By: Sam Boender
GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Head Baseball Coach
Robby Bales has announced his incoming class for the 2025 season which includes 17 new Orediggers coming to Golden this fall.
Bales' signing class includes 13 true freshmen and four junior college transfers. The seventh-year skipper scoured the nation for the best talent and top STEM students, signing players from Arizona (1), Colorado (5), Florida (2), Nevada (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (4), and Utah (3). Positionally, Bales and his staff focused on pitchers, catchers, and utility players with seven arms, five utility players, and two catchers all signing the dotted line for Mines.
Below is a snapshot of the newest Orediggers:
| Jackson Babcock |
5-9 |
185 |
UTL |
League City, Texas / Clear Creek HS |
| Grady Booth |
6-4 |
185 |
RHP |
Memphis, Tenn. / Christian Brothers HS |
| Kenji Bray |
6-0 |
185 |
RHP |
Arvada, Colo. / Ralston Valley HS |
| Caden Burghardt |
6-3 |
185 |
UTL |
Chandler, Ariz. / Hamilton HS |
| Wynn Drewes |
6-2 |
185 |
UTL |
Berthoud, Colo. / Northeastern JC |
| Brody Duvall |
6-0 |
170 |
OF |
Spanish Fork, Utah / College of Southern Idaho |
| Tyler Easter |
6-1 |
190 |
C |
Sandy, Utah / Western Nebraska CC |
| Ethan Johnson |
6-3 |
200 |
C |
Eagle Mountain, Utah / Cedar Valley HS |
| Jack Magnus |
6-3 |
185 |
UTL |
Houston, Texas / Strake Jesuit College Prep. |
| Neil Mallik |
6-1 |
195 |
1B |
Tomball, Texas / The John Cooper School |
| Sam Monk |
6-1 |
210 |
RHP |
DeLand, Fla. / Danville Area CC |
| Will Niles |
6-3 |
215 |
RHP |
Highlands Ranch, Colo. / Mountain Vista HS |
| Trevor Nordstrom |
5-11 |
220 |
INF |
Denver, Colo. / Regis Jesuit HS |
| Luke Parker |
6-0 |
185 |
UTL |
Missouri City, Texas / Ridge Point HS |
| Matt Potter |
6-0 |
165 |
RHP |
Castle Rock, Colo. / Castle View HS |
| Avery Sinnes |
6-5 |
205 |
LHP |
Miami Beach, Fla. / Miami Country Day School |
| Joseph Steidel |
6-0 |
180 |
LHP |
Henderson, Nev. / Green Valley HS |
Jackson Babcock – UTL – 5-9 – 185
League City, Texas – Clear Creek HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for the baseball team at Clear Creek High School in Texas, earning three varsity letters while lining up on the infield, in the outfield, and taking the mound as a right-handed pitcher … Named Second-Team All-District as a sophomore after hitting .350 with a .454 on-base percentage, and .821 OPS … As a junior, earned unanimous First-Team All-District distinction with First-Team All-County honors as a utility player thanks to a .365 average, .436 OBP, and .931 PS … Also earned the Clear Creek High School Team Leader award … Played club ball for Marucci Elite Texas – DUNN … Was a member of the National Honor Society and served as NTHS Vice President … Participated in the NASA H.U.N.C.H. program and was a parabolic mirror honorable mention finalist … Plans to major in civil engineering at Mines.
Grady Booth – RHP – 6-4 – 185
Memphis, Tenn. – Christian Brothers HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned two varsity letters pitching for the Christian Brothers High School Baseball team in Tennessee … Accumulated 21.0 innings of action across 10 appearances and three starts … Went 2-2 with four saves thanks to a 23 strikeouts on the way to a 1.66 ERA … Only surrendered five earned runs and posted a 1.286 WHIP … Also held opposing hitters to .218 at the plate … Played club ball for the Memphis Tigers organization … In the classroom, earned status as a De la Salle Honor Student and appeared on the first honor roll in all but one semester … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Kenji Bray – RHP – 6-0 – 185
Arvada, Colo. – Ralston Valley HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Played baseball at Ralston Valley High School in Colorado where he won three varsity letters on the mound … Senior season featured 55 strikeouts across 35.1 innings compared to nine walks for a 3.30 ERA … Named Second-Team All-Conference in Jefferson County … Club team was Premier West where he won Pitcher of the Year and was a two-time team captain … Club line from summer of his junior season included 51.2 innings pitched, 68 strikeouts, and a 2.98 ERA … In the classroom, brought home three CHSAA Frist-Team All-Academic accolades, won four academic letters, and earned two straight As medals … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Caden Burghardt – UTL – 6-3 – 185
Chandler, Ariz. – Hamilton HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Two-sport athlete at Hamilton High School in Arizona, playing both baseball and football … Earned one varsity letters as an outfielder and pitcher for the baseball team … On the mound, tossed 9.2 innings, struck out nine and walked six … At the plate, batted .405 thanks to 15 hits including six doubles, one triple, and three home runs with 14 RBI … Claimed two varsity letters on the gridiron and was crowned defensive MVP of the junior varsity squad … Played club ball for AZ Sandlot … Classroom work led to the school's 4.0 Academic Award … Plans to major in quantitative biosciences and engineering at Mines.
Wynn Drewes – UTL – 6-2 – 185
Berthoud, Colo. – Northeastern JC (Skyline HS)
NORTHEASTERN JC (2023-24): Started his collegiate career at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. … Played in the infield and outfield for the Plainsmen … Appeared in 45 games as a freshman, hitting .348 with 38 runs on 46 hits including five doubles and two home runs on the way to 30 RBI … Also walked 16 times and stole 31 bases while posting an on-base percentage of .450 and a slugging percentage of .432 … Sophomore season resulted in 53 games played and a .319 batting average with 47 runs on 53 hits including nine doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 25 RBI … Added 32 walks and 26 stolen bases on 30 opportunities as well … Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference in his final season in Sterling … Also named Physics Student of the Year and appeared on the President's List all four semesters.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played baseball and football for Skyline High School in Colorado … Earned three varsity letters on the diamond without a sophomore season and grabbed four varsity letters on the gridiron … Stat line featured a .420 batting average, .510 on-base percentage, and .620 slugging percentage … As a senior, was named First-Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State … Was an Honor Roll student all four years of his prep career … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Brody Duvall – OF – 6-0 – 170
Spanish Fork, Utah – College of Southern Idaho (Spanish Fork HS)
COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN IDAHO (2023-24): Played his first two years of collegiate baseball at College of Southern Idaho (NJCAA) in Twin Falls … Freshman campaign resulted in a .303 batting average with 42 runs on 50 hits including eight doubles, four triples, and one home run which helped fuel 22 RBI … Also walked 21 times and stole 10 bases … Sophomore year saw him earn First-Team All-Region distinction thanks to a .368 average at the plate leading to 57 runs on 68 hits with seven doubles, four triples, and one home run on the way to 22 RBI … Sophomore resume included 32 walks and 23 stolen bases as well … Overall in his first two post-prep seasons, batted .337, scored 99 runs in 118 hits including 15 doubles, eight triples, two home runs, and 44 RBI while stealing 33 bases and walking 53 times … In the field, produced 154 putouts and five assists compared to six errors for a .964 fielding percentage … Classroom work led to appearances on the Dean's List every semester.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three varsity letters as a second baseman and outfielder for the baseball team at Spanish Fork High School in Utah … Career batting over .400 across three years as a varsity starter … Fielded 1.000 during his senior season … Played club ball for Team Utah and on the 2022 USSSA national title … Honor Roll student … Plans to major in electrical engineering at Mines.
Tyler Easter – C – 6-1 – 190
Sandy, Utah – Western Nebraska CC (Juan Diego Catholic HS)
WESTERN NEBRASKA CC (2023-24): Started his post-prep career at Western Nebraska Community College (NJCAA) in Scottsbluff … In his first season, was a catcher who appeared in 28 games and batted .235 with 19 runs and 15 RBI thanks to five doubles and four home runs … Walked six times and stole two bases as well … Sophomore season resulted in Honorable Mention All-Region distinction from the Omaha World Herald after hitting .347 across 52 games with 43 runs and 38 RBI thanks to seven doubles, four triples, and five home runs … Junior college career ended with a .306 batting average, .413 on-base percentage, and .506 slugging percentage after scoring a total of 62 runs on 72 hits including 12 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs which helped fuel 53 RBI … Also notable were just three errors behind the plate as he fielded .992 and caught 19 runners stealing.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played baseball and football at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Utah, totaling three varsity letters on the diamond, and four more on the gridiron … Named 3A State Player of the Year as a senior in 2022 while helping his team to the 2022 3A State Championship … Also named First-Team All-State at outside linebacker as a senior … Final prep season included a .440 average, .529 on-base percentage, and a .726 slugging percentage thanks to 37 hits with six doubles, three triple and four home runs on the way to 39 RBI … Was on the honor roll all four years … Served as a Student Ambassador and won the St. Sebastian Award … Plans to major in chemical engineering at Mines.
Ethan Johnson – C – 6-3 – 200
Eagle Mountain, Utah – Cedar Valley HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Collected three varsity letters playing catcher for the baseball team at Cedar Valley High School in Utah … Three-time, First-Team All-Region player … Recognized three times at the All-State level as well … In 2022, batted .432 with 22 runs on 38 hits including five doubles, and four triples on the way to 22 RBI … Walked 10 times as well … Senior season featured a .337 average thanks to 28 hits with 22 runs on 10 doubles, four triples, and one home run while adding 26 RBI and 12 walks … Played club baseball for RA Academy … Plans to major in either mining engineering or mechanical engineering at Mines.
Jack Magnus – UTL – 6-3 – 185
Houston, Texas – Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
HIGH SCHOOL: Highly decorated baseball player and swimmer at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory school in Texas … Earned the maximum allowable varsity letters in each sport … On the diamond was 6A First-Team All-State at catcher in 2023 as he helped his team to the UIL 6A Area Finals … Also helped his team qualify for the regional final in 2022 … In 2023, batted .447 in district play in .320 overall … In 2022, produced a .438 average in district action and .367 for the season … In the pool in 2024, placed top-20 in the region in three different events and took silver as part of the 200-medley relay at the district meet … Also placed in the 200-freestyle relay, 50-free, and 100-free … Other swimming highlights include a 2023 district title as part of the 200-freestyle relay and individual bronze in the 50-free … Played club ball for Off Season Baseball and Trotsky Scout Team … Club line in 2023 featured a .294 average after hitting .450 in 2022 … Club awards include Pudge WC Offensive Notable Player, Five Tool Player of the Game, NTX Tournament Player of the Game, and NTX Tournament Offensive Notable Player … Academic work won the Outstanding Student Awards in geometry and physics … Appeared numerous times on the Principal's Honor Roll and was an AP Scholar with Honor … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Neil Mallik – 1B – 6-1 – 195
Tomball, Texas – The John Cooper School
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for the baseball team at The John Cooper School in Texas … Playing resume featured a 1.043 OPS thanks to eight doubles, one home run, and two triples while hitting .346 … Named team Offensive MVP … Played club ball for the Hunter Pence Baseball Academy … Batted over .300 in wooden-bat tournaments … Collected multiple all-tournament awards in the club realm … Named to the high honor roll for academic work … Plans to major in civil engineering at Mines.
Sam Monk – RHP – 6-1 – 210
DeLand, Fla. – Danville Area CC (DeLand HS)
DANVILLE AREA CC (2024): First collegiate season was at Danville Area Community College (NJCAA) in Illinois … Started 13 games on the mound for the Jaguars … Went 4-6 with an 8.37 ERA across 52.2 innings of work including one complete game … Struck out 45 batters and walked 42 … Only had one fielding error … Collegiate debut was against Wabash Valley where he struck out two and walked four while taking the loss in 2.1 innings of work … Also fanned seven against John Wood on March 29, marking a season high.
HIGH SCHOOL: Right-handed pitcher for DeLand High School in Florida … Senior season resulted in a 3-2 record including a 1.78 ERA across 11 appearances and 39.1 innings pitched … Recorded 41 strikeouts compared to 15 walks in his final prep season while holding opposing hitters to a .182 clip at the plate … Earned all-star status and was a team captain … Played club baseball for the Orlando Scorpions … Academics led to honor roll distinction and graduation from the Engineering Academy … Also brought home Merit Designation, Scholar Designation, and graduated summa cum laude … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Will Niles – RHP – 6-3 – 215
Highlands Ranch, Colo. – Mountain Vista HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Pitcher for Mountain Vista High School in Colorado who earned two varsity letters during his prep career … Racked up five wins compared to one loss thanks to a 1.13 ERA fueled by 60 strikeouts and just 18 walks … Earned Continental League Co-Pitcher of the Year … Was named Second-Team All-State at the 5A level as well … Played club baseball for Slammers Quintana and MMW Colorado Braves Victus … Plans to major in quantitative biosciences and engineering at Mines.
Trevor Nordstrom – INF – 5-11 – 220
Denver, Colo. – Regis Jesuit HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Decorated baseball and football student-athlete at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado where he earned three varsity letters in each sport … As a third baseman and catcher on the diamond, helped guide his team to the championship series in the 2024 Colorado State Tournament … Earned First-Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State status after batting .480 thanks to 40 hits … On the gridiron, filled the roles of linebacker, defensive end, tight end, and fullback … Named PMC First-Team All-State, Honorable Mention Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Conference, and Honorable Mention All-State … Football stats for the 2023 season included 157 tackles with 91 solo stops and 18 tackles for loss … Academic work led to first honors all four years of high school and Academic All-State distinction in baseball and football as a junior and senior … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Luke Parker – UTL – 6-0 – 185
Missouri City, Texas – Ridge Point HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Varsity letter winner as a shortstop and right-handed pitcher for the baseball team at Ridge Point High School in Texas … At the plate, batted .439 with an on-base percentage of .547 while slugging .712 for a 1.259 OPS … Totaled 29 hits in total … On the mound, started seven games and provided 24 innings of work while going 4-1 with a 1.75 ERA thanks to 31 strikeouts … Held opposing hitters to a .124 mark at the plate and posted a 1.21 WHIP … Named sophomore MVP during his prep career … Played club baseball for the Houston Warriors … Appeared on the honor roll three times and earned Academic Excellence distinction … Also invited to join the National Honor Society … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Matt Potter – RHP – 6-0 – 165
Castle Rock, Colo. – Castle View HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Right-handed pitcher for the baseball team at Castle View High School in Colorado, earning one varsity letter during his prep career … Provided 29 innings of work and posted a 4.00 ERA … Tallied 40 strikeouts compared to 20 walks, averaging 9.5 strikeouts per seven innings … Only surrendered 19 earned runs in those 29 innings on the bump … Performance on the field and in the classroom helped bring First-Team Academic All-State distinction … Played club baseball for Slammers Quintana … Appeared on the academic honor roll as well … Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Mines.
Avery Sinnes – LHP – 6-5 – 205
Miami Beach, Fla. – Miami Country Day School
HIGH SCHOOL: Competed for the baseball team as a left-handed pitcher at Miami Country Day School in Florida … Was Second-Team All-Conference as a sophomore and junior in the South Florida Baseball Conference … Sophomore season featured 35 strikeouts across 27.1 innings pitched while surrendering just 21 earned runs on 33 hits … Junior campaign included 40 strikeouts in 29 innings of work with 21 earned runs in 36 hits … Named MVP at Miami Country Day School … Also earned Honorable Mention All-Dade from the Miami Herald … Played club baseball for Primal 9, PB Select, and SF Bullsharks … Earned all-tournament status and was named to the Perfect Game All-Tournament team twice … Inducted in the National Honor Society as a junior … Posted all As for Head of School List as a sophomore, and was on the director's list in three other semesters … Plans to major in civil engineering at Mines.
Joseph Steidel – LHP – 6-0 – 180
Henderson, Nev. – Green Valley HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four varsity letters as a left-handed pitcher for Green Valley High School in Nevada … Named 2022 and 2023 First-Team All-Desert Region … Junior season resume included 41.1 innings of work with a 2.70 ERA and 1.4 WHIP thanks to 58 strikeouts compared to 26 hits … Held batters to a .179 average at the plate … Played club baseball for Team California, Nevada Gators, and Henderson Blasters … Perfect Game ranked him the #2 left-handed pitcher in the state of Nevada … Graduated in the top two percent of his class after appearing on the A honor roll four times and A/B honor roll twice … Also an AP Scholar … Plans to major in electrical engineering at Mines.
Fans can keep up with Mines baseball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @OrediggersBSB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.
