SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: All-Area Baseball Team (UNDERCLASS)
The best of the best underlcass players are highlighted on this team.
This All-Area Team is comprised of freshman, sophomore and juniors that performed well for there teams in 2023. There will be no individual honors, just a straight first and second team.
1ST TEAM
PITCHERS
Tomas Bilvado, San Marino – Don’t let the 7-4 record deceive you, this sophomore delivered in the late stages of the season, which included a huge performance against Monrovia on April 27th that helped propel the Titans to a Rio Hondo League title. His 52 strikeouts were only eclipsed by teammate Michael Liquori (54). As the saying goes, “He’s going to be a problem” for Rio Hondo League hitters for the next two years.
Walker Calvo, La Mirada – The Gateway League pitcher of the year was sensational all season long. His record of 6-0 with a microscopic 0.29 ERA for this Orange Lutheran transfer was the perfect compliment to starter Eric Jeon. He also helped close out La Mirada’s win over Gahr in the first game of the three-game series that proved to be pivotal.
Jude Favela, San Dimas – The USC commit improved nicely as the season went along. The junior turned in one his best performances of the season in the playoffs when he held El Dorado to one earned run on five in a 3-2 win. He finished the season with a 6-1 record and 1.41 ERA with a team-leading 68 strikeouts.
Photo: Gwen Pointer
Joseph Moreno, South Hills – No area pitchers delivered a clutch performance more than this sophomore’s effort in the CIF-SS Div. 2 semifinals allowed one run on one hit and struck out five in a 5-1 win over Calabasas. Moreno completed the season with a 7-3 record and a 2.03 ERA.
Aaron Sandin, Bishop Amat – If you happen to see Lancer baseball fans with a big smile this summer, it’s probably because of the thought of this hurler returning next year. Sandin’s ERA of 1.01 was second-best on the squad behind Moises Escobedo. His off-speed repertoire is about as good as a top-notch pitcher in the area. Huge upside.
Zach Strickland, Maranatha – This UCLA signee starred as Matt Shupper’s ace throughout the season. The UCLA commit was part of a three-man pitching crew that delivered a no-hitter against Heritage Christian during the season. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and fanned five in his best performance of the year against Santa Margarita.
CATCHERS
Chris Cardenas, La Salle – If there is a position that didn’t come up as strong as in years past, it is this position. However, don’t discount the talent that this freshman has. Cardenas finished the season with a .292 and did a nice job behind the plate. Under the tutelage of coach Andy Nieto, look for this prospect to see his stock rise for the next three years.
Jackson Akers, Alhambra – The Moors once again contended for an Almont League title and this junior was one of the main reasons why. He capped off the season with a .303 batting average with 13 RBIs and a team-leading 6 doubles. One of the bright spots for Alhambra fans this season.
INFIELDERS
Aiden Aguayo, La Mirada – You have to be a pretty good baseball player to earn an offer from John Savage at UCLA – and he’s pretty darn good. The shortstop rarely made an error and any groundballs hit to him were considered automatic ground outs. He finished with a .250 batting average.
Ryan Castro, San Dimas – The UC Santa Barbara commit showed that not only could flash the leather at the shortstop position, but he had can also produce offensively. He led the team in hitting (.388 batting average) and drove in 16 runs. One of the best baseball players that will see in the east region of the valley. Solid!
Photo: Conrad Hunziker III
Steven Jimenez, South Hills – You might be wondering why we have three South Hills infielders on this team. It’s quite simple – they are very talented and worthy of being on this team. Jimenez proved to be the best first baseman in the east region of the valley. At this point of the season, with the state playoffs around the corner, Jimenez had a .305 batting average with 19 RBIs and was the consensus opinion among Hacienda League voters as one of the top players in the league.
Photo: Conrad Hunziker III
Matt Moreno, South Hills – Let’s slide down to the second base position for the Huskies and that is where we’ll find this junior. Moreno was solid all season long as he was involved in 61 putouts for the year. He also toted some impressive offensive numbers with a batting average of .351.
Photo: (La Salle Athletics)
David Mysza, La Salle – The UCLA commit turned in another solid season for coach Andy Nieto. The left-handed swinger posted some impressive offensive numbers this year which included a .484 batting average with a team-leading 16 RBIs. He’ll be counted on for more production by Nieto next year if the Lancers want to post that elusive win over Bishop Amat.
Maverek Russell, La Mirada – When it comes to swing mechanics, you will not find a better player with an effortless swing than this sophomore. Another UCLA commit coming from the Jimmy Zurn stable, he finished the season with a .352 battling average with 2 home runs and 18 RBIs. We’d like to see him show some more power at the plate next year – but we admit, we’re spoiled. The most sounded swing mechanics of anyone in the area.
Photo: Beth Oualline
Diego Vasquez, Bonita – This area is peppered with shortstops all over the place and this is another outstanding player at the position. The junior finished with a respectable .280 batting average but led the team with 53 defensive assists. Another outstanding prospect from coach Ryan Marcos.
Paul Vasquez, South Hills – Of all the third basemen that we saw this year in the area, this junior was head and shoulders above the rest. He made his presence felt right away on opening day when he hit two home runs against Don Lugo in a Pizza Chalet Tournament game. The thing about this player is that not only can he hit (.312 batting average) but he also leads the team in stolen bases with 12. Oregon State is getting an exceptional player.
OUTFIELDERS
(Twitter)
Vaughn Coleman, San Dimas – The speedster not only patrolled the outfielder very well for coach Mike Regan, but he also had a huge year offensively. He finished the 2023 campaign with a .368 batting average and had four stolen bases. Saints fans will be able to see this sophomore for two more years.
Travis Friend, La Mirada – Another Jimmy Zurn product that has been plucked away by UCLA baseball coach John Savage, Friend came up huge in the first game of the Gahr series with a huge triple in the fourth inning with an RBI triple that brought in a run. Friend finished the season with a .323 batting average. He’ll be back patrolling Center Field for the Matadores in 2024.
Kasen Khansarinia, San Dimas – Quite simply the best baseball player in the area bar none. Not only can he play Center Field effectively, but he is also one of the best pitchers in the area and the best hitters in the area. His ability to change the flow of a game at the plate is quite remarkable. The junior completed the season with a .351 batting with a remarkable 15 doubles. Guess what… he’s another UCLA commit.
Photo: Twitter
Niko Ramirez, La Serna – If there was one hitter who came through in the clutch when the moment asked for it, Ramirez was the player. Ramirez was the second most prolific hitter on the team (.333 batting average) behind the sweet-swinging Nick Allred. Ramirez also drove in 15 hits. His home run in the seventh inning of their game against El Rancho put the game and the league championship race out of reach.
Miguel Perez, Bishop Amat – It was a big year for Perez who did a nice job defensively in left field and compiled a .338 batting average with 2 home runs and 18 RBIs. He’ll be back for another year for one of the area’s most consistently successful coaches - Joe Hoggatt.
Luke Riffle, South Pasadena – One of the best secrets in the valley, this junior left fielder did a great job patrolling left field and had the second-highest batting average at .342 with an impressive on-base percentage of .438. He was the leadoff batter for coach Jaime Garcia and don’t look for anything to change in 2024.
UTILITY
Garcia on the left. (Escarcega)
Eddie Garcia, La Serna – Garcia showed that he was more than capable of handling the “hot corner” of third base nicely throughout the year for coach Anthony Gonzalez. He put together a solid season offensively with a .308 batting average and had 37 defensive assists, the third most on the team. He also pitched on key occasions for the Lancers and finished with a 4-0 record and 1.78 ERA.
Isaiah Hernandez, Bishop Amat – You can make the case that this player was the best designated hitter in the area. Came through with a big single and eventually scored the only run of the game in Bishop Amat’s 1-0 win over La Salle that propelled them to a perfect record in the Del Rey League. He slotted third in the lineup and led the team in hitting with a .402 batting average.
(Photo: Perfect Game)
Julian Hines, Damien – Couldn’t have a list like this without getting in a Damien player. Another shortstop that did a fine job throughout the year. His batting average of .345 was the third-best on the team. He should see his stock soar during the simmer.
(Photo: Twitter)
Athen Malone, Charter Oak – Talk about a kid that made the most of his opportunity. Before the season started, at the R.J. Legacy game, this kid threw a no-hitter against Bishop Amat. Next thing you know it, he’s offered by Cal State Fullerton, and the rest is history. One the better underclass players for coach Elias Chavez, Malone had a fine season offensively with a .303 batting average with three home runs and 14 RBIs. He also posted a 4-4 record on the mound with 44 strikeouts.
Photo: Gwen Pointer
Noah Malone, South Hills – The rich just get richer over at South Hills and Malone showed time and again why he is considered a high-level Division 1 prospect. He is an LSU commit and compiled a team-leading batting average of .371 with 28 RBIs – which ties him with Paul Vasquez on the team. His impact on the Huskies was huge.
Photo: Beth Oualline
Fernando Palencia, Arcadia – Palencia is what baseball is all about in the area. He’s nothing more than a blue-collar, bring-your-lunch-bag type of player. Whatever position coach Nick Lemas needed to put him, whether infield at shortstop or on the mound, this kid delivered consistently. He is the perfect example of why we have the utility position on our team.
2ND TEAM
PITCHERS
Nolan Adams, South Pasadena
Jared Day, La Habra
Erick Felix, Walnut
Gabe Lopez, Arcadia
Landon Martin, Sonora
Zachary Menlove, Monrovia
CATCHERS
Christopher Cardenas, Flintridge Prep
Henry McDonald, Pasadena Poly
INFIELDERS
AC Nieto, La Salle
AJ Beltre, Maranatha
Bobby Brooks, La Habra
Jarden Brunk, Bonita
Coleman Morning, San Marino
Nathaniel Preciado, El Rancho
Avery Truesdale, Arcadia
OUTFIELDERS
Noah Ellison, Monrovia
Troy Estrada, Glendora
Armando Huizar, South El Monte
Owen Long, La Serna
Carson Kelly, La Canada
Austin Owens, Bonita
Devin Robinson, South Pasadena
UTILITY
Noah Echeverria, Covina
Ivan Flores, Nogales
Matt Garcia, Alhambra
Jake Mestas, Diamond Bar
Wes Pendleton, Marshall
Isaac Soloranzo, Montebello
James Vasquez, Schurr