News Summary
San Diego State University baseball has announced Blake McDonald as the new assistant coach. McDonald, who rejoins from the University of Arizona, will coach catchers, assist with player development, and serve as first base coach. His previous experience includes significant achievements at Arizona and Saint Mary’s College, where he demonstrated both coaching success and remarkable playing performance. This hiring occurs during a pivotal leadership change for the Aztecs, as new head coach Kevin Vance looks to revitalize the baseball program.
San Diego, CA – San Diego State University baseball program has officially welcomed Blake McDonald as its new assistant coach under head coach Kevin Vance. McDonald, a native of Santa Rosa, California, is set to take charge of coaching the Aztec catchers while also assisting with position player development, and will be responsible for first base coaching during games.
McDonald comes to San Diego State following an impressive stint at the University of Arizona, where he served as a catching and hitting analyst during the 2025 season. Under his guidance, Arizona achieved a remarkable record of 44-21, culminating in a victory at the Big 12 tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA Men’s College World Series. His coaching prowess was notably evidenced by the drafting of Wildcat catcher Adonys Guzman by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
In addition to his coaching experience, McDonald has a solid playing background. He completed three years of collegiate baseball as a catcher, finishing his playing career at Arizona in 2024. During the 2025 season, he was a key player, starting 26 out of 27 games and posting a batting average of .297 with two home runs, 18 RBIs, and 15 runs scored. Notably, he showcased exceptional defensive skills with a .996 fielding percentage, committing just one error in 225 chances and avoiding any passed balls.
Before his time at Arizona, McDonald played at Saint Mary’s College, where he started in 78 of 97 games with an impressive batting average of .297 that included 39 RBIs. His standout performance in 2023 led him to lead his team with a .303 batting average. McDonald began his collegiate journey at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he earned ABCA Rawlings All-America honors during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, batting .386 as a sophomore with three home runs and 21 RBIs.
McDonald graduated from Saint Mary’s with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2023 and further built his qualifications by earning a real estate development certificate from Arizona in 2024. His educational background complements his substantial on-field experience and accolades, making him a valuable addition to the Aztecs’ coaching staff.
This hiring comes at a pivotal time for San Diego State baseball, which recently underwent a leadership shift. Kevin Vance, having taken over as head coach after a successful tenure at Arizona, is tasked with revitalizing the program. Vance led Arizona to the College World Series and previously enhanced the performance of teams at Boston College and Rhode Island as an assistant coach. His expertise in pitcher development and player growth has also attracted attention, particularly through his history of helping players make successful transitions to the MLB Draft.
This transition period for the Aztec program follows the departure of former head coach Shaun Cole, who completed two years leading the team with a record of 38-76. Under Vance and now McDonald, the San Diego State baseball team is poised for a new direction, seeking improvement and competitive success on the field.
Blake McDonald’s addition as assistant coach represents a strategic move to combine experienced coaching with successful playing history, aimed at enhancing the overall quality and performance of San Diego State baseball as it prepares for upcoming seasons.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego State University: Blake McDonald Joins Aztec Baseball Staff
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs Baseball
- San Diego State University: SDSU Baseball Names Kevin Vance Head Coach
- Google Search: San Diego State University Baseball
- San Diego State University: SDSU Athletics Plots New Direction for Baseball Program
- Google Scholar: College Baseball Coaching
- San Diego State University: Mark Martinez Staff Profile
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- San Diego State University: Sergio Brown Staff Profile
- Google News: San Diego State Baseball
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
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