The Oregon State baseball team expanded by 15 this week, when the Beavers’ 2023 recruiting class signed letters of intent during the NCAA’s early national signing period.
The class includes nine players from the Northwest, six Oregonians, seven pitchers and is ranked No. 20 by Baseball America. And the Beavers likely aren’t finished — a couple more prospects are expected to sign to play for coach Mitch Canham early next week.
Here’s a look at the signees:
Trent Caraway, 6-2 Infielder, Dana Point, California: Perhaps the most highly-touted prospect in the Beavers’ signing class, Caraway played in the Perfect Game All-American Classic and at the Area Code Games in 2022. A player who should compete for playing time early in his college career on the left side of the infield, Caraway batted .360 as a junior and is considered one of the better hitters in the class.
Paul Wilson, 6-4 left-handed pitcher and infielder, Lake Oswego: The reigning Gatorade Player of the Year in Oregon, Wilson finished 9-1 with a 0.73 ERA and 155 strikeouts last season for Lakeridge High School. He also batted .355 with five home runs. Wilson’s father, Trevor, pitched seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants and the Anaheim Angels.
Drew Talavs, a 6-3 right-handed pitcher, West Linn: A Second-Team All-State selection, Talavs went 10-1 with a 0.92 ERA and 107 strikeouts last season, when he led West Linn High School to a Class 6A state championship. In the title game, he allowed just two hits and recorded 10 strikeouts on the way to winning MVP honors.
James DeCremer, 6-1 right-handed pitcher, Scottsdale, Arizona: With a fastball that reaches the upper 90s and a sharp breaking ball, DeCremer was an all-state selection last season, finishing 5-2 with a 1.65 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 55 innings.
Evan Gustafson, 6-2 catcher, Eau Claire, Wisconsin: A two-time conference player of the year, Gustafson hit .441 with 10 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 29 RBIs and 17 walks last season. He also lettered in hockey, earning first-team all-conference honors last season.
Carson Mcentire, 6-1 outfielder, Peoria, Arizona: Mcentire missed most of last season with a hand injury, but he remains an intriguing prospect with versatility, speed and power in the outfield.
Zach Blair, 5-11 outfielder, Camas: A speedy outfielder with top-of-the-order potential, Blair hit .283 with three triples, three home runs, 11 stolen bases and 12 RBIs last season, when he earned First-Team All-State honors. He was also a high school Gold Glove selection last season. His brother, Jake, played football at Oregon State.
Reeve Boyd, 6-1 infielder, Seattle: One of the best infield prospects in the Northwest, Boyd hit .357 with one home run, six doubles and 15 RBIs in 18 games last season. He also lettered in football, playing quarterback.
Easton Corey, 6-6 right-handed pitcher, Pendleton: A towering righty, Corey went 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings, while batting .275 with seven doubles, one home run and 17 RBIs as a designated hitter last season. He’s a two-time all-league selection as a designated hitter.
Bryce Johnson, 6-3 right-handed pitcher, Sammamish, Washington: A First-Team All-State selection last season, Johnson went 7-1 with a 1.70 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. He also batted .400 with one home run, nine doubles and 22 RBIs.
Levi Jones, 6-1 infielder, Portland: A First-Team All-State selection last season, Jones hit .400 with nine doubles, seven home runs, 33 RBIs and 10 stolen bases for Jesuit High School. The left-handed hitter has 12 home runs the last two seasons.
Dane Lais, 6-4 right-handed pitcher, Oregon City: With a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, Lais won two games, tallied a 2.95 ERA and recorded 60 strikeouts in 38 innings last season for Oregon City High School.
Anthony Marnell IV, 6-2 catcher, Las Vegas: A switch hitter, Marnell batted .448 with two doubles, a home run and 16 RBIs last season, when he earned First-Team All-Conference honors. His father, Anthony, played college baseball at Arizona and two years in the minor leagues with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres organizations.
Laif Palmer, 6-6 right-handed pitcher, Golden, Colorado: The big lefty went 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 63 innings last season, when he earned honorable mention all-state honors. A two-sport athlete who also plays basketball, Palmer’s fastball touched 94 mph last summer.
Dawson Santana, 5-6 infielder, Lake Oswego: A slick middle infielder, Santana batted .465 with five doubles, one home run and 10 stolen bases last season at Lakeridge High School, earning First-Team All-Star honors.
— Joe Freeman | jfreeman@oregonian.com | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories
