Vista’s Rounsifer Commits to Fullerton

Vista High School’s Aaron Rounsifer said on Sunday that he has orally committed to play baseball next year at Cal State Fullerton.

Rounsifer was recruited by the 49ers to replace Olympic third baseman Phil Nevin, and the college learned of his decision on Friday that he will sign a national letter of intent later this week.

Rounsifer, a shortstop for the Panthers, is batting .405 with no home runs and 12 RBIs in 11 games. He batted .380 last season with seven homers and 37 RBIs.

“Right now, he’s playing as well as he was at the end of last year,” said his coach, Butch Smith.

Rounsifer, considered by some national publications to be one of the country’s top 50 high school prospects, was also recruited by Arizona State, San Diego State, Texas A&M; and UC Santa Barbara.

He said he will make the commitment official with a letter of intent “on Wednesday, or when I get home from Las Vegas” where his team is competing in the Gorman Classic.

Wednesday is the first day players can sign letters of intent.

“When I went up there (to Fullerton), I liked the coaches, the atmosphere, and they play good baseball,” he said on Sunday. “I’m excited about playing third base. I think I can play shortstop; I’m probably not as quick as the smaller shortstops, but they need a third baseman and they want me to do it, so I guess I’m going to do it.”

Rounsifer (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) was also an all-Palomar League receiver on the football team.