San Diego, CA

UCSD ace, USD slugger among San Diego’s top prospects in this year’s baseball draft

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2024

Press Room

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

Escondido, CA – March 12: Prep Baseball- Santa Fe Christian at San Pasqual- Santa Fe Christian centerfielder Jack Haferkamp waits for a throw from a teammate in the outfield as San Paqual is about to bat. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

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San Diego, CA

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine

Published

5 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

The Best Things to Do in San Diego: May 2026 | San Diego Magazine

When we think of May, we think of Mother’s Day, blooming flowers, sunny skies, and lots of fun, seasonal events in the city. This month, locals can dine on the creations of James Beard Award-Winning Chefs at Rancho Bernardo Inn, or take advantage of berry season at the annual Vista Strawberry Festival. Theatre lovers can enjoy a showing of Kim’s Convenience at The Old Globe, while the San Diego Natural History Museum invites art enthusiasts to view its latest marine-themed exhibit. Grab your tickets and crack open that planner. Here are all the best things to do in San Diego this month:

Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do

Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Month

29

Louisiana legend Juvenile, enhances by the live instrumentation of The 400 Degreez Band, will perform career hits and his newest album, Boiling Point, at House of Blues San Diego.

Photo Credit: Dahlia Katz

Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month

5/5–6/1

Turning the spotlight on contemporary LGBTQ artists, the inaugural ArtSpectrum 2026 will showcase both the grand and intimate scale of contemporary painters, photographers, and mixed media artists at Village Arts Outreach in Balboa Park.

12–24

The only ordinary element of the San Diego International Fringe Festival is the constant thrill of the extraordinary. Discover a plethora of innovative performances at venues from Pacific Beach to Baja.

5/15–6/14

A Korean-Canadian family balances tradition and assimilation from their Toronto storefront in Ins Choi’s comforting satire Kim’s Convenience, making its local premier at The Old Globe.

5/22–2/2027

Ocean debris will receive a new beginning at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Using repurposed pollution, Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea depicts creatively sculpted marine life.

More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month

4/30–5/3

Enjoy fine dining at its finest from a lineup of gastronomic titans during 54 Hours with James Beard Award-Winning Chefs. Savor elegant meals, masterclasses, tastings, and more at Rancho Bernardo Inn.

2

Unlimited bites, regional craft beers, and animal observations are on the menu for San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew (with live music), a culinary evening in support of the San Diego Wildlife Alliance.

7

Spend An Evening with David Sedaris, humorist, essayist, and best-selling author. Never afraid to point the pen at himself, Sedaris will share old favorites and works in progress in the classic satirical style he’s known for at Jacobs Music Center.

15–17

Say cheese! And toast to the Cheese & Libation Expo. Explore three days of all-you-can eat and drink fare at BRICK, along with boutique shopping and bountiful pairings.

PARTNER CONTENT

10 Years In, Puffer and Malarkey Are Just Getting Started

Elevating an Icon: Inside the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Clu…

16

Stroll the private grounds of several luxurious homes, accompanied by live music, tabletop designs, and outdoor artistry, during the Secret Garden Tour, La Jolla Historical Society‘s flora and fauna fundraiser.

24

Vista recalls its days as a strawberry-producing superpower through its free Strawberry Festival. Wear your berry best fit, watch film screenings, and enter contests for shortcake, pie, and sundae indulging.

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San Diego, CA

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

Published

17 hours ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

City considering cutting funding to resource center for those experiencing homelessness

Last week Mayor Todd Gloria released the budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal budget. Protected homeless services is among his top priorities mentioned in the proposal. However, some of the reductions he’s proposing could impact thousands of San Diegans experiencing homelessness.

Located on 17^th and K Street, the Neil Good Day Center offers an array of services to nearly seven thousand people experiencing homelessness. The services include giving them a place to shower and do laundry, and connecting them to a case manager, among others.

“These are critical services that are helping people off the streets, but really better their lives and their health and their employment situation as well,” Deacon Vargas with Father Joe’s Villages said.

Deacon Jim Vargas heads Father Joe’s Villages, which runs the center. He said through their prevention and diversion strategies, they’ve managed to keep nearly one thousand individuals from falling into homelessness.

“So by helping them pay rent, or helping them with their utilities, or helping them to reunite with family,” Vargas said.

Right now, the city allocates at least $850,000 per year to the Neil Good Day Center, according to Vargas.

But the future and funding for these services are in limbo because of Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed budget cuts.

“The impact to those whom we’ve been serving the Daily Center would be very severe,” Deacon Vargas said.

In a statement to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria said in part, “We must find more efficient and cost-effective ways to address this crisis and prioritize funding for programs that provide shelter beds and maximize resources to programs that place people into permanent housing.”

Since it’s still at a proposal stage, Deacon Vargas said it’s unclear how the city will decide to move forward.

However, Deacon Vargas said services would be significantly reduced because they would be forced to operate solely on a budget of about half a million dollars they receive from philanthropy.

“The hours would be cut. Some days would be cut. We would have showers that might be impacted because they’re given seven days a week and we’d close two days a week, then the showers would be five days a week, the case management,” Deacon Vargas said.

Deacon Vargas is certain of one thing.

He would like to continue offering services at the Day Center, even if the city goes through with the funding cuts.

“As we work with individuals at the Day Center and at Father Joe’s Villages, the community becomes healthier as a result of it,” Deacon Vargas said.

The budget also recommends additional cuts to homeless services, but does not give specifics as to where those cuts would be.

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