What's Your Path?: Damien Nolan
April 15, 2026
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The 14th annual Future Games took place on July 22-27 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. Top uncommitted prospects in the classes of 2026 and 2027 participated in one of the most popular events each year.
For the first time ever, the state of California brought two teams: Team NorCal and Team SoCal.
We caught up with some of the state's standout performers to hear about their highlights on the weekend, their overall experience at LakePoint, and what their recruitment process has looked like since the August 1st deadline.
Damien Nolan, 2027, RHP/3B, Saint Mary's College HS
In his sophomore season for Saint Mary's College HS, Nolan showed off his promising two-way potential.
As a pitcher, in only 40.2 innings, Nolan retired 45 batters by the way of the strikeout. He held batters to just a .212 batting average and a .370 on-base percentage.
In the batter's box, Nolan drove in 27 batters on 40 hits, bolsting a .421 batting average. Nolan also displayed some real power, launching four home runs and eighteen extra-base hits in total.
Nolan: "I felt like I did a solid job overall. I was able to make contact consistently and compete. My first inning went well, and while I had a bit of a struggle in the second, it was a good learning experience against high-level competition."
Prep Baseball CA: What was it like being part of Team NorCal?
Nolan: "It was great. You’re surrounded by some of the best players in the region, so it’s a really competitive environment. Being able to represent Northern California and play alongside those guys was a great experience."
Prep Baseball CA: What was your reaction to seeing all the college coaches and scouts at LakePoint for the first time?
Nolan: "Honestly, I wasn’t too intimidated — I was more excited than anything. It was my first time being exposed to that level of attention, and it made me realize what the next level is like. It was a really exciting moment."
Prep Baseball CA: What stood out about the level of competition?
Nolan: "I was really impressed. There are a lot of great players there, and I have a lot of respect for everyone I competed against. Every team had talent, and it made for a really competitive environment."
Prep Baseball CA: What advice would you give to players attending Future Games next summer?
Nolan: "Go in with confidence. When you see all those big-name schools, it can feel like a lot, but just trust yourself and play your game. Give it everything you’ve got."
Prep Baseball CA: How did your recruiting process change after August 1, and what role did Future Games play in that?
Nolan: "I got a couple of calls on August 1, which helped me get my feet wet with the recruiting process and learn how to talk to coaches. Then later, during the Arizona Fall Classic, I got the call from Long Beach State. I think Future Games helped set everything up — it got me those initial calls, and that experience helped me feel more prepared moving forward."
On October 8th, Nolan took to social media to announce his official commitment to Long Beach State.
Prep Baseball CA: What was your official visit to Long Beach State like, and what made it the right fit?
Nolan: "It was a great experience. I got to go through a full practice, tour the locker rooms, weight room, and facilities, and learn about their schedule both in-season and offseason. The coaching staff was great, and I really liked the environment. It just felt like the right place for me."