SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: BASEBALL Preview: Bonita, Whittier
Bearcats appear poised to be a serious contender for a Palomares League title while Whittier could be sneaky good in the Del Rio.
(Bonita Baseball)
Bonita High School
Coach: Ryan Marcos
Previous Season Record: 18-5
Number of Returning Players: 9
Number of All-League Players Returning: 6
Number of Returning Infielders: 4
Number of Returning Outfielders: 2
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 1
Key Infielders Returning
Jared Brunk 12, All Palomares League
Colton Perez 12, All Palomares League
Andrew Sanchez 11 All Palomares League
Diego Vasquez 12 All Palomares League
Key Outfielders Returning
Spencer Savage 12, All Palomares League
Andrew Alva 12, All Palomares League
Austin Owens 11
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Camden Farina 11
Daniel Nageer 10
Jack Rudometkin 12
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Jayden Bernal
Samuel Duenas
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Diego Villa 12
Carter Alba 12
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Gavin Reeve 12 LHP
Comments from Coach Marcos: “The returning varsity players are passionate about playing the game with intensity and hustle, and they understand what it takesto fight for another Palomares League Championship and battle in Division 1 playoffs against the best of the best teams. We understand that nothing is given and everything is earned.We look forward to making it happen in 2024.”
CRYSTAL BALL: 2023 was quite a year for coach Ryan Marcos and the Bearcats as they turned in one of the best seasons in program history. And they did thanks to Justin Santiago, who was one of the top pitchers in Southern California and a multi-functional player in Garrett Patterson. That was then and this is now and 2024 figures to be a year of transition for Bearcats fans. The player that will be watched closely by scouts is junior right handed pitcher Camden Farina (Prep Baseball Report, #148 - 2025). The UC Santa Barbara has a fastball that tops in the upper 80’s and a slider that is nasty in the low 70’s So you know that they’ll be some wins in the arm. The question becomes who is the legitimate #2 pitcher Daniel Nagger or Jack Rudometkin. Another strength is the infield - it is solid and has plenty of experience. Brunk (2B), Perez (1B), Sanchez (3B) and Vasquez (SS) are not only effective on the field, but they also have some pop to their bats. Spencer Savage (All League - CF) headlines a outfield that will be counted on heavily. The questions become who will fill in the key spots on Marcos’ lineup card. He needs to find a replacement for his leadoff and fourth place spots in the lineup card. If Marcos can fill those spots with productive players, this team will be in serious contention to win the Palomares. They’ll be a team that we will make a priority to watch early in the season.
Whittier High School
Coach: John Gandara
Previous Season Record: 9-16-2
Number of Returning Players: 9
Number of All-League Players Returning: 4
Number of Returning Infielders: 2
Number of Returning Outfielders:2
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Key Infielders Returning
Jose Fonseca 12 6'1 230 1B
Joseph Ruiz 12 5'10 185 3B
Saco Griego 12 6'0 175 SS/2B
Key Outfielders Returning
Jacob Rocha 12 6'2 160 CF; .347 BA, 17 hits, 8 RBI
Andrew Ruvalcaba 11 5'11 205 RF/CF.; 344 BA, 22 hits, 14 RBI
Diego Gamboa 12 5'10 180 LF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Jacob Rocha 12 6'2 160 LHP; 1st team all league, 57 K's, 4 CG, offers from Ottawa University and Whittier College
Saco Griego 12 6'0 175; RHP. honorable mention, 39 K's
Adrian Magallanes 11 6'1 160, RHP
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Andrew Ruvalcaba 11 5'11 205 RHP
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Daniel Harley 12, 5'8, 195, C
Carl Collins 11 5'10 200 C, honorable mention, .368 BA, 14 hits, 8 RBI
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Derrick Monreal 10 5'7 130 SS/2B up from JV
Diego Pantoja 11 6'0 150, OF; up from JV
Jacob Frias 11 5'8 220 DH/1B; up from JV
Coach Gandara’s Comments: “We graduated our entire starting infield and 2 of our outfielders. We have 8 returners and a new crop of kids up from JV who are hungry to take the next step. We return our top 3 pitchers from last year and 2 qualitycatchers. Our strength is definitely our returning starting pitching and we have the ability to play solid defense. LHP Jacob Rocha is our #1 and is one of the best pitchers in our league and area. We have the ability to be a goodhitting team and we will improve in that area as the seasongoes along. Andrew Ruvalcaba is one of our team leaders and he is scary good. He is one of the best hitters in our area and he flys around the OF. The Del Rio league will once again be a dog fight every game. We made some strides last year in league and we look to continue to keep that momentum going into this season. We hang our hat on being a blue collar program full of neighborhood kids who fight for everything.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Hope is in the area at Whittier and for anyone that follows baseball in the Whittier area, this is a very good thing. This is the type of team that is dangerous for teams like La Serna, Cal, Santa Fe, and El Rancho. If you don’t come ready to play against them, they are capable of giving you a loss and making the championship race that much more interesting. Nothing is more challenging for opponents than to face a quality #1 who is a left-handed pitcher and that is the case with the Cardinals as they have a nice one in Rocha. Collins gives the Cards a nice offensive threat at the DH position and Rubalcava is another in an ever-growing list of outstanding outfielders. Griego appears to be ready to be the #2 pitcher. While this team might be a long shot to win the DRL, don’t sleep on them - they are sneaky good.
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