Three Oakland baseball signees are set to star in the 2021 Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA) All-Star Game at Comerica Park on Monday, June 28th. Kevin Krill, Hunter Pidek and Brandon Nigh will all be taking the field together mere months before stepping foot on campus as freshman student-athletes for the Oakland baseball program.

Krill, a catcher and White Lake native, holds impressive accolades through his high school career. As a four-year letter winner and starter for Lakeland High School, Krill helped carry his team to three Lakes Valley Conference titles in his four-year reign. Being selected for the MHSBCA All-Star Game is most fitting for Krill.
 
"It is very cool to see my play on the field be recognized like this, and I cannot thank my coach enough for nominating me and having my back throughout my entire time at Lakeland," said Krill. "However, I could not have done it without my team. In my opinion individual success comes with team success and my team has given me the opportunity to show what I can do."
 
Pidek, a right-handed pitcher from Troy Athens High School also carries impressive accolades. With over 57 innings pitched, 109 strikeouts, and a career 1.20 ERA, it was no surprise that the Troy, Mich. native was a top selection for the MHSBCA All-Star Game.
 
Pidek stated, "It's such a huge honor being selected. I can't wait to play with and against the best in the state as well as some undeniably generational players. Its definitely going to be an experience to remember".


 
Nigh, a middle infielder and right-handed pitcher, recorded a 0.29 ERA on the mound and hit .400 during the regular season for Bedford High School. He helped carry the team to league championships during his junior and senior year. Nigh offered his excitement for being selected to the All-Star Game, stating: "I am honored to be recognized and it's awesome seeing my work finally pay off."
 
Head Coach Jordon Banfield shared his excitement for the three newcomers and offered insight on each player's individual skill-sets:
 
"It's certainly an exciting honor for these three guys and their production as seniors is a testament to their ability and the work that they've put in to get to this point."
 
"Brandon Nigh has a chance to help us both on the infield and on the mound. He's done a tremendous job developing his body in the last two years and has a college-ready body," added Banfield.
 
"Hunter Pidek went from the mid 70s to the upper 80s in about a year's time and as a result was able to strikeout over 100 hitters this spring. He could have a chance to contribute early out of the bullpen."
 
Kevin Krill is another guy who's extremely physical for a high school kid," continued Banfield. "I'm excited to see him come in and compete for playing time behind the plate."

All three signees will be taking the field with the Golden Grizzlies in the fall and each noted that the recruiting process was a hassle due to COVID-19 but they could not be more excited to begin their careers with coach Banfield and the baseball program. In his first year with the Golden Grizzlies, Banfield brought a new culture to the Oakland and with eight incoming freshmen, he holds his own expectations for the incoming class and expects each player to hold the right type of character that positively represents the program.