Three junior college players join three prepsters who signed national letters of intent with BYU baseball during the early fall signing.
Ryan Bernal, a 5-11, 185 left-handed outfielder/DH at Salt Lake Community College; Coltin White, a 6-0, 180 right-handed pitcher/outfielder from Mesa Community College in Arizona; and Tyler Curtis a 6-4, 230, right-handed pitcher for the College of Southern Idaho are BYU’s JC signees.
The high school players signing with the Cougars are Chunner Nyberg, a 5-11, 190 right-handed pitcher from St. George; Jared Snow, a 5-8 175 outfielder from Riverside, Calif.; and Chris Capper, a 6-1, 195 right-handed pitcher from Glendale, Ariz.
Bernal, from Grand Junction, Colo., was second team all Region 18 and a redshirt transfer from Mesa State. He led SLCC with a .331 batting average (.310 in league play) 57 hits, 43 RBI, 37 runs, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers, and was 8-11 in stolen bases. “Ryan is a solid line drive hitter with power and can play the outfield or 1st base,” said BYU Coach Vance Law. “We believe he has a chance to be an outstanding hitter and run producer here at BYU.”
Curtis, from West Jordan, Utah, prepped at Taylorsville High. He had a 3-3 record with a 3.69 ERA at CSI, with 42 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. He is expected to be a starter for CSI. He has plus velocity and power breaking ball. He also played summer ball for Taylorsville. “Tyler is just now tapping into his potential,” said Law. “He is throwing in the low 90’s right now and could see that increase in the near future. He figures to be one of our main guys on the mound the next couple of years.”
White batted .517 and had a 6-2 record as a prepster at Mountain View High in Arizona where he was second team all-state and All-Southeast Valley. He played for the Arizona Sunbelt Team and is expected to start in centerfield and be a closer for MCC. “Coltin is an all around athlete who can pitch and play the outfield,” said Law. “He runs very well and has a nice loose arm and will be given the opportunity to play both positions.”
As a junior Nyberg was first-team all-state and co-4A Region 9 MVP with Dixie High. He had an 11-1 record with a 1.45 ERA and 83 strikeouts and batted .356. His father Brent was honorable mention all-conference as a wide receiver at BYU in 1989-90. “Chunner is one of the top competitors in the state,” said Law. “He has been a top three-sport athlete at Dixie High School and has been very successful in his high school career. He is a very hard worker and obviously knows how to win.”
Snow prepped at King High in Riverside, Calif., where he was second team All-CIF, and batted .440 as a junior. “Don’t let Jared’s size fool you,” said Law. “He is a tough and fearless competitor and can really run. He plays the game very aggressively and looks to be a real catalyst for the offense while playing a solid outfield.”
Capper, also as a junior, was second-team all-region at Arrowhead High in Glendale, Ariz. He is one of the top 15 arms in Arizona as rated by Arizona Diamond report. “Chris is a solid upper 80’s pitcher who competes very well,” said Law. “He is a strike thrower and likes to have the ball in his hand. He has a lot of potential and we look to help him develop that potential at BYU.”
Player Position Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown
Ryan Bernal OF/DH 5-11 185 Jr. Moreno Valley, CA
Chris Capper OF 6-1 195 Fr. Glendale, AZ
Tyler Curtis RHP 6-4 230 Jr. West Jordan, UT
Chunner Nyberg RHP 5-11 190 Fr. St. George, UT
Jared Snow OF 5-8 175 Fr. Riverside, CA
Coltin White RHP/OF 6-0 180 Jr. Mesa, AZ