2026 Baseball Roster
Jersey Number 5
James Castagnola
- Position:
- INF
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-1 / 195
- B/T:
- R/R
- Class:
- Redshirt Junior
- Hometown:
- San Diego, Calif.
- Major:
- Business Economics
Sophomore
- Changed number from #25 he wore first two seasons
- Played 49 games starting 44 at 1B and 3B
- Hit .269 on 42 hits, seven doubles, six home runs, 38 RBIs, and 32 runs
- 2-HR game 4/25 at Cal Poly
- Six hits, six RBIs, and 2 HR in NCAA Los Angeles Regional
- Played in 25 games starting 11 as 3B, 1B, and DH
- Hit .244 (11-for-45) with three doubles, one HR, five RBI, and 14 runs scored
- Hit first career home run April 9 at USC
- Made collegiate debut on defense February 16 vs. North Dakota State
- Did not play in 2023 season
- Named to Winter Dean's List
- Joined the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters of the Northwoods League in the Summer of 2023
- Attended Cathedral Catholic High School
- Honor Roll junior and senior years
- Played four years of baseball playing the left side of the infield
- Hit .358 in 33 games in 2022 with 38 hits, 23 runs scored, 10 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 19 RBIs, and eight stolen bases
- Played two years of basketball
- Badminton Tournament MVP his senior year
- Played travel ball under coach Jo Storniolo for three years at Canes West Baseball and two years under Charles Fick for SoCal Giants
- 2022 MVP of Competitors Collegiate League in Idaho and 2022 League Champion
- Perfect Game rankings
- #404 3B nationally
- #660 prospect in CA
- #45 3B in CA
- Mother attended San Diego State and grad school at National University
- Father attended Humboldt State
- One younger sister
- Aspires to work in commercial real estate, finance, or corporate law
- Member of the Italian Catholic Federation helping with food service, kitchen work, working with the elderly, and other volunteer services
- Fluent in American Sign Language
- Fan of Brandon Crawford and the San Diego Padres
- Enjoys watching his favorite movies, Indiana Jones, listening to Luke Combs, and watching any baseball on TV
- Hobbies include juggling, playing guitar, lifting weights, surfing, bowling, golfing, rope/lasso, and spending time with his family and girlfriend
- Some of his favorite things are dogs, chicken parmesean, and the quote "lazy people do little work and think that they should be winning, but winners work as hard as possible and still worry about being lazy," by Lew Caralla
LAND’ON one over the fence 👊
Monday, March 23
UCI Athletics 2026 Hall of Fame Ceremony - Keston Hiura
Monday, February 16
UCI Baseball | 2026 Season Preview
Friday, February 13
Choose Your Character 🎮
Tuesday, February 10
