UCLA Bruins Showcase Talent in MLB Draft

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UCLA Bruins players gearing up for their potential MLB Draft selections.

News Summary

The 2025 MLB Draft features five UCLA Bruins players, including AJ Salgado and Michael Barnett, set to make their mark in professional baseball. Salgado shines with exceptional stats, while Barnett’s pitching prowess stands out. Center fielder Payton Brennan and others add to UCLA’s strong draft presence, with implications for their NCAA eligibility and ongoing recruitment efforts. The draft will take place at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, highlighting Southern California’s baseball talent and tradition.

Los Angeles, California – The 2025 MLB Draft is set to commence on Sunday, featuring five draft-eligible players from the UCLA Bruins, under the direction of coach John Savage, who has previously guided 129 players into the draft. This year’s potential draftees include standout performances from right fielder AJ Salgado, right-hander Michael Barnett, center fielder Payton Brennan, left-hander Ian May, and right-hander Cody Delvecchio.

AJ Salgado is drawing attention with the best season of his collegiate career, finishing with an impressive .312/.418/.581 slash line, tallying 56 RBIs, and achieving a notable 12 home runs. Salgado made significant improvements, including raising his on-base plus slugging (OPS) from .784 to 1.000 over the season. Additionally, he increased his walk rate from 7.4% to 12.7% and successfully stole 13 bases for the first time, showcasing his all-round offensive capabilities.

On the pitching side, Michael Barnett is projected to be selected in the ninth round after posting an impressive 12-1 record with a 3.98 ERA and 75 strikeouts. Barnett has focused on refining his pitching skills, evidenced by an increase in his strikeout rate to 20.1% and a reduction in his walk rate from 2.85 BB/9 to 2.30 BB/9 in the current season.

Center fielder Payton Brennan is another player to watch, projected for the sixth round after achieving a solid .303/.381/.487 batting line, along with 41 RBIs and 6 home runs. Brennan’s performance is particularly noteworthy given he overcame a hamstring injury this season while decreasing his strikeout rate to 19.1%.

The draft prospects also include Ian May and Cody Delvecchio, with May anticipated to be chosen in the 19th round after concluding the season with an 8-3 record and a 4.97 ERA. Delvecchio, facing academic ineligibility, is projected for the 17th round with a season’s ERA of 6.81.

Additionally, the MLB Draft will allow drafted players to maintain their NCAA eligibility. This unique aspect may create implications for UCLA’s current recruiting class, which has 13 members, as players might choose to pursue professional contracts instead of continuing their collegiate careers. Right-handed pitcher Zach Strickland has shown a keen anticipation for the draft process and might not play for UCLA if he is signed. Catcher Truitt Madonna is currently competing in the MLB Draft league, demonstrating strong performance statistics that may bolster his draft chances.

Southern California is well-recognized for its rich baseball talent, maintaining a competitive atmosphere that fosters the development of players. High school athletes in the region, such as Gavin Fien, a notable high school prospect, are also preparing to make their entries into the draft, influenced by a legacy of athletic excellence in their families. The emphasis on hard work and family connections highlights the current landscape of the MLB Draft.

The upcoming MLB Draft will take place at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta and will be broadcast live across various platforms, including ESPN and MLB Network. As excitement builds, the UCLA Bruins are poised to contribute to this ongoing legacy of talent entering professional baseball through this draft.