BEAUMONT, Texas – Adding on to its already top-ranked recruiting class, Lamar University's baseball team has officially signed former Texas A&M University starter and junior college phenom Jorge Gutierrez. The prodigious catcher will join the Cardinals for the 2019 campaign.
 
"Getting Jorge on campus will be huge for this program," said head coach Will Davis. "He already has Division I experience at the highest level, played in the SEC, helped his team reach an NCAA Super Regional, and went to Omaha. He fills two immediate needs in being able to come in and catch and hit in the middle of our order with power from both sides of the plate."
 
In Aggieland the Venezuelan catcher appeared in 37 games, including 22 starts, hitting .214 / .417 / .337 with three doubles, a triple, and four home runs while scoring 13 runs and driving in 16 RBI. He had many defining moments as an Aggie, notably opening his career with a 4-of-5 performance in the series against Bowling Green with a triple and two homers, five runs scored, three walks, a stolen base, and three RBI. He also helped Texas A&M clinch an NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2017 by reaching base on the final play against Davidson.
 
"With Jorge you're getting a smart catcher. He really understands the game and is a tremendous leader. He's been a powerful bat all year at the plate for us and is a versatile athlete who can play at several positions," said Alvin Community College head coach Jason Schreiber. "I really think he'll make a big impact at the Division I level once again."
 
Looking for other opportunities, Gutierrez left Texas A&M after one season and enrolled at Alvin Community College, where he has been a force to be reckoned with. The sophomore has hit .319 / .659 / .385 in 28 games for the Dolphins with 29 hits, including five doubles, a triple, and eight homers. He's scored 17 runs while driving in 27.

"I wanted to come to Lamar because I have a good relationship with Coach Davis and I liked the facilities and the direction the program is going in," said Gutierrez. "I want a chance to help the team grow and I'll do whatever I can to help the team win."
 
Gutierrez is one of the Cardinal signees in the late signing period for NCAA baseball, joining JC Correa, the younger brother of Houston Astros' phenom Carlos Correa. Correa was a teammate of Gutierrez at Alvin Community College.
 
Gutierrez was no slouch in high school either. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on November 16, 1997, Gutierrez and his family immigrated to the United States a few years before his freshman year at Clements High School, where he was an All-District First Team member in his sophomore year. His junior year Gutierrez transferred to Kempner High School where he was named to the All-District First Team twice more and was named to the Perfect Game All-Texas Region Team in 2016. He hit .302 with two homers and 15 RBIs as a senior.
 
"Jorge can really play anywhere on the field and will add versatility at other positions if we need him to. Jorge's personality is infectious and his passion for the game is very obvious when you watch him play and practice. He is my kind of guy and I think that he will come right in and be one of the leaders of the team," said Davis.
 
A more detailed story on Correa, who signed with the Cardinals earlier on Thursday, can be found here. Cardinal fans should stay tuned to LamarCardinals.com for further updates on the 2019 recruiting class.