PALMDALE — Jacob Badillo wanted to continue playing baseball, but he also wanted to remain in Southern California. The Highland High School graduate was able to do both. Badillo signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and play baseball at California State University Los Angeles in a ceremony in the Highland High theater in late February, attended by family and friends.
“It’s close to home. I want to stay home,” Badillo said. “They have a good program.
They’re a good Division 2 program. I like how they run their program. The coaches, they were very welcoming when I was on my visit.
A few of my friends from Quartz Hill, they’re going there, too. That was something that persuaded me to go there, too.” Quartz Hill’s Isaac and Ismael Quintero also signed to play at Cal State LA in February.
Badillo said Cal State LA started recruiting him in September. “I had other options, but I kind of wanted to stay local, stay in California, so that’s why,” Badillo said. “The weather in California is beautiful.
It’s never really cold. My family is an hour away from me, so it’s just a great place to be for the next four years.” Badillo plans on majoring in criminal justice.
“I want to become a detective,” he said. “I want to do good in the community. I want to help others out, give them closure about things.
” Badillo said he has had the goal of becoming a detective since he started high school. “It’s always been a desire of mine to help people ou.