FREMONT — Brayden Jaksa’s expertise just isn’t laborious to identify on the baseball area. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound catcher can do all of it.
Behind residence plate, the senior has a rocket arm that deters any batter from attempting to steal. When wanted, he can play within the outfield, the place his vary and talent to make spectacular catches on the wall can save a pitcher’s earned run common.
With the bat in his hand, Jaksa has the ability to crush any ball 330 toes and past. Even when he’s walked, Jaksa has the velocity to take second base every time he desires.
However what individuals will discover most is the identify throughout his jersey in vibrant white lettering:
Irvington.
Jaksa, a reliable MLB prospect who’s presently dedicated to the College of Oregon, performs highschool ball at a college not identified for churning out high-level baseball gamers.
A participant of Jaska’s caliber may simply play at one of many prime packages within the Bay Space or perhaps a nationwide prep college.
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) places on his batting gloves within the dugout throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
However Irvington, which hasn’t had a profitable season in every of the previous three seasons, is residence for Jaksa.
“I always want to represent Fremont,” Jaksa stated. “When people say what school I go to, I will always say Irvington with all my heart. People don’t really know about Irvington and I want people to know that I went there and how much it helped me become a better man.”
Jaksa is making an attempt to make his final season on the college a memorable one. The Vikings are simply 6-8 however have wins over East Bay powerhouses San Ramon Valley and Monte Vista.
Even in losses, Irvington has regarded aggressive.
“The goal is definitely just to make the North Coast Section playoffs and just battle out there,” Jaksa stated. “It’s my senior year and I want to go out with a bang.”
Jaksa has been a drive within the Mission Valley Athletic League since he was a freshman.
He earned all-league second-team honors as a catcher in his first two years and had a breakout 12 months in 2024. He had an absurd slash line of .437/.560/.830 and had an OPS of 1.531 en path to profitable the MVAL participant of the 12 months. In a single recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose, Jaksa went 4 for five, drove in two runs, had a double and a house run and stole a base.
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) follows by on a success throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
His expertise has caught the eye of professional scouts across the nation.
Jaksa was a key participant on the 18-under USA Baseball group final summer time. In seven video games, he batted .300 and had an on-base proportion of .417, seven RBIs and 6 hits.
Baseball America presently has Jaksa because the No. 77-ranked prospect on this 12 months’s MLB draft. The publication described him as an “uncommon prospect” – given his 6-6 peak as a catcher – but in addition stated he has a “promising offensive upside” with a low-effort swing.
Prep Baseball California, one of many main scouting providers within the state, has Jaksa ranked No. 17 amongst this 12 months’s prospects.
Irvington beefed up its non-league schedule this spring, having already performed groups equivalent to Castro Valley, California, Dublin, Clayton Valley and Pittsburg.
Coach Frank Durand stated he isn’t solely difficult his gamers to get them used to robust competitors, but in addition to assist Jaksa.
Opposing gamers and groups have welcomed the problem of dealing with the Irvington standout.
“We wanted to challenge him,” stated Pittsburg coach Marco Cartagena, whose group gave up two solo residence runs to Jaksa in a 6-2 win. “He hurt us big, but the game plan with him is just to go right at him and see how good he really is. He got us three times and two were home runs, so he’s a really good and special hitter.”
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) talks together with his teammates after their slender 2-1 victory in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Jaksa’s management additionally stands out.
Like all different groups, Irvington has its fair proportion of blunders and irritating moments, however Jaksa’s physique language has all the time stayed even keeled.
“He’s a great person and a great teammate,” Durand stated. “He’s by far the most effective child I’ve ever coached on and off the sector.
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“He always does what he’s supposed to do. He does more than what he’s supposed to do, whether it’s his schoolwork or the way he treats people. He’s just a genuinely good person. His mom and dad have done a really good job of raising him.”
For now, Jaksa is attempting to savor the ultimate few months of his highschool baseball profession. Whether or not MLB comes calling or he finally ends up at Oregon, this season is a particular one for the child who loves his college and hometown.
“I bet you on senior night I’m going to be like, ‘Dang it went by so quick,’” Jaksa stated. “’I’m trying to really enjoy every moment and just go out there and play my game. For me, it’s just about really understanding that I put everything out there on the field. If I do that, I’ll feel accomplished.”
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) celebrates with pitcher Benjamin Walkup (10) throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa, (21) left, watches from the dugout throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive head coach Frank Durand gestures from the dugout throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The group’s catcher Brayden Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) returns a pitch throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) reacts after Mission San Jose scored throughout their recreation at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) takes half in a convention on the mound throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) cheers from the dugout throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)
Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) after their slender 2-1 victory in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)Present Caption1 of 8Irvington Excessive catcher Brayden Jaksa (21) celebrates with pitcher Benjamin Walkup (10) throughout their recreation in opposition to Mission San Jose at Irvington Excessive Faculty in Fremont, Calif., on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Jaksa is an MLB draft prospect. (Jane Tyska/Bay Space Information Group)Broaden
