FREMONT — Brayden Jaksa’s talent is not hard to spot on the baseball field. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound catcher can do it all.
Behind home plate, the senior has a rocket arm that deters any runner from trying to steal. When needed, he can play in the outfield, where his range and ability to make spectacular catches at the wall can fill up a highlight reel.
With the bat in his hand, Jaksa has the power to crush pitches 330 feet and beyond. Even when he’s walked, Jaksa has the speed to take second base just about whenever he wants.
But what people might notice most is the name across his jersey in blue lettering:
Vikings, as in Irvington Vikings.
Jaksa, a legitimate MLB prospect who is currently committed to the University of Oregon, plays high school ball at a school not known for churning out high-level baseball players.
A player of Jaska’s caliber could easily play at one of the Bay Area’s top programs or even a national prep school.
But Irvington, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2017, is home for Jaksa.
“I always want to represent Fremont,” Jaksa said. “When people say what school I go to, I will always say Irvington with all my heart. People don’t really know about Irvington and I want people to know that I went there and how much it helped me become a better man.”
Jaksa is attempting to make his last season at the school a memorable one. The Vikings are just 6-8 but have wins over East Bay powerhouses San Ramon Valley and Monte Vista.
Even in losses, Irvington has been competitive.
“The goal is definitely just to make the North Coast Section playoffs and just battle out there,” Jaksa said. “It’s my senior year and I want to go out with a bang.”
Jaksa has been a force in the Mission Valley Athletic League since he was a freshman.
He earned all-league second-team honors as a catcher in his first two years and had a breakout year in 2024. He had an absurd slash line of .437/.560/.830 and had an OPS of 1.531 en route to winning the MVAL player of the year. In one game against Mission San Jose, Jaksa went 4 for 5, drove in two runs, had a double and a home run and stole a base.
His talent has caught the attention of pro scouts around the country.
Jaksa was a key player on the 18-under USA Baseball team last summer. In seven games, he batted .300 and had an on-base percentage of .417, seven RBIs and six hits.
Baseball America currently has Jaksa as the No. 77-ranked prospect in this year’s MLB draft. The publication described him as an “unusual prospect” – given his 6-6 height as a catcher – but also said he has a “promising offensive upside” with a low-effort swing.
Prep Baseball California, one of the leading scouting services in the state, has Jaksa ranked No. 17 among this year’s prospects.
Irvington beefed up its non-league schedule this spring, having already played teams such as Castro Valley, California, Dublin, Clayton Valley and Pittsburg.
Coach Frank Durand said he is not only challenging his players to get them used to tough competition, but also to help Jaksa.
Opposing players and teams have welcomed the challenge of facing the Irvington standout.
“We wanted to challenge him,” said Pittsburg coach Marco Cartagena, whose team gave up two solo home runs to Jaksa in a 6-2 win. “He hurt us big, but the game plan with him is just to go right at him and see how good he really is. He got us three times and two were home runs, so he’s a really good and special hitter.”
Jaksa’s leadership also stands out.
Like all other teams, Irvington has its fair share of blunders and frustrating moments, but Jaksa’s body language has always stayed even keeled.
“He’s a great person and a great teammate,” Durand said. “He’s by far the best kid I’ve ever coached on and off the field.
“He always does what he’s supposed to do. He does more than what he’s supposed to do, whether it’s his schoolwork or the way he treats people. He’s just a genuinely good person. His mom and dad have done a really good job of raising him.”
For now, Jaksa is trying to savor the final few months of his high school baseball career. Whether MLB comes calling or he ends up at Oregon, this season is a special one for the kid who loves his school and hometown.
“I bet you on senior night I’m going to be like, ‘Dang it went by so quick,’” Jaksa said. “’I’m trying to really enjoy every moment and just go out there and play my game. For me, it’s just about really understanding that I put everything out there on the field. If I do that, I’ll feel accomplished.”
