California junior Christian Becerra became the third Cal player to be selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft when the righthanded pitcher was taken in the 12th round Tuesday by the Minnesota Twins with the 516th pick overall.

"Christian adjusted nicely when we moved him into the bullpen last season after primarily being a starter in 2023," Cal head coach Mike Neu said. "He had some strong performances down the stretch and by the end of the 2024 campaign, he was definitely one of our most reliable relievers."

"Ever since being a little kid, I remember going to Dodger games and dreaming of playing on a field like that," Becerra said. "Getting drafted by the Twins has been the first step to achieving my dream. I can't think my family enough for their support and the Twins' organization for believing in me."

Catcher Caleb Lomavita was Cal's first selection in the draft on Sunday by the Washington Nationals as a competitive balance pick that was 39th overall and the final of nine selections between the first and second rounds. Centerfielder Rodney Green Jr. was selected Monday by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round with the 104th pick overall.

Becerra was the 19th Cal player all time to be selected by the Twins.

Below are additional notes on Becerra and Cal baseball in the MLB Draft. An extended bio on Becerra is available by clicking on his name.

Becerra Notes

Christian Becerra, RHP, 6-1, 170 (Studio City, CA/California/Harvard-Westlake School)
Collegiate Career (California, 2022-24)
– Compiled a three-year career record of 8-6 with five saves and a 4.78 ERA over 57 appearances and 12 starts, striking out 138 over 133.2 innings
- Earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a 2024 junior when he pitched primarily as a reliever and finished 4-1 with four saves and a 3.68 ERA over 19 appearances and one start, striking out 57 over 51.1 innings
– Spent his 2023 sophomore season pitching primarily in a starting role with starts in 11 of his 18 appearances and compiling a 2-5 record and two saves with a 6.29 ERA, while striking out 53 in 54.1 innings
– Posted a 2-0 record and one save with a 3.86 ERA over 20 appearances all out of the bullpen as a 2022 freshman, striking out 28 in 28.0 innings pitched

Cal Baseball MLB Draft Notes

– Cal has had 240 selections (210 players) all-time in the MLB Draft with at least one player selected in 57 of the 60 years since the MLB Draft began in 1965.
– The most Cal players ever selected in a single MLB Draft was in 1986 when nine Golden Bears were drafted, while the most Golden Bears ever selected in the first round of a single draft was in 1966 when right-handed pitchers Bill Frost (San Francisco Giants, first overall) and Andy Messersmith (California Angels, 12th overall), as well as shortstop Ted Parks (Baltimore Orioles, 16th overall) were taken.
– Cal has had 26 players drafted since Mike Neu became head coach following the 2017 MLB Draft including seven in 2019 that are tied for the third most in school history.
– RHP Andy Messersmith was the first Cal baseball player to be selected in the MLB Draft when he was taken by the Detroit Tigers in the third round (53rd pick overall) and was one of four Golden Bears taken in the first-ever MLB Amateur Draft in 1965.
– OF Sam Chapman was the first former Cal baseball player to sign a professional baseball contract as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938.