AJ Salgado
Photo by: Mac Brown
Salgado Signs Free Agent Deal with New York Mets
July 25, 2025 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES โ UCLA outfielder AJ Salgado has officially signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent, joining the organization on Thursday.
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Salgado becomes the second member of the 2025 UCLA squad to ascend to the professional ranks. He joins Cody Delvecchio who was selected in the 12th round (No. 356 overall) of the MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
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A Second Team All-Big Ten selection in his final season as a Bruin, Salgado delivered one of the most well-rounded seasons in recent UCLA history. He slashed .312/.418/.581, pacing the Bruins in doubles (19) and stolen bases (13), while racking up 12 homers, 56 RBIs, and 58 runs scored. Salgado became the first Bruin since 2012 to post double-digit totals in both homers and steals. He added clutch moments throughout the year when by mashing a pair of home runs and collecting six RBIs in a win over Nebraska, launching a grand slam versus BYU, and sealing the regular season title with a blast against Northwestern. His postseason performance was highlighted by his .345 average and a two-RBI double in the Men's College World Series opening win over Murray State.
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The Glendora, Calif. native suited up for UCLA 138 times, making 126 starts over his three seasons in Westwood. He amassed 145 hits, 26 doubles, and 16 home runs while posting a .294 average in his UCLA career. Prior to his time at UCLA, Salgado was a Second Team All-Region selection at nearby Cal State LA. He also received First Team All-CCAA honors after slashing .362/.462/.519 with 19 extra-base hits.
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Salgado becomes the second member of the 2025 UCLA squad to ascend to the professional ranks. He joins Cody Delvecchio who was selected in the 12th round (No. 356 overall) of the MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
ย
A Second Team All-Big Ten selection in his final season as a Bruin, Salgado delivered one of the most well-rounded seasons in recent UCLA history. He slashed .312/.418/.581, pacing the Bruins in doubles (19) and stolen bases (13), while racking up 12 homers, 56 RBIs, and 58 runs scored. Salgado became the first Bruin since 2012 to post double-digit totals in both homers and steals. He added clutch moments throughout the year when by mashing a pair of home runs and collecting six RBIs in a win over Nebraska, launching a grand slam versus BYU, and sealing the regular season title with a blast against Northwestern. His postseason performance was highlighted by his .345 average and a two-RBI double in the Men's College World Series opening win over Murray State.
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The Glendora, Calif. native suited up for UCLA 138 times, making 126 starts over his three seasons in Westwood. He amassed 145 hits, 26 doubles, and 16 home runs while posting a .294 average in his UCLA career. Prior to his time at UCLA, Salgado was a Second Team All-Region selection at nearby Cal State LA. He also received First Team All-CCAA honors after slashing .362/.462/.519 with 19 extra-base hits.
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