Bryan-College Station, TX (May 23, 2023) – The infield is looking like a powerhouse with signings like Justin Harris on the team this summer. Justin, a junior at Angelo State University, will definitely be a good addition to the winning culture here in Brazos Valley as he comes with the skills and stats to prove it. The second baseman finished the 2021 season with a .250 batting average and appeared in 4 games. The Woodlands HS graduate had four at-bats, scoring one run and tallying one hit, and two RBI, averaging a .250 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage. This same season the athlete was named to the LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the ASU Dean's List for the spring. The following season Harris played in 46 games making 41 starts showing off his impressive hitting with a .317 batting average and a .457 on-base percentage over 123 at-bats. Having no trouble making contact with the ball Justin had 39 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, and six home runs. He also scored 45 runs and drove in 39. Using his incredible arm Justin finished the season with a .964 fielding percentage, logging 52 putouts, 138 assists, and turning 28 double plays. These explosive stats earned him 2022 Third Team All-Conference!

Ryan Leary is another incredible Texas athlete that shows out in the infield. The INF from Texas State University has really shown his strength and talent for the Bobcats having seven runs, 5 RBIs, a double, and a homerun in the 2022 season while starting in 9 games with overall 16 appearances. The native Texan really impressed in his fielding, recording a .923 fielding percentage with 21 assists, 15 putouts and three assists! Besides Texas state, Ryan had three other D1 offers in Texas showing how valuable his skillset is. The Liberty Hill HS graduate was ranked as 41st best shortstop and 230rd overall player in the state of Texas by Perfect Game upon graduating and had the title of 2021 All-District 25-5A First Team at shortstop to add to his many accomplishments in the infield!

Sam Houston State’s Hunter Autrey is signed for the summer and ready to continue to grow his talent with the Bombers. The sophomore has an impressive arm in and around the field coming out of high school having led his team to three consecutive district titles and the 2019 state semifinals. The Corsicana HS graduate and native was named a first team all-district choice in 2019 and 2020 before being named District MVP in 2021 due to his excellence in the infield. In the 2022 season the Bearkat provided his team with an offensive spark midway through the year. Autrey played in 18 games starting in 10 of those aiding his team primarily as their DH. Starting to excel at the plate, Autrey had 9 hits in 35 at-bats, drawing 6 walks and driving in 9 RBIs in the 2022 season. The athlete hit an opposite-field, 2-run home run in his first career at-bat vs Texas Southern proving to be an early asset to his team as well as getting credit for having a huge game in a road win at Abilene Christian. In that game against the Wildcats, Hunter went 3-for-3 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and 6 RBIs. The Bombers are excited to see him use his clutch skills to aid the team in many wins this summer!

Bringing young talent to the team this 2023 season is Simon Larranaga! Towering in at 6’ 4, the freshman first baseman looks to add more impressive stats to his resume this summer after completing his first year at Temple College! Simon, who comes from Mont Belvieu, is an  awarded three-year letter winner for Coach David Denny at Barbers Hill High School prior to graduating last fall. During his time in high school, the explosive infielder was given the Perfect Game Preseason All-American Junior year and proved his skills with First Team All-District and Second Team All-State his Senior year. Along with these titles, Simon helped his team win 5A State Championship Senior year and got credit for his talents playing summer ball for Marucci Elite. This season with the Jaguars, the young star recorded 13 hits, 1 double, and 2 homeruns in 29 games played and he looks to keep that momentum going through the rest of the season in Brazos Valley! 

About the Brazos Valley Bombers

The Bombers are members of the Texas Collegiate League, one of the nation’s premier summer collegiate circuits. Teams like the Bombers bring minor league baseball-style entertainment to communities throughout the country, giving some of the best college players a chance to further their careers in wood bat leagues in front of Major League scouts. The Bombers 48-game season begins on May 30th and runs through August 3rd, followed by the TCL playoffs and a championship series. Season tickets for the 2023 season are now on sale. More information is available by calling the Bombers ticket office at (979) 779-PLAY, visiting the Bombers office in Bryan, or logging on to the Bombers’ official website at www.bvbombers.com.

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