Eastern Kentucky University’s baseball program added 10 future Colonels for the 2025 season during the November signing period, head coach Chris Prothro announced today.
The group includes three right-handed pitchers, one outfielder, four infielders, a catcher and an outfielder/first baseman.
“Any program that is trying to win at a high level, especially in a very competitive conference, must recruit at a high level,” said Prothro. “In order to do that it takes a concerted, group effort amongst the staff as well as from many different areas on campus. We are fortunate to be in good hands when it comes to the support provided to our recruiting efforts by Kirk Moats and Kirby Smith in compliance, and by Kyle Manley as our team’s academic advisor. Bryant (Bowen), J.D. (Davis), and Walt (Jones) worked extremely hard to put this class together and we feel there are multiple members that should make an impact on the success of our program in short order. These guys in our class will help us win on the field and will continue to adhere to, and enhance, the expectations of success in the classroom and in the community that our program aspires to.”
EKU will open the 2024 season on Feb. 16 with a three-game series at Auburn. The first home game is scheduled for Feb. 23 against Oakland, the opener of a three-game home series. Season tickets can be purchased online at EKUSports.com or by calling 859-622-2122. Fans can also purchase season tickets in person from 9-5 p.m. at the ticket office located in the Olympic Sports Training Center.
Diego Alana (INF, 5-11, 165, Winter Garden, Fla., Indian River State College)
Alana earned first team all-conference honors after batting .331 with 21 runs and 30 RBIs as a freshman at Indian River in 2023.
“Diego is a switch-hitting infielder that has shown the ability to hit for average in an elite junior college conference,” EKU Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Walt Jones said. “Diego is an above average defender that can play all over the field. He spent time at all three infield positions during his freshman year.”
Luis Alvarez (INF, 5-10, 180, Stuart, Fla., Dyersburg State Community College)
Alvarez posted a .287 average and a .782 OPS as a freshman last season. He was a two-time all-area selection at Martin County High School, batting .338 with a .963 OPS his senior season.
“Luis is a versatile left-handed hitting infielder that can play both spots in the middle of the field and will spend some time at third base for Dyersburg this year,” Prothro said. “He has a chance to hit somewhere near the top of the order with a solid approach.”
Kobe Benson (INF, 5-10, 170, Boca Raton, Fla., (St. John’s River State College)
Benson attended Coastal Carolina in 2020-21 and St. John’s River in 2021-22. As a senior in 2021, he helped North Broward Prep capture its first state championship.
“Kobe is a very athletic switch-hitting infielder that can provide above average defense at both shortstop and second base,” said Prothro. “He is a potential top of the order run producer offensively that can do multiple things, including stealing bases and providing high on-base percentages.”
Gregory Caban (C, 5-9, 185, Miami Gardens, Fla., Archbishop McCarthy High School)
Caban hit .364 with a .440 on-base percentage as a junior last season, earning first team all-district recognition.
“Gregory is a left-handed hitting catcher with advanced bat to ball skills,” said Jones. “He is a polished defender who will have an immediate impact when he steps on campus.”
Savion Flowers (OF/1B, 6-4, 200, Chicago, Ill., Kenwood High School)
Flowers finished his junior season with a .420 average, four home runs, three doubles, four triples and 37 RBIs. He is a two-time all-city pick already.
“Savion is a left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman with big power potential,” Jones said. “He is extremely athletic for his 6-foot-4 frame. Savion has been clocked at a 6.6 second 60-yard dash and is a versatile defender with athletic actions both in the outfield and at first base.”
Jackson Ginther (OF, 5-9, 178, Monticello, Ga., Locust Grove High School)
Ginther earned first team all-state honors after batting .410 as a junior in 2023. He helped Locust Grove capture the region championship.
“Jackson is a switch-hitting speedster that can play all three outfield positions,” said Jones. “He has hit for average while flashing some power potential and his speed – 6.4 second 60-yard dash – makes him a true base stealing threat.”
Aaron Groeneveld (INF, 6-0, 175, Hollywood, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas High School)
Groeneveld helped St. Thomas capture a district championship as a junior in 2023. As a sophomore, he helped the Raiders win a district title and the Catholic Schools Tournament championship.
“AJ is another left-handed hitting infielder who has also shown versatility in being able to play on both sides of the bag,” Jones said. “He has shown the ability to hit to all fields while showing pull side power potential.”
Carson van Haaren (RHP, 6-0, 190, Lexington, Ky., Tates Creek High School)
Van Haaren was selected to participate in the Prep Baseball Report Super 60, a premier national showcase which hosts many of the nation’s top high school draft prospects. He played at Tates Creek High School where he earned first team all-city honors as a junior in 2023. He finished with 75 strikeouts and only 17 walks while posting a 1.93 ERA in 43 innings of work. This past summer, van Haaren compiled a 4-0 record with a 1.61 ERA and 38 strikeouts with nine walks in 26 innings.
“Carson is an in-state right-handed pitcher who has decided to stay close to home by choosing EKU,” said Jones. “He is the first of three in-state right handers who all have the ability to really pitch. Carson has shown arm strength with a fastball up to 92 miles per hour, with the ability to really spin a breaking ball and true feel for his changeup. He is expected to make an immediate impact when he arrives on campus next fall.”
Brady Hutchins (RHP, 6-1, 200, Lebanon, Ky., Marion County High School)
Hutchins pitched the first perfect game in school history as a junior in 2023 on his way to earning all-district and all-region honors. He posted a 1.08 ERA with 89 strikeouts and a .120 opponent’s batting average.
“Brady is another in-state right-hander with advanced pitchability,” said Jones. “He has shown a fastball up to 90 miles per hour with feel for both a curveball and a slider, and can show a changeup at any time. We anticipate Brady pitching meaningful innings early in his time here.”
Chardy Tierney (RHP, 6-1, 195, Lexington, Ky., Henry Clay High School)
Tierney went 3-2 with one save, a 1.38 ERA and 60 strikeouts as a junior in 2023 at Henry Clay. During his sophomore season, Tierney earned two postseason saves and did not allow an earned run in the postseason. He finished the 2022 campaign with a 3-2 mark, two saves, a 1.68 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 33 and one-third innings.
“Chardy is the third in-state righty in this class,” Jones said. “He has good sink on his fastball which has been clocked up to 92 miles per hour. It pairs well with a high spin slider and fading changeup. Chardy’s ability to locate down in the zone should land him early action when he arrives on campus.”
