SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Look out, Atlanta, here comes right-handed pitcher Nico Wagner! It has been a whirlwind week for the 19-year-old South Tahoe High graduate. It started when he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves, and on Saturday, he begins a journey that many can only dream of.
“I am beyond excited,” said a beaming Wagner about being drafted. “I am still in shock!”
Wagner grew up playing baseball in South Lake Tahoe, from T-Ball to Babe Ruth to South Tahoe High School. During his senior year in high school, Wagner and his teammates won the regional championship and narrowly missed a state championship. Though they came in second in that championship round, they ended up in first as the state academic champions.
It was hard work to get to that point, and then more hard work to play for the University of Nevada, Reno, in his freshman year, followed by West Valley College for his sophomore year. It was at West Valley where he worked with their Director of Pitching, Darold Brown, who had been a scout for the Braves for 15 years. The West Valley Vikings ended the 2025 season as leaders in the conference in pitching and a top 10 ranking for the state of California.
Baseball scouts watched the 6’5″ Wagner this past fall, then again in Maryland for the draft-eligible group play this summer. He said it was a great experience.
Nico’s dad, Rick Wagner, has been his coach since that first diamond experience as a 5-year-old. The younger Wagner said his dad saw potential in him early on, and would practice with Nico in the morning, evenings, and weekends. Mom Mary was also his big support and cheerleader. Nico said his sister Sofia, a senior at UNR, is excited for him and has seen the years of sacrifice he has put into becoming a good baseball player.
Nico said he wants to thank his mom and dad for how much they’ve sacrificed so he could achieve his dream.
Wagner grew up a Brewers fan, but is very excited to go to the Braves organization. He said they are a great development team. On Saturday, he flies to their training facility in North Port, Florida, where the team lives and trains. The Braves have several levels of teams – Low A, High A, AA, and AAA are the steps up to the big leagues.
For those with Instagram, Nico has an account started for the journey and can be found at @nico.wagner3.
