APTOS >> UC Santa Barbara pitcher Reed Moring didn’t let a major arm injury earlier this season derail his goal of becoming a professional baseball player, something he has dreamt about since his days an Aptos Little League All-Star.

The Gauchos’ 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior right-hander — a two-time Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Pitcher of the Year honoree while at Aptos High — was selected in MLB’s First-Year Player Draft on Monday by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round with the 449th overall pick.

“I’m feeling on top of the world. I’m very excited,” said Moring, from his parents’ house in Aptos. “It was a little unexpected, going a little later than I thought, but that was probably based off the injury. I wasn’t counting on that. Nevertheless, I’m going to get a pro opportunity.”

Moring was with his family, including parents Dale and Stacey, and friends, when his agent, Ethan Chapman, of Paragon Sports International, called and let him know that the Twins were going to draft him.

Moring, who turns 21 on July 26, will forgo his senior season at UCSB to turn pro. The sociology major plans to return to college in the offseason to continue his education.

Ahead of the draft, Chapman told his client that he’d likely be chosen in the seventh through 10th rounds.

Moring will sign a minor-league contract in the coming days in Fort Myers, Florida. He’s unsure if he’ll be shut down for the remainder of the year while participating in training camp or if he’ll be assigned to a minor league team, likely Single-A in Fort Myers.

He’ll receive a signing bonus for an undisclosed amount.

Moring is elated to join the Twins’ organization, which earlier this season promoted Luke Keaschall, Moring’s Little League and high school teammate, to the majors.

“I’m very excited and thankful,” Moring said. “I hear they’re very good a developing pitchers. I’m excited to continue to learn. They’re going to help me get better.”

He counts a four-seam fastball, which sits at 93-95 mph, sharp 80 mph curve, slider and changeup in his arsenal.

Moring made seven appearances for the Gauchos in 2025, five of them starts, He was diagnosed with a UCL strain in early March and was sidelined for six weeks. He received a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection to help heal the injury.

“It was pretty tough,” Moring said. “This was potentially my last year (at UCSB). But I was able to bounce back. It was a pretty slow comeback, one inning, then two, and then it was just going off how I felt. It was a pretty smooth comeback. I just tried to pitch my butt off. I was just thought, if something happens, it happens. I had to trust the healing process and trust the doctors.”

He finished the season with 17 2/3 innings. He struck out 21 batters, posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and held opponents to a.164 batting average.

Moring said he entered his junior season having improved his mentality and confidence after finding success with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the prestigious Cape Cod League last summer. He returned to the Cape this summer and made three starts for the Cotuit Kettleers.

He plans on bringing newfound confidence to the next level.

“I want to start playing pro ball and face higher competition,” he said. “I’m ready for it.”