PROVO, Utah — BYU head coach Trent Pratt today announced the 2024 baseball signing class that includes six players from Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and Utah.
Joining the Cougars from Arizona is Tyler Hatch an infielder from Gilbert, who led Casteel High School to the 2023 Arizona 5A State Championship. Matt Hansen, an infielder from Colorado Springs, Colorado also joins BYU after being named Perfect Game All-American West First Team in 2022-23.
BYU signed two Hawaii standouts including Blade Paragas a right-handed pitcher from Makaha, Oahu, who led Kamehameha-Kapalama to the Hawaii Division I State Baseball Champion in 2023, and infielder Coen Goeas of Mililani, Oahu, who prepped at Mid-Pacific Institute and was named All-State in 2022.
Rounding out the 2024 signing class are two of the top-rated baseball players from the state of Utah. Ridge Erickson a catcher from St. George, helped Dixie High School to a region championship in 2022 and was named All-State twice. He is joined by Tu’alau Wolfgramm an outfielder/catcher who prepped at Pleasant Grove High School and was also named first team All-State twice.
Listed below is detailed information about each of BYU’s 2024 baseball signees as well as quotes on each player from Coach Pratt.
Ridge Erickson | 5-11 | Catcher (R/R)
- Hometown: St. George, Utah
- Last School: Dixie High School
- Parents are Renvic and Amy Erickson
- Brother, Grayson, played at Utah State Eastern
- Brother, Ryke, played at College of Southern Idaho
- Three-year starter at Dixie High School
- 2023 WWBA World Championship Semifinalist at Trosky National
- 2023 WWBA National Championship Semifinalist at Trosky National
- Named to All-State Second Team (2023)
- Honorable Mention All-State honoree (2022)
- All-Region honoree (2022)
- Helped Dixie High School to a 2022 region championship
- Also recruited by Utah, Utah Tech and Pacific
- Coach Pratt: "Ridge is one of the best catch-and-throw catchers from the state of Utah in a long time. He is a tireless worker behind the plate and can command a pitching staff. We are excited to have him as a Cougar."
Coen Goeas | 6-0 | Infielder (R/R)
- Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
- Last School: Mid-Pacific Institute
- Parents are Brandon and Rolene Goeas
- Received Hawaii All-State Honorable Mention recognition (2022)
- Twice recognized on Mid-Pacific Institute’s Honor Roll and President’s List for academic success
- Also recruited by Baylor, Tulane, Hawaii, Troy and UCSB
- Coach Pratt: “Coen is a real good athlete that can play multiple positions in the infield. He has gap-to-gap power and is a hard worker. We are excited about him joining our program.”
Matt Hansen | 6-0 | Infielder (L/R)
- Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Last School: Huntington Beach High School
- Parents are Erik and Krystal Hansen
- Brother, Bailey, played at Pacific
- Named to Perfect Game All-American West First Team (2022-23)
- Named All-State Second Team shortstop by CHSAA (2022-23)
- U14 Perfect Game WWBA Champion (2020)
- First Team All-Academic Selection (CHSAA, 2020-23)
- Also recruited by USC, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Xavier, Wichita State, UCSB and UC San Diego
- Coach Pratt: “Matt is a left-handed hitting infielder with a strong, powerful swing. He plays smart, solid defense at a great pace. We are extremely happy he is headed to Provo.”
Tyler Hatch | 6-2 | Infielder (R/R)
- Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona
- Last School: Casteel High School
- Parents are Darren and Julie Hatch
- Four-year varsity starter at Casteel High School
- Helped Casteel to 2023 Arizona 5A State Championship along with runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022
- Named to All-District and All-Region First Teams (2023)
- Named to 5A Conference First Team (2023)
- All-Region Second Team honoree (2022)
- California Competitive Youth Baseball Tournament All Star (2022)
- Casteel High School’s 2021-22 Student Athlete of the Year
- Achieved 4.0 GPA all four years of high school
- Has played seven sports over the last six years
- Also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Xavier, Utah, Grand Canyon, Long Beach State, Dayton and San Diego
- Coach Pratt: “Tyler is a very good infielder who can play multiple positions. He can also handle the bat and is a high character athlete that we are really excited to have joining the program.”
Blade Paragas | 5-11 | RHP
- Hometown: Makaha, Hawaii
- Last School: Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
- Parents are Salvador and Mokihana Paragas
- Four-year varsity starter
- 2023 ILH Division I Baseball Champion
- 2023 Hawaii Division I State Baseball Champion
- Named All-State Honorable Mention by Honolulu Star Advertiser and ILH Baseball All-Stars (2022, 2023)
- 2020-23 Principal’s List for academic success
- Also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Kansas, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Long Beach State, Tulane, Hawaii, San Jose State, UCSB, Loyola Marymount, Saint Mary’s, Portland, Pacific, and Utah Valley
- Coach Pratt: “Blade has huge potential on the mound. He has a presence when he pitches that is fun to watch. We can’t wait to see him take the hill for the Cougars.”
Tu’alau Wolfgramm | 5-10 | Catcher, Outfielder (R/R)
- Hometown: Pleasant Grove, Utah
- Last School: Pleasant Grove High School
- Parents are Jared and Adrian Wolfgramm
- Three-year starter
- Two-time First Team All-State and All-Region honoree
- Finished fourth nationally on Trosky National Summer ball team
- Played linebacker for the Vikings as well, named to All-Region 3 First Team
- Uncle, Funaki Asisi, played football at Utah State
- Runs a 4.5 40-yard dash
- Also recruited by LSU, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii, CSUN and Utah Tech
- Coach Pratt: “Tua is one of the most dynamic athletes in the state. He can play anywhere on the field at a high level. He is going to be a really good all-around player for us.”