Valencia High junior A.J. Balta, the reigning All-Santa Clarita Valley and Foothill League player of the year, has verbally committed to the University of Oregon.

According to his father, Henry, Balta made the decision this past weekend.

Balta is hitting .381 this year in his junior year and is coming off a monster sophomore season in which he batted .425 with a Foothill League leading 11 home runs. He also added 25 RBI.

The center fielder is one of the better defensive outfielders in the Foothill League, displaying tremendous range with his speed and glovework.

Balta was receiving looks from multiple Pac-12 schools.

The Ducks are currently the No. 8 team in the country and are 25-10.