UC Santa Barbara has become the premiere school on the West Coast when it comes to the MLB Draft. Since Head Coach Andrew Checketts arrived in 2012, the Gauchos have produced 67 draft picks, which is the most by any Big West team in that stretch.
Thirty-three of those picks have been pitchers, including 2020 AL Cy Young Award and Triple Crown winner, Shane Bieber, as well as two first-rounders in Dillon Tate and Michael McGreevy. Thirty-four Gaucho hitters have been selected during Checketts' time at the helm.
A total of 31 Santa Barbara Baseball alumni plied their trade in affiliated ball during the 2024 season, including three former Gauchos coaching pro ball, including Miami Marlins Manager Skip Schumacher, the 2023 National League Manager of the Year and the first UC Santa Barbara Baseball alumnus to ever serve in the role at the Major League level. An additional seven former Santa Barbara baseballers played in independent baseball leagues this year. All 38 Gauchos in the Pros are listed below, along with their club as of the final day of the 2024 MLB regular season.
2024 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Shane Bieber (RHP) – Cleveland Guardians – Drafted in 2016 (4th rd. CLE)
Noah Davis (RHP) – Colorado Rockies – Drafted in 2018 (11th rd. CIN)
Michael McGreevy (RHP) – St. Louis Cardinals – Drafted in 2021 (1st rd./18th pick STL)
Kyle Nelson (LHP) – Arizona Diamondbacks – Drafted in 2017 (15th rd. CLE)
Skip Shumaker (Manager) – Miami Marlins – Drafted in 2001 (5th rd. STL), Played in MLB from 2005 – 2015
Dillon Tate (RHP) – Toronto Blue Jays – Drafted in 2015 (1st rd./4th pick TEX)
Chris Valaika (Hitting Coach) – Cleveland Guardians – Drafted in 2006 (3rd rd. CIN), Played in MLB from 2010 – 2014
2024 MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Triple-A
Cory Lewis (RHP) – St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins) – Drafted in 2022 (9th rd. MIN)
Joe Record (RHP) – Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) – Drafted in 2017 (28th rd. MIN)
Andrew Vasquez (LHP) – Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers) – Drafted in 2015 (32nd rd. MIN)
Virgil Vasquez (Pitching Coach) – Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) – Drafted in 2003 (7th rd. DET), Played in MLB from 2007 – 2009
Eric Yang (C/OF) – Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) – Drafted in 2019 (7th rd. CIN)
Double-A
Rodney Boone (LHP) – Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Guardians) – Drafted in 2021 (8th rd. CLE)
Marcos Castanon (INF) – San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres) – Drafted in 2021 (12th rd. SD)
Cole Cummings (INF) – San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres) – Undrafted, signed by SD in 2021
Jack Dashwood (LHP) – Rocket City Trash Pandas (Los Angeles Angels) – Drafted in 2019 (12th rd. LAA)
Jared Sundstrom (OF) – Arkansas Travelers (Seattle Mariners) – Drafted in 2023 (10th rd. SEA)
Christopher Troye (RHP) – Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox) – Drafted in 2021 (12th rd. BOS)
Sam Whiting (RHP) – San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres) – Drafted in 2023 (19th rd. SD)
High-A
Jordan Sprinkle (INF) – Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox) – Drafted in 2022 (4th rd. CWS)
Justin Trimble (INF) -- Asheville Tourists (Houston Astros) -- Undrafted, signed by HOU in 2024
Nick Vogt (OF) – Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) – Drafted in 2022 (7th rd. SD)
Bryce Willits (INF) – Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox) – Drafted in 2022 (18th rd. CWS)
Single-A
Ivan Brethowr (OF) -- Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs) -- Drafted in 2024 (6th rd. CHC)
Zander Darby (INF) -- San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants) -- Drafted in 2024 (12th rd. SFG)
Brendan Durfee (C) -- Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres) -- Drafted in 2024 (7th rd. SD)
Ryan Harvey (RHP) – Tampa Tarpons (New York Yankees) – Drafted in 2022 (11th rd. NYY)
Aaron Parker (C) -- Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays) -- Drafted in 2024 (6th rd. TOR)
Rookie League
Matt Ager (RHP) -- FCL Pirates (Pittsburgh Pirates) -- Drafted in 2024 (6th rd. PIT)
2024 Draftees & Signees Awaiting Assignment
Jessada Brown (OF/C) -- Miami Marlins Organization -- Undrafted, signed by MIA in 2024
Ryan Gallagher (RHP) -- Chicago Cubs Organization -- Drafted in 2024 (6th rd. CHC)
2024 INDEPENDENT LEAGUES
American Association
Greg Mahle (LHP) — Kane County Cougars — Drafted in 2014 (15th rd. LAA)
Armani Smith (OF) – Milwaukee Milkmen – Drafted in 2019 (7th rd. SFG)
Atlantic League
Trevor Bettencourt (RHP) – Long Island Ducks – Drafted in 2016 (25th rd. PHI)
Justin Kelly (LHP) – Lancaster Stormers – Drafted in 2016 (33rd rd. LAA)
Liga Mexicana de Beisbol
Stevie Ledesma (RHP) – Acereros de Monclava – Drafted in 2018 (27th rd. DET)
Pioneer League
Christian Kirtley (OF) – Glacier Ridge Riders – Undrafted
Broc Mortensen (OF) – Joliet Slammers – Undrafted