Cougars Alum Joseph Jasso Drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

Former College of the Canyons starting pitcher Joseph Jasso was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks on day two of the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft over the weekend. 

The Diamondbacks selected Jasso in the 16th round with the 476th overall pick.

Now a member of the California State University, Fullerton Titans' program, Jasso pitched for the Cougars during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He is also a current player for the Ridgefield Raptors collegiate summer baseball team of the West Coast League (WCL).

The 6-foot-3-inch right-hander out of South East High School in South Gate, received the exciting draft day news during the Ridgefield Raptors vs. Portland Pickles game on July 12.

Jasso completed his sophomore season at Canyons with a 4-4 record and 3.39 ERA across his 13 starts. He worked 77 innings for the Cougars that season, including two complete games. He also picked up a save while recording 83 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.29. In addition to earning All-Western State Conference (WSC) First-Team honors in 2025, Jasso was the conference's Gold Glove Award winner for the second straight year.

As a freshman in 2024, Jasso led the Canyons staff with a 6-5 record across 18 appearances, with 14 starts and 97 and 2/3 innings pitched. He posted a 4.61 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 104 strikeouts, good for a rate of 9.58 K/9 innings. Jasso was an All-WSC Second-Team honoree that year.

In his first season at the four-year level, Jasso pitched 19 innings in 20 appearances out of the Titans' bullpen. He finished the 2026 campaign with a 6.16 ERA and 25 strikeouts.

Cougars in the Pros: Recent MLB Draft History

Jasso follows in the footsteps of former Cougars infielders Colin Yeaman (2025 Baltimore Orioles) and Mikey Kane (2023 Chicago White Sox) who were both selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft after transferring from COC.

Canyons also saw three former players selected in the 2019 MLB draft with catcher Anthony Lepre, outfielder Cole Kleszcz and right-handed pitcher Chase Wheatcroft all hearing their names called that year.

In 2018, outfielder Corbin Williams (Philadelphia Phillies) and left-handed pitcher Jacob Lopez (San Francisco Giants)were both drafted. Following stints with the Giants and Tampa Bay Rays organizations, Lopez is currently on the big-league roster for the Athletics.

The 2017 MLB draft class also included a trio of former Cougars with JC Cloney (Kansas City Royals), Colton Burns (Minnesota Twins) and Cole Kleszcz (Cleveland Indians) all drafted by MLB organizations.

Forner Cougar third baseman Trey Williams (St. Louis Cardinals) was selected in the 2013 draft, while pitchers Cory Jones (St. Louis Cardinals) and Charlie Gillies (Detroit Tigers) were both drafted in 2012.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Ben Becher/COC Sports Information