BERKELEY – Adding to an already strong class entering in the fall of 2015, the California baseball program has signed outstanding high school outfielder Lorenzo Hampton, Jr. and right-handed pitcher Joey Matulovich – it was announced by Golden Bear head coach David Esquer and chief recruiting coordinator and pitching coach Mike Neu.
Hampton, Jr., from Miami Lakes, Fla., is a 6-4, 205-pound outfielder who plays at Monsignor Pace High School where he is batting .400 with two home runs, 20 RBI and 21 walks. Hampton, Jr. is ranked as the No. 33 top high school outfielder in the nation and is a 2015 Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, as well as Florida-All Region First Team.
“Lorenzo Hampton Jr. will give us some instant right-handed power and has a chance to be in the middle of the order immediately,” said Neu, who played his college ball at the University of Miami where he helped the Hurricanes to a national championship. “He is a tremendous athlete who is already very successful and has unlimited potential.”
“Joining the Cal family is an honor and a privilege,” said Hampton, Jr. “When I went on my official visit, I immediately fell in love with the coaching staff, the players and the campus. I'm honored just to have the opportunity to play at such a prestigious program where I can get better on the field and get a great education. I'm looking forward to contributing to the team in whatever capacity I'm asked. I can't wait to be a Bear.”
Matulovich is a 6-3, 200-pound talent right-hander from Danville who attends San Ramon Valley High School. At San Ramon Valley, he is 5-1 and has already thrown two no-hitters and a one-hitter this spring with four complete games. Matulovich owns a 1.42 ERA, yielding only 17 hits and has 62 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.
“Joe Matulovich is proving himself as a dominant pitcher in one of the best leagues in California,” explained Neu. “He has great command and velocity that keeps climbing. He is also very competitive and will fit perfectly into our pitching staff next season.”
“I couldn't be more excited and happy to be going to such an amazing school like Cal and being part of the Golden Bears’ baseball team,” said Matulovich. “Putting in the time and effort really pays off, and I can't wait to get after it in my next few years at Cal.”
During the fall signing period, Cal baseball had signed Tanner Dodson, a 6-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher/switch-hitting outfielder from Elk Grove (Jesuit High School); Tyrus Greene, a 5-11, 160-pound left-handed hitting catcher from San Diego (St. Augustine High School) and Jeffrey Mitchell, a 5-10, 170-pound outfielder from Pleasant Hill (College Park High School).
Also signing national letters of intent in the fall with the Bears were Ripken Reyes, a 5-10, 170-pound switch-hitting infielder from Stockton (St. Mary’s High School); Aaron Shortridge, a 6-2, 165-pound right-handed pitcher from Napa (Vintage High School) and Michael Soroka, a 6-4, 200-pound right-handed pitcher from Alberta, Calgary, Canada.
