Five recruits sign with BYU baseball

Highly touted catchers DC Clawson and Payton Henry join baseball players from Texas and Virginia inking letters of intent with BYU during the November signing period.

Clawson is from Dana Hills, California and catcher/pitcher Henry is from Pleasant Grove High School in Utah.  Clawson plays on the 17U National Team and Henry was selected to the 2015 Louisville Slugger High School All-America team.

Joining them are switch-hitting shortstop Pete Nielsen and left-handed pitcher Matt Favero who are both from James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia; and right-handed pitcher Shep Shepard from Kyle, Texas.

“We have been following these guys all around the country for the past three years and it's nice to finally have them officially become part of the BYU Baseball family,” said BYU coach Mike Littlewood.

Favero’s brother, Nate, currently is a sophomore infielder for BYU. Nielsen’s father, Mike, pitched for BYU from 1990-95.

Listed below is more information on each player.

DC Clawson, 6-1, 184, Catcher, Dana Hills HS, Dana Point, Calif. 

He was a member of the 2015 Underclass 3rd Team, 2014 Underclass High Honorable Mention, and played in the 2014 17U National Team Development Program. He transferred from Mater Dei HS prior to his junior year. He was recruited by USC, UCLA and San Diego.

Coach Littlewood on Clawson:  “DC has an infectious personality and will bring great energy and excitement to our program.  He has a great baseball resume, including being part of the USA 17U National Team and Area Code team earlier this year.  DC is rated as one of the top defensive catchers in the country and we feel fortunate to have him sign with us.”

Matt Favero, 6-4, 200, LHP, James Madison HS, Vienna, Va.

Selected to the NOVA Nine Team, first-team 6A Conference 6 and North Region, second-team VHSCA and VHSL all-state and Washington Post All-Met selection. Last season he posted a 10-0 record with a 0.82 ERA, 81 strikeouts in 58 innings, while also hitting .340 with eight doubles, two home runs, 26 RBI and 22 runs. His team was 6A Conference 6, North Region and state champions. He was also recruited by the College of Charleston, James Madison University, Liberty University and the College of William & Mary.

Coach Littlewood on Favero: “Matt is a quality left-handed pitcher who we expect to be an immediate impact player for us on the mound.  Matt will locate multiple pitches and really knows how to compete. He and Pete (Nielsen) come from a great high school program coached by Mark “Pudge” Gjormand at James Madison in Vienna, Va.”

Payton Henry, 6-3, 215, catcher/pitcher/first base, Pleasant Grove HS, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Selected to the 2015 Louisville Slugger High School All-America team, 2015 Area Code Games,2015 Gatorade Player of the Yearand was the Provo Daily Herald’s Valley Player of the Year for baseball. As a junior, he pitched 11 innings in relief as a closer, with a 1-1 record, six saves, 13 strikeouts and a 0.61 ERA. He hit .527 for the season with nine home runs, 11 doubles and 46 RBI to help lead his team to the 5A state title. He is coached by his father, Darrin at Pleasant Grove High School. He was recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, San Diego, Utah, Utah Valley, UNLV, Nevada, Cal State Northridge and Dixie State.

Coach Littlewood on Henry: “Payton is one of the top power hitting catchers in the country and had the opportunity to play baseball at any university he wanted - we are ecstatic he chose BYU.  Payton will be a middle of the order type hitter for us for years to come, and an all conference type player right away. We can't wait to get Payton on campus and start coaching him next fall.”  

Pete Nielsen, 6-2, 185, SS, James Madison HS Vienna, Va.

He was first-team all-conference and all-region, and second-team All-Met.

As a junior he hit .410 with 11 doubles, two home runs, 26 RBI and scored 36 runs, with 28 walks and stole nine bases. He was 3-1 as a pitcher, earning wins in relief in the regional semifinals and in the state final. He was also recruited by the University of Virginia.

Coach Littlewood on Nielsen:  “I've been watching Pete play for three years now and if I had to describe him in word it would be 'gamer'.  Pete is a well-rounded, polished player who makes big play after big play for his team.  Pete is a high school shortstop but he's a guy we could put anywhere on the field and he'll be great.  I believe Pete has the capability of being an all conference player his first year at BYU."

Shep Shepard, 6-7, 190, RHP, Dripping Springs HS, Kyle, Texas

He was 9-1 with a 1.5 ERA as a junior and all-district. Played quarterback and wide receiver in football. He was recruited by the University of Richmond, West Virginia and St. Edwards.

Coach Littlewood on Shepard:  “Shep is a tremendous athlete who's baseball ceiling is unlimited. He plays in a very competitive league in Texas and for a great club team in Action Baseball for Keith Jackson. He was an incredible quarterback in high school and gave that up last year to concentrate on baseball. It's going to be exciting to see how he progresses over the next few years.”