In constructing the Hawaii baseball team’s 2019 recruiting class, the specs called for a high ceiling.

“We like this class because it’s an athletic class, a well-rounded class, where we filled some needs,” coach Mike Trapasso said. “And it’s a class with a very high ceiling. That’s the biggest thing. We’ve got some guys who haven’t even come close to touching their best baseball. Their best baseball is still ahead of them. Some guys have a chance in a couple of years to be very good.”

On Wednesday, Trapasso announced nine players — five pitchers, a catcher, two infielders and an outfielder — who signed letters of intent. Jack Kennelly, an infielder from Bellevue Community College, also made an oral commitment. Trapasso elaborated on a class that is not complete. He expects to add a couple more in the spring and will make supplemental offers if any recruits sign pro contracts.

Scotty Scott, a multi-position player at Cypress Ranch (Texas) High, is viewed as successor to center fielder Dylan Vchulek, who completes his UH eligibility at the end of the 2018 season. “At Les Murakami Stadium, you’re not going to be successful unless you have a center fielder who can fly,” Trapasso said.

Scott ran 60 yards in 6.45 seconds at a combine-like event last week. “He’s not just fast, he’s really, really fast,” Trapasso said. “He’ll bring an element that’ll be fun to watch.”

Dallas Duarte, a catcher from Kamehameha-Hawaii, is projected to compete for a starting job as a freshman. Kekai Rios is expected to be picked in the 2018 draft, and Chayce Ka‘aua will be a senior this coming season. “The timing is good,” Trapasso said of Duarte’s signing. “We think he has a chance to be an outstanding receiver.”

Trapasso said infielder Tyler Best of Eagle (Idaho) High has a “great baseball IQ.” Cooper Bowman of Stevens High in South Dakota is a power-hitting infielder.

Of the five pitchers, the most intriguing is right-hander Joey O’Brien of College of Southern Nevada. O’Brien, who was born and raised in Okinawa, went to the junior college as an infielder.

“They obviously saw the arm strength and asked if he had ever pitched,” Trapasso said. “He said a little bit in high school.”

In 10 relief appearances as a freshman this past season, O’Brien’s fastball reached 95 mph.

Connor Butler of Bishop Kelly High (Idaho) is a two-way player who might make an initial impact as a left-handed pitcher. “He pitches high 80s and touches 90,” Trapasso said. “You don’t see that a whole lot from lefties.”

Aaron Davenport of Cedarcrest High (Wash.) is a right-handed pitcher who also can reach 90 mph. “And he’s got a power curveball,” Trapasso said. “That’ll win anywhere.”

Trapasso said Taylor Burns, a right-hander from Bakersfield (Calif.) College, is a “strike thrower.” Burns was limited because of tendinitis last season. Trapasso said Burns is “very polished,” throws in the high 80s, and possesses “the ability to be good down the line.”

Blaze Pontes of Kamehameha was named to the ILH Division I first team after going 6-1 with an 0.95 earned-run average last season. “He still has a chance to put on 20 pounds,” Trapasso said of Pontes, who is listed as 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds. “Once he puts on weight and gets stronger, you’ll definitely see that velocity.”