Yes, he can, but it may not be a good idea in California.

When a third party buys at a Trustee's sale, he receives the property free of most encumbrances junior to the foreclosing trust deed.

That is not true when the owner is the sucessful bidder.

The junior liens are still there. But, you say, I'll have my brother bid for me and then he'll deed the property to me. As soon as the property is deeded to you, those junior liens re-attach to the property title.

Dond