BASEBALL: UCLA prospects Fried, Giolito and Virant all invited to U.S. 18-under trials

Montclair Prep's Max Fried, Harvard-Westlake's Lucas Giolito and Camarillo's Hunter Virant, all UCLA commits, were among the 40 players selected from a group of 144 to remain in Cary, N.C., this week for the USA Baseball 18-under national team trials and training camp.

Fried, Giolito and VIrant all competed this past week in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars and were selected based on their performances in four all-star games, as well as individual workouts and scouting combines Friday. Eleven of the 40 players selected are from high schools in California.

The pitchers will participate in games Friday and Saturday, looking to make the 28-player cut to return to North Carolina in September for the U.S. national team training camp that will produce a final 20-player roster to compete in the COPABE Pan American AAA 18-under championships Sept. 23-Oct. 2 in Cartagena, Colombia.

Harvard-Westlake catcher Arden Pabst was selected to the U.S. 16-under national team trials and training camp roster. Chatsworth's Tom Meusborn is one of the assistant coaches on the U.S. 16-under staff.

Simi Valley resident Tommy Costello was picked for the U.S. 14-under national team trials and training camp roster.