A New Era for UNLV Baseball
Las Vegas enjoyed a standout MLB draft weekend, with a cluster of local prospects and former Rebels hearing their names called across the league.
At the center of the buzz is Nick Garritano, the newly appointed head coach of UNLV Baseball, who returns to his alma mater after a 28‑year career that began on the fields of Green Valley High School and the College of Southern Nevada.
Garritano, a Hall of Fame kicker before he turned to coaching, brings a unique perspective and a reputation for building deep relationships with his players, fostering what he calls a family atmosphere within the program.
His tenure at Green Valley produced ten MLB draft picks, and during his time at CSN he added 23 more selections, a testament to his ability to develop talent that reaches the major leagues.
The recent draft reinforced his vision: Andruw Giles from Basic Academy was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth round, while LJ Mercurius, a College World Series champion with the Oklahoma Sooners, went to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth. Brady Ballinger, who honed his craft at Green Valley before transferring to Kansas, was picked by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round.
Beyond the early rounds, five additional UNLV players were selected in rounds 14 through 19, including Carson Lane, Jase Evangelista, Ryan Marton, Parker Dillhoff and Jack Salmon, underscoring the depth of the pipeline.
Garritano emphasized that each selection reflects not just individual ability but the collective effort of coaches, families and the community that has supported these athletes for years.
Looking ahead, the coach is focused on maintaining the momentum, ensuring that the next generation of Rebels can follow the same path and that Las Vegas continues to be a fertile ground for MLB talent.