Beckman’s Matt McLain off to UCLA

Matt McLain from Beckman had a big decision to make.

Beckman’s all-county shortstop Matt McLain put in much thought to his future after being drafted in the first round (25th pick) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League draft.

• RELATED STORY: Tim Burt discusses McLain’s decision

McLain, an All-CIF Division 2 player, had to weigh an offer of a $2.6 million signing bonus with the Diamondbacks or honor his commitment to play at UCLA, where he received a scholarship.

After careful consideration, he opted for school and a baseball career with UCLA, coached by John Savage.

McLain took about a month to make his decision.

• RELATED STORY: All-CIF honors for Patriots

“I was lucky enough to be drafted in the first round by the Diamondbacks; they’re a great organization and I had great options either way,” he said.

McLain, a four-year standout with Beckman, made a verbal commitment with UCLA in his freshman year.

“UCLA has been my dream every since I was in elementary school,” he said. “I was writing about it in my third grade class and ever since I’ve always dreamed of going to UCLA and playing at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

“It was pretty much my decision. Obviously there was other stuff going on, but for the most part it was my decision.”

Part of Matt McLain’s Twitter statement:

• I am honored with the selection and grateful for the opportunity to start my professional career. While it has and always will be my ultimate goal to play in the Major Leagues, I also started dreaming in third grade about playing collegiate baseball and getting my education at UCLA. I spent the last month thinking long and hard about this life decision and came to the conclusion that at this point in my life it is best for me to honor my scholarship to UCLA. I am excited for this chapter in my life both on and off the field and very much look forward to being a Bruin.

McLain said he considered the lucrative signing bonus, but he said other factors also played into his decision.

“It was more of a decision about what I wanted to do at the time,” he said. “Either option was great. The Diamondbacks are an amazing organization and school is an amazing choice for me.”

McLain also had some help from another former Beckman and UCLA pitcher, James Kaprielian, who was selected in the Major League draft after his junior year at UCLA. Kaprielian was a first round pick (16th player selected) of the Yankees in 2015. He’s now with the Oakland A’s organization.

“I did talk to James a little bit,” McLain said. “I’ve talked to him off and on ever since I committed to UCLA and all the way through. I’ve had his number and anything I needed, he was quick to respond. He’s a great guy.”

It was exciting time on draft day.

“I went to breakfast with my friends, I went to the cages and I hit and worked out and I came back,” McLain said. “I was trying to get everything off my mind I guess you could say. And I just tried to relax.

“All of a sudden, my name gets picked. I was really shocked I guess you could say. I could either go and play professional baseball with the Diamondbacks or I could go to UCLA and play baseball. At the end of the day, UCLA was the best decision for me at the moment not only for my baseball career but my personal life. UCLA will be good for me in the future.”

McLain and his Beckman teammates reached the CIF Division 1 finals in June, losing to Yucaipa. But McLain said there were plenty of great memories from Beckman. The team captured the Pacific Coast League title.

“My senior year was amazing,” McLain said. “At the end of the 2017 season, my goal for the team was to win the Pacific Coast League championship and we did that and to win the CIF championship. We didn’t get to do that; Yucaipa was a really good team. But we gave it our all and we worked as hard as we could and I have no regrets and I think everyone on the team can say the same thing.”

McLain will get another chance to fulfill his dream of playing in the Major Leagues one day. He will be eligible to be drafted after his junior year.

“That’s a dream,” he said. “I’m going to work really hard and hopefully I’m going to get another opportunity in three years,” he said.

For now, McLain is excited about competing for UCLA and is starting the process by playing for the Bellingham Bells in Washington. He had a two-out single in his first game on Tuesday.

“The journey starts tomorrow (last week) each and every day working hard to get better and getting out there and helping the Bruins win a few games,” he said.