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MLB draft Day 3: Pitcher Christian Becerra becomes third Harvard-Westlake grad taken

eric sondheimer
·2 min read
Encino, CA, Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - Harvard Westlake pitcher Christian Becerra delivers a pitch early in the game against JSerra Catholic at O'Malley Family Field. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Christian Becerra, who graduated from Harvard-Westlake in 2021, was chosen by the Twins in the 12th round of the MLB amateur draft. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Harvard-Westlake and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame each had a third former high school player taken on the final day of Major League Baseball's amateur draft Tuesday.

Former Harvard-Westlake pitcher Christian Becerra, who pitched in college for California, was selected in the 12th round at No. 368 by the Minnesota Twins. He joins former Wolverines Bryce Rainer (first round) and Michael Snyder (10th round). Becerra played on the Southern Section Division 1 championship team in 2021.

JSerra finished with four former players being selected over the three days: Gage Jump (No. 73), Hunter Cranton (No. 91), Luke Jewett (No. 228) and Cody Schrier (No. 394).

Catcher Josh Springer from reigning Division 1 champion Corona was the final player taken in the 12th round at No. 375 by the Texas Rangers.

In the 13th round, Notre Dame had its third former player taken in pitcher Kyle Ayers from Texas Christian at No. 404 by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He joins Levi Sterling (second round) and Khadim Diaw (third round).

Read more: Bryce Rainer of Harvard-Westlake selected in first round of MLB draft

Former West Ranch and Oregon pitcher RJ Gordon was taken at No. 383 by the New York Mets, while former JSerra and UCLA shortstop Schrier went to the Seattle Mariners at No. 394.

In the 14th round, former Arcadia and St. Mary's pitcher Preston Howey was chosen at No. 416 by the Detroit Tigers. Former St. Francis and UC Santa Barbara infielder Brendan Durfee was selected by the San Diego Padres at No. 420.

In the 18th round, the Cincinnati Reds chose former Glendora and UC San Diego pitcher Izaak Martinez at No. 535. In the 19th round, the Chicago White Sox selected pitcher Nick Pinto from Tesoro and UC Irvine at No. 559.

Read more: MLB draft Day 2: Three McLain brothers in pro baseball after Nick is selected in third round

The first player taken in the 20th round was pitcher Dylan Volantis of Westlake High by the Oakland Athletics at No. 586. Pitcher Evan Yates from King and Cal State Fullerton was taken No. 609 by the Baltimore Orioles.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.