SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: BASEBALL PREVIEW: South Hills and La Mirada
Both teams will be fielding talented teams in 2024.
South Hills senior Noah Malone (Escarcega)
South Hills High School
Coach: Darren Murphy
Previous Season Record: 25-9
Number of Returning Players: 14
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
Number of Returning Infielders: 3
Number of Returning Outfielders: 3
Number of Starting Pitchers: 1
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 6
Key Infielders Returning
Paul Vazquez 12 6'3 3B/P
Matt Moreno 12 6'2 SS/P
Steven Jimenez 12 6'0 1b
Key Outfielders Returning
Noah Malone 12 6'1 CF/P
Luke Bauer 12 5'9 RF/P
Dom Prieto 12 5'9 LF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Joseph Moreno 11 6'3
Eli Reyes 11 6'0
Daniel Camou 11 5'10
Justin Romero 10 6'4
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Matt Moreno 12 6'2
Noah Malone 12 6'1
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Frank Morales 12
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Christian Gomez 12 6'2 2b/P
Coach Murphy’s Comments: “We have what every coach wants and don't have enough of: CIF Experience. This is a very offensive team that should put up runs. We have a lot of pitching back, but we are still trying to find that guy to be the ace. We will utilize all of our young pitchers early in the season and that can be really good, but they may struggle because we play the best teams in the USA and that's not an easy place to get your feet wet. If we can fight our way through the gauntlet early in the season and learn from those games, we will be be in good shape late in the season.Weakness- we are battling through some injuries on the mound right now and it's an ideal situation that any coach wants to start the season off with.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Could this be the team that will be top-ranked in the area when our ratings come out in two weeks? All the signs appear to be there. The Huskies make the jump from Division 2 to Division 1 after making the final in Div. 2 before suffering a brutal loss to Crespi. Here is another team that is not losing a lot from their starting lineup card in 2023. Only two players are lost from the lineup with the big one being Marcos Rosales who is now at Cal State Fullerton. He was the leadoff hitter for Murphy last year, so it will be interesting to see who gets inserted into that spot. And the Huskies need to find a new #1 pitcher to replace Sterling Patick, who had a magnificent season last year. After reading all the notes, it appears that three pitchers could be in competition for the spot, Joseph Moreno (Prep Baseball Report, #124 - Class of 2024), Daniel Camou (PRB #89, 2025), or Justin Romero (PBR #41, 2026). Romero is a big kid (6-3) who has a huge upside and is the top-rated RHP for his class on PBR. Camou, a Cal Poly Pomona commit, has a fastball in the 86-88 MPH range with a terrific change-up. Moreno is one of the top left-handed pitchers in the area who also has an FB in the upper 80s and a changeup that breaks nicely in the low 70s. The offense is very solid starting with Oregon State signee Paul Vasquez (PBR #77, 2024), Matthew Moreno (Loyola Marymount commit, 2024, PBR #251), and fellow Loyola Marymount signee Noah Malone (#PBR #73, 2024). Throw in sophomore outfielder Andrew Lulet (PBR #99, 2026) and incoming freshman Paxton Czubell (PBR Player to Watch) and you can see that this team has the chance to be something special. And don’t forget about Luke Bauer, who was a constant presence in the lineup. They’ll start the year off at the Prep Baseball Report Showcase event in Orange County and will be one of the favorites to capture the annual Pizza Chalet Tournament. We’ll be catching these guys early and often in the baseball season.
La Mirada pitcher Donald Murray (La Mirada Baseball)
La Mirada High School
Coach: Jimmy Zurn
Previous Season Record: 22-8
Number of Returning Players: 16
Number of All-League Players Returning: 5
Number of Returning Infielders: 5
Number of Returning Outfielders: 4
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 4
Key Infielders Returning
Aiden Aguayo 11 6'0 180 SS; UCLA Commit
Maverek Russell 11.6'0 195 3B UCLACommit
Kevin Jeon 11 5'11 190 INF; Boston College Commit
Key Outfielders Returning
Travis Friend 11 5'11 180 CF; UCLA Commit
Tyler Primanto 12 6'4 185 RF
Noah Rodriguez 10 5'9 165 LF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Walker Calvo 12 6'3 200 RHP; ARMY Commit
Donald Murray 11 6'1 200 RHP
Jacob Oropeza 10 6'3 215 UTIL
Carson Flores 12 6'1 200 RHP
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Jason Rodriguez 11 6'2 185 UTIL
Sebastian De Avila 12 6'0 195 RHP
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Jacob Celiz 11 5'8 170 C
Justin Torres 10 6'0 170 C
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Bear Calvo 9 6'0 180 UTIL
Kaden Corns 10 6'3 175 RHP
Comments from Coach Zurn: “I think we have a chance to be really good. I like how our newcomers have caught up to speed quickly. Pitching and Defense should give usa chance every game. We are experienced in key spots, which is very important. We have a challenging schedule, which is what we want. I believe playing the best teams prepares us for league playand the extremely challenging Division 1 playoffs.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Here is the other team that could be the top-ranked team in the area when the rankings are released in two weeks. You talk about a loaded team! The last time that we saw this team in the Div 1 Quarterfinals where they just ran out of gas against Santa Margarita. The questions are going to be that the Matadores will have to fill in some gaps in their starting lineup that were occupied last year by some very good players. Plus, they have to find a new #1 pitcher to replace La Mirada’s version of “The Bulldog” in Eric Jeon. On paper, both of these questions have been filled. The number one pitcher appears to be returner Walker Calvo (PBR #86, 2024), a hurler that we saw last year throw against Gahr and looked very sharp. The other pitcher who will be in the rotation is Donald Murray (PBR #85, 2025) who is still uncommitted. A third pitcher that will be in the mix and we are looking for major improvement is Jacob Oropeza (PBR #86, 2026). He has an FB in the mid-80s with a good-looking slider and changeup. In the infield, reports indicate that sweet-swinging first baseman Maverek Russell (PBR #32, 2025), a UCLA commit, will be making a change from first to third base with Aiden Aguayo (PBR #9, 2025), another UCLA commit, will stay at shortstop. That leaves an open spot at second base and that will be filled with what scouts are saying is the number one prospect for the class of 2027 by Perfect Game in Bear Calvo (PBR #4, 2027). As with any freshman, he needs to be polished up a little bit, but after watching him on video, you can understand why many think he is the best prospect in So Cal. The outfield is solid with centerfielder Travis Friend (PBR #127, 2025), another UCLA commit, along with Tyler Primate and Noah Rodriguez filling in the gaps in left and right field. As you can see, this is a very talented team that will be embarking on a challenging schedule, and that’s not counting their clashes with rival Gahr. All in all, this is a very solid team from top to bottom.
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