UCLA Bruins right-handed pitcher Angel Cervantes is a highly anticipated player in college baseball for the upcoming 2026 season.
He is part of a UCLA team who is ranked as the number one team in the country according to D1 Baseball’s preseason rankings.
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Cervantes was the number two right-handed pitching prospect coming out of high school, according to Prep Baseball. He was also a top five high school prospect from the state of California while playing for Warren High School.
This ultimately led to Cervantes being a well-regarded MLB Draft prospect. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Despite this, the right-hander chose to take the collegiate route for his baseball career. He talked about this decision to turn away from the Pittsburgh organization with World Baseball Network.
“From the moment I got that first text from Coach [John] Savage, it just felt special,” Cervantes said. “When I was little, I took a field trip to UCLA. I remember seeing the bear statue for the first time. Ever since then, it just felt like home. When Coach Savage told me he wanted me to be a Bruin, I already knew I wanted the same. I’m big on family and positive energy, and UCLA felt like the perfect fit.”
With Westwood feeling like a homey place, playing for UCLA became a dream for Cervantes since he was very young.
He added: “Getting to pitch at Jackie Robinson Stadium, wearing this uniform—it’s surreal. I’m going to pitch with confidence and compete every time I’m out there.”
Experience in Fall and Preseason Practices with UCLA
Cervantes talked about what it has been like facing some of the tough UCLA hitters in fall and preseason practices.
Overall, the freshman thinks the team is looking great heading into the 2026 college baseball season.
“Our team is looking really good,” Cervantes stated. “We had a strong fall, and those intrasquad games were no joke. The pitching staff was really challenged because our lineup is so deep.
Some of the toughest hitters are guys like Roch [Cholowsky] and Vi [Mulivai Levu]—they’re just really good. Coming out of high school, I didn’t expect it to be like this. Everyone has a great eye. Every at-bat is tough.”
‘It’s About Winning,’ National Championship Goals for the Bruins
Cervantes also told World Baseball Network that he has no specific role yet on the UCLA pitching staff. However, he made it clear what the ultimate goal is this season.
“At the end of the day, it’s about winning,” Cervantes said. “Winning the Big Ten and getting back to Omaha would be an incredible experience as a freshman.
Cervantes also mentioned that the College World Series is something that UCLA has talked about ad nauseam leading up to this season.
He previously played at Charles Schwab Field for a high school tournament when he represented the state of California.
“I can only imagine what it’s like with a full crowd,” Cervantes said regarding Charles Schwab Field and the College World Series. “They describe it as a big playground for baseball players, and I can’t wait to experience that.”
Cervantes and his Spirit Animal, Jerry the Dinosaur
The freshman phenom right-handed pitcher will have a companion with him on the mound throughout the season.
Jerry the Dinosaur is a toy Triceratops that has a neat backstory in Cervantes’ life.
“He’s kind of my spiritual animal,” Cervantes told World Baseball Network. “My senior year of high school, I had a photography class and needed a subject. So, I started taking pictures of him. Eventually, I started putting him next to me on the mound—right behind the rubber.”
When Jerry is not sitting behind the rubber, he is in the pocket of the right-hander pitcher by his side.
Cervantes reassured that Jerry will be on the mound with him in some fashion during the 2026 season with the UCLA Bruins.
Up Next for the UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins will begin the 2026 college baseball season on February 13 when they play against the UC San Diego Tritons.
The game is at Jackie Robinson Stadium, and the first pitch is at 8 p.m. EST.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Courtesy of UCLA Athletics
