Palm Desert High Baseball Player Projected To Be Fourth Round Pick In MLB Draft

Ryan Garvey is all about baseball. 

The Palm Desert High Senior is one of the top players in Southern California. He’s already signed a scholarship offer from USC, and he’s a top prospect in the upcoming Major League baseball draft.  

But right now, he’s focused on helping the Aztecs get another CIF Championship.  

Garvey says the team is just as strong as last year’s Division 4 Champions, but in a different way.

“We have a bit of a different chemistry than last year,” Garvey said. “I believe we’re stronger in some parts, our hitting order is definitely stronger. Overall, our team chemistry is stronger than last year, and we can repeat this year.” 

Even off the field, baseball still plays a large part in Garvey’s life. When your father is baseball legend Steve Garvey, it comes with the territory. 

On Friday, the elder Garvey announced that he has formed an investment group to buy the Dodgers, who are currently being run by Major League Baseball.  Ryan is keeping his fingers crossed.  

“I hope everything falls into place,” Ryan said. “I hope everything goes well, you know? It depends a lot on what the commissioner decides to do, if he agrees on my dad’s group, we’ll see what happens.”

Ryan admits to not following the drama of the Dodgers off field troubles, but still loves watching them play. Even then, there’s one player he watches a bit closer. 

“I like Andre Ethier. I try to play like Ethier as much as I can,” Ryan smiled. “[But] I’m still trying to work the other side of the field [outfield defense] ... I just try to enjoy the games.  I try to put all the drama aside and watch some baseball and try to enjoy the game this year.” 

Even though Ryan is projected as a fourth round pick in the upcoming Major League Draft, he still has his sights set on college ball next year, partly because he won’t be alone at USC. Fellow senior Kaz Halkovich is also signed with the Trojans, and Garvey expects junior Brooks Kriske to join them in 2013.  

USC was Ryan’s first and only choice.  No other school even compared, he said. 

“It was my dream school from the beginning,” Garvey said. “Right when Coach Cruz called me up, I sat down with him, we had a done deal. I’ve always wanted to go to USC from the beginning.” 

Even though baseball is the driving force for Ryan Garvey’s life right now, family still is high on the list. And Easter Sunday in the Garvey home will be all about friends and family.  Ryan said the plans include attending Easter morning mass, a family brunch and having friends over.  

But rest assured, somewhere in the Garvey house on Easter Sunday, there will be a baseball game on a television.