Simon Baker heads to Gonzaga

Webber Wildcats’ Simon Baker (Cochrane, Alta.) right, MVP of the Canadian Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre with Red Deer Braves’ Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.) who won the home run derby. (Photo submitted)

November 16, 2023

Official Gonzaga University Athletics News Release

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga baseball head coach Mark Machtolf announced the signing of seven prospects to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The Zags welcome five members of the Class of 2024, along with two college transfers, all set to arrive next fall.

“We are excited to welcome these seven young men to our program. It is a recruiting class that has high end talent, and the potential to impact our program early in their careers,” Machtolf said on his newest signees. “Our staff did a great job of identifying young men who will strengthen our culture on the field, the community, and the classroom.”

Simon Baker | OF | Cochrane, Alta. | Cochrane HS

Baker hails from Cochrane, Alta. and Cochrane High School, where he earned MVP honors at the 2023 Canadian Futures Showcase. The tournament is the largest futures showcase event in Canada, with Baker earning his second straight invite in 2023. In his four games at the showcase, Baker went 5-for-10 with four runs scored, three RBIs, three stolen bases and two walks.

Baker has also earned spots on the Canada Junior National team, Team Alberta (four times), and an Area Code tryout invite in 2023 while earning a Silver Medal at the Canada Summer Games in 2022. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Baker also played volleyball and basketball, where he earned League All-Star nods in both sports in 2022 and League Defensive Player of the Year for basketball in 2023. The Cochrane basketball team also earned a Provincial Championship in 2022 during his time there.

“I chose Gonzaga because it is the best fit that I can imagine both as a player and as a person. I can’t wait to be a part of the Zag culture.”

Machtolf on Baker: “Simon is a huge addition to this recruiting class. MVP of the premier event in Canada is a big deal, and we think he is just scratching the surface of his potential. We envision big things for Simon in his time at Gonzaga.”

Ryder Cutlip | 1B/OF | Meridian, Idaho | Owyhee HS

Cutlip joins the Zags from Owyhee High School in Meridian, Idaho. During his time at Owhyee, the Storm captured two 5A State Baseball Championships. The 6-foot-2 lefty batted .415 during his junior season in 2023, notching an OPS of 1.235. Cutlip is also a two-time 5A Southern Idaho Conference All-Academic Team member and a 5A All-Idaho Team honor recipient.

“I chose Gonzaga because of the positive culture, amazing coaching staff, and beautiful campus,” Cutlip said.

Machtolf on Cutlip: “Ryder is the best pure hitter in the NW. He has produced consistently in every game, and event he’s been a part of. He’s a winner, and we can’t wait to get him on campus.”

Hunter Dryden | RHP | Deer Park, Wash. | Deer Park HS/Whitworth

Dryden joins Gonzaga after three seasons with Whitworth University, where he compiled a trio of All-NWC accolades. In 2023, he was named Second Team All-NWC as a starting pitcher, his second consecutive nod. Additionally, Dryden earned Third Team All-Region as a utility player at the end of his junior season in 2023. Dryden hails from just north of Spokane in Deer Park, where he was named to the All-State team as a pitcher and shortstop in 2019 for the Stags.

“It has been a dream to be a Zag for my whole life,” Dryden said of his choice to sign with GU.

Machtolf on Dryden: “Very excited to add Hunter to our program, he’s a local guy that has really blossomed in his time at Whitworth. We feel very fortunate to add him to our pitching staff. He will focus on just pitching for us, and we believe his power repertoire on the mound will take off.”

Junior Garcia | C | Boise, Idaho | Timberline HS/College of Southern Idaho

Garcia joins the Zags after two years at the College of Southern Idaho. In 2023, the 6-foot-1 catcher, finished second on the team in average (.311), tied for first in doubles (11), third in hits (47), and fourth in RBIs (27). In high school at Timberline, Garcia was a four year varsity starter, earning First Team All-SIC catcher his senior season. His junior season, the Wolves won the 2021 Southern Idaho Conference 5A District and State Championships. Garcia was ranked No. 6 overall in Idaho by Baseball Northwest and Perfect Game and the No. 1 catcher in Idaho by Perfect Game.

“I chose Gonzaga because of the winning tradition it carries as well as the academic chances that I will be able to receive while I attend,” Garcia said. “I also felt that the coaching staff truly wanted me as a player, which was a great feeling.”

Machtolf on Garcia: “Junior comes to us from a great junior college program at CSI, he has all the characteristics of a great catcher. We think his maturity, and toughness are two attributes that are going to have an immediate impact on our ballclub behind the plate.

Craig Kabat | RHP | Green Bay, Wis. | Bay Port HS

A class of 2024 grad, Kabat is a right-handed pitcher joining Gonzaga from Green Bay, Wis. While at Bay Port High School, Kabat has earned spots on the Cincinnati Reds Scout Team and GRB National. In 2022, the Pirates earned a trip to the state championship game after a nail-biting semifinal which saw Kabat earn the win after pitching five innings and surrendering just one earned run and striking out four. Kabat also owns a 3.945 GPA.

“I chose Gonzaga because of the top notch coaching, along with their ability to compete against the best competition in the country.”

Machtolf on Kabat: “Craig continues are connection of bringing high end talent from Wisconsin out to Gonzaga. He pitched for one of the top club teams (GRB) in the Midwest, and possesses a 3 pitch mix that points to him having a chance to be a frontline starter at the D1 level.”

Michael LeJeune | LHP | Puyallup, Wash. | Puyallup HS

An in-state signee, LeJeune joins the Zags from Puyallup, where he earned Puyallup High School’s Cy Young award in 2022. Prior to that, Puyallup earned Bellarmine Prep’s Most Valuable Pitcher award and Tacoma Athlete of the Year in 2021. LeJeune was named a First Team All-South Puget Sound League pitcher as a junior in 2023. A perennial program around the state of Washington, the Vikings reached the WIAA 4A state semifinals this spring, before falling to Sumner and Tahoma in back-to-back games to earn a fourth place finish.

“I chose Gonzaga because the culture is unmatched and I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps,” LeJeune said.

Machtolf on LeJeune: “We are excited to finally get Michael on campus, he was our first commit in this recruiting class. He’s a crafty LHP who has pitched in a lot of big games, his summer program at New Level has done a great job of preparing him for this opportunity.

Karsten Sweum | LHP | Snohomish, Wash. | Glacier Peak HS

Another in-state signee in the class of 2024, Sweum hails from Snohomish and Glacier Peak High School. In his junior season in 2023, Sweum collected both local and regional honors, earning First Team All-WESCO 4A and First Team All-Area Snohomish County. Sweum batted .479 with a .545 on-base percentage, 1.191 on-base plus slugging and 17 RBIs. He also posted a 1.47 ERA and held opponents to a .082 batting average over 19 innings on the mound. Additionally, the 6-foot-3 lefty earned a 2022-23 Northwest Scout Games selection and a 2023 Area Code selection from the Kansas City Royals.

“I chose Gonzaga because I admire the coaches, culture, and commitment to compete at the highest level,” Sweum said.

Machtolf on Sweum: “Karsten checks every box you look for in a recruit. Power left-handed pitcher, great student, and a great person. Already equipped with a low 90’s fastball, and power slider, we think he has a chance to be special.”