Maddox Latta has stepped up to the plate this season for Cal State Fullerton.

The senior infielder from Panorama City leads the Titans with a .367 batting average and a.485 on base percentage. He has scored 50 runs, walked 30 times and stolen 14 bases – also team-highs.

Starting 51 games at shortstop, he sported a .977 fielding percentage and recorded a team-leading 124 assists. This week, Latta was named the Big West Defensive Player of the Year and one of 30 semifinalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, which recognizes the nation's best collegiate shortstop.

Latta won praise from Fullerton's coach and players for his ability to lead and inspire others. "He has been an unbelievable field general out there, talking to his teammates, calming down pitchers and making sure everyone is in position," said Fullerton baseball head coach Jason Dietrich. "Maddox has provided great leadership," said senior left fielder Matthew Bardowell.

The 22-year-old Latta said a combination of factors have contributed to his success this season. "This is my third year with the program. I'm an older guy, and I understand more now. I understand myself better too. There are so many guys around to talk to and get hitting advice from," he said. "I have full confidence when I step onto the field. There are eight talented guys hitting behind me in the lineup, and they have my back."


Maddox Latta is cheered on Senior Day at Goodwin Field by his mother Regina Aguirre, his sister Raquel and his father Doug. 

The Titans, who are 29-25 overall and 19-11 in conference, open play in the Big West Baseball Championship on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against No. 2 seed Cal Poly (37-16 and 23-7) at Goodwin Field on the Fullerton campus. The Titans are seeded No. 3.

Earlier Thursday, top-seeded UC Irvine (30-13, 24-6) will play No. 4 seed Hawaii in a 3 p.m. contest.

The conference championship, which is a double-elimination tournament, is being held for the first time in decades. The winner will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (There were four postseason events in the 1990s and two more back when the conference was known as the Pacific Coast Athletic Association. In all other years, the regular-season champion received the automatic bid.)

In early March, Cal Poly swept Fullerton in a three-game series at San Luis Obispo. But the Titans have played well in the second half of the season, winning 25 of its last 39 games. And they will have home field advantage this time.

"Cal Poly is a good club, with solid pitching and hitting. We were still figuring out who we were when we played up there. But we have won our last four conference road series, and I think that instilled confidence in our guys," said Dietrich. "Offensively, we have been relentless. Our starting pitching has taken lumps because of injuries and depth problems, but the back end of our bullpen has been solid," he said.

Seven other Titans besides Latta earned All-Conference honors. Third baseman Carter Johnstone (.341, 47 runs, 40 RBIs) was named Big West Freshman of the Year. He and sophomore closer Andrew Wright (1.59 ERA, 10 saves) were named All-Big West First Team. Bardowell (.327, 40 runs, 51 RBIs) and Andrew Kirchner (.307, 11 homers, 69 RBIs) earned Second Team honors. Ryan Faulks, Eli Lopez and Mikiah Negrette were named Honorable Mention.

"The whole team is confident. Everyone is rooting for one another and believes the next person up will get the job done. It's like we are playing the game with friends," said Latta.

The 5-foot-11 Latta transferred to Fullerton after one year at L.A. Valley College. As a sophomore, he played in 45 out of 56 games for the Titans, batting .287, scoring 26 runs and notching 29 RBIs. Last season, he started 52 games and hit .257 with 29 runs and 31 RBIs.

"I try to be the best version of myself. I focus on pitch selection – and try not to do too much," said Latta, who has 27 RBIs and is tied for third on the

team in doubles (15) and triples (2). "And I've always prided myself on my defense. I try to lock in on every pitch and to be as close to perfect as I can."

Dietrich, who is in his fourth year at Fullerton, said Maddox has played solid baseball since arriving at Fullerton but raised his game to a new level in 2025. "Maddox is having a great year hitting and an unbelievable season at shortstop. He's been a lifesaver for our pitchers. He's a grinder and never wants to come out of the lineup," he said.

"He is still learning great baseball from his family. With training from his father, he has a good idea how opponents will pitch him. Maddox plays the game in his brain, and he's always got a game plan."

Latta's father, Doug, has operated the Ball Yard, a Northridge training facility for baseball hitters, for 27 years. His mother, Regina Aguirre, was a softball pitcher at St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City and Sacramento State. She is now the softball head coach of Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth. His sister Raquel was a pitcher and infielder at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La., and is an assistant coach at Sierra Canyon.

Latta playing youth baseball at age 4. "He always had a passion for sports and was a good all-around athlete. I saw his coordination and athleticism, and I knew it was special. He grew up alongside the batting cages, but he didn't hit that much until he was 14," said his father.

Doug Latta has coached scores of major-league hitters over the years. "Body movement on swings is important, but the mental side of the game is the biggest topic. Hitting has become very difficult. Pitching has been more effective, with seemingly unhittable movement and high velocity. Those lessons have sunk in well with Maddox, and he is using everything he has learned," he said.

Many of the major leaguers have given batting advice to his son, but one player has stood out. Justin Turner, the former Titan and longtime Dodger now with the Chicago Cubs, has talked hitting with Latta several times over the years. "Maddox sat back and listened to the conversations, learning as much as he could," said Doug.

Like Turner, Latta is a righthand hitter who prominently lifts his front leg during his swing. "I've had a leg kick of some sort for as long as I can remember. This year, I've found a happy medium on the kick. There is not just one way to go. I can adjust my swing as needed for every at bat."

At Chaminade College Preparatory in Chatsworth, Latta played both basketball (as a combo guard) and baseball for his first two years. He focused on baseball in his final two years. He was named All-Mission League First Team as a senior.


Maddox Latta, sporting a mask during the pandemic, was All-Mission League First Team as a senior at Chaminade College Preparatory in Chatsworth. 

Latta attended L.A. Valley College for one year. Playing for head coach Dave Mallas, he hit .360 and named Western State Conference MVP and earned Golden Glove honors. He played for the Conejo Oaks college summer team after his Valley College season.

He received scholarship offers from ASU, UNLV and other Division 1 schools, but Justin Turner's roots at Fullerton swayed his decision. "Justin was a role model, and I wanted to be just like him. I knew about Fullerton's legacy and history, and I though playing for a program like that would make me better as a man and a player, on and off the field."

His teammates, Matthew Bardowell and Marcos Rosales, are glad to have him around. "There is no one else I want playing shortstop. Maddox is a natural-born shortstop. And in the batter's box, he is savvy hitter who will always give you a good at bat," said Bardowell.

"Maddox is lights-out on defense and one of the better two-strike hitters I've played with. And he is one of those glue guys who brings good energy and interacts with everyone," said Rosales, a second baseman who said Latta often befriends the younger players on the team.

In his spare time, Latta enjoys surfing Topanga and County Line beaches in Malibu and Huntington Beach. He is a goofy footer and rides a short board. He also likes to play golf with his father.


Maddox Latta, right, and Billy Gault, a high school friend, relax after a surfing session at County Line Beach in Malibu. Latta also enjoys playing golf. 

Latta is communications major with a focus on advertising and expects to graduate in spring 2026. "I love my professors. And I've learned a lot of skills needed in the world nowadays, like editing, Photoshop and all the up-to-date technology."

He is hoping to hear his named called during the Major League Baseball draft in July. He has one year of eligibility remaining because of the NCAA's pandemic rules.

"Talking to pro scouts, I know they are impressed with Maddox. Personally, I think he deserves a shot," said Dietrich.

Doug Latta, while acknowledging he is "slightly biased," said his son's skills and intangibles set him apart. "He understands the game and is usually two steps ahead. The game doesn't speed him up around him. I have no doubt he will have success at the pro level."