SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University baseball team announced Wednesday the signing of 11 exceptional athletes on National Signing Day to become the next Bronco Boys, solidifying the next wave of talent for the Broncos' recruiting class of 2026.
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"We're very excited about adding this new group of Bronco Boys to the program," said Santa Clara head coach
Rusty Filter. "Their commitment to our culture and university's values will continue to raise our talent level in pursuit of another WCC championship.
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"Thank you to our staff for their diligence and hard work. They continue to be hyper-focused on bringing in a mixture of the best talent from all over the West Coast to Santa Clara University and this class shows that again."
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The Broncos' 2026 recruiting class includes seven pitchers (six right-handers, one left-hander), two outfielders, one middle infielder and one two-way player.
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Below is a list with details and quotes about each 2026 signee:
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PITCHERS
James Cunningham | Los Angeles | Loyola HS
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-4
Weight: 170
B/T: R/R
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James Cunningham plays varsity baseball at Loyola High School in Los Angeles … He has a "Pitcher of the Year" award to his name as he heads into his final year of prep ball ... He's also played summer ball with the Birds Baseball Academy.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"James is a live-armed, right-handed pitcher who we see being a front-of-the-rotation-type of guy. He comes from a great Southern California program in Loyola High School with a world class head coach, Keith Ramsey. At 6-4, 175 points, James has a solid frame with long arms and room to fill out. His repertoire already plays at the college level and will only get better during his time as a Bronco!"
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Jackson Cook | Lincoln, Calif. | Lincoln HS
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
B/T: R/R
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Jackson Cook has been a two-way athlete in two sports – baseball and football – at Lincoln (Calif.) High School outside of Sacramento … He got a taste of varsity baseball as a freshman and has been a full-time member of the varsity squad since his sophomore season … Last spring, he batted .396 with nine extra-base hits, 11 RBIs and 28 runs scored while also posting a 1.33 ERA and 84 strikeouts in just 58 innings pitched … He's posted a 1.86 career ERA with 137 strikeouts and a .192 opponents' batting average in three years of high school baseball … He helped lead his team to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinals last spring while earning the Foothill Valley League's MVP award.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Jackson Cook is as polished as they come. His electric fastball sits in the low 90s and his breaking ball has good shape and late bite, getting plenty of chase and swing-and-miss. Baseball runs in Jackson's family as his father Jeremy Cook pitched for Coach Filter at San Diego State and played six years of professional baseball after being drafted in 1999. Jackson is a proven winner with a little edge that will make everyone around him better at Santa Clara."
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Max Reimers | Aliso Viejo, Calif. | JSerra HS
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
B/T: R/R
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Max Reimers plays his high school baseball at JSerra Catholic High, where he was part of the Lions' team that reached the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs last spring … He was named a Preseason Underclass All-American Honorable Mention in the California Region last spring by Perfect Game.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Max is a polished right-handed pitcher from JSerra High School with weekend-starter-type stuff. He commands a fastball in the low 90s, slider with late action, and a splitter that will be sure to get plenty of swings-and-misses at the next level. His confident demeanor and mound presence stand out every time he takes the bump and his ability to locate all three pitches will help him work late into games. Baseball runs in the blood for Reimers as his dad pitched at Stanford for legendary coach Mark Marquess and his brother currently pitches at Stanford. Max is a perfect fit for our program and we can't wait to get him on campus."
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Chase Ruden | Highlands Ranch, Colo. | Mountain Vista HS
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-2
Weight: 198
B/T: R/R
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Chase Ruden had a breakout junior campaign on the mound in 2024. He posted a 1.73 ERA and 3-1 record as a reliever for his Mountain View High School squad in Highlands Ranch, Colo. … He struck out 51 and only allowed nine earned runs in 36 1/3 innings of work … Ruden helped lead the Golden Eagles to the Region 5 championship game of the Colorado High School Activities Association 5A playoffs last spring … He was tabbed a Preseason Underclass All-American Honorable Mention in the West Region by Perfect game going into that 2024 season.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Chase Ruden projects as a weekend starter at the college level, possessing a four-pitch mix that generates whiffs and proves to be an uncomfortable at-bat for hitters. Chase's fastball works in the low 90s to go along with his high-spin curveball, tight slider, and tunneling change. He pitches for the Slammers in the off-season and has worked hard in the weight room to add mass and continue his progression. Chase gets better every time we see him pitch and we look forward to him being a staple of the Broncos pitching staff for the next four years."
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Nick Chow | Redwood City, Calif. | Saint Francis HS
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
B/T: R/R
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Nick Chow broke out for Saint Francis High School as a junior in 2024. He struck out 58 in 35 innings while posting a 1.40 ERA and a miniscule .156 opponents' batting average … He was named first team all-West Catholic Athletic League while helping lead the Lancers to the CIF Central Coast Section Division I playoffs.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Nick Chow is a right-handed pitcher with incredible upside. Nick can throw any pitch in any count while also being able to command in and out with his fastball that works up to 92. His big 12-6 curveball keeps hitters off balance and he also has a two-seam fastball and change-up that play well off of each other. Nick's work ethic and high-level character align with the values of our culture and we expect him to compete for a spot in the rotation right out of the gate."
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Christian Duarte | San Jose, Calif. | Bellarmine Prep HS
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Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-6
Weight: 225
B/T: L/L
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Christian Duarte has starred on both the baseball diamond and the football field for nearby Bellarmine College Prepatory High School … Duarte settled into varsity baseball last spring and struck out 22 in 18 innings with a 3.89 ERA in the ultra-competitive West Catholic Athletic League … He's totaled 86 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings across three levels of prep baseball (freshman, junior varsity and varsity) … Duarte was part of the Bells' CIF Central Section Division II football championship in 2022 … They also won a Division 3-A NorCal championship, and were runners-up in the 3-A state bowl game, a game they only lost by one point.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"The football and baseball standout comes in at every bit of 6-6, 220 pounds with a fluid delivery and solid lower-half mechanics. Christian's run on his fastball and bite to his curveball will give college hitters trouble. Every one of Christian's coaches holds him in their highest regards confirming his stellar character, professional work ethic, and love for his teammates. We can't wait to see the value Christian will bring to our team culture and how he will develop in our program here at Santa Clara."
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Tyler Vargas | Rancho Cordova, Calif. | Sacramento City College / Jesuit HS
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
B/T: S/R
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Tyler Vargas played his prep ball at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, Calif. and graduated in 2023 before spending his collegiate freshman year at Sacramento City College last spring … Vargas struck out 11 in 11 2/3 innings for the Panthers in 2024 and had a 1-1 record … In 2022 and 2023 as a prep at Jesuit High, he struck out 77 in 69 innings across two varsity seasons … He was a four-time Perfect Game Preseason All-American Honorable Mention in the California Region as a high schooler from 2020-23.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Tyler Vargas has an electric fastball in the mid 90s and a wipeout slider that works in the low 80s. He also has a refined cutter and sinker that consistently misses barrels. Tyler has made great strides at Sac City under the coaching of Derek Sullivan and Deskaheh Bomberry to go along with his recent summer success in the prestigious Northwoods League for the Mankato MoonDogs. The right hander is an exceptional addition to our program."
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HITTERS
Waylon Walsh | Los Gatos, Calif. | Archbishop Mitty HS
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Position: Shortstop
Height: 6-4
Weight: 190
B/T: S/R
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Waylon Walsh crushed his first season of varsity baseball last spring at nearby Archbishop Mitty High School … He batted .389 with eight extra-base hits, 22 RBIs and 26 runs scored while posting a .461 on-base percentage for the Monarchs … Walsh helped lead the Monarchs to a CIF Central Coast Section Division I championship and an appearance in the CIF NorCal Division I championship tournament … He was also selected to play for the Athletics' Team in the 2024 Area Code Games.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Waylon Walsh is everything that you look for in your shortstop of the future. The 6-4, 190-pound, switch-hitting infielder possesses the tools, IQ, and competitive edge needed to dominate at the collegiate level and beyond. Many of Waylon's family members have attended Santa Clara, including his grandpa Tim Walsh who was drafted by the Oakland A's in 1975. We have high hopes for Waylon Walsh and are excited about everything he brings to the table!"
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Trevor Banning | San Juan Capistrano, Calif. | Santa Margarita Catholic HS
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Position: INF/RHP
Height: 6-0
Weight: 180
B/T: S/R
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Trevor Banning has spent his prep career at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. The Eagles were CIF Southern Section Division I runners-up in 2023, Banning's sophomore year, before going on to win the CIF SoCal Division I regional title.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Trevor Banning is a true two-way out of Santa Margarita High School. He's a dynamic infielder that can play all three infield spots and make challenging plays look routine with his exceptional arm strength. His steady glove and quick-twitch actions stand out every time he takes the field. Trevor has great plate discipline and gap-to-gap power that he utilizes from the left-hand side. On the mound, he pitches with conviction, consistently locating his fastball at 88-91, a sharp breaking ball, and a tumbling change up. Trevor does it all on the baseball field and his trust in his ability will go a long way at Santa Clara."
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Hunter Fujimoto | San Jose, Calif. | Valley Christian HS
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Position: OF
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
B/T: S/R
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Hunter Fujimoto has already played three years of varsity baseball at nearby Valley Christian High School, racking up a career .319 batting average, 14 extra-base hits and 49 RBIs ... He's a three-time all-West Catholic Athletic League honoree, including a first-team nod as a sophomore in 2023 … He's twice been named a Preseason Underclass All-American for the California Region by Perfect Game … Fujimoto has flashed his other tools, too, with 33 career stolen bases as a prep and only one error committed in 98 games played in the outfield.
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Hunter is one of the best pure hitters we have recruited here at Santa Clara. He has phenomenal bat-to-ball skills and the ability to consistently drive the baseball to all fields. The left-handed hitter projects as a top-of-the-order bat with the speed and athleticism to play anywhere in the outfield. Hunter is comfortable against high-level competition as he has been a three-year starter on varsity for Valley Christian High School and plays travel ball for Trosky National."
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Matthew Tiendas | Santa Clara, Calif. | Adrian Wilcox HS
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Position: OF
Height: 5-9
Weight: 180
B/T: L/L
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Matthew Tiendas is a local product straight out of Santa Clara and nearby Adrian Wilcox High School, only three miles from the Broncos' Stephen Schott Stadium … He was named to the all-DeAnza League second-team in 2024 … Tiendas was also named team MVP and has twice been named a Preseason Underclass All-American in the California Region by Perfect Game … Tiendas has been present for three consecutive trips to the CIF Central Coast Section playoffs by the Chargers across three different divisions (II, III and IV).
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Coach Filter's Insights
"Mathew Tiendas is a premier local talent out of Wilcox High School. The dynamic outfielde/first baseman has a smooth left-handed swing with the ability to hit for contact and power. He will compete for a job right out of the gate at Santa Clara as his makeup and work ethic are second to none. Tiendas plays travel ball for Alpha in the offseason and is an excellent student. We couldn't be more excited to make Mathew a Bronco Boy and help him develop here at Stephen Schott Stadium!"
