Daniel Avitia

Avitia attended Alhambra High School in Arizona. During his senior season in 2021, he went 8-1 with a 0.84 ERA and pitched his school to the state championship game. In 58 2/3 innings, he allowed 34 hits, seven earned runs and struck out 96 while walking only eight. He chose to join Grand Canyon following his high school career. As a freshman, Avitia made 15 appearances and 12 starts. He posted a 4.06 ERA with 11 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 84.1 innings pitched. He was the first freshman to win WAC Pitcher of the Year, and was also named to the WAC First-Team and was a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game. Last season as a sophomore, Avitia made 15 more appearances with 14 starts. He posted a 7-1 record with a 3.92 record. He struck out 81 batters and walked 19. He earned his second All-WAC First Team selection in two years. This season, the hype is high surrounding Avitia, and he is expected to be a staple in the GCU rotation yet again.