UCLA baseball has eight players picked in 2015 MLB Draft

Four more UCLA baseball players were picked today to end the 2015 MLB Draft, making for a total of eight Bruins selected.

Outfielder Ty Moore, left-handed pitcher Grant Watson, infielder Chris Keck and reliever Tucker Forbes were each drafted, with all of but Forbes going by the end of the 18th round.

Here is the total draft haul out of UCLA this year:

RHP James Kaprielian, Jr. — First round, 16th overall, Yankees
SS Kevin Kramer, RJr. — Second round, 62nd overall, Pirates
RHP Cody Poteet, Jr. — Fourth round, 116th overall, Marlins
RHP David Berg, Sr. — Sixth round, 173rd overall, Cubs
OF Ty Moore, Jr. — 12th round, 367th overall, Pirates
LHP Grant Watson, Sr. — 16th round, 486th overall, Giants
INF Chris Keck, Sr. — 18th round, 527th overall, Rockies
RHP Tucker Forbes, RSo. — 30th round, 906th overall, Giants

A number of Bruin signees were also drafted: Continue reading “UCLA baseball has eight players picked in 2015 MLB Draft” »

UCLA pitchers David Berg, Cody Poteet drafted by Cubs, Marlins

UCLA closer David Berg delivers against Mississippi State in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the College World Series on June 24, 2013. Berg earned his 24th save, setting a new NCAA single-season record. (Nati Harnik/AP)

UCLA closer David Berg delivers against Mississippi State in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the College World Series on June 24, 2013. Berg earned his 24th save, setting a new NCAA single-season record. (Nati Harnik/AP)

A day after James Kaprielian became a first-round pick, two more UCLA pitchers were selected in the 2015 MLB Draft.

Relievers Cody Poteet and David Berg were drafted in the fourth and sixth round, respectively, joining the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs. They are the latest professional products out of a college program that has become known for its pitching.

Berg, picked No. 173 overall by the Cubs, finished his career as arguably the best closer ever in collegiate baseball. Through four seasons as UCLA, the former walk-on set NCAA records in single-season saves (24 in 2013) and career appearances (175). He is the only Bruin to ever be named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year twice, and was this year’s NCBWA District IX Player of the Year.

Drafted in the 17th round last season, the submariner returned for his senior season and registered a 0.68 ERA, third-best nationally. Last month, he paired with Kaprielian for the first no-hitter in school history.

“David Berg will go down as the best reliever in the history of the game,” UCLA coach John Savage said on June 1, after the Bruins’ season-ending loss to Maryland in the NCAA Regional. “That’s not an overstatement.” Continue reading “UCLA pitchers David Berg, Cody Poteet drafted by Cubs, Marlins” »

UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian drafted No. 16 overall by Yankees

James Kaprielian was taken by the New York Yankees as No. 16 overall in the MLB Draft, becoming the first UCLA baseball player to go in the first round since 2011.

On Monday, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound pitcher joined a club last entered by Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, fellow right-handers who starred for the Bruins before going No. 1 and 3 overall four years ago. Cole actually helped convince Kaprielian to sign with UCLA.

UCLA coach John Savage said he noticed Kaprielian’s curveball the first time he saw him pitch as a high school sophomore, as well as a “good, physical, projectable body.” Continue reading “UCLA pitcher James Kaprielian drafted No. 16 overall by Yankees” »

Relief pitchers David Berg, Jake Ehret become final Bruins taken in MLB draft

A pair of relief pitchers capped the MLB draft for UCLA on Saturday, becoming the third and fourth Bruins taken this year.

Star closer David Berg went to the Texas Rangers in the 17th round as the 516th overall pick, 91 selections after teammate Jake Ehret was drafted in the 14th round by the Cincinnati Reds. Lightly recruited out of Bishop Amat High, Berg made 101 appearances in his first two seasons at UCLA — setting an NCAA single-season record with 24 saves during the team’s 2013 national championship run. He also became the first reliever to win Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year.

Limited by strained bicep for part of his junior season, Berg still finished with a 1.50 ERA and 11 saves. Ehret had a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings as a righty setup man.

UCLA signee Griffin Canning, another right-handed pitcher, was drafted in the 38th round by the Colorado Rockies.

Catcher Shane Zeile drafted No. 160 overall as Tigers’ fifth-round pick

UCLA catcher Shane Zeile was taken in the fifth round of the MLB draft on Friday, becoming the first current Bruin off the board.

The junior went No. 160 overall to the Detroit Tigers after leading UCLA in nearly every hitting category, including a .324 batting average and 28 RBI. A former infielder, the All-Pac-12 selection successfully converted to catcher and started 105 games behind home plate over the last two seasons. Continue reading “Catcher Shane Zeile drafted No. 160 overall as Tigers’ fifth-round pick” »