UCLA baseball coach John Savage has always turned a keen eye to Northern California for front-line talent.

His 2012 squad, the nation’s No. 1-ranked school for much of the stretch drive, featured nine players from Palo Alto to Reno — including former Davis High standout Cody Keefer.

Now comes word that the Bruins once again have dipped into the Blue Devil talent pool and received a verbal commitment from junior hurler Matt Trask.

Trask was a sideshow attraction to the three-ring circus that often followed teammate Ben Eckels, who is now an Arizona Diamondbacks prospect.

But Trask’s 1.70 earned run average, his young fastball heading toward the 90s and his personable demeanor, stuffed into a 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame, began to turn heads.

Calls were coming from schools far and wide, so Matt and his dad Mike — another friendly guy who helps coach Matt and his teams — made a handful of unofficial campus visits.

Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UC Davis, Sacramento State, Cal and UCLA were all on the agenda. But Savage made his case best.

“I never really felt I was pitching for a scholarship,” Matt told me the other day. “Being so early in the process, I never stressed about it too much. Pitching for (DHS) was the priority and still is.”

But even the calm, collected right-hander got butterflies when the Bruins came calling.

“I have to admit I did get a little nervous when the UCLA guys were there because they were my top choice … and they came a long way (to see me),” he said.

Trask never disappointed. His 3-3 record as a sophomore included a couple of tough-luck losses, some nail-biting no-decisions, and the promise that comes with a smart, young pitcher who has ever-increasing hop on his fastball.

So, what exactly does “early commitment” mean? It’s a far piece to signing a National Letter of Intent (in November of 2013).

“Matt, technically, could still change his mind,” Mike concedes. “However, he is really confident in his choice.”

But UCLA could change its mind, too.

Both Trasks are comfortable with Savage and the Bruin ethic. Plus former UCD skipper Rex Peters is in Westwood now.

Matt and Mike saw how honest UCLA was in working with Keefer and his family. Savage certainly had a bug in his ear from both player Cody and dad Kevin (an assistant coach at Cosumnes River College) about what kind of kid Trask is.

Now, with Area Code and North/South development baseball possible for Trask, he can pitch without distraction.

The elder Trask says “(the offer) came so early in the process that there was no real build-up of pressure. It is nice this all took place before the colleges (started calling), texting and (doing) the emails. He can focus on school and pitching for Davis High.”

Being locked up, the Trasks also can save a couple of bucks by not making costly appearances in showcase tournaments as far away as Florida.

“Once I got my scholarship offer, we decided not to go to a big showcase in Arizona this October,” Matt told The Enterprise. “I will pitch for the Red Sox Scout team this fall — as well as play for the DHS fall-ball team.”

Savage and the Trasks can start texting and emailing about Matt’s future next month. The UCLA coach knows he struck gold early and — as with Keefer — will have some ideas for his new Blue Devil about conditioning, places to pitch and what kind of prep schoolwork is ahead.

Is there anything that could creep into the mix, breaking up this made-in-heaven arrangement?

As Trask’s heater moves into the 90s (he’s in the high 80s, on occasion letting fly in the low 90s), the pro scouts soon will flock to Blue Devil games — speed guns in tow.

But hey … the kid is 16 years old. Let him have some fun. His fans certainly will.

While I Have You Here: DHS’ three recent MLB-draft selections — Keefer, Eckels and Mike Turay — continue to excel for their new teams.

In the New York-Penn League (A level), Jamestown Jammer Keefer leads his team with a .358 average in 13 games after being called up from the Gulf Coast Rookie League by the Marlins.

Catcher Turay, doing a bang-up job defensively, has hit .250 for Helena, Mont., (Brewers) of the Pioneer Rookie League. Turay has scored 22 runs.

D-Back Eckels, who has started nine games in the Arizona Rookie League, is 4-3 with a 4.13 ERA. In 52 2/3 innings, the rocket right-hander has whiffed 56, while walking but 23. He’s allowed only 50 hits.

It’s interesting to note that Eckels started 0-2 with an earned run average approaching 7.00.

— Bruce Gallaudet is a staff writer for The Davis Enterprise. Reach him at [email protected] or (530) 747-8047.

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DHS pitcher Matt Trask delivers to the plate in a game against Jesuit last spring at Raley Field. Trask, a junior, has given a verbal commitment to play college baseball at UCLA. Fred Gladdis/Enterprise file photo

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