Former CdM star JT Schwartz selected in fourth round of MLB draft by New York Mets

JT Schwartz takes a swing for UCLA this past season. (Photo courtesy UCLA Athletic Communications)

Former Corona del Mar High School standout JT Schwartz was selected in the fourth round as the 111th overall pick by the New York Mets in Monday’s Major League Baseball Draft.

Schwartz, a redshirt sophomore first baseman, was a four-year starter at Corona del Mar and graduated from CdM in 2018.

“JT was one of the hardest workers I have seen,” said CdM Coach Kevin McCaffrey. “He would ask for extra ground balls daily and he lived in the cages. It was fun being able to follow his amazing season at UCLA this year. 

“He obviously has a great skill set but his work ethic is what sets him apart from most players. It is nice to see all of his hard work pay off. The Mets are getting an excellent baseball player and person. We are so proud of JT and are excited for his future.”

This past season at UCLA, Schwartz batted .396 and won the Pac-12 battling title. He also earned All-America and All-Region honors. He also had the second best on-base percentage and seventh-best batting average in a single season for the UCLA program. Schwartz also led the Bruins in RBI with 45 and walks with 37. Schwartz also had eight home runs.

It was a big three days for UCLA players in the draft. UCLA’s Matt McLain from Beckman was picked in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds Sunday.

Two JSerra pitchers who have commited to UCLA were also picked in the draft. Eric Silva was selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco Giants and Gage Jump in the 18th round by the San Diego Padres.

UCLA, led by Coach John Savage, had 10 players selected in the draft over three days.

Source: UCLA Athletic Communications

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com