KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan baseball program and head coach Billy Gernon have announced the signing of four student-athletes from around the state of Michigan to the program's class of 2024. Right-handed pitcher Julian Harris (Richland), outfielder Jackson Isaacs (Grand Rapids), infielder Marwynn Matthews Jr. (Detroit) and left-handed pitcher Trevor Raade (Grand Rapids) are slated to arrive on campus in the fall of 2024 and will suit up for the Broncos beginning with the 2025 season.  

Julian Harris • RHP • 6-2 • 180 • Richland, Mich. • Gull Lake HS
Harris is set to be a four-year letterwinner and starter for head coach Reggie Walters at Gull Lake High School this coming spring. The righty began his career by earning Honorable Mention All-Conference as a freshman and then was a Second Team All-Conference selection as a sophomore.
 
He took things to another level during his junior campaign, batting .450 with six home runs and 15 doubles, while posting a 1.00 ERA on the mound, to help lead the Blue Devils to a district title. Harris was rewarded with First Team All-Conference accolades. He played summer ball for Canes Midwest-Stiner.

In addition to starring on the diamond, Harris has also earned three letters in football and basketball at Gull Lake. The son of Damian and Erin, he has twin brothers, Peyton and Tyler, and a sister, Giselle. His father, Damian, played football at Western Michigan from 1992-95. Upon arriving at WMU, Harris plans to enter the Haworth College of Business.
 
Coach Gernon on Harris:
"Julian is a tremendous athlete. He has a long, lean body with an electric loose arm that has been in the low 90's. He is a student of the game and has a tireless work ethic driven towards self-improvement. Julian's vibrant personality will be a fantastic addition to our locker room and culture. He is very advanced, and his high-powered arm could impact our pitching staff sooner rather than later."
 
Jackson Isaacs • OF • 6-0 • 200 • Grand Rapids, Mich. • Grand Rapids Christian HS
Isaacs was a three-year letterwinner and starter for reigning MHSAA Division 2 Coach of the Year Brent Gates, and will head into his senior year this spring under new Grand Rapids Christian head coach and former Bronco standout Kurt Hoekstra. As a sophomore, Isaacs helped the Eagles finish as the MHSAA Division 2 state runner-up, after leading the team in batting average (.450), runs scored (37), home runs (6) and RBIs (40). His performance was rewarded with First Team All-Conference, All-Region and All-State selections.
 
Last season, he batted .392 with 45 hits, 42 runs scored and 28 stolen bases to help Grand Rapids Christian capture the Division 2 state championship. Isaacs again earned numerous accolades, picking up First Team All-District, All-Region and All-State honors. He played summer ball for USA Prime-Swanson.    
 
The son of Ryan and Adrienne, Isaacs has three younger brothers, Greyson, James and Cal. He sports a 3.45 GPA and plans on attending WMU's Haworth College of Business.
 
Coach Gernon on Isaacs:
"We have been excited about Jackson's offensive tools since the first time we saw him. He has experienced tremendous success at Grand Rapids Christian, capturing the Division 2 state title in 2023. Jackson hits for both average and power, runs well, and his offensive skillset could find its way into our lineup early in his career."
 
Marwynn Matthews Jr. • MIF • 5-10 • 160 • Detroit, Mich. • Detroit Edison
Matthews is slated to be a four-year letterwinner and starter for head coach Mark Brown at Detroit Edison Academy. As a sophomore, he earned First Team All-Conference, All-District and All-State honors after helping the Pioneers reach the MHSAA Division 3 championship game.

Last season, he was once again a First Team All-Conference, All-District and All-State selection. Matthews was also named the 2023 PBR Position Player of the Year and Co-Player of the Year for Division 3. Ranked #23 overall by PBR Michigan, he played summer ball for USA Prime-Penn.
 
The son of Marwynn Sr. and Lasonya, Matthews has been on the honor roll all four years at Detroit Edison. He boasts a 3.5 GPA and was named an AP Scholar.
 
Coach Gernon on Matthews:
"Marwynn is one of the most dynamic players I have come across in my career. He plays with an unprecedented level of energy, excitement and genuine enthusiasm. He is an electric player with tremendous athleticism and has game-changing speed. He has an infectious personality that exudes on and off the field."
 
Trevor Raade • LHP • 6-1 • 185 • Grand Rapids, Mich. • Zeeland East HS
Raade is getting ready for his senior season at Zeeland East High School, the same school which produced current Bronco right-hander Ethan Houghtaling, where he will be a four-year letterwinner and starter for head coach Matt Satler. The southpaw is a three-time First Team All-Conference, All-District and All-Region selection and has helped the team to a pair of conference titles.

This past spring, Raade helped lead Zeeland East to a 37-4 record, the first district title in school history and a spot in the regional semifinals. He was a Second Team All-State selection, Holland Sentinel Co-Player of the Year and a member of the MLive Grand Rapids Dream Team. Raade played summer ball for the Grand Rapids Diamonds-Lamange.
 
The son of Kevin and Jamie, he has a brother, Mason. Raade carries a 4.0 GPA and has earned Academic All-State honors.
 
Coach Gernon on Raade:
"Trevor knows how to pitch and has command of three pitches. He was in and out of the lineup last year dealing with nagging injuries and still led his team to a perfect 21-0 conference record. I know Trevor is more than ready to help push his club to a state title after just falling short last season."