On November 13, 2024, three exceptional baseball players—Zach Nagy, Brady Hewitt, and Caden Sramek—signed their commitments to play NCAA Division I baseball, marking a significant turning point in their athletic careers. Nagy will be joining the University of San Francisco, a program known for producing over 28 MLB players. Hewitt has committed to the University of Oregon, the alma mater of Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, and a team currently ranked in the top ten of NCAA Division I polls. Meanwhile, Sramek will be heading to Oklahoma State University.
In November, The Plaid Truth had the privilege of interviewing these three talented athletes about their recruitment journeys, commitment decisions, and what they’re looking forward to as they step into the next chapter of their baseball careers.
For infielder Nagy, the recruitment process began in his junior year when he started receiving offers from various schools. However, it wasn’t until the summer before his senior year that he visited the University of San Francisco and immediately knew it was the right fit. “I just felt like I would be happiest there,” he shared, explaining the emotional connection that led to his commitment. Nagy had dreamed of playing Division I baseball since his freshman year, but a pivotal moment came during his sophomore year playoffs when he made the last out of the game. That experience sparked a deep determination to push himself harder during the offseason, leading into his junior year. His relentless work paid off, and he attributes much of his success to the many people who supported him along the way. “I had different coaches, like my dad and other coaches. And then in high school, we have our head coach, Coach Maye, and then Coach Letus. And there’s freshman coaches and JV coaches. And then summer ball coaches, so there’s really a lot of people that helped me in my journey.”
As he looks ahead to his future in Division I baseball, Nagy is excited about the opportunity to join a team of like-minded athletes who share his competitive spirit and dedication. “These other guys that have the same passions as me and like the same ‘want to be there,’” he said. Beyond the game itself, baseball has taught him invaluable lessons in patience, humility, and perseverance qualities he believes will serve him well at the next level. One of the most important lessons Nagy has learned is to trust his coaches and teammates, a belief that has strengthened over the years. His bond with Hewitt and Sramek runs deep, extending far beyond high school baseball. He’s known Brady for nearly fourteen years, since they were just three or four years old, and Caden was a teammate on his very first baseball team. The long-standing friendships and strong chemistry they share on the field, Nagy believes, provide them with a distinct advantage.
As he prepares to tackle the challenges of college baseball, Nagy carries not only his skill and determination but also the unwavering support of those who’ve helped him along the way. His journey serves as a testament to the dedication and passion required to reach the highest levels of the sport.
Hewitt’s journey, both as an infielder and pitcher, has been filled with its share of highs and lows, yet through it all, his love for the game has remained steadfast. His recruitment process began early when he verbally committed to the University of San Diego during his freshman year. However, as time passed, he came to realize that his decision had been made prematurely. “I committed too early. I didn’t really know what I wanted at the time. And then that ended up not working out,” he admitted. Although it was a tough experience, it ultimately led him to the University of Oregon, a program that had always been on his radar. “Ever since I was little, I always wanted to go to Oregon. Even in eighth grade, I made a presentation of where I wanted to go, and Oregon was on there. So it’s just always been a school that kind of pulled me in, and I really like the coaches there. I like the facilities; everything there is really nice, so that’s why I ended up picking it.”
Committing to a top-tier Division I program is no small accomplishment, but Hewitt’s path to Oregon wasn’t just about finding the right fit, it also involved overcoming significant challenges. One of his toughest moments came when he suffered a torn labrum, causing him to miss an entire year of play. “I ended up tearing my labrum last year, and I haven’t even played a game in a year, so that’s been a big struggle. But I’ve been grinding through it, trying to get back, and I should be back soon, so can’t wait for senior year,” he said. Despite this setback, Hewitt remained committed to his recovery, working tirelessly to return to the field stronger than before. His resilience and determination reflect the mindset that has propelled him to success at every stage of his journey.
Hewitt’s high school experience also involved a significant transition when he transferred schools alongside his teammate, Sramek. Transferring schools can be a difficult adjustment for any athlete, but Hewitt found strong support from his new coaching staff. “The coaches here really helped. They kind of let us do our thing. They were big supporters of us,” he said.
Balancing academics, athletics, and social life has required Hewitt to develop discipline and meticulous time management. “It’s definitely a challenge, especially with social life. Like, you’re always working, always working through either school or baseball. So it’s kind of like an all-time, all-time thing. And just like, scheduling is probably the best thing for me that helps. Like, what am I doing this week? How am I gonna do this throughout the week? And sticking to that—that’s what helped me the most,” he revealed. As Hewitt looks ahead to his future at Oregon, he’s excited for the opportunity to compete at the highest level, surrounded by teammates and coaches who share his dedication and love for the game. Despite the obstacles along the way, Hewitt’s perseverance, hard work, and passion for baseball have laid the foundation for his continued success in the years to come.
Sramek’s path to Division I baseball followed a similar trajectory to Hewitt’s. Initially, he committed to California State University, Fullerton, but after much reflection, he decided to decommit before ultimately choosing Oklahoma State University. After thoughtful discussions with his family and advisors, Sramek realized that Fullerton wasn’t the right fit for him. Just 20 minutes after announcing his decommitment, he received a call from Oklahoma State. “[It] was really scary at first. But once I visited Oklahoma State, I fell in love with it and just committed there,” he admitted.
For Sramek, decommitting was ultimately the right choice. While there were many factors involved in this decision, one of the most significant was the passing of his teammate, Dylan Jones. “But the main one that really ended it off was when Dylan Jones passed away. It was more like, I only get one shot at this. And my dream was to always go play big-time baseball at a big-time school. And so that’s kind of what was the last straw, was that I wanted to go play. Because he didn’t get to go live out his dream, so I wanted to go live out mine. So that’s kind of what the final straw was there.”
A major turning point in Sramek’s commitment to baseball came after a playoff game during his sophomore year when a random stranger approached him and encouraged him to take the sport more seriously. “He was like, dude, you could be great one day. You just got to do this, and this. And then I started, I met another guy named Tommy Costello, who’s just made a huge impact on my baseball career. And then like, I started working with him, and then I started all the eating and weight lifting and taking it so seriously. And like, that’s when I realized that I could do something special.” Sramek’s newfound dedication to baseball has positively impacted many areas of his life, from academics to personal responsibilities. When asked about the values that have contributed to his success, he credits his relationship with God. He often turned to prayer during difficult times, including his decision to decommit, seeking guidance in his journey.
Sramek believes Oklahoma State is the perfect fit for him, especially because of the strong sense of community at the university. “Everyone in Oklahoma loves Oklahoma State. And I think that’s awesome because there are no professional teams in Oklahoma. And so everyone’s just all OSU, and I think that’s awesome,” he said.
With his strong work ethic, unshakable faith, and deep love for the game, Sramek is ready to take on the challenges of college baseball and make the most of his opportunity at Oklahoma State.
Royal High School has produced so many talented baseball players, and Coach Maye attributes much of their success to the team’s emphasis on fundamentals. “We really pride ourselves on the development of fundamentals,” he said. He also explained that the coaching staff conducts interviews before and after each season with every player to discuss their goals for improvement. Each person is motivated differently, and the coaching staff takes the time to learn their motivations and what they need to succeed. One of the things that sets Royal apart from other schools, Coach Maye notes, is their commitment to athletes’ health. “We definitely are more concerned about their health more than other schools. We don’t like to overthrow or overwork athletes because we know that they not only play for Royal, but they play for travel teams and all-stars and showcases and a lot of other places.”
When asked to describe their game day rituals, Hewitt and Nagy’s answers are similar: both prefer to have a calm and focused mindset before taking the field. Sramek, however, thrives on energy and enthusiasm. “When I get to the locker room, I’ll just mess around with the boys, and like these guys are just in their lockers all quiet. And I’m just loud. And that’s what I like. I just like, I think my role on the team is to bring a lot of energy. And so that’s what I try to do a lot. And so that’s just who I am.”
These three players are hungry for a CIF ring this year. If you’re ever free after school, stop by the baseball field on game day to witness their dedication, skill, and passion for the sport.
