Ralph Grajeda returns to the University of La Verne after serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Leos in the 2016 & 2017 seasons. After his time with the Leos, he was named the head coach at Yucaipa HS in 2018. In his seven years as head coach (2018-2024), Yucaipa was 132-57-1 overall, including the shortened pandemic year. Yucaipa won five Citrus Belt League titles, participated in the 2022 National High School Invitational (NHSI; sponsored by USA Baseball), considered the toughest High School Baseball Tournament in America. In 2018, Yucaipa HS won a CIF-SS D2 Championship, for the program’s efforts, he was named San Bernardino County “Coach of the Year”, Inland Empire Baseball Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” and CIF-SS D2 “Coach of the Year.
Coach Grajeda served as the head coach at both Vanguard University (2009-2012) and San Diego Christian College (2013), setting school records for both NAIA institutions for single season and conference wins. In 2010, Vanguard started the season 15-1, broke a school record with 22 Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) wins, was 34-20 overall, earned a national ranking of #6 and placed VU into the postseason after a 25 year hiatus dating back to 1985. In 2013, San Diego Christian College (SDCC) broke a school record with 20 GSAC wins and single season wins with a 39-20 overall record. SDCC was runner-up in the conference tournament that year and earned their first NAIA postseason berth in school history.
As an assistant coach, he helped UC Davis reach the 2003 NCAA DII College World Series; before transitioning into the “Big West” and DI status. While at UCD, he was the hitting & catching instructor for the program. At the JUCO level, he helped Riverside City College win a 2007 State Championship under Dennis Rogers. As recruiting coordinator at Saddleback College, he helped the Gauchos to the 2004 State Championship, their first in school history.
As a player, Coach Grajeda was a catcher at both Point Loma Nazarene University and Cal State San Bernardino. He played in two College World Series…at Point Loma, placing 3rd in the 1993 NAIA CWS and at CSUSB helping the Coyotes place 5th in the 1991 NCAA DIII CWS.
“I am excited to be back and be a part of Coach Winterburn’s staff…he is definitely one of the ‘Deans of College Baseball’ in Southern California.”
