Recently graduated Soquel High ace Jake Escalante, currently rehabbing his left arm after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early June, was drafted by the Athletics on Day 2 of the 2026 MLB Draft on Sunday.

The Cal State Fullerton commit, who repeated as the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League’s Player of the Year this spring, was chosen with the eighth pick of 19th round, 561st overall.

Escalante was “chillin” in his bedroom when he received a call from his agent, Adam Karon of APEX Baseball, who let him know that he was likely going to be selected soon.

Even injured, Escalante said he was expecting to go several rounds higher. But he was still grateful to see his name pop up on MLB.com’s Draft Tracker.

“I talked to the A’s guys and I was extremely thankful,” Escalante said. “I’ll talk to my parents and agent about it. I’m glad it happened.”

Escalante was one of 11 pitchers taken by the A’s in the 20-round draft. They chose Arkansas junior right-hander Gabe Gaeckle, an Aptos alum, with their Competitive Balance Round B pick, 73rd overall, on Saturday.

Players drafted after Round 10 typically don’t receive a signing bonus that exceeds $150,000, though there are exceptions. College seniors often sign for less because they don’t have any leverage. Escalante has his commitment to Fullerton as leverage. If he signs a pro contract, he’ll forego his college playing career.

Negotiations between Escalante’s agent and the A’s will take place in the coming weeks.

Days ahead of the draft, Escalante said, “I’d love to play professional baseball and I think I’m ready to play it. But, it’s also, I’m not going to go for free. And I’m not going to risk me not getting a college experience for something cheap.”

Escalante said he was surprised the A’s chose him. He said the organization didn’t reach out to him, his high school coach or agent at any point during the scouting/draft process.

“I obviously wanted to go a lot sooner and I expected to go sooner,” Escalante said. “I’m past that now and I’m extremely thankful for the A’s. I’m extremely thankful for my family and everybody who helped me through the way. The injury didn’t help, but I’m thankful for everything that happened. It’s just a speed bump in my journey. I’m excited to work through it. I know i’m going to get better from it because I’m going to have a hardworking mentality, like I always do. I’m not worried about what’s next for me.”

Escalante went 10-1 this spring for Soquel (23-6 overall, 13-2 league), the repeat SCCAL champion and Central Coast Section Division I finalist. He posted a 1.35 ERA over 57 innings. He gave up 27 hits and 13 runs, 11 of which were earned, and struck out 91 batters while walking 21.

He has been participating in rehab and physical therapy and working out daily at Rossy’s Training since his surgery, which was performed by Dr. Kenneth Akizuki, the primary orthopedic surgeon of the San Francisco Giants.

“Wherever I land, they’re going to be happy with me, because I’m going to improve,” Escalante said. “I’m going to improve the organizations or college teams, and I’m going to work hard to get back where I was at, or even better.”