Aug. 23, 2002
LAS VEGAS - UNLV head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle has announced the signing of three players to join the team for the 2003 season. Ryan Braun and Stephen Ghutzman have chosen to transfer to UNLV from Wake Forest, while Matt Luca will join the team from Galveston Ball High School in Texas.
Braun is a RHP who will spend his senior season with the Rebels after going 2-2 with a 5.45 ERA at Wake Forest in 2002. He pitched 33 innings, striking out 28. In three years with the Deacons, Braun has amassed a 9-7 career record. He also played in the outfield, hitting .275 with 19 RBIs and nine home runs in only 59 at-bats. In the Cape Cod League, this summer, Braun hit .318 with two home runs. As a pitcher, he was 2-2 with a 1.53 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 29.1 innings pitched.
"Ryan is a great athlete who will make an immediate impact in our lineup as both a pitcher and a hitter," said Schlossnagle. "He has a tremendous arm and great home run power."
Ghutzman is a switch-hitting catcher who will also play his senior season with the Rebels after spending two seasons at Blinn Junior College and a season with Wake Forest. He hit .291 (51-for-175) in 2002 with six home runs and 39 RBIs. He also shared the team lead in doubles with 16. Over the summer, Ghutzman hit .258 with 4 home runs in the cape cod league.
"Stephen brings a wealth of experience to us behind the plate," said Schlossnagle. "I have watched him play since his freshman year of high school and he has a great feel for the game. Certainly he has good physical tools as well and will elevate our club."
Luca, a 6-6, 210 pound RHP, was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. Following his senior year, Matt was named second team all-district and chosen to represent the Texas Class 5A Southeast Team in the 2002 All-Star Game. He also played on the Texas team in the 2002 Sunbelt Classic in Shawnee, Okla.
"Matt has outstanding physical skills," said Schlossnagle. "There aren't too many guys his size and age that throw in the low 90's and can throw consistent strikes. He turned down a great offer from the Cincinnati Reds to come to UNLV and we really believe he will make a difference in our program."
