Noel Vela, from the Veterans Memorial High School Class of 2017 has become the first student-athlete from the school to be picked in a major league draft, immediately after graduating from high school. Vela was picked by the San Diego Padres this afternoon (June 14) as a part of the Major League Baseball Draft process.
Vela, a left-handed pitcher, was also recently honored as Baseball Player of the Year at the All Valley Sports Banquet. He is pictured here with David Gilpin, VMHS Athletic Coordinator/Head Football Coach after receiving the Baseball Player of the Year honors.
Here is a link to the draft selection site showing Vela’s selection by the Padres, https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker/padres.