BAKERSFIELD, Ca. — Three Cal State Bakersfield baseball players heard their names called during the MLB draft earlier this month and have already began their journeys to the majors.
Pitchers Darius Vines (Atlanta Braves) and Edgar Barclay (New York Yankees) made their pro debuts in the Gulf Coast League. Vines pitched in one inning for the GCL Braves before moving to the Danville Braves, the Rookie Advanced affiliate, while Barclay has pitched in two games for the GCL Yankees striking out four through three innings.
Catcher Jake Ortega has appeared in six games for the Class A Short Season affiliate of the New York Mets, batting .455 (5-for-11) with two RBIs.
Catching up with their recent head coach Jeremy Beard amid recruiting trips, he reflected on what it's like to watch your former players make an impact at the next level.
"Really exciting to see your players get drafted," Beard said. "There's no magic wand as a coaching staff for development, it's guys that work hard, they get what they get."
Beard even giving a little advice for his players at the next level, saying it's all about the mental toughness and once you figure that out, "you have a shot to make the big leagues."
The most recent 'Runner in the majors was pitcher Austin Davis (2012-14) before he dropped down to the Phillies Triple-A affiliate the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
