University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Pat Valaika Joins Baseball Staff as Undergrad Assistant Coach
October 10, 2023 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES โ UCLA baseball head coach John Savage on Tuesday announced that Pat Valaika, a six-year Major League Baseball veteran and member of UCLA's 2013 National Championship squad, has joined the program as an undergraduate assistant coach.
"Pat is the epitome of a true Bruin," said Savage. "He was a consummate teammate during his time as a player, won a National Championship, went on to play in the Major Leagues, and is now assisting our program as a coach. Our student-athletes are very lucky to have a person of Pat's caliber guiding them towards being productive parts of our program."
After starring at UCLA from 2011-13, Valaika went on to enjoy an 11-year professional career, including six seasons in the bigs. The Valencia, Calif. native spent his first four seasons with the Colorado Rockies before a two-year stint with the Baltimore Orioles.
Over 373 career MLB games, he totaled 177 hits, 91 runs, 30 home runs, and 92 RBIs. During the 2017 campaign with Colorado, his first full MLB season, Valaika set career highs in home runs (13), RBIs (40), slugging (.533), and OPS (.817). He followed that up with a standout 2020 campaign in Baltimore, hitting a career-best .277 with a .791 OPS. He also showed his versatility during that season, playing all four infield positions and both corner outfield spots with the Orioles.
Valaika added 753 games of Minor League experience, slashing .260/.312/.423 over his MiLB career.
"First and foremost, I want to thank Coach Savage for the opportunity to come back to UCLA," said Valaika. "My time as a Bruin truly formed me into the man I am today, and I look forward to giving back to the program that has given me so much."
Valaika was a three-year starter at shortstop (2011-13) for UCLA, helping the Bruins to their first National Championship as a junior in 2013. He was named to the 2013 All-College World Series team after leading the Bruins' defensive efforts at the CWS, and also earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors after committing just six errors over 66 games.
For his college career, Valaika batted .254 over 180 games. He still ranks in the program's top-five for career postseason RBIs (17, third) and games played (22, fifth). Valaika was selected in the ninth round of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft by Colorado, going on to make his debut with the Rockies in 2016.
Stay tuned to @UCLABaseball on Twitter for all team updates.
