Gone are the days when Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, and Stanford were among the premier programs in college baseball, as powerhouses have gradually migrated from the West Coast to the Southeast. But California schools have made somewhat of a comeback, with UCLA cementing itself as one of, if not the best, teams in the nation and USC opening the season 16-0. Even outside the Power 4 programs, UC Santa Barbara produced the second-overall pick last summer and a prospective 1:1 candidate in Jackson Flora this year. California programs are often homegrown, and California high schoolers are regarded as one of the country's best crops.
So, here are some names from lesser-covered schools that could hear their names called in the 2026 draft.
Matthew Thomas, OF—Cal State Northridge
Following two seasons with the California Golden Bears, where he tallied just 23 starts and a batting average south of …