From UCSB to the world stage: how Gauchos Calvin Proskey and AJ Krodel made it to the MLB

The odds of being drafted by a Major League Baseball team are slim, but for seven members of UC Santa Barbara baseball, their dreams became a reality. These talented athletes were among the 613 players selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft on July 11 and 12. 

Calvin Proskey, a third-year communication major, was selected on July 12 by the Cincinnati Reds in the 11th round as the 332nd overall pick. That day, Proskey had been waiting for news at home with his family. 

“We were kind of just hanging around the house, waiting to see what happens,” he said. “I got a call from my agent saying there were a couple of teams interested, and one of them was the Reds.” 

Describing the once-in-a-lifetime experience as “very nice, very calm,” Proskey felt that being drafted was particularly memorable because he was able to share the experience with his family. 

Raised in Chicago as a baseball fan, Proskey followed the Reds during his childhood. Because his family has remained there, Proskey expressed that he appreciates the relative proximity between Chicago and Cincinnati. 

“It’s close enough where my family can drive if or when I make my debut,” he noted. 

Now stepping onto the world stage, he knows he has work to do to succeed as a Major League Baseball (MLB) player. 

“It puts more of a chip on my shoulder at the end of the day,” he said. 

Because baseball has been a part of Proskey’s life since he was young, he grew up with the ultimate dream to play in the MLB. As a Gaucho, Proskey had been in contact with two professional baseball teams that he hoped would draft him. 

“Teams told me they were interested and liked what they saw and all that stuff, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t really matter up until draft day,” he explained. 

Once selected, his first reaction was to hug his parents. 

“The first thing I did was give my mom and dad a hug,” he said. “I told them thank you because they were the ones that really got me here … I was just very excited.”

The UCSB baseball program has become known for developing players who go on to professional baseball. Head Coach Andrew Checketts has led 76 players to the MLB draft since his first year with the Gauchos in 2011. 

Proskey credited Checketts’ knowledge and skills with helping him take his game to the next level. 

Under Checketts’ guidance, Proskey learned the importance of “mentality over mechanics.”  

“Nobody knows the game of baseball like the back of [Checketts’] hand,” Proskey said. “Sometimes it feels like he can tell the future of what’s going to happen.”

Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Dylan Jones also contributed to Proskey’s development. 

“[Jones] brings more of a mentality to it, pushing you, making you a little bit uncomfortable … whether that’s at practice or in the bullpen,” Proskey said.

Checketts recalled first discovering Proskey at a high school prospect camp. 

“We didn’t know who he was until he showed up for that camp,” Checketts said. “That’s when we offered him a scholarship.”

Over three seasons, Checketts watched Proskey grow, highlighting his strengths as a “fastball commander” — someone who can pitch a fastball with impeccable accuracy — as well as his ability to throw multiple different pitches in the strike zone. 

Checketts saw tremendous growth in Proskey during his time as a Gaucho. 

“I think he grew up over the course of his career and matured and learned what needs to be done … to continue to improve,” he said. 

Beyond coaching, Proskey highlighted the strong bond he shared with his teammates as another strength of UCSB baseball.

“We all stepped on campus together … we were pushing each other in the offseason,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s a competition, but also, I love those guys, and going out there every day with them was fantastic.” 

He remembers the team’s opening series against the University of Southern Mississippi in 2026, which the Gauchos lost 1-2. 

“I think that really helped us throughout the season knowing that … we can pretty much beat whoever and that we put up a good fight with those guys, even though we only took one,” Proskey said.

The excitement of Sunday’s draft was shared by his teammate AJ Krodel, a third-year communication major who was selected by the New York Mets in the 12th round with the 360th overall pick. 

Krodel has long dreamed of being drafted and was eager for any opportunity. 

“Anybody taking me felt like an amazing opportunity,” he said. “There weren’t really any expectations, just excitement to see where I was going.”

At home with his parents and brothers, Krodel received a call from his agent hours before being selected and ultimately accepted the Mets’ offer. It all sank in when he saw his name flash on the screen, and he expressed that the moment was particularly special because he was surrounded by family.

“My parents have sacrificed more than anybody could ever imagine for me in their lifetime,” he said. “It’s been awesome to have this journey with them and my family as well.”

Introduced to baseball at the age of three, Krodel simply stated, “I love to compete” as the reason for his love of the sport. He credits the little things at UCSB for making the baseball program unique. Checketts and Jones boosted his confidence and baseball IQ, preparing him to play in the MLB.

“They helped me out with anything … whether it was preparing me mentally or getting me … stronger,” he said. “They really did an awesome job paying attention to everybody and making sure they improved day by day.”

Checketts observed tremendous growth during Krodel’s three years at UCSB. He noted improvements in his strength, velocity and maturity.

Speaking of the tight-knit community that surrounded him, Krodel reflected on the connections he formed with his teammates. 

“I made some brothers that … I’ll never forget,” he said. “When you know you got those people around you, it’s super easy to work for them and get better, and the results just sell themselves.” 

Among his favorite memories, Krodel recalled a 4-0 shutout win against the University of California, Los Angeles that snapped the Bruins’ 27-game winning streak. Pitching during that game, he remembers the adrenaline and excitement of the historic win. 

“It just felt like such a quality team win, and that bus ride home felt absolutely amazing,” he said.

Looking ahead, Krodel intends to finish his degree in communication and graduate as a Gaucho before starting his MLB career. 

Checketts emphasizes that the active involvement from the assistant coaches in the recruiting process continues to bring great talent to the team. 

“I think that being disciplined in that recruiting approach and aggressive, it’s allowed us to recruit a lot of talented kids over the years,” he said. “Creating a competitive environment where their discipline, hard work and daily improvements really reached and were valued.” 

For Checketts and the team, the 2027 baseball season will begin in February in Arizona, where the Gauchos will face Oregon State University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Nebraska in the Surprise College Baseball Series.