Temecula’s Gavin Fien amongst SoCal standouts eyeing 2025 MLB Draft 

TEMECULA – Southern California is a powerhouse of baseball expertise, constantly shaping gamers who go on to dominate the skilled leagues. The 2025 MLB Draft reinforces this custom with a stellar lineup of athletes whose expertise, tales, and dedication spotlight the area’s significance on this planet of baseball. From rising highschool stars to seasoned professionals breaking by means of the ranks, Southern California stays on the epicenter of America’s pastime.

Among the many prime prospects on this 12 months’s MLB draft, Nice Oak Excessive Faculty’s Gavin Fien stands out not only for his baseball prowess but additionally for the legacy that evokes him. Rising up in a household steeped in athletic achievement, Gavin’s expertise and dedication have been molded by examples of what onerous work can do for you.

His father, Ryan Fien, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1996 and excelled because the beginning quarterback for each UCLA and the College of Idaho. Although his baseball profession was short-lived, this mix of athletic excellence has influenced Gavin, fostering a aggressive mindset and an unwavering pursuit of greatness.

For Gavin, baseball is greater than a sport—it’s a lifestyle. His constant performances on the sphere showcase his pure expertise. From batting .400 throughout the 18U World Cup qualifier to incomes MVP honors at MLB Develops, Fien has demonstrated why he belongs in first-round draft conversations. Scouts rave about his bat velocity and talent to make exact contact, although challenges along with his unorthodox hitting stance induced a slight dip throughout his spring highschool season. Nonetheless, his potential is obvious to anybody watching.

“I similar to to go on the market and compete. Love hitting and stuff. That’s sort of my factor,” Fien defined earlier this 12 months when requested about his method to the sport.

Assist additionally comes within the type of his older brother Dylan, at present taking part in within the Oakland Athletics system. Gavin cites Dylan’s relentless work ethic as a blueprint for his personal success. “Seeing my brother’s dedication to grinding day-after-day drives me to do the identical,” he shared.

On draft night time, Gavin might be surrounded by household and mates at his dad’s home, eagerly awaiting the life-changing name. “Having two sons taking part in skilled baseball is actually particular. We’re so pleased with Gavin and may’t wait to see the place this subsequent chapter takes him,” his mom, Meghan Fien, mirrored.

It’s no secret that Southern California is a hotbed for expertise, producing elite gamers who proceed to make their mark on Main League Baseball. This 12 months, a number of standout highschool athletes from SoCal are following within the footsteps of execs earlier than them. Nowhere is that this extra evident than at Corona Excessive Faculty, a program that has turn out to be a constant launching pad for aspiring professionals. The Panthers’ baseball legacy is constructed on many years of aggressive excellence, tenacious teaching, and a practice of making ready gamers for the subsequent stage.

Corona’s alumni roster reads like a who’s who of big-league contributors—topped by former Dodgers pitcher and World Collection champion Joe Kelly, whose electrical arm and aggressive hearth outlined his lengthy MLB tenure. This system’s attain doesn’t cease there. Notable names equivalent to Tristan Beck, a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, and Samad Taylor, who has made his mark with the Seattle Mariners and Kansas Metropolis Royals, additional exemplify the varsity’s affect on the skilled recreation. Different MLB alumni embody Mike Darr, Isaiah Greene, and Michael Hobbs, every of whom left their very own footprints on the professional panorama. Present MSJC head baseball coach, Ed Hurtado, drafted by the Angels in 1998, additionally got here from Corona Excessive Faculty.

Guiding this custom is head coach Andy Clever, who credit this system’s edge to its emphasis on psychological toughness. “The psychological facet of the sport is simply as essential as bodily expertise,” Clever remarks. He attributes a lot of Corona’s sustained success to this focus, noting that former mentors and focused psychological coaching have helped form the aggressive drive seen in Panther athletes 12 months after 12 months.

12 months after 12 months, Corona’s setting continues to form top-tier expertise, driving residence the message that onerous work and neighborhood create lasting legacies. The present class carries that torch ahead—younger athletes conscious that they’re not simply taking part in for wins within the right here and now, however for an opportunity so as to add their names to an more and more illustrious record of pros who wore Panther colours.

Excessive Faculty Standouts

• Billy Carlson (Corona Excessive Faculty): A Tennessee commit and one of many sharpest shortstop prospects within the draft, Carlson’s distinctive defensive expertise and hitting potential have drawn nationwide consideration.

• Seth Hernandez (Corona Excessive Faculty): With a Vanderbilt dedication, Hernandez has dazzled scouts along with his energy pitching arsenal and poise on the mound.

• Ethin Bingaman: Properly-known for his versatility, Bingaman represents the thrilling multi-talented gamers popping out of Southern California.

These highschool stars are half of a bigger story—one which options native abilities excelling at a number of ranges in organized baseball.

• Mikey Romero (Menifee): A Boston Pink Sox 2022 first-round decide, Romero is making a reputation for himself with the Double-A Portland Sea Canines.

• Woody Hadeen (Temecula): Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2024, Hadeen shines along with his velocity and fielding versatility for the Excessive-A West Michigan Whitecaps.

• Christopher Paciolla (Temecula Valley Excessive): Chosen within the third spherical by the Chicago Cubs in 2022, Paciolla continues to climb the ranks inside the group.

• Cole Urman (Temecula Valley Excessive): Baltimore’s Sixteenth-round decide in 2023 is steadily working by means of their catching pipeline.

• Zach Arnold (Nice Oak Excessive): Enjoying for the Philly Phillies’ Excessive-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Arnold strengthens Temecula’s proud baseball contribution.

Southern California’s depth of expertise isn’t restricted to gamers in improvement—there are additionally moments to rejoice the fruits of years of effort.

Stepping onto Assured Charge Subject on June 29, Carson Seymour lived the dream of each aspiring ballplayer. The Nice Oak Excessive alum pitched a scoreless inning for the San Francisco Giants, showcasing a mid-90s fastball and a relaxed demeanor underneath strain. His evolution—from Temecula Little League to Kansas State standout to MLB-ready pitcher—is proof of Southern California’s lasting affect on the sport.

“It felt good,” Seymour mentioned. “It’s the identical recreation, only a larger stadium and it’s on TV. I simply tried to not overthink it an excessive amount of.”

Athletes like Tyler Wade (Padres, 2025 Opening Day roster) epitomize consistency, longevity, and flexibility within the Main Leagues. Wade’s Murrieta roots and his potential to adapt have made him a worthwhile part for any group. Likewise, Temecula Valley’s Reed Johnson continues to encourage along with his exceptional MLB profession and dedication to excellence.

One other native participant, taken within the 2023 MLB Draft by the Padres, Adler Cecil’s 2025 season could look completely different because of being on the full-season injured record, however his affect and willpower stay constants. A graduate of Temecula Valley Excessive, Cecil embodies resilience and the need to help group progress even in adversity.

This 12 months’s MLB Draft showcases the extraordinary vary of expertise throughout the nation, however it’s additionally a celebration of household legacies in baseball. LSU left-hander Kade Anderson headlines the record of prime prospects, however one of the crucial compelling storylines belongs to Stillwater shortstop Ethan Holliday. Ethan isn’t solely a rising star in his personal proper but additionally the youthful brother of present Orioles standout Jackson Holliday and son of MLB nice Matt Holliday. His journey exemplifies how baseball greatness usually runs within the household, a theme echoed all through the game.

For gamers from Southern California—and particularly Gavin Fien, who attracts inspiration from his brother Dylan’s skilled journey—the draft is a testomony to enduring work ethic, unwavering help, and generational ardour for the sport. These sibling and household connections add depth, motivation, and pleasure to an already electrical draft night time.

Main League Baseball has a proud custom of brother duos and household ties, and the 2025 class provides to this wealthy tapestry. Listed here are a few of the notable MLB brother pairs:

• Bo Naylor and Josh Naylor

• Edwin Diaz and Alexis Diaz

• Nick Maton and Phil Maton

• Julio Urias and Luis Urias

• William Contreras and Willson Contreras

• Taylor Rogers and Tyler Rogers

• Aaron Nola and Austin Nola

• Yuli Gurriel and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

The pipeline of expertise isn’t nearly ability—it’s concerning the bonds that encourage new generations to chase the big-league dream.

The 2025 MLB Draft goes past simply names and statistics. It represents a fruits of goals, years of follow, and the unwavering help of households and communities. With stars like Gavin Fien and his brother Dylan paving the way in which, Southern California’s baseball legacy grows brighter.

The 2025 MLB Draft begins immediately, Sunday, July 13, at 6 p.m. ET. It will likely be held on the Coca-Cola Roxy in The Battery Atlanta and broadcast reside on ESPN and MLB Community.

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