LOS ANGELES – David Berg, who put together arguably the best collegiate career by a relief pitcher in NCAA history while attending UCLA from 2012-15, is returning to Westwood as an undergrad assistant coach, it was announced on Wednesday by UCLA head coach John Savage. Berg will primarily work with the team’s pitching staff.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome David back to the Bruin Family,” said Savage. “With his success in the college game and experience at the professional level, he will be an invaluable resource to our student-athletes.”
Berg finished his four-year career as the NCAA record-holder in career appearances (175) and single-season saves (24, 2013). He holds UCLA school records in career appearances, saves (49), and ERA (1.11). He has four of the top-10 single-season ERAs in school history, including the No. 1 mark of 0.68 set in 2015. The right-hander was twice named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year and NCBWA Stopper of the Year (2013, 2015), and he is the only Bruin ever to be named All-Pac-12 four times. He was the first reliever ever to earn Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year honors and remains the only pitcher to win Stopper of the Year more than once.
The Covina, Calif. native was the closer on the 2013 National Championship team, appearing in all 10 of UCLA’s postseason games, recording six saves and crafting a 1.93 ERA. He was on the mound for the final out of the NCAA Championship Game, finishing off a 3-1 putout to clinch the title against Mississippi State on Jun. 25, 2013. In addition, he combined with James Kaprielian to throw the first no-hitter in UCLA history on May, 15, 2015.
A sixth round selection by the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 MLB Draft, Berg recorded a 4.63 career ERA in three minor league seasons. He posted a 1.40 ERA over 18 appearances in his first professional season. He reached Triple-A during the 2017 season, recording a 0.90 ERA over seven games for the Iowa Cubs.
