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PHILADELPHIA – Nine West Coast Conference baseball players, from four different programs, were selected during the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft this weekend.
Among the nine draft selections, three programs boasted multiple draftees – Saint Mary’s with four, and Santa Clara and San Diego each with two. The four Gaels drafted are the most draft picks by a one school since five San Diego players were drafted in the 2024 MLB Draft.
The nine draftees surpassed last year’s draft total of eight and are the most since 16 West Coast Conference players were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Highlighting the West Coast Conference in the draft was pitcher Max Bayles of Santa Clara being selected in the seventh round (197th overall) by the Minnesota Twins. His teammate Ben Cleary went in round 12 to Cleveland.
Jayden Lobliner of San Diego was the second player from the West Coast Conference after Bayles drafted in round nine to St. Louis. The Cardinals also selected Jacob Johnson from Saint Mary’s in the 17th round.
Johnson was one of three West Coast Conference players to go in the 17th round along with Diego Gutierrez of San Diego (Baltimore) and John Damozonio from Saint Mary’s (Atlanta).
The first Gael off the board was Tanner Griffith in round 11, and his teammate Diego Castellanos went in round 14 to the New York Yankees.
Luke Alwood from Seattle U went to the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round.
Draft Breakdown by School
Saint Mary’s: 4
San Diego: 2
Santa Clara: 2
Seattle U: 1
WEST COAST CONFERENCE IN THE 2026 MLB DRAFT – (Listed by draft order)
Name
School
Position
Team
Round/Pick
Max Bayles
Santa Clara
RHP
Minnesota
7/197
Jayden Lobliner
San Diego
C
St. Louis
9/264
Luke Alwood
Seattle U
RHP
Chicago Cubs
10/307
Tanner Griffith
Saint Mary’s
OF
Kansas City
11/329
Ben Cleary
Santa Clara
INF
Cleveland
12/363
Diego Castellanos
Saint Mary’s
OF
New York Yankees
14/428
Diego Gutierrez
San Diego
RHP
Baltimore
17/500
John Damozonio
Saint Mary’s
RHP
Atlanta
17/502
Jacob Johnson
Saint Mary’s
INF
St. Louis
17/504