Tyler Skaggs, Santa Monica High’s all-CIF pitcher, has chosen Cal State Fullerton if he plays baseball in college.
Skaggs, a 6-foot-4 left-handed pitcher, attracted considerable attention in his junior season when he was named Ocean League Player Of the Year. As a senior he’s likely to be watched closely by professional scouts.
Frequently prospects of his caliber select a college after their junior year, and then weigh the option of playing in college against signing with a major league organization depending on how high they are drafted.
Scouting forecasts have evaluated Skaggs as a strong possibility to be picked in the first three rounds of the June 2009 draft.
Skaggs strongly considered Arizona, which ranked right with Fullerton in the months leading up to his time to make a choice.
“It was a tough decision,” said Debbie Skaggs, Tyler’s mother and the Samohi softball coach for the last 20 years.
Cal State Fullerton has a nationally prominent baseball program and is a frequent participant in the College World Series in Omaha.
Skaggs’ latest honor was being named to the all-CIF first team in Division 5. He was the only member of the Ocean League champion Vikings to be selected.
Skaggs, who played junior varsity basketball last season, is expected to play for the Vikings’ varsity in his senior year.
