One of the Bruins’ best home-run hitters is on his way to the next level.
Center fielder Will Gasparino was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round with the No. 161 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
Though Gasparino was only in Westwood for one season after transferring from the University of Texas last offseason, the move allowed for developmental growth at the plate. He proved to be a crucial part of the Bruins’ 2026 offense, working with assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Bryant Ward to find a new swing during this campaign.
And when his bat was hot, Gasparino could hit a ball far beyond the fences.
The Los Angeles local finished second on the squad with 20 home runs, just one shy of No. 1 overall pick shortstop Roch Cholowsky’s team high. He also finished first in RBIs, knocking in 64 runs throughout the 2026 season.
At UCLA, Gasparino found his stride as a hitter, with a final slash line of .314/.412/.659. His 2026 output bested his two Texas campaigns, during which he combined for an overall slashline of .247/.320/.504.
The 2026 NCBWA First Team All-American recorded 20 multi-hit games, including seven three-hit games during the season.
And when he wasn’t hitting balls out of the park, he was tracking them down in the outfield.
The 6-foot-6, 220-pound center fielder came to Westwood already touted for his defensive skills after earning a spot on the 2025 SEC Baseball All Defensive Team. He bolstered that reputation by being named a 2026 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Finalist after a season where he completed 125 putouts and eight assists without committing an error in the Bruins’ outfield.
Gasparino improved his strikeout rate from 32.9% in his freshman season to 25.7% in his sophomore campaign to 21.0% in his junior year and was an anchor on the field.
He will have the opportunity to continue to tap into his raw offensive potential with the Phillies.
