BYU baseball: Baker's dozen commit to BYU baseball team

Littlewood on Mack: “Arik is one of the premier left-handed pitchers in the state. We watched him pitch very well against the best competition in the country last summer and look forward to him bringing that experience to our staff. Arik is coached by former Cougar Gary Miner and his dad Jeff also played for BYU.”

Rhett Nelson, Inf-RHP, 6-3, 210, Salt Lake Community College/Santa Clara University/Timpanogos High, Lindon, Utah Prior to serving a mission to Osorno, Chile, he had 12 appearances out of the SCU bullpen, going 1-0 with a 7.59 ERA, striking out six in 10 2/3 innings in 2010. Led THS to the 2008 Utah Class 5A state title, with a 10-0 record, including a 3-0 mark during the title. Recorded 78 strikeouts and owned an ERA of 2.02 as a prep junior while also hitting .441 playing third base and hitting third in the lineup. Was the 2008 5A State Tournament MVP and a MaxPreps.com Junior All-American. Got 'Player of the Year' honors from the Salt Lake Tribune, Provo Daily Herald and named 5A MVP by the Deseret News. Was 2008 Utah Class 5A first team all-state, all-region and National High School Baseball Coaches Association all-district selection. Earned all-region honors as a sophomore in 2007. Won seven games and hit .415 as a senior in 2009 and was named a First Team All-State player by the Deseret News and 2009 Timpanogos Team MVP. His sister played soccer at Grand Canyon Univ. and is a coach at Iowa Western.

Littlewood on Nelson: “Rhett is a highly-competitive person with great athletic ability and we are very fortunate to have him join our program. A two-way player in high school and at Salt Lake CC, Rhett will concentrate on pitching here at BYU, and with his experience at SLCC and Santa Clara University we expect him to contribute heavily to our program immediately. He also plays for former Cougar standout DG Nelson.”

Dallen Reber, infielder/outfielder, 6-0, 220, Univ. Kentucky/Dixie High, St. George, Utah Currently serving a mission to Chile Santiago, he was two-time first team all-state in baseball and first team all-state in football. He batted .310 with two home runs at the University of Kentucky in 2011.

Littlewood on Reber: “Dallen was a three-sport athlete at Dixie High School in St. George and could have played college football. Dallen is one of the most competitive athletes I’ve been around and brings a year of SEC playing experience to BYU after transferring from the University of Kentucky.”

Rhett Parkinson, LHP, 6-0, 190, Salt Lake Community College/Mountain Crest High, Wellsville, Utah Had a 5-0 record with a 3.22 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 50 innings last season at SLCC.

Littlewood on Parkinson: “Rhett is a power left-hander who pounds the zone and isn’t afraid to compete. He brings a wealth of experience from playing in one of the best junior college conferences in the country and we look for him to make an immediate impact on our program. He plays for former Cougar standout DG Nelson.”

Hayden Rogers, LHP, 6-0, 180, Mountain View High, Mesa, Ariz. Currently serving a mission to London, England. MVP of the 5A all star game in 2011, second team all-state and two-time all-region. Was honorable mention Arizona Republic 5A in 2010. Played on the Arizona team in the Southland Classic. He had a broken hand last season, but in 2011 had a 4-2 record with a 2.37 ERA in 38.1 innings with 40 strikeouts and three saves, batting .350.

Littlewood on Rogers: “Hayden is an upper 80’s, low 90’s left hander who got a lot of attention from professional scouts during his senior year at Mt. View H.S. in Mesa, Ariz. Hayden elected to serve his mission immediately after high school and we are looking forward to getting him on campus next fall.”

Michael Springer, RHP, 6-2, 165, Salt Lake Community College/ Taylorsville High, West Jordan, Utah Last season he was second team All-Region 18 and had a 5-0 record with a 2.49 ERA in 43.1 innings with 39 strikeouts.

Littlewood on Springer: “Mike comes from a great program at Taylorsville High, and a great junior college program at Salt Lake Community College. Mike is a proven winner with a power arm and we expect him to do great things here at BYU. He also plays for former Cougar standout DG Nelson.”