SGV/Whittier Prep Sports: BASEBALL Preview: Arcadia, El Rancho
Arcadia once again projects to being a serious contender to win the Pacific; El Rancho could be sneaky tough in 2024.
Gabe Lopez, Arcadia. (Escarcega)
Arcadia High School
Coach: Nick Lemas
Previous Season Record: 20-5
Number of Returning Players: 10
Number of All-League Players Returning: 3
Number of Returning Infielders: 7
Number of Returning Outfielders: 3
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 3
Key Infielders Returning
Fernando Palencia 12 SS/P Pacific League POY, USD Committ
Damien Catano 10 1B/P
Leo Peniche 11 1B/P
Key Outfielders Returning
Avery Truesdale 11, OF; 1st Team all Pacific League
Jerry Carlos 12, OF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Gabe Lopez 12, P; 1st Team, all Pacific League, CSU Dominguez Hills Commit
Fernando Palencia 12, P ; Pacific League POY, USD Commit
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Damien Catano 10
Leo Peniche 11
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Maverick Silva 10, C
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Gus Cooper 11, P
Evan Skinner 10, 3B/P
Jordan Vogel 9, INF
Coach Lemas’ Comments: “We have a very strong 1-2 punch on the mound with Palencia and Lopez. Both have experience and a lot of talent that should lead us. BUT, we are young and very inexperienced offensively and defensively. We are young and talented, but the inexperience will be the big question mark. I really like our pitching, I think itwill keep us in most games. It will come down to how well we can take care of the ball and if we can manufacture some runs.Our schedule is pretty tough so we will be challenged but I'm confident we will get it figured out by the end of the year.”
CRYSTAL BALL: There are three things you can count on in life - death, taxes, and Arcadia baseball contending for a Pacific League title. It was another successful season last year with the Apaches winning the Pacific before suffering a first-round loss to Bonita in the playoffs. Arcadia drops from Division 1 to Division 2 in the playoffs and Maranatha, Charter Oak, La Serna, and many others in what should be a very competitive division. Coach Nick Lemas has one of the better one-two punches in the area when it comes to pitching in Gabe Lopez (Prep Baseball Report #406 2024) and Fernando Palencia (PBR #45, 2024). Lopez, a Cal State Dominguez commit, was the number #2 pitcher behind Ian Hoffstetter in 2023 and appears ready to take over the ace of the pitching staff. He has a FB that has been clocked in the low 80s but his curveball and sinker that has caught the eye of scouts. Palencia, who was the Pacific League Player of the Year, has a nice 60-yard sprint time of 7.08 and is one of the elite shortstops in the area. He has a FB that has been clocked in the mid-80s with his off-speed pitchers caught in the mid 70’s. Scouts have him as the second-best shortstop in the area behind San Dimas’ Karen Kahnsarinia. The infield has enough experience returning with SS Palencia, 1B Peniche, and Catano returning. Jerry Carlos returns to his regular spot in left field. The big question is who will replace Devon Eskridge as the leader-off hitter and one of the top players on the team. Easier said than done. This has all the makings of your typical Nick Lemas-coached team, taking their lumps early, but finishing strong and being a major contender for the Pacific League title with Crescenta Valley. We’ll be watching closely.
El Rancho High School
Coach: Ruben Rios
Previous Season Record: 19-11
Number of Returning Players: 12
Number of All-League Players Returning: 7
Number of Returning Infielders: 4
Number of Returning Outfielders: 4
Number of Starting Pitchers: 3
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 3
Key Infielders Returning
David Aguirre 11th 6´2, 175, ss, 9 BA/DRL 1st team/ Whitter daily news all area team;
Nate Preciado 12th 6’0 190, 3rd Base/ Whitter daily news All area team /Offers The University of Saint Katherine.
Dominick Bonilla 12th 6´1, 170, 2nd Base, 344 BA / 2nd team Del Rio
Key Outfielders Returning
Angelo Martinez 12th 5´10 ft 165 LF; 365 BA/ 1st team Del Rio/ Cypress JC
Noah Rios 12th 5´9ft 165 RF 329 BA/2nd team Del Rio/ Concorida Nebraska
Angel Mejia 12th 6´2ft 170 CF; Honorbale Mention Del Rio
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Stephen Ramirez 12th 5´10ft 160 SP; 5 wins One no Hitter/ 2nd team all Del Rio
Angel Mejia 12th 6´2ft 170 SP
Isiah Granado 12th 6ft 180, sp; Cypress JC
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Nate Preciado 12th 6ft 190 CL
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Damon Gonzalez 12th 5´9 175, c; cypress jc
Alex Aparicio 10th 5´8 ft 165 DH
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Isiah Granado 12th 6ft 180, SP; Cypress jc offer 86MPH fastball great secondary pitches.
Coach Rios’ Comments: ” \Strong Pitching/ Defness has been are backbone the past two seasons. IN 2024 we will carry that as well. Weaknesses will be with are catchers this season in regards to dept. In league we willl be a tough oppnet we bring back the most returners and 7 all league players more than any team in the Del Rio this year we will play one of the strongest schedules in ER school History. Some of these games include such as Marnatha HS , Warren,Fullerton, Royal, Summit,Citrus Valley, and Charter Oak HS.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Here we go with a team that has big plans to attack a Del Rio League title. It’s nice to have a starting pitcher return and the Dons have a quality one in Stephen Ramirez, who was a second-team selection in 2023. The left part of the infield comes back in 3b Preciado and SS Aguirre. Noah Rios (RF) a second-team Del Rio League pick, will be one of several quality outfielders that will be returning for coach Rios. The big question comes in the lineup card where Rios is the only hitter from the upper part of the batting lineup that returns. There could be shuffling in the lineup as the several players that occupied the 6-9 spots could be moved up. El Rancho took toe-to-toe with La Serna last year and could be the upsetter to win the DRL. The nonleague schedule will give us major clues.
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