SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Today, Bronco baseball announces the third member of its incoming freshman class for 2016-17, Jake MacNichols. The catcher currently attends Vintage High School in Napa, Calif.
"When I attended a camp at SCU between my sophomore and junior years, I was very impressed with the coaches," MacNichols said. "They all care as much about their players succeeding academically and getting a quality education as they do about working the players hard so they have a shot at playing at the next level.
"To have the opportunity to attend SCU and continue playing ball was an offer I could never turn down."
MacNichols hit .380 with 20 RBIs, 10 doubles and a home run for head coach Rich Anderson and the Crushers as a junior in 2014-15. VHS won 14 of its first 15 games en route to a Monticello Empire League championship. The Crushers made it to the semifinals of the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section tournament.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound prospect was selected by the Oakland Athletics to play in the Area Code Games last summer. In 2014, he played with USA Baseball in the National Team Identification Series. NorCalPreps.com tabbed MacNichols as a Top 50 baseball player and the No. 2 catcher in 2015.
"Jake is tough as nails and brings a gritty determination that you need as a catcher," Bronco associate head coach/recruiting coordinator Gabe Ribas said. "Jake distinguished himself as an elite level player this summer by making the A's Area Code team, where he showed how dynamic of a hitter he can be at higher levels.
"Jake has all the qualities that you look for when it comes to predicting early success, but the tools that really stood out to us in the recruiting process were his work ethic, leadership, and insane love for the game."
Outside of baseball, MacNichols is involved in athletic leadership and Physical Education classes at elementary schools. He enjoys fishing and golf.
Next week's future Bronco is Grant Nechak.
Baseball Class of 2020 Signees
Brandon Buckley | Luke Genova | Jake MacNichols
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