Three brothers who played baseball together at Beckman High may reunite someday – in the big leagues.
The L.A. Dodgers recently drafted former Beckman star Sean McLain in the fifth round – one year after the Cincinnati Reds drafted older brother Matt in the first round, signing him for $4.6 million.
Waiting in the wings is younger brother Nick, who will play at Arizona State this year after transferring from UCLA.
“I told him, ‘You’re next,’ ” Sean says. “I think he is the most talented of us all. He’s got to get it done, and hopefully we will have three McLain brothers in pro ball.”
In 2018, all three brothers started for the Beckman High Patriots, with senior Matt at shortstop, junior Sean in right field, and freshman Nick at first base.
Sean then capped a successful career at Arizona State University, batting .333 with 34 RBIs last year as a junior.
He weighed whether to return for one more season at Arizona State, where he would have teamed up with his younger brother for the first time since high school.
In the end, he couldn’t pass up an offer from the Dodgers. He’s now playing for their Single-A affiliate, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.
Matt, who plays for the Reds’ Double-A minor league affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts, offered his brother this advice: “At the end of the day, it’s real simple. Get better, have fun doing it, and keep doing it. It’s about consistency and having fun.”
Sean hopes that takes him to Dodger Stadium, where someday he might end up on the field with his brothers.
“If that ever happens,” he says, “we will have the whole family there.”
MORE BASEBALL SIGNINGS
BREWERS DRAFT IRVINE PITCHER
Woodbridge High School
Former Woodbridge High pitcher Will Rudy signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after being selected in the fifth round of the MLB draft. After graduating from Woodbridge in 2019, Rudy attended Cal Poly Pomona, where he earned All-American honors and was named the confer- ence’s most valuable pitcher. He’s now training at the Brewers’ spring training facility in Phoenix. “We cannot wait to watch him as he progresses through the minor-league system,” says his father, Phil Rudy.
CLEVELAND SIGNS IRVINE CATCHER
Irvine High School
Former Irvine High catcher Marc “Bubba” Filia signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Guardians. Filia, who was not selected in the MLB draft, knows what it will take to reach the majors. “A lot of hard work,” he says. “This is just the start. I want to prove I’m capable of being successful at the highest level this game has to offer. I can’t wait to get started.” Contract terms were not disclosed, but Filia was happy with the deal, which includes his tuition for his final year at UC San Diego.
