San Diego, CA
UCSD ace, USD slugger among San Diego’s top prospects in this year’s baseball draft
For more than a decade, San Diego-area baseball players were the talk of the MLB Draft.
From 2011 to 2022, 19 players with ties to San Diego were taken in the first round.
The list included future major leaguers and current top prospects Joe Musgrove, Kris Bryant, Bradley Zimmer, Alex Jackson, Connor Joe, Kevin Newman, Tyler Nevin, Mickey Moniak, Korey Lee, and Alika Williams as well as top prospect Marcelo Mayer, Carson Williams and Spencer Jones.
Now, there’s a question if there will be a San Diego player taken on the first day of the MLB Draft when it starts Sunday.
Ryan Forcucci, a right-handed pitcher from UC San Diego who played at San Marcos High School, and power-hitting USD outfielder Jakob Christian, who played at St. Augustine High School, are San Diego’s top prospects.
For the third straight year, there figures to be no players taken directly out of a San Diego high school.
Forcucci and Christian both come with questions.
Forcucci, who wasn’t a prospect coming out of high school, was off to a great start this season, going 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA.
With a fastball that hits 96-97 mph, a sound delivery and a budding slider, he had 37 strikeouts in 25 innings and just six walks in five starts.
An arm injury ended his season early.
Still, MLB.com has him ranked as the 86th-best prospect in the draft; Baseball America has him at No. 88.
Christian wasn’t a prospect in high school, either.
As a senior at St. Augustine, he hit. 333 with three homers, 13 doubles and 26 RBIs.
He has since blossomed into one of the top power hitters in college baseball.
As a sophomore at Point Loma Nazarene, Christian hit 28 home runs and drove in 70.
Wanting to prove himself at a higher level, he transferred to USD and hit 26 homers and drove in 67 this season.
MLB.com has him rated as the 216th-best prospect in the draft. Baseball America has him at 457.
“What are the scouts seeing that I’m not?” USD coach Brock Ungricht asked.
”All the guy does is produce. It’s not like he’s 5-foot-9. He’s 6-5. He can run. He plays great outfield defense. And he’s a great teammate.
“Scouts tell me he should be drafted at the bottom of the first round or the top of the second. Yet he gets no respect in the player rankings.”
What scouts don’t like is that Christian didn’t hit with power in wood-bat college summer leagues, knocking just two homers in 26 games in the Northwoods League and one homer in 19 games with Yarmouth Dennis last summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
While scouts like Chrisitian’s raw power, they say he has a loopy swing, question that his power won’t translate from aluminum to wood and wonder about the level of the competition.
“Say what you want about our competition, but look at what he did in the NCAA Regional, look at what he did against USC, Cal State Fullerton, Michigan and Dallas Baptist,” Ungricht said.
“That should tell you something.”
Christian went 5-for-12 with three homers and seven RBIs in three Regional games against Oregon, Fresno State and UC Santa Barbara. He was 4-for-13 with three homers and five RBIs in four games vs. Michigan. One of those homers was in Dodger Stadium.
He was 3-for-9 with three RBIs vs. Dallas Baptist and 4-for-11 with two homers and four RBIs in games vs. USC and Cal State Fullerton.
The only other San Diego players ranked among the top-500 prospects are UCLA second baseman Duce Gourson, who played at Point Loma High School; Texas A&M shortstop Ali Camarillo, who played at Otay Ranch; and Long Beach State closer Mike Villani, who played at El Camino.
Gourson is ranked No. 158 by MLB.com and No. 231 by Baseball America.
Camarillo is No. 180 by Baseball America and No. 246 by MLB.com.
Villani checks in at No. 453 by Baseball America.
Santa Fe Christian outfielder Jack Haferkamp is the only San Diego high school player in the Top 500, checking in at No. 274 on Baseball America’s list.
Hard-throwing right-hander Will Sanford drew a lot of attention from scouts.
Baseball America calls this draft “among the weakest ever for high schoolers.”Haferkamp and Sanford, however, both indicated they are likely headed to college — Haferkamp to UC Santa Barbara and Sanford to Oregon.
“I’ve got a great college option,” Haferkamp said. “After talking to coaches, my adviser and people we trust, college looks like the best thing right now.
“UCSB is a great program, so I can’t go wrong either way.”
Sanford echoed Haferkamp’s comments.“Pro ball is the ultimate goal,” Sanford said. “But it might not happen immediately. I’ll get a good education, play great baseball and grow up some at Oregon.
“So we’ll see what happens.”
San Diego has a number of other outstanding high school players, including right-handers Stunner Gonzalez and Cooper Walls and catcher Kalen Applefield of La Costa Canyon, left-hander Brady Dockan of Rancho Bernardo and catcher Jack Giordano of Patrick Henry.
All, however, appear to be headed to college.
MLB Draft facts
When: First 74 of 615 picks Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. on the MLB Network Tuesday is Rounds 3-10. Wednesday is Rounds 11-20.
San Diegans most likely to be selected in MLB Draft
Name, Position, School, Comment, Projected roundRyan Forcucci, RHP, San Marcos HS/UC San Diego, Injured after 5 starts, but has fastball that touches 96-97 mph, 2-3
Jakob Christian, OF, St. Augustine HS/USD, Big power with 67 college HRs, 2-10
Duce Gourson, 2B, Point Loma HS/UCLA, Lefty swinger and slick fielder, 3-5
Ali Camarillo, SS, Otay Ranch HS/Texas A&M, Skilled defender with CWS experience, 5-10
Peyton Schulze, 1B, Rancho Bernardo HS/Cal, Good power gap hitter, 7-15
Josh Randall, RHP, USD, Fastball sits at 95-96 MPH, 10-15
Austin Machado, C, La Costa Canyon HS/Hawaii, Superb defender with power, 10-15
Mike Villani, RHP, El Camino HS/Long Beach State, Could profile as a reliever, 12-20
Matt Halbach, 3B, UC San Diego, Injured after 19 games, but hit .408 with speed, 12-20
Ryan Fenn, IF, Granite Hills HS/Cal Poly SLO, Gap hitter with speed, 12-20
Ariel Armas, C, St. Augustine HS/USD, Gold Glove winner, 12-20
Austin Smith, LHP/OF, Granite Hills HS/USD, Was 7-0 and hit 7 HR, 12-20
Makana Olaso, C, Palomar College, Big kid with 20 HRs, 16 doubles, 12-20
Justin DeCriscio, SS, USD, Slick fielder, gap hitter, 12-20
Jake Entrekin, C, Steele Canyon HS/ Point Loma Nazarene, Catchers are coveted, 15-20
Other college players
Randy Abshier, LHP, Otay Ranch HS/Hawaii, Lefty with good stuff, Senior sign
Scott Anderson, IF, Sage Creek HS/Point Loma Nazarene, Has power, drives in runs, Senior sign
Mac Bingham, OF, Torrey Pines HS/LSU, Solid player with speed, Senior sign
Ray Cebluski, LHP, Eastlake HS/Point Loma Nazarene, Veteran just wins, Senior sign
Jack Costello, 3B/OF, USD, Has power, drives in runs, Senior sign
Alec Jones, C, Rancho Bernardo HS/Cincinnati, Teams value catching, Senior sign
Izaak Martinez, LHP, UC San Diego, Close. Pitched well in the Cape, Senior sign
Dylan Miller, RHP, Coronado HS/Point Loma Nazarene, Innings-eater workhorse, Senior sign
Ivran Romero, RHP, Poway HS/USD, Fastball sits at 95, Senior sign
James Sashin, LHP, Point Loma Nazarene, Tall closer with 18 saves, Senior sign
Calvin Schapira, LHP, USD, Fastball sits 94-95, Senior sign
Eric Smelko, OF, Helix/Point Loma Nazarene, Older veteran who just hits, Senior sign
Ricky Tibbett, RHP, Eastlake HS/UC Irvine, Veteran with good stuff, Senior sign
High school players
Kalen Applefield, C, La Costa Canyon HS, Strong lefty hitter, Committed to Cal
Brady Dockan, RHP, Rancho Bernardo HS, Big man who teams like, Committed to Cal State Fullerton
Jack Giordano, C, Patrick Henry HS, Teams covet catchers, Committed to USD
Stunner Gonzalez, RHP, La Costa Canyon HS, Big man, Committed to LSU
Jack Haferkamp, OF, Santa Fe Christian HS, Rare combo of power and speed, Committed to UC Santa Barbara
Will Sanford, RHP, Point Loma HS, Hard thrower with great stats, Committed to Oregon
Cooper Walls, RHP, La Costa Canyon HS, Hard thrower who was hurt late, Committed to Hawaii
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 33-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to 325 years to life in prison for sexually abusing two 6-year-old girls, in addition to a slew of other felony sex abuse charges, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Christopher T. Gardner was convicted of 15 felony sex abuse charges, which included molesting the two girls, who were relatives of his, over a five-year period.
The abuse reportedly first came to light when one of the victims told a friend in confidence during a sleepover that she had been touched inappropriately. The friend then told her mother, who contacted law enforcement.
After Gardner was arrested, a third victim came forward, who was also a relative. Now a young adult, the victim said that when she was 7-8 years old, Gardner sexually assaulted her.
During the nine-day trial, the first two victims reportedly testified to multiple vulgar acts of sexual abuse by Gardner.
“Predators who rob children of their innocence and inflict lifelong trauma do not belong in our communities,” DA Summer Stephan said. “This sentence sends an unmistakable message to abusers: you will be held accountable. I am deeply grateful to our specialized sexual abuse prosecution team for their dedication in bringing a measure of justice to the survivors.”
Thursday, July 9
• La Jolla Town Council: 6 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollatowncouncil.org
Friday, July 10
• La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club: 6:45 a.m., UC San Diego Faculty Club, 270 Muir Lane. lajollagtrotary.org
• Kiwanis Club of La Jolla: noon, La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. kiwanisclublajolla.org
Sunday, July 12
• La Jolla Open Aire Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Girard Avenue at Genter Street. (858) 454-1699. lajollamarket.com
Monday, July 13
• La Jolla Library Book Club: 1:30 p.m., Community Room, La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The July book is “Fresh Water for Flowers” by Valérie Perrin. sandiego.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=316631
• La Jolla Planned District Ordinance Committee: (pending items to review), 4 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. Email info@lajollacpa.org.
• Laughmasters Toastmasters: 6:30 p.m., online. Email jrmmt@cox.net.
Tuesday, July 14
• San Diego Blood Bank blood drive: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Hensel Phelps Construction Co., 9404 Genesee Ave. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification is required. (619) 400-8251. sandiegobloodbank.org
• Rotary Club of La Jolla: noon, La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St. rotarycluboflajolla.org
• Co-op Toastmasters Club: noon, online at bit.ly/46W13bx (meeting ID: 849 4320 0407, passcode: cccu2020). (669) 900-6833. toastmasters.org/find-a-club/00001125-coop-club
• La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee: (pending items to review), 4 p.m., online. Email info@lajollacpa.org.
Wednesday, July 15
• Torrey Pines (La Jolla) Rotary Club: noon, online. torreypinesrotary.org
• La Jolla Shores Association: 6 p.m., Martin Johnson House, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 8840 Biological Grade. lajollashoresassociation.org
Thursday, July 16
• La Jolla Sunrise Rotary Club: 6:58 a.m., La Jolla Shores Hotel, 8110 Camino del Oro. Call Cheryl Collins at (760) 936-3272 or Steve Cross at (619) 992-9449.
• San Diego Blood Bank blood drive: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sanford Burnham Prebys (patio outside Buildings 6 and 7), 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification is required. (619) 400-8251. sandiegobloodbank.org
• La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee: (pending items to review), 4 p.m., online. Email info@lajollacpa.org.
Friday, July 17
• La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club: 6:45 a.m., UC San Diego Faculty Club, 270 Muir Lane. lajollagtrotary.org
Did we miss listing your community event? Email calendar information to Noah Lyons at noah.lyons@lajollalight.com by noon Thursday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦
San Diego, CA
Elite California city set for mass illegal street vendor expansion as judge issues stunning verdict
San Diego seems to have no solution to its illegal street vendor problem and it’s only getting worse in many areas including the popular Balboa Park and Gaslamp Quarter.
Local business leaders are frustrated following the January 2026 California appeals court ruling, which forced the city officials to entirely halt the crackdown on street vendors.
“It’s a disaster,” Denny Knox, executive director of the Ocean Beach Main Street Association, told the San Diego Union Tribune last week.
An increasing number of street vendors are exploiting the court’s ruling and many don’t even bother to get a permit.
Executive Director of Gaslamp Quarter Association, Michael Trimble, said that street vendors block the sidewalks, making it difficult for the businesses in the area to function.
“The lack of action has also led to an escalation of activity, including new vendors setting up tents and selling goods without permits, health approvals or accountability,” said Trimble, the Union-Tribune reports.
Organized groups of hot dog vendors have returned to the Gaslamp Quarter—bringing associated hazards like open fires, blocked walkways, and the dumping of grease into storm drains.
“It’s so much of a slap in the face to merchants that have done things the legal way, the right way,” said Ruth-Ann Thorn, owner of Native Star boutique and Exclusive Collections Gallery in the Gaslamp Quarter, reports inewsource.
Officers can no longer impound vending carts and law enforcement in Ballpark District is restricted, SDPD’s Ashley Nicholes said in a statement, according to the Union-Tribune.
“Recent court rulings involving the city’s street vending ordinance have limited what police officers can do to enforce street vending laws,” Nicholes said.
San Diego’s tug-of-war with street vendors started in 2018 when the state law decriminalized aspects of street vending. The task to draft a vendor law fell into the laps of then-Mayor Kevin Faulconer in 2019, then passed on to Mayor Todd Gloria in 2021 and then Councilmember Jennifer Campbell.
The law, approved by the City Council in May 2022, banned vendors in Balboa Park, Little Italy, Ocean Beach and some beach areas during summer months. But, the merchants kept complaining about the lack of law enforcement and that led to the revision of the law in 2024.
The revised law made it easier for officials to impound vendors’ carts, limited free-speech protections, which didn’t include yoga classes on the beach and selling food.
After an immediate backlash, a federal appeals court ruling in June 2025 said the city’s ban on beach yoga classes is unconstitutional as they are protected under the First Amendment.
A California appeals court in the case of Imhotep Mustaqeem earlier this year ruled that San Diego’s revised 2024 street vendor law violated state law by establishing “overly restrictive” geographic no-vendor zones and restricted operating hours.
Imhotep Mustaqeem, a licensed vendor who had sold snacks outside Petco Park since 2009, sued the city after police impounded his cart under San Diego’s revised 2024 ordinance. While a lower court initially ruled against him, the Fourth District Court of Appeal ultimately vindicated Mustaqeem and quashed the 2024 street vendor law.
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