A pair of high school juniors, 6-foot-3 left-hander Luke Shoemaker of Soquel and 6-2 right-hander Cole McGillicuddy of Aptos, have committed to NCAA Division I baseball programs.
Beginning in 2027-28, Shoemaker will compete for UC Santa Barbara and McGillicuddy will compete for Cal.
Both student-athletes grew up taking pitching lessons from former MLBer and World Series champion Mark Eichhorn and currently play travel ball for NorCal U.
Shoemaker competed in camps at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Stanford, as well as multiple showcases. He was offered a scholarship while at UCSB’s camp in mid-August.
“It felt like it was the place,” he said of his decision. “I’m super blessed with the opportunity I got. They’re known for developing players and pitchers. Coach (Andrew) Checketts is notorious for producing super good pitching.”
Soquel High junior pitcher Luke Shoemaker, a 2024-25 All-Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League first team selection, has committed to NCAA Division I UC Santa Barbara. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)
Shoemaker trains at Paradigm Sport in Santa Cruz, owned by former minor league catcher Joey Wolfe and his wife, Kendra, under former minor league pitcher Kevin Eichhorn. He throws his fastball in the 87-88 mph range, boasts a plus-rated curve that features 3,200 revolutions per minute (RPM), and a change-up. He’s also been tinkering with baseball’s new hot pitch, the kick change. (The average RPM for a MLB curve is between 2,400 and 2,600.)
Shoemaker said he has increased his caloric intake and is working out four days a week in an effort to add weight and muscle, which, he hopes, will not only make him more durable, but add velocity to his fastball. He’s already added 30 pounds to his frame since last season and checks in at 175 pounds.
“I’m coming off a really good season,” Shoemaker said. “This summer, I worked really hard and got stronger and bigger.”
UCSC, which competes in the Big West Conference, likes Shoemaker’s upside. The Gauchos have a long track record of getting their pitchers to the next level.
More than two dozen UCSB alums are currently in affiliated ball, including major league pitchers Shane Bieber (Toronto) and Michael McGreevy (St. Louis).
In the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft in mid-July, the program had three right-handed pitchers selected: Tyler Bremner, the second pick overall, 13th rounder Frank Camarillo, and 15th rounder Reed Moring, an Aptos alum.
“My goal is to pitch three years and get drafted,” Shoemaker said. “They obviously saw something in me, so that’s cool. I’m already pretty good, but I can become a better or even great pitcher.”
While at UCSB’s camp, he took a mini tour of the campus and surrounding area. Shoemaker, who also enjoys surfing and playing golf, said he wanted to choose a school that he enjoyed, regardless of its baseball prowess. “It’s paradise down there,” he said.
He’s undecided on his major.
Shoemaker posted a 6-0 record in 10 appearances for the SCCAL champion Knights (25-2, 14-1) last season and helped them qualify for the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs. He finished with a 1.44 ERA over 34 innings as a sophomore. He gave up 14 hits, seven earned runs, and 17 walks while striking out 39 batters.
“He’s a young dynamic left-hander who can handle the biggest moments,” said TJ Moran, the Knights’ head coach. “He’s a competitor, has a really good temperament, and doesn’t get rattled. I love him, he’s a great kid, great teammate.”
Shoemaker is the third Knight headed to a D-I program. Over the summer, Jake Escalante, a senior outfielder and left-handed pitcher, committed to Cal State Fullerton, and senior shortstop Hudson Summerrill committed to Fresno State University.
Aptos High junior pitcher Cole McGillicuddy has committed to play for NCAA Division I Cal. (Shmuel Thaler – Santa Cruz Sentinel file)
McGillicuddy, a two-year starter at Aptos, seemed destined to commit to the Golden Bears. It’s in his bloodline. His great grandfather, great uncle, grandma, and aunt all attended Cal.
“I’m so excited,” he said. “I love the coaches. And I have family that lives in Oakland, nice and close to the school. Cal was my top school, so I’m really excited to go to my dream school. One month ago, I couldn’t believe this was possible.”
McGillicuddy was encouraged by his parents to participate in Cal’s baseball camp while they visited extended family in the East Bay.
“It was pretty cheap, so we figured, ‘ Why not go?’ ” he said. “It would be good to have them see me.”
Cal coaches liked what they saw.
McGillicuddy, who trains at Rossy’s Training in Scotts Valley, throws a four-seam fastball that has been clocked at 88 mph, a plus curve that has registered a high of 3,150 RPM, and an 82-mph change-up.
Like Shoemaker, McGillicuddy is working to add weight to his 190-pound frame. He’s also working on his hip mobility and mechanics to increase his velocity and pitch effectiveness.
McGillicuddy received his offer before he took his visit. He toured the campus and athletic facilities, including Memorial Stadium and Haas Pavilion.
“I love it there,” McGillicuddy said.
McGillicuddy’s father, David, and grandma, Ann Lage, a 1963 Cal alum, accompanied him on his visit.
Like UCSB, Cal has a history of extending its players’ careers. In 2024, 36 former Bears were in affiliated baseball; nine appeared in a MLB game.
“The goal is to play Major League Baseball,” McGillicuddy said. “It doesn’t matter how I get there. I’m gonna ball out and we’ll see what happens.”
McGillicuddy is excited to suit up for the Bears and compete in the ACC.
“There’s a lot of travel and I love flying,” he said. “It’s gonna be cool to play that high (level) of competition.”
He’s undecided on his major, but is considering math or health science.
Family is huge for McGillicuddy. He made sure to thank his parents, David and Katie, for all they’ve done for him. “They’ve been so supportive,” he said.
McGillicuddy posted a 3.33 ERA over 33 2/3 innings as a sophomore for the Mariners (10-17, 5-10). He gave up 33 hits, 16 earned runs, and 23 walks, while striking out 42 batters.
“As a freshman, he started every game,” said Jason Biancardi, the Mariners’ head coach. “He loves the game and is up at the field every day, even in the offseason, hitting off the tee in the cages. He has a great attitude and all the tools to play at the next level.”