Hooper Foregoes Draft, Honors UCLA Commitment
De La Salle's Justin Hooper will have to wait three years before another turn at the MLB Draft. Photo by Chris Jackson
By Chris Jackson Sunday June 7, 2015
CONCORD, CA-De La Salle ace Justin Hooper opted to pass on this years MLB Draft and honor his college commitment
to UCLA.
"Starting a new chapter in my life as I will be 100% honoring my commitment to UCLA. Can't wait to get down to
Los Angeles in the fall," tweeted Hooper on Saturday.
Hooper was projected as a first round pick in this weeks MLB Draft, likely being selected in the latter part of the opening
round. With his decision to ultimately go to UCLA, he will likely get drafted in a later round as an "honorary pick,"
something many teams do in the last few rounds to high school players that will definitely be playing college baseball.
In his senior season, Hooper finished with a 6-3 record on the mound and a 1.50 ERA, striking out 64 batters in 51 innings
pitched. He was a key piece in the Spartans run to an NCS runner-up finish and an East Bay Athletic League co-champion,
splitting the title with Monte Vista. He did earn a North Coast Section championship as a junior.
Last summer, Hooper was invited to participate in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. That
was part of his many showcase opportunities where he was able to show his velocity, reaching the mid-90's a majority of
the time.
The 6'8" lefty is likely to be a three year player at UCLA and enter the Draft following his junior year. Entering the Pac-12 as
the top incoming freshman, Hooper is expected to see lots of action on the mound and emerge into one of the conferences
premier pitchers.
to UCLA.
"Starting a new chapter in my life as I will be 100% honoring my commitment to UCLA. Can't wait to get down to
Los Angeles in the fall," tweeted Hooper on Saturday.
Hooper was projected as a first round pick in this weeks MLB Draft, likely being selected in the latter part of the opening
round. With his decision to ultimately go to UCLA, he will likely get drafted in a later round as an "honorary pick,"
something many teams do in the last few rounds to high school players that will definitely be playing college baseball.
In his senior season, Hooper finished with a 6-3 record on the mound and a 1.50 ERA, striking out 64 batters in 51 innings
pitched. He was a key piece in the Spartans run to an NCS runner-up finish and an East Bay Athletic League co-champion,
splitting the title with Monte Vista. He did earn a North Coast Section championship as a junior.
Last summer, Hooper was invited to participate in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. That
was part of his many showcase opportunities where he was able to show his velocity, reaching the mid-90's a majority of
the time.
The 6'8" lefty is likely to be a three year player at UCLA and enter the Draft following his junior year. Entering the Pac-12 as
the top incoming freshman, Hooper is expected to see lots of action on the mound and emerge into one of the conferences
premier pitchers.
