Eight UCLA Bruins Taken in MLB Draft
Jackie Robinson Stadium backstop, Credit: Jeff Poirier
College baseball coaches face an additional recruiting challenge beyond those faced by their football and basketball colleagues. The fact that baseball players – alone of the big three professional sports – can be drafted right out of high school means that in pursuing the best available recruits you have to compete not only with other schools but with professional clubs as well. Seven UCLA commits for next year’s class were drafted this week:
14. player. 17. Allard has already changed his <a href=. LHP. San Clemente HS. Kolby Allard
player. 108. Nevin has said that he expects to sign with the Rockies soon.. 3B. Poway HS. Tyler Nevin. 38
108. Lambert still lists himself on <a href=. RHP. San Dimas HS. Peter Lambert. 44. player
17. Herbert is Kolby Allard’s batterymate from high school, and they were drafted in successive rounds, so it’s a good bet that he follows his buddy Allard and signs.. C. San Clemente HS. Lucas Herbert. 54. player
UCLA Bruins head coach John Savage. Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
LHP. De La Salle HS. Justin Hooper. 751. player. 76. Hooper was ranked the 39th best prospect by Baseball America, but fell to the 25th round because he made it clear he intends to honor his commitment to UCLA.
RHP. Aliso Niguel HS. Kyle Molnar. 761. player. 32. Molnar was ranked the 53rd best prospect by Baseball America, but fell to the 25th round because he made it clear he intends to honor his commitment to UCLA.
1007. player. 108. Benson was ranked the 488th best prospect by Baseball America; he was taken 1007th. I’m not sure if that’s because he plans to attend UCLA or what. I haven’t found any information on his intentions, but my guess is he’ll stay committed to UCLA.. C. Rancho Buena Vista HS. Michael Benson
Additionally, last year’s first overall draft pick (by the Houston Astros) and former UCLA commit, Brady Aiken, was taken 17th overall by the Cleveland Indians. Health issues derailed his signing last year, and, sure enough, he underwent Tommy John surgery in March and will not be available until next season at the earliest.