Today, Bronco baseball announces the fifth member of its incoming class of freshman for 2014-15, Braden Frankfort. The catcher currently attends Clovis North High School in Fresno, Calif.
"Santa Clara has great values not only as a school, but as a community," Frankfort said. "I also really liked the facilities, coaches, players and everyone I met that was a part of the Bronco family. The Silicon Valley is beautiful and full of great people."
In 2013, Frankfort started 29 of 33 games for Chris Patrick's Clovis North Broncos and hit .324 with 12 RBIs. The Broncos finished 27-6 and won the CIF Central Section playoffs.
With Frankfort as an integral part of the Clovis North battery, the team held its opponents to 81 runs in 33 games for a 2.45 runs per game average. Behind the plate, he threw out seven of nine potential base stealers, picked off seven from the basepaths and allowed only three passed balls in 206 innings caught. The 6-foot, 190-pound prospect earned 2013 First Team All Tri-River Athletic Conference honors and Second Team All Central Section honors.
"In Braden Frankfort we are really getting everything that our program looks for out of a catcher. He is a high-energy player that understands the toughness it takes to play the position," pitching coach/recruiting coordinator Gabe Ribas said. "We are very lucky to get Braden from such a good program at Clovis North, and from a great baseball family. Braden's ability to catch, throw, block and manage a pitching staff really stood out in the recruiting process, and it doesn't hurt to add another left-handed bat. This is a guy that fans of Bronco Baseball will be impressed with from day one."
In 2013, Frankfort was a member of the North team in the California North/South junior showcase, and he played for Trosky Central Valley baseball in 2013 and the Central California Blaze Baseball Club in 2011-12.
Frankfort is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Next week's new Bronco is shortstop/outfielder Evan Haberle.