Baca Brings A Spark

Tyler Baca commits to Biola Baseball after being a run-scoring machine for Linfield Christian for four years.

June 11, 2018

By: Brandon Taylor, Assistant Sports Information Director

TEMECULA, Calif. --- Tyler Baca's selection in the 2018 MLB First Year Player Draft this past Thursday was an achievement earned by four years of hustle at Linfield Christian High School.

Baca played in 98 varsity games for the Lions, scoring 98 runs and collecting 112 hits during that span to garner three all-league selections. Those accomplishments, along with Baca's plus speed and switch-hitting ability, helped Baca become the Washington Nationals' 34th round pick in the draft and made him the first student-athlete associated with the Biola baseball program to have his named called since 2011.

There is little doubt that playing baseball professionally is Baca's desired career path, but choosing to commit to Biola and Head Coach Jay Sullenger's program was still an important decision for him and one he gave a lot of thought to.

"I chose Biola for a variety of reasons, but there are two that are very important to me," said Baca. "For starters, at Biola I can continue to grow in my relationship with Christ and I am surrounded by others who are interested in growing their relationships with God also. Second, I will be able to play baseball at Biola where I can glorify the Lord both on and off the field."

Baca is the second Linfield Christian graduate to commit to Biola's baseball program in the past two years. Infielder Connor Kostecka played varsity baseball with Baca for three years before helping the Eagles to a successful year in 2018 as a freshman. And Head Coach Sullenger believe Baca's skill set has the potential to make an immediate impact for the Eagles just like Kostecka did in 2018.

"Baca is a spark plug of a guy for us. He is a switch hitter that can run and will have an opportunity to fit into our outfield as a freshman," said Sullenger. "He comes from a baseball family that knows and loves Jesus and we feel he again like God is bring the right men to our program at the right time."

Baca's .376 batting average and 60 stolen bases during his high school career make him a strong candidate to fill the role graduated shortstop Ricky Perez filled in Biola's lineup. Perez was the PacWest leader in stolen bases with 17 and collected hits in 19 of the final 21 games of the regular season.

In addition to earning three all-league selections, including first team honors this season, Baca was an honor roll student throughout his time at Linfield Christian and was on the high honor roll from his sophomore to senior year. His planned major at Biola is engineering physics.

The members of the Eagles baseball team will arrive at Biola in September for the start of fall classes and will begin practices around October. More information about all of Biola's incoming student-athletes can be found on the Committed Athletes page.

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