Two former JSerra stars selected in MLB draft; UCLA’s Strumpf named LA regional MVP

Former JSerra star Chase Strumpf had a special night Monday. (Photo courtesy UCLA Athletic Communications)

It was an exciting night for followers of the JSerra High School and UCLA baseball programs.

Two players from JSerra: Chase Strumpf and Davis Wendzel were selected in the Major League draft Monday.

Strumpf, a second baseman for UCLA who was leading the Bruins past Loyola Marymount 6-3 in the final game of the Los Angeles Regional, was selected in the second round (64th overall) of the draft by the Chicago Cubs. On the same night, Wendzel, a third baseman at Baylor, was picked 41st overall by the Texas Rangers.

“It was a jump off the couch moment for us at home watching Chase get drafted and hit that three-run home run all in the matter of seconds,” JSerra Coach Brett Kay told OC Sports Zone Tuesday. “What a moment for him and his family.

“It goes back to his high school career. (I) always said great players make big-time plays and Chase has always been that since he first walked on this campus. So proud and so fortunate to have a family/kid like that in our program.”

UCLA had three players selected in the draft. Also picked were junior first baseman Michael Toglia, who was picked in the first round (23rd overall) by the Colorado Rockies and junior right-handed pitcher Ryan Garcia, who was selected No. 50 overall by Texas.

Strumpf was named the most outstanding player in the Los Angeles Regional for national top seed UCLA, which moves into the Super Regional this weekend against Michigan at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Strumpf had quite a night against Loyola Marymount, highlighted by a three-run home run in the fourth inning that gave the Bruins a 6-2 lead.

“I kind of just went into the at bat looking for something elevated,” Strumpf told reporters after the game in a release provided by UCLA athletic communications.

“I mean runners in scoring position, I believe it was two outs, so I figured I wasn’t going to get a great pitch to hit. First pitch that went by was kind of a change-up elevated, so I kind of just recommitted to my approach next pitch and he threw another changeup that pitch and it was elevated enough to allow me to get a good swing off. I was just trying to do a job. There’s two outs. Two-out RBIs are daggers and so, I know, it was a big moment…”

Strumpf was also asked if he had been told that he was drafted before hitting the home run.

“No, I was not,” he said. “I was told that it happened right before the at bat. My dad maybe should not have come into the dugout right after and said that, but he did tell me. But in the moment, I was just kind of caught up in the game, caught up in the home run. It was a really exciting game, it was obviously a big home run for the moment. Obviously, I’m honored to be picked by them, but, as well as we have more priorities here. Still have a job to do here and that’s where my mind is at the moment.”

He was asked about the game, the home run and being drafted.

“I think I’ll remember the game itself more,” he said. “Looking back at freshman year, sophomore year and this year, we struggled getting out of the regional. Winning this game was huge. This game was very exciting; emotions were very high. So I think not so much the draft, but I’ll remember the game more so, and then whatever happens after that is good. But the game was a great moment.”

Strumpf has a .298 career batting average with 27 home runs, 124 RBI and 131 runs scored with the Bruins.

It was also an exciting night for another former JSerra standout, Wendzel, and Kay, the JSerra coach, said he was thrilled that he was also drafted.

“Davis came in to JSerra with a highly heralded group,” Kay said. “He was the consumate baseball player in this program. Kid could play anywhere and do anything. (He was) a quiet kid with absolute thunder of baseball personality in his play. He has absolute monster years here. Couldn’t ask for better kids like Davis and Chase to join the ranks of other high quality young men that have played at JSerra.”

RELATED: OC players help Bruins earn top national seed

-Information courtesy UCLA Athletic Communications