UTPA lands three Valley baseball players

EDINBURG - Three players won't be going too far to chase their dream of player NCAA Division I college baseball.

Edinburg High's Austin Casas and Sharyland's Angel Ibañez each signed national letters of intent Wednesday at their respective high schools, and Edinburg North's Josh Silva gave his commitment as a preferred walk-on to join the University of Texas-Pan American baseball program for the 2010 season. Silva's commitment to the Broncs isn't binding as a preferred walk-on.

 The three players were spotted by first-year UTPA coach Manny Mantrana and his staff during an October tournament at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. The tournament was organized by Chad Tredaway, a baseball mainstay in the Rio Grande Valley.

Mantrana, who said his staff only has been recruiting for "a month and one week," hopes to ink seven players during the early signing period. Mantrana was hired to replace former coach Willie Gawlik, who was fired after six seasons in June.

"You want a mix of players, from freshmen to junior college. You can't just have one or the other," Mantrana said. "We feel like each of these guys we signed can help us out in the future. The thing they all have in common is they're great athletes."

Ibañez, recruited to play first or third base for UTPA, hit for a .452 average last season along with adding 34 RBIs and 26 runs scored. Ibañez also was 6-3 on the mound and owned a 2.38 ERA in 23 1/2 innings pitched for the Rattlers.

Casas was recruited as a pitcher for UTPA. With a veteran Bobcats pitching staff last season, Casas was limited on the mound, pitching 15 innings, striking out 18 batters and owning a 5.13 ERA. He also played centerfield and hit for a .259 average.

"Angel is gong to help this program down the road. He's a solid player and will be a solid player at the NCAA Division I level," Mantrana said. "Austin didn't pitch a lot last year, but he throws about 86 and 90 (mph). And that's without really using his legs and body to gain velocity, so that's why we think he could be a great player for us and why we recruited him as pitcher."

Silva, who was recruited as an outfielder, hit .301 last season.

Mantrana said he liked Silva's quick hands, potential size once filled out as a college player and ability to hit the ball into the gap.

"It's pretty exciting," Silva said. "I've been starting since I was a freshman, and playing Division I baseball is my dream."

Wade Baker is the Executive Sports Editor of Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at (956) 683-4450 or via e-mail at wbaker@themonitor.com.