SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: BASEBALL Preview: Bishop Amat, Pasadena Poly
Bishop Amat returns a strong team in 2024; Pasadena Poly is the early favorite to win the Prep League
Bishop Amat pitcher Aaron Sandin. (Escarcega)
Bishop Amat High School
Coach: Joe Hoggatt
Previous Season Record: 21-5-1
Number of Returning Players: 12
Number of All-League Players Returning: 4
Number of Returning Infielders: 1
Number of Returning Outfielders: 4
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 3
Key Infielders Returning
Justin Peinado 11, 1B; .270 12H 4 RBI
Key Outfielders Returning
Isaiah Hernandez 12, CF League MVP .402 33H 21RBI
Miguel Perez 12, LF 1st Team All-League .338 26H 18 RBI
Jacob Campos 11, RF; 2nd Team All - League .302 16H 8 RBI
Raymond Perez 12, RF; .270 12H 7 RBI
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Aaron Sandin 12, LHP, 41.2 IP 5-1 1SV 15BB 34K
Izaac Muniz 10, LHP 25.1 IP 3-1 3SV 7BB 23K
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Raymond Perez 12, LHP 9.1 IP 2-1 all in Relief
Justin Peinado 11, LHP; 8.0 IP 1-0 All in Relief
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Diego Briones 11, C; Returner very athletic
Victor Merlos 10, C Newcomer bigtime potential
Anthony Soriano11 C/DH, Big Bat
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Santiago Ramirez 10, SS; Committed to LBSU
Levi Altamarano 11 2B; solid
Raymond Castro 9 SS/RHP; big-time potential
Gabriel Guerrero 10 2B/RHP big-time potential
Comments from Coach Hoggatt: “I think we are going to be very tough this season. Our offense is deep and talented. Our pitching will be tested we will be anchored by senior Left-hander Aaron Sandin who has excellent makeup. The defense is young and talented on the infield, and very experienced in the outfield.”
CRYSTAL BALL: It’s another year for Hoggatt and company at Bishop Amat and, as is par for the course, the Lancers could be sitting on a big year. It’s a luxury to have one starting pitcher returning, but the Lancers have two quality starters. We had a chance to see Aaron Sandin in person last year and this kid is a very good pitcher. Izzac Muniz is a bulldog that Coach Hoggatt could count on to get the important outs in 2023. That’s a nice 1-2 punch right there. Of the players that are returning, Hernandez and Perez should not only do well on defense but they were slotted #3 and #4 respectively in the starting lineup. We would be very interested to see where Hoggatt plays them on the card this year. Campos and Raymond Perez will also be making contributions. Hoggatt has much-needed depth at the catcher position and the two transfers that fans need to follow closely are Santiago Ramirez and Levi Altamarano. Circle March 5th on your schedule as Amat hosts La Salle in one of three bruising battles. Make no mistake, the Lancers will be part of the league title chase late in the year and make a nice playoff run - they always do.
Pasadena Poly High School
Coach: Wayne Lovett
Previous Season Record: 11-10-1
Number of Returning Players: 9
Number of All-League Players Returning: 3
Number of Returning Infielders: 2
Number of Returning Outfielders: 2
Number of Starting Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Relief Pitchers: 2
Key Infielders Returning
Sean Asperger 12th 6'2" 175, SS; UCSB
Harrison Unanue 11th 5'9" 165 UTL
Key Outfielders Returning
Luke Kim 12th 6'0 175; CF
Key Starting Pitchers Returning
Elliott Rowley 12th 6'1" 170 SP
Connor Poon 11th 5'10" 160 SP
Oliver Marks 10th 6' 155, SP
Chase Engstrom 12th 6'0 175 SP
Key Relief Pitching Returning
Everson Mathis 11th 6'0, 180 CP
Key Catchers/Designated Hitters Returning
Henry McDonald 12th 6'1" 180 C/SS Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Alex Chui 10th 5'9"160 C/UTL
Top Newcoming Players/Transfers
Alejandro KohnRabassa 10th 6'2" 170 1st/P
Caiden Kennedy 9th 5'8"150 OF/P
Comments from Coach Lovett: “We should have strong pitching with Seniors Elliott Rowley and Chase Engstrom along with Juniors Connor Poon and Harrison Unanue. We need to overcome the injury bug and stay healthy to challenge for the Prep League Title. We do have solid Leadership with All-CIF Catcher Henry McDonald and All League SS Sean Asperger. They will also lead the charge offensively as well. Senior Luke Kim will move to center field and leadoff the Panther offense. We're excited to see how the hard work during the offseason transfers to the '24 season.”
CRYSTAL BALL: Well well well, what do we have here? I think we have here is a team that should be favored to win the underrated but very competitive Prep League. It appears that coach Lovett has four starting pitchers to choose from when deciding on a rotation with three of them underclass hurlers. Whoever gets the call will have one of the best catchers in the area to work with in Cal Poly San Luis Obispo signee Henry McDonald. The senior had a huge season in 2023 and there is no reason to think that he’ll regress in 2024. If anything, he should be able to improve on his performance. The Panthers also have one of the better shortstops in the West SGV in Sean Asperger. If some questions need to be answered it is in the outfield where the talent is young and inexperienced. I like the blend of experience with youth on this team and their battles against Flintridge Prep should be epic. For the moment, let’s make the Panthers the favorites to win the Prep League.
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