First-Round Draft Selection McLain to Attend UCLA
July 06, 2018 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES โ Matt McLain, an infielder from Arnold O. Beckman High School who was selected as the Arizona Diamondbacks' first-round draft selection this year (25th overall) has chosen to attend and play baseball at UCLA. The deadline for draftees to sign pro contracts passed todayย at 2 p.m. PT.
"As a coaching staff and a program we are very excited that Matt has chosen UCLA to be his home for the next few years," said head coach John Savage. "We knew that Matt was faced with a life-changing decision and we gave him and his family all the information they needed to make that choice. At the end of the day, it was Matt's decision and we couldn't be happier that he is joining our program."
McLain, listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, becomes the second first-round draft selection out of high school to attend UCLA following Gerrit Cole in 2008, who went 28th overall to the New York Yankees. Bruin standouts Troy Glaus (37th overall, 1994 draft) and Chase Utley (76th overall, 1997) were both second-round draft picks in high school before enrolling at UCLA.
"We realize that it's a unique situation," continued Savage. "We went through it with Gerrit Cole and everyone has seen the path that he took and the success that he's had at the Major League level. We feel confident and prepared to help Matt achieve his goals and be a part of his future. We look for him to become a key contributor this spring and in the years to come."
Rated as the fourth-best overall high school prospect in the state of California and the 10th-ranked shortstop in the country by Perfect Game, McLain was a four-year varsity letterwinner under head coach Kevin Lavalle. As a senior, he hit .390 with five home run and 35 runs scored. He was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Year for the second time and also selected to the Orange County register All-County Team and the ABCA All-Region 8 Team this spring.
Two other incoming freshman for the Bruins were selected in this year's draft as right-handed pitcher and infielder Jake Moberg from Vista Murrieta HS was taken in the 34th round and right-handed pitcher Sean Mullen from Stockdale HS was drafted in the 35th round, both by Colorado. In addition, Jeremy Ydens was drafted in the 33rd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks but will return to Westwood for his junior season.
Next season's incoming class for UCLA totals 10 players including right-handed pitchers Jesse Bergin (Harvard-Westlake HS), Dennis Boatman (Woodcreek HS)ย and Nick Nastrini (Cathedral Catholic HS),ย infielders Mikey Perez (Gahr HS) and JT Schwartz (Corona Del Mar HS), catcher Noah Cardenas (Bishop Alemany HS) and utility Jack Filby (McClatchy HS).
"Our staff, led by Bryant Ward, has done a great job of putting this entire class together and having them make it to campus," added Savage.
Current UCLA Bruins Drafted
| Name | Position | Year | Round | Team |
| Chase Farrell | RHP | 2017 | 40th Round | Houston Astros |
| Justin Hooper | LHP | 2015 | 25th Round | Milwaukee Brewers |
| Ryan Kreidler | INF | 2016 | 35th Round | Chicago Cubs |
| Matt McLain | INF | 2018 | 1st Round | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Garrett Mitchell | OF | 2017 | 14th Round | Oakland Athletics |
| Jake Moberg | RHP/INF | 2018 | 34th Round | Colorado Rockies |
| Kyle Molnar | RHP | 2015 | 25th Round | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Sean Mullen | RHP | 2018 | 35th Round | Colorado Rockies |
| Jake Pries | OF | 2015 | 37th Round | Baltimore Orioles |
| Michael Toglia | 1B/OF | 2016 | 35th Round | Colorado Rockies |
| Jeremy Ydens | OF | 2016 | 40th Round | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Jeremy Ydens | OF | 2018 | 33rd Round | Arizona Diamondbacks |
