Arizona recently wrapped up a promising fall exhibition season with a win over Vanderbilt in Las Vegas, a result that could serve as a springboard to a bounceback year in 2027. In the meantime, potential contributors to the 2028 squad have acquired.
The Wildcats signed 11 players on Wednesday for its 2027 recruiting class, which won’t actually hit the field in real games at Hi Corbett Field for another 15 months. The group included eight high school prospects and three from the junior college ranks,
including one it lured away from a perennial national powerhouse.
Luke Tucker, a left-handed hitting infielder, committed to the UA just two weeks ago out of McClennan College in Texas. Tucker had previously signed to play at LSU and was a potential 2026 MLB Draft pick, but after withdrawing from the draft he opted to attend junior college and reopened his recruitment.
“He’s had a very successful high school career and went a route that not a lot of guys would,” UA coach Chip Hale said in an interview exclusive to Zona+. “He’s going to get a ton of at bats this spring playing for McLennan and a bunch in the summer in summer ball, so when he comes in next fall he’ll be ready to compete for a starting job.”
Tucker is one of three infielders the UA signed along with Manny Ehinger, who had previously been committed to Oregon. The Wildcats also signed two outfielders, a catcher and five pitchers, two from the left side.
Several of the position players signed joined the class since the summer, the byproduct of Hale hiring Jack Meggs as hitting coach shortly after last season. Meggs helped Saint Mary’s make the NCAA Tournament and knock off No. 1 overall seed UCLA in its opening game.
The 2027 class does not include any local prep standouts but does have another product from Pima College in lefty picker Braxton Bjur. Originally from Buckeye, Bjur is one of five in-state additions and during fall ball pitched against Arizona and was impressive.
A lot can—and probably will—happen between now and when this class would arrive at the UA next summer. Some players could end up getting drafted and sign, as was the case this past summer when catcher Francisco Rivero was taken in the 15th round by the Washington Nationals and signed.
2027 Arizona baseball recruiting class
- LHP Braxton Blur (Buckeye, Ariz./Pima CC)
- IF Maddon DelaCruz (Phoenix)
- C Roman Derichsweiler (Dallas)
- IF Manny Ehinger (Sherwood, Ore.)
- OF Chayce Formosa (Discovery Bay, Calif.)
- RHP Brendan Freeman (McKinney, Texas)
- LHP Ayden McGinnis (Phoenix)
- RHP Grady Openden (Phoenix)
- OF Chris Sinacori (Phoenix)
- IF Luke Tucker (Krum, Texas/McClennan CC)
- RHP Gino Zagorac (Darien, Ill./McClennan CC)
