vance was appointed as San Diego State’s head coach on June 17 following a successful tenure at Arizona, where he amassed an 80-45 overall record and secured three conference titles. His hiring comes in light of a transitional phase within the baseball program, marked by the departure of several key players due to previous coaching changes and the subsequent entry of those players into the transfer portal.
To enhance the team’s performance on the field, Vance is also finalizing his coaching staff, which will include three assistant coaches, one of whom is Tyler Holt from Boston College. The combination of new talent and a robust coaching staff aims to restore the Aztecs’ competitiveness in collegiate baseball.
As the baseball season approaches, this substantial roster overhaul highlights San Diego State’s commitment to rebuilding its program and improving outcomes on the diamond. With the infusion of transfers, particularly from reputable power programs, the Aztecs will look to capitalize on their new players’ experiences to navigate the challenges that lie ahead in the competitive collegiate baseball landscape.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego State University
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs Baseball
- The Daily Aztec
- Google Search: San Diego State Baseball transfers
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Scholar: San Diego State baseball transfers
- Vols Wire
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego State University
- Sports Illustrated
- Google News: San Diego State baseball
