SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: 2025 All-Area Underclass Team - BASEBALL

The best underclass baseball players are honored on this team.

Pitchers

Photo: OC Sports Zone

Angel Acuna La Habra Junior

Acuna served as the starter in the latter half of the pitching rotation for Jack Brooks and finished the year with a 5-1 record and a 1.98 ERA. His performance against Canyon/Anaheim late in the year was impressive; he held the Comanches to two runs on four hits over four innings of work. His fastball was consistently clocked at 84-86 MPH. He should be a frontline starter for the Highlanders next season.

Photo: Jimmy Zurn

Luke Armijo La Mirada Junior

This left-handed hurler was the ace of a strong Matadores pitching staff and made a significant jump in his performance from 2024. His fastball speed improved dramatically, reaching 88 MPH in 2025. With an impressive 2.19 ERA and 28 strikeouts, he ranked second on the team. Expect him to attract offers during the club circuit this summer.

Dean Brosterhous San Dimas Freshman

The freshman came in with a huge reputation and more than earned it as the was one of the main reasons why the Saints advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Finals. His fastball lived between 85-87 MPH, which is very impressive for a freshman. We’ll be keeping close tabs on this kid for the next three years.

Isaac Muniz Bishop Amat Junior

Muniz was the “Tuesday starter” for coach Joe Hoggatt, and the lefty came through time and again in his 13 appearances. He finished the season with a 1.94 ERA and 53 strikeouts, only two behind team leader Justin Peinado. Muniz is expected to be the starter next season and should manage a heavy workload based on his physicality.

Daniel Nageer Bonita Junior

While everyone’s attention was on Camden Farina, Nageer more than held his own on the mound and posted numbers that were comparable to Farina's. He finished the season with a team-best record of 7-2, a 1.38 ERA, and 59 strikeouts. He’ll be the ace of the pitching staff and will be a pitcher that we'll be watching closely in 2026.

James Quisenberry Monrovia Junior

When veteran coach Brad Blackmore makes you the starter, you must be a pretty good pitcher, and Quisenberry was just that in 2025. The right-hander boasted one of the best records for any pitcher in the West SGV at 7-1, with a 1.77 ERA and 34 strikeouts. He doesn’t have the fastest fastball among the other pitchers in the area (81-83 on his FB), but he’s likely to be the early favorite for MVP honors in the Rio Hondo League.

Justin Romero South Hills Junior

This is a biased pick. We’ve always thought this kid has a ton of ability, and he showed it in 2025. He has the best slider we’ve seen this year, and it’s not even close. He had a fastball in the upper 80s with a slider in the low 70s. He made 15 appearances in 2025 with a 3-0 record and a 0.75 ERA.6 strikeouts. In our projections he’ll be a frontline starter for coach Darren Murphy in 2025.

Caleb Trugman Ayala Junior

One of the premier pitchers in the area, the Palomares League Pitcher of the Year answered the bell every time. According to our metrics, he is the fastest pitcher in the area, with a fastball consistently clocked between 90-92 MPH. His record is an impressive 8-2 with a 1.66 ERA, and he struck out a team-high 67 batters. He is also one of the top hitters and plays third base. He is a UC Santa Barbara commit.

Catchers

Codey Brown Ayala Sophomore

Scouts were all over this kid in February at the Perfect Game tournament, and his stock rose as the season progressed. He is considered one of the top catchers for the class of 2027, playing under Coach Bradley Maguire. He batted a solid .313 with one home run and 16 RBIs. He achieved one of the highest fielding percentages on the team at .989.

Chris Cardenas La Salle Junior

We love watching this kid play catcher. He moves his feet well and has a strong arm. On top of that, he is one of the top hitters for the position in the area. His .329 batting average was the second-best on the team, and he drove in 14 runs.

Justin Torres La Mirada Junior

Here was another kid who drew rave reviews not only from La Mirada coaches but also from rival coaches. On a team loaded with Division 1 prospects, it’s impressive to note that Torres had the fourth-best batting average on the team at .342. His stock should rise during the club circuit this summer.

Infielders

Tyler Brereton, Arcadia Sophomore

This player announced his arrival at the Pizza Chalet Tournament against Montebello with an impressive offensive performance, and his stock rose throughout the season. We could have used him in the Utility position, but there was no way he wasn't going to be on this team. He had the best batting average on the team (.427) and connected on an impressive 12 doubles. Additionally, we’ve clocked his fastball between 85-87 MPH, and you can see why Apache coaches are very high on him.

Bobby Brooks La Habra Junior

Brooks is always one of our favorite players to watch. He acts like a coach on the field, which is no coincidence since his father is Coach Jack Brooks. Bobby posted an impressive .321 batting average and drove in 12 runs. However, it is his defensive skills that easily secure him a spot on this team.

Bear Calvo La Mirada Sophomore

Another player who makes this squad based on his defensive prowess is Calvo. One of the most competitive players we saw in 2025, don’t let his offensive numbers fool you; this kid is an elite second baseman. He is ranked as the 27th best player for his graduating class by Prep Baseball Report.

Bobby Fierro La Habra Junior

Fierro has partnered with Brooks to form one of the top infield combinations in the area. In what was arguably their biggest game of the year against Anaheim Canyon, Fierro recorded two hits and drove in two runs in their 5-3 victory. His .330 batting average ranked third on the team.

Troy Grise Monrovia Junior

Grise embodies everything that Monrovia baseball represents. He exemplifies pure hustle and consistently delivers key hits when the moment calls for it. Grise finished the year with a .279 batting average, 18 RBIs, and established himself as one of the top defensive second basemen in the area.

Travis Ochoa La Salle Junior

The west SGV always produced elite players at the shortstop position, and this year was no exception with La Salle’s Ochoa. He has one of the more impressive plays of the season with a 93 MPH ball hit at him by Bishop Amat’s Jacon Campos, but was able to field it nicely for the putout. He led the team in hitting with a .351 batting average.

Diego Villareal South Hills Sophomore

Here’s another shortstop from the shortstop factory that is South Hills. The left-handed hitter Villareal led the team with a .361 batting average and provided a strong defensive presence. We believe this is another kid whose stock will rise during the baseball showcase events this summer.

Jordan Vogel Arcadia Junior

It was another solid season for the Apaches, and Vogel played an instrumental role. Vogel achieved an impressive .330 batting average and drove in 20 runs, which was the fourth best on the team. Here is another shortstop who is expected to have a huge senior season.

Outfielders

Alex Aparicio El Rancho Junior

If you're looking for a tough kid who competes fiercely, then Aparicio is your guy. He finished the year with a .311 batting average and more than held his own in the starting rotation on the mound.

Richie Avina St. Paul Freshman

You rarely see a freshman play like Avina did for the Swordsmen in left field. He had a solid year at the plate with a .318 batting average and connected on one home run. With Avina and Troy Sibolboro, the Swordsmen have a strong foundation for the future.

Joe Bell La Canada Sophomore

It was a Renaissance year for the Spartans, and Bell was one of the main reasons the team made the CIFSS playoffs. Positioned in left field, Bell finished the season with a .310 batting average and stole 12 bases. He will be an important piece on Nate Bernstein’s chessboard in 2026.

Jonah Boyd Ayala Freshman

When scouts came out to see the Bulldogs, they noted the name of this kid after he played. He moves exceptionally well and tracks the ball effectively. Boyd finished the season with a .424 batting average, which is impressive considering he is a freshman. Invest in this prospect right away.

Joaquin Covarrubias Bonita Sophomore

Coach Ryan Marcos should be excited about this young prospect who played right field for the Bearcats. Covarrubias finished the season as the Bearcats' leading hitter with a .306 batting average and 11 hits. He's definitely one to watch.

Chase Mena San Marino Sophomore

With the departure of Tomas Bilvado, Mena looks to pick up where he left off from an impact point of view. Mena had a .346 batting average, which was exactly the same batting average as Bilvado had. He’ll be one to follow in 2026.

Zion Park Whitter Christian Junior

It was a challenging year for the Heralds, but this junior stood out as one of the bright spots on the team. Park achieved an impressive .370 batting average (the second best on the team) and scored 25 runs.

Will Suslow, Maranatha, Junior

The next player from the Matt Shupper machine is this talented outfielder. On a team that is loaded with next level talent, it was Suslow that made a huge impact as the team’s leading hitter (.400). We like the upside of this player.

Jaden Valenzuela Ayala Junior

If you have the impression that the Bulldogs will be tough for any Palomares League team to beat, here is another reason why. He made this team after a standout performance against Bonita that helped clinch the league title with two hits and an RBI. Valenzuela led the team in hitting (.446 BA) and is poised for a huge season in 2026.

Designated Hitters

Damian Arcadia Junior

You always want players who can hit in the DH position, and Catano was the first player that came to mind. He had an impressive .408 batting average, with a slugging percentage of .551. Not only can he hit, but he can pitch as well, boasting a team-leading ERA of 1.27. Catano was truly a force for Coach Nick Lemas and the Apaches as well.

Tanner Grable, Glendora

You couldn’t help but be impressed by the way Grable swung the bat this year. He led the team in hitting with a .457 batting average, which is exactly what you want from a player in the DH position. He also delivered one of the most impressive pitching performances in the CIF SS D-3 final, limiting San Dimas to two hits in 3.1 innings as the starting pitcher.

James Oregon Santa Fe Freshman

Here is another freshman who has a big future ahead of him. He batted an impressive .378 and will only improve as he gains more experience. He also led the team in RBIs with 21. He plays third base at Santa Fe, but on our team, he is another excellent option to fill the DH position.

Utility

Brody Buoncristiani, Chino Hills Junior

If you are looking for the best player on the Huskies team, this was the guy. Buoncristiani led the team in multiple offensive stat categories, which included batting average (.407) and achieved the lowest ERA of any pitcher on the team (1.37). Not bad for a junior.

Tucker Hunnicutt Sonora, Junior

He has another Hunnicutt making a name for himself at Sonora: Tucker Hunnicutt. The junior had a solid season offensively with a .357 batting average and 15 RBIs, and he had a 1.31 ERA in the five appearances he made. He’ll be a player to watch for the Raiders in 2026.

Grady Long, La Serna, Sophomore

You can’t have a team like this without Long. The upside of the right-handed hurler is undeniable, and he’s only going to improve in 2026. Long finished the season with a team-best record of 6-3 and a 2.62 ERA, with one of those wins coming early in the season against Santa Fe. His fastball was consistently in the mid-80s. He pitched four innings, allowing one run on three hits in a 7-5 victory, all while battling the flu. Additionally, he played left field for the Lancers.

Michael Mansour Damien Junior

The second baseman demonstrated consistent improvement in 2025, evident in his offensive performance as he concluded the year with a .343 batting average and four doubles. He will be one of the players to watch closely in 2026.

Matt Manzo Arcadia Junior

The transfer from South Hills capitalized on his chances with Arcadia. He led the team in RBIs with 30, finished with an impressive .341 batting average, and won two games in five appearances on the mound.

Santiago Ramirez Bishop Amat Junior

This soft-spoken shortstop shone brightly when the moment called for it. He recorded two of Amat’s three hits in their league-clinching win over La Salle late in the season. Ramirez finished the season with a .352 batting average, the highest on the team. He also drove in 19 runs and recorded 49 assists from the shortstop position.

Easton Sarmiento, Ayala, Sophomore

Coach Bradley Maguire enjoyed the luxury of having two elite underclass pitchers, Trugman and Sarmiento. The sophomore caught the attention of scouts throughout the year on the mound, finishing with a 5-2 record and a 1.78 ERA. His fastball reached the mid-80s and showcased an impressive four-pitch mix, including a nasty slider. Offensively, he boasted a .396 batting average and hit five doubles. The future looks very bright for the 2027 prospect.

Drew Ward La Salle Junior

Ward played third base for Coach Andy Nieto and excelled throughout the season. The University of Arizona commit drove in 19 runs and finished the season with a batting average of .264. His defensive skills have particularly caught the attention of baseball scouts.

Ayden Vieth South Hills Sophomore

The impressive amount of underclass talent that the Huskies possess is noteworthy. Although Vieth is listed as a third baseman, there’s no doubt he can play any position on the infield. He concluded the season with a .280 batting average and recorded a team-high six stolen bases.