Bauer set for MLB debut

From UCLA:

Former UCLA right-hander Trevor Bauer has been promoted to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ major league ballclub and will start against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on Thursday, the organization announced this week.

Thursday’s game at Turner Field will be televised by FS Arizona and by SportSouth (formerly Turner South). Game time is 4:10 p.m. (PT)/7:10 p.m. (ET).

Bauer became UCLA’s first-ever Golden Spikes Award winner in 2011 after going 13-2 with a 1.25 ERA and nation-leading 203 strikeouts in 136.2 innings. The native of Valencia, Calif., was selected third overall in the 2011 MLB Draft by Arizona.

Since pitching in his final game for the Bruins on June 4, 2011, Bauer has quickly ascended through the minor leagues. He went 1-2 with a 5.96 ERA, totaling 43 strikeouts in 25.2 innings between single-A (Visalia) and double-A (Mobile) last season.

Bauer has gone 11-1 with a 2.23 ERA in 16 starts between double-A (Mobile) and triple-A (Reno) this season. Since being elevated to the Reno Aces in mid-May, Bauer has gone 4-0 with a 2.82 ERA, 56 strikeouts and 22 walks in 44.2 innings (eight starts) at the triple-A level.

After enrolling at UCLA one semester early in Jan. 2009, Bauer went on to have the most dominant career of any pitcher in school history. He finished his three-year career with a 34-8 record and 2.36 ERA, having logged 460 strikeouts in 373.1 innings.

Bauer became UCLA’s career leader in victories (34), strikeouts (460) and innings (373.1). As a starting pitcher, he posted a 32-5 career record in 44 starts. He established UCLA’s single-season strikeout record with 203 punchouts in 2011, shattering his previous school-record total of 165 in 2010.

He helped lead the Bruins to a program-record 51 victories in 2010, as UCLA advanced to the finals of the College World Series for the first time in school history. Bauer helped UCLA win the 2011 Pac-10 Conference title in outright fashion for the first time since 1986.

Bauer will become the fifth UCLA player under head coach John Savage to advance to the major leagues. With Bauer’s debut on Thursday, at least one player from each UCLA team from 1965 through 2011 will have played in the major leagues.

Zach LaVine verbally commits to UCLA

Just got off the phone with No. 17 PG Zach LaVine, who just committed to UCLA. Let’s just say he was giddy. It was the Bruins’ second big commitment of the day, only Jim Mora benefitted the first time, not Ben Howland, as No. 19 OLB Myles Jack committed to the football team.

Here’s my interview with Lavine.

JG: So, big night for you?
Zach LaVine: “It’s just been hectic. So many phone calls. I’m really excited. All my family is from UCLA. California is home away from home for me. My dad’s favorite school. They’ve always been my favorite. I’ve been on a bunch of visits, they’ve seen me play 10, 15 times, and it seems like the right idea.”

JG: Right now, Russell Westbrook is in the NBA Finals, you’ve got Darren Collison and Jrue Holiday and Jordan Farmar…
LaVine (cutting me off): “The list goes on man! I just want to be just like them. My dream is to play in the NBA, but I’m gpoing to play step by step and go in with the mentality that I want to be the best I can be and help UCLA as a program.”

JG: When you think of these guys as not only your heroes, but now they’re going to be fellow alumni, brethren, you’re playing against them at UCLA during the offseason, talk about what it means to not just have them as heroes but to have them available?
ZL: “It’s going to be a great resource. Up in Washington, I work out with Tony Wroten, Jamal Crawford, Brandon Roy, Will Conroy, a lot of those guys, and when I play against them, I have the mentality that I’m the best on the court. Every time I step on the court I think I’m better than everyone, and that’s not to talk in a cocky way, but that’s just my mentality to get it going. So it’s going to be so much fun playing with those guys and trying to get better and learn from them.”
Continue reading “Zach LaVine verbally commits to UCLA” »

UCLA to hold fall camp at Cal State San Bernadino

UCLA will hold its fall camp on the campus of Cal State San Bernadino, the two schools announced today. Camp will take place from Aug. 3-16 at the Coyotes’ athletic fields, and will be open to the public and media.

“We are pleased that coach Mora and the entire UCLA football staff will begin their fall season here at Cal State San Bernardino,” CSUSB Director of Athletics Kevin Hatcher said. “That our two staffs can collaborate on this project is no small undertaking. The cooperation of many individuals and departments here at CSUSB has enabled us to move forward.

“I know I speak for many as our entire university looks forward to working with and hosting the Bruins and staff as they get ready to begin a new era under coach Mora.”

Mora wanted to give the team a football-focused environment as the team prepares for its season opener at Rice on Aug. 30.

“We believe the move to CSUSB will be a very positive experience for our football team,” UCLA head coach Jim Mora said in a release. “We are excited for the opportunity to continue to lay the foundation for the coming season.”