The 2026 MLB Draft wrapped up with UCLA baseball sending 10 players off the board over two days, and the Bruins’ day-two group brought a little bit of everything: polished relievers, a breakout bat, a veteran catcher, and a couple of players who may still have unfinished business in Westwood.
The headline of the draft belonged to Roch Cholowsky, who went No. 1 overall to the Chicago White Sox after a huge junior season and his second straight Big Ten Player of the Year award. UCLA also saw ace pitcher Logan Reddemann land with the Colorado Rockies, first baseman Mulivai Levu go to the Cincinnati Reds, and shortstop Roman Martin selected by the Athletics.
On day two, six more Bruins heard their names called in rounds five through 20.
Cal Randall was one of the most dependable relievers in college baseball last season, and his numbers back that up. He made 34 appearances, worked 31 innings, and finished with a 3.19 ERA, 57 strikeouts and 19 walks. After earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors and putting together a strong junior year, Randall looks likely to stay with the Cardinals and sign.
Outfielder Garrett Gasparino’s lone season in blue and gold was as productive as it gets. After transferring from Texas, he was named a NCBWA First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten.
In 58 games, the 6-foot-6 outfielder hit .314 with 12 doubles, 20 home runs, 64 RBI, a .659 slugging percentage and a .412 on-base percentage. With that kind of season behind him, Gasparino appears set to remain with the Phillies and sign his MLB contract.
Dean West’s case is different. He served as UCLA’s leadoff hitter and was a “glue guy” for the roster, but last season went the wrong way statistically.
West posted a career-low .277 batting average, 65 hits, a .417 slugging percentage and another career low in OBP at .418. He came into the year expected to take another step, but instead slipped back.
West should return to UCLA, where a bounce-back senior season could do a lot for his draft stock in 2027.
Catcher Will Dugger earned his spot with his glove. The Nationals took him in the ninth round after a season in which he provided steady defense behind the plate.
At the plate, though, there’s still room to grow: Dugger hit .251 with a .378 on-base percentage and 39 RBIs in 52 starts. His defense got him drafted, but his bat is what kept him from going earlier.
A return to school could give him the offensive jump he needs for the 2027 MLB Draft.
Pitcher Michael Barnett is a different situation entirely, since he has already graduated and cannot return to the Bruins. Still, he had a solid year, striking out 58 batters and allowing one earned run or fewer in seven of his 16 outings. The Twins should be getting a useful arm with some experience, and that four-year background could help him move through the system faster than some of the other players in their farm.
Then there’s Michael Lee, whose UCLA career has taken a clear turn. His first two seasons were rough, with a 7.19 ERA across 71.1 innings, but this past year he looked much more settled in relief.
Lee posted a 3.26 ERA over 19.1 innings, and he should come back to UCLA. Another strong season could lift his draft stock and keep him from ending up as a late-round pick again.
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