Bubba Filia ‘can’t wait to get started’ after signing free agent contract with Cleveland

Marc “Bubba” Filia heads into second base for UC San Diego this past season. (Photo courtesy Mike McGinnis/UC San Diego Athletics).

Former Irvine High standout makes decision after three-year career at UC San Diego.

After a successful three-year run with UC San Diego’s baseball team, Marc “Bubba” Filia, the former Irvine High School star, is pursuing a professional baseball career with the Cleveland Guardians, Filia confirmed Saturday.

The 6-2, 205-pound Filia, who was not selected in the Major League Draft, signed a free agent contract this week with Cleveland as a catcher, a position he played with UC San Diego and Irvine.

“The draft is over and my agent called me ….. and said (Cleveland) was looking to sign a catcher,” Filia said. “We talked over the details and we ended up coming to terms that I thought was really good on both sides and I ended up signed.”

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One of the requests was that FIlia’s tuition for his final year at UC San Diego would be covered. Although he will forgo his final year of athletic eligibility, Filia said he wants to earn his degree. Filia was named to the Big West All Academic team and was one of 12 athletes named to their All-Triton Scholar Athlete team.

“Marc advised that they had to give him a maximum free agent deal including paying for his final year of school,” his father, Mike Filia, said. “They agreed to his request very quickly, which showed us they really wanted him.”

“That was one of the most important things going into it,” Marc Filia added. “I definitely wanted to be able to go back and finish school and get my degree (in the real estate field) so I’m glad we were able to get that included because that was something that was really important to me.”

Filia, who has played for the OC Riptide the past couple of weeks, is scheduled to leave Sunday for Cleveland’s training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. where he will start his training. A signing ceremony planned on Saturday, July 30, Mike Filia said.

Filia said he had talked to scouts with Cleveland and a couple other teams before the draft.

Now, Cleveland is his favorite team.

“They’re definitely a good fit, I’ve heard a lot of great things about their organization and I can’t wait to get started,” Filia said.

Filia, who was a second team all-conference player last season, said he thought he had a chance to be drafted based on his season at UC San Diego. FIlia batted .283 (third best on the team) with 35 runs scored, nine doubles, 10 home runs and 41 RBI.

“The way things turned out I thought I had definitely given myself a shot,” he said. “Unfortunately I didn’t get to hear my name called but I felt I got what was the next best thing and signed the contract I got so I’m really fortunate and really excited to be in the position I am.”

Filia said he knows what it will take to have a chance at reaching the majors one day.

“Lot of hard work, definitely. This is just the start …. it’s something I’ve been looking forward to ever since I was young and it’s been my goal in life and I want to be able to go out there … and prove to myself I’m capable of playing with the best and not only playing with the best but being successful at the highest level this game has to offer so I can’t wait to get started.”

Filia said he will miss his teammates at UC San Diego.

“UCSD is my home,” he said. “It was definitely hard having to leave those guys and that staff and that group of people over there. There were a lot of memories I made there, a lot of my best friends who I will definitely keep in touch with for the rest of my life. UCSD is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life, it’s definitely hard to leave but I’m glad and I’m ready to start this next chapter of my life.”

His father and former teammates have shown support of his decision.

“Marc loved UCSD, the coaches, program and especially his teammates,” Mike Filia said. “He has really enjoyed his time there. We have seen him grow so much as a student, player and as a young man. We are so proud of the hard work he put in to earn this opportunity. We know he will be successful in this journey.

“Marc is our third son to sign a professional baseball contract. We recognize that we have been very blessed as a family while also knowing our boys have earned their opportunities through the hard work they have put in.”

Former coaches and supporters have been among those who congratulated Filia on social media. At Irvine, Filia was the MVP of the Pacific Coast League in 2019. He also broke a number of school records as the quarterback on the Vaqueros football team. Filia was also named PCL male MVP.

Marc Filia said he’s received “a ton of support. Everybody is cheering me on, rooting for me and everybody’s got my back and it’s just super cool to see how many people are rooting for me and supporting my journey. It really means a lot.”

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