Beckman baseball star Nick McLain signs national letter of intent to play for UCLA

Beckman High baseball player Nick McLain signed with UCLA Wednesday. (Photo courtesy McLain family, Beckman baseball)

Beckman High baseball star Nick McLain signed his national letter of intent with the UCLA Bruins Wednesday afternoon.

“Since the day that Nick stepped on campus, we have been overwhelmed and impressed with the things that you can do on the baseball field,” Beckman Coach Kevin Lavalle said. “Even after an eight game season last year, he is going to finish in the top five in most of the major categories in school history.”

McLain, an outfielder and pitcher, still has one more year with Beckman. His brother Matt McLain, is also with the UCLA baseball program.

“As far as the next level goes, he checks every box,” Lavalle said. “It’s pretty rare when you have to evaluate a high school athlete and you genuinely have a hard time finding anything to criique. I think the biggest difference in Nick now compared to where he was two or three years ago is the maturity level and dedication to what he does.

“He is a switch-hitter now and to his credit it was not a transition that came easily. I think it was a good thing for him to go out and struggle a little bit at the beginning, trying to hit left-handed against some of the best players in the country, but now he is so good from both sides of the plate that I don’t think it matters.”

McLain is also expected to be drafted in the Major League draft next year.

“When I talk to professional scouts, the thing that impresses them the most is the fact that he is still improving and it is scary to think where he will be in a few years,” Lavalle said. “But talent alone doesn’t get you there. It takes a love of the game and dedication and discipline. Nick has everything that he needs.”

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