July 13, 2012

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Los Angeles, Calif. - Five of UCLA's incoming freshman signed to National Letters of Intent who were selected in June's Major League Baseball Draft, did not sign a professional contract prior to Friday's 2 pm PT deadline and will enroll at UCLA this fall.

James Kaprielian, Darrell Miller Jr., Ty Moore, Cody Poteet and Hunter Virant were all drafted in MLB's June Draft and will compete for the Bruins in 2013.

"The players enrolling at UCLA this fall have a tremendous future in our program," Head Coach John Savage said. "This incoming class will have an immediate impact, both on the mound and on the field, and we are very excited about the upcoming season. With James Kaprielian, Felipe Perez, Cody Poteet and Hunter Virant, we believe that we are adding four of the most talented high school pitchers from Southern California. Ty Moore and Darrell Miller Jr. have the ability to be impact freshmen for us in 2013 as well."

Virant, a left-handed pitcher from Camarillo, Calif., was drafted in the 11th round by the Houston Astros, the highest draft selection of the incoming five players. He went 8-3 with a 0.94 ERA during his senior season, logging 105 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 66.2 innings pitched. Virant also allowed just nine earned runs all year and gave up just 34 hits. He earned Pacific View League Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season in 2012.

Moore was selected in the 25th round by the New York Yankees. The outfielder/first baseman from Mission Viejo, Calif. was named the Gatorade California State Player of the Year in 2012 after hitting .406 with 23 RBI and 10 stolen bases for Mater Dei High School. Moore also pitched for the Monarchs, going 12-1 with a 0.83 ERA in 67.1 innings pitched. In addition, he registered 71 strikeouts to just 22 walks during his senior season.

Poteet, a right-handed pitcher from Bonita, Calif., was drafted in the 27th round by the Washington Nationals. He attended Christian High School in El Cajon, Calif., but did not play for the school in 2012, instead competing for the club team ABD Academy Bulldogs. In his junior year at Christian, Poteet batted .509 with 55 hits, 13 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 23 RBI and 45 runs while pitching 17.2 innings that season. Poteet also went 9-1 on the mound as a freshman in 2009, posting a 1.56 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Miller was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 34th round. The catcher from Yorba Linda, Calif. hit .421 during his senior season at Servite High School.

Kaprielian, a right-handed pitcher from Tustin, Calif., was drafted in the 40th round by the Seattle Mariners. He went 11-1 with a 0.72 ERA, while striking out 92 batters in 77.2 innings pitched during his senior season at Beckman High School. Kaprielian also earned first-team All-CIF Division III honors in 2012.

Also joining the Bruins this fall will be right-handed pitcher Felipe Perez, who owned a 1.45 ERA with 89 strikeouts as a senior at Fairmont Prep High School in Anaheim, Calif. Perez also held hitters to just a .131 batting average against him and gave up just seven walks in 2012.