CLOVIS, Calif. (FOX26) — Infielder JP Acosta announced his commitment to Fresno State this past week, becoming one of the biggest wins for the baseball program this offseason.
The transfer portal snapped up two major Diamond ‘Dogs: everyday 2nd baseman Owen Faust (Cal State Fullerton) and top bullpen arm/future starter Brandon Thomas (Utah).
But where the portal taketh, it also giveth.
Less than two weeks after Clovis North grad Jayden Hertel transferred from UNLV to Fresno State, Acosta followed suit after one season at Western Kentucky.
The Buchanan HS grad started 51 games for the Hilltoppers, primarily at 3rd base, and carried a .280 batting average.
Acosta’s keen eye at the plate extended beyond base hits; he recorded as many walks and hit-by-pitches (25) as strikeouts.
Hertel and Acosta combined for over 300 at-bats at the Division 1 level last season. Their experienced bats will be a different sight than the freshman-filled Fresno State lineup this past year.
Alongside fellow locals Marcus Nolen (team-high 10 HR, 41 RBI), Cayden Munster and Cam Schneider, as well as rising freshmen Brady Hewitt and Mikey Boyd, Acosta’s veteran savvy and leadership skills are his top assets to the team, he says.
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Acosta, a former All-American shortstop during two years at Fresno City College, mentioned familiarity with the current ‘Dogs as motivation to transfer to his hometown and spurn other PAC-12 suitors.