Future UCLA Shortstop from Team USA Signs with Knights
February 12, 2020 - West Coast League (WCL)
Corvallis Knights News Release
The Corvallis Knights of the West Coast League have signed future UCLA shortstop Milan Tolentino for the 2020 season, head coach Brooke Knight announced Wednesday.
He is a 6-foot, 189-pounder from Mission Viejo, Calif., who is a senior at Santa Margarita High School. He bats left and throws right.
Tolentino was the starting shortstop for Team USA's U-18 club at the 2019 World Cup and helped lead the Americans to the silver medal. He is ranked as the country's No. 29 prospect by Prep Baseball Report, and as the No. 2 shortstop in California and No. 7 shortstop nationally by Perfect Game.
He hit. 391, with a .472 on-base percentage and was the Trinity League MVP and a first-team all-county selection as a junior in 2019. He was the CIF Division 2 Player of the Year and led Santa Margarita to the CIF SS Division 2 title. SMHS edged Norco 1-0 in 12 innings at Dodger Stadium; Tolentino drove in the winning run.
He also played in the High School All-Star Game at Progressive Field in Cleveland, where he was named the top performer by MLB Pipeline. He was also the No. 1 selection in the 2019 Mexican League Draft by Mexicali, which will own his winter ball rights when he goes pro.
"He has tremendous hand-eye coordination with a plus arm," UCLA coach John Savage said. "He's a shortstop that reminds us of another great Bruin, Brandon Crawford," of the San Francisco Giants.
"Milan is a left-hitting shortstop who will be an impact player at UCLA the day he steps onto campus."
The Knights open the 2020 home season on June 2 with their ninth annual Weyerhaeuser Science, Engineering & Art Day game at Goss Stadium. Their West Coast League opener is June 5 at Yakima Valley; their WCL home opener is June 12 against longtime rival Bend.
Corvallis starts the season on the road versus the Humboldt, Calif., Crabs in a three-game series at Arcata Baseball Park, May 29-31.
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West Coast League Stories from February 12, 2020
- Cashmere Native Chipman Highlights AppleSox' First 2020 Signees - Wenatchee AppleSox
- Future UCLA Shortstop from Team USA Signs with Knights - Corvallis Knights
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