SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: PRESEASON BASEBALL Rankings, Feb. 5, 2024
La Mirada, San Dimas and Marantha are the top three teams in our first baseball rankings,
1) La Mirada (Division 1, Gateway, 2023 record 22-8, MaxPreps Rating 25.37)
What can be said about the Matadores that has been written? A pitching rotation that is second to none with Calvo and Murray. Two UCLA commits in the infield with Aguayo and Russell and another UCLA commit in the outfield with Travis Friend. Add in the most talked about freshman in the area in my time covering this team in Bear Calvo and you can see why this team deserves to be at the top of the rankings.
San Dimas pitcher Jude Favela (Escarcega)
2) San Dimas (Division 1, Valle Vista, 2023 record: 21-7, MaxPreps Rating 23.71)
There is no senior group more loaded than the Saints. They have won league championships, and they have won big in-season tournaments, but with this roster, you cannot blame them for thinking it is championship or bust this season. And all the ingredients are there starting with UCLA commit and the mega-talented Kasen Khansarinia (PBR #15, 2024). Jude Favela (PBR #124, 2024) is a USC commit who quietly moved up on all ranking boards last year. Arizona St, signee Landon White (PBR #41, 2024), UC Santa Barbara signee Ryan Castro (PBR #122), Tulane signee John Navertz (PBR #173, 2024), Long Beach signee Rocco Regan (PBR #178, 2024), and speedster Vaughn Coleman (PBR #81, 2025), an Arizona State signee, represent the strongest lineup card we have seen from coach Mike Regan. This will be a fun team to watch.
3) Maranatha (Division 1, Olympic, 2023 record 21-6, MaxPreps Rating 20.19)
This was a close call between them and San Dimas. In our opinion, it comes down to pitching, pitching, and pitching. Maranatha has two exceptionally talented pitchers in Strickland and Miller. Both are Div. 1 scholarship pitchers and should provide Matt Shupper with a terrific 1-2 punch. Throw in Harvard-Westlake transfer Thomas Lies, an infield that includes Washington signee AJ Beltre and an outfield that is led by TCU transfer Eric Zdunek, and all the pieces are in place for a huge season.
Noah Malone, South Hills (Escarcega)
4) South Hills (Division 1, Hacienda, 2023 record: 25-9, MaxPreps Rating 22.92)
It was quite a playoff run from the Huskies last year that ended with an emotionally draining loss to Crespi. That was then and this is now, and the Huskies are back with another talented squad. South Hills has three pitchers who are currently ranked on the Prep Baseball Report’s Big Board, Joseph Romero, Daniel Camou, and Justin Romero. We have elevated expectations for them, and they will be asked for huge performances immediately as they are playing in the Prep Baseball Report Showcase and the Pizza Chalet Tournament. Cannot fault an infield that includes Vasquez, Moreno, and Jimenez. The outfield is solid as a rock with Malone, Bauer, and Prieto. If this can stay healthy all season long, they will not only win the Hacienda, but they also can cause some rumblings in the CIF-SS playoffs.
Aaron Sandin, Bishop Amat (Escarcega)
5) Bishop Amat (Division 1, Del Rey, 2023 record: 21-5-1, MaxPreps Rating 22.76
Here is another team that has terrific pitching and is led by one of the more underrated coaches in the area. Joe Hoggatt does not say a lot, but you cannot deny the results that he has turned in since he took over for Andy Nieto. Here comes another 1-2 punch in the pitching rotation with Aaron Sandin and Izaac Muniz (the best sophomore pitcher in the area). Isaiah Hernandez and Miguel Perez are quality players who will return to high-impact slots in the batting lineup. And keep an eye out for sophomore shortstop Santiago Ramirez, who is a Long Beach State commit. On paper, this team is a legitimate favorite to win the Del Rey.
(La Salle Athletics)
6) La Salle (Division 3. Del Rey, 2023 record: 18-11, MaxPreps Rating 12.84)
Not far behind the Lancers is La Salle and if there is ever a year that we feel that coach Andy Nieto could win a Del Rey League title, this is the year. Here is another program that has a UCLA commit in David Mysza. He is as good a player as you will find in the area. AC Nieto, from all reports, is fully healed after suffering a season-ending ACL injury last year. The staff loves the way he has progressed in the offseason. Throw in Hunter Vigil, Adrian Hernadez, Morgan Sullivan, and a freshman who is projected to do big things in Andrew Luna and you can see why hopes are in Lancer country.
7) Ayala (Division 2, Palomares, 2023 Record: 15-8, MaxPreps Rating 18.79)
Let us not forget that Ayala is on our coverage map and the Bulldogs should be the favorites to win the league in 2024. They have three starters Yarc, Yang, and Byers who will be pitching in college in 2025. The outfield will be simply fine with Erlandsen and Valenzuela (underclassmen) and Elijah Duarte headlining a solid defensive unit. Catcher Codey Brown is projected to be one of the best catchers for the class of 2027. We’ll get a quick gauge on this team at the Prep Baseball Report Showcase that starts this weekend.
8) Damien (Division 2, Baseline, 2023 record: 19-8-2, MaxPreps Rating 20.29)
This is AJ Lamonda's second year at the helm of the Spartans, replacing Andy Nieto, and it appears as if the Spartans could make some noise in the Baseline this year. Utah signee Nikko Paoletto (PBR #79, OF) is an offensive specialist that we would like to see improve at the plate, and Nathan Ries (PBR #310, P). The Spartans had a chance to win the Baseline, but it fell apart in the final week of the regular season. A team to follow for sure in 2024.
(Photo: Taegan Maysami)
9) Bonita (Division 1, Palomares, 2023 record: 18-5, MaxPreps Rating 23.08)
The Bearcats were one of the better stores in 2023 thanks to the exploits of Justin Santiago and Garrett Patterson. However, that was then, and this is now, and this is going to be an interesting team in 2024. The pitcher who will be followed closely by baseball scouts is UCSB commit Camden Farina. Brunk, Perez, Sanchez, and Vasquez are back, but the huge question is who the #2 pitcher on the rotation is. We will find out soon enough at the Pizza Chalet tournament. One to follow.
Gabe Lopez, Arcadia (Escarcega)
10) Arcadia (Division 2, Pacific, 2023 record: 20-5, MaxPreps Rating (19.19)
Yes, we have heard this story before on how Arcadia is young (which they are in 2024) and how tough the schedule is (which it is in 2024). However, the respect that we have for coach Nick Lemas is second to none and that is one of the main reasons why we have this team in our top 10 over up-and-coming teams such as La Habra, La Serna, Cal, St. Paul, and others. The Apaches have an excellent 1-2 pitching rotation in Gabe Lopez and Fernando Palencia (who had his fastball recently clocked at 94 MPH). There is enough experience in the field for Lemas to work with. But it will be interesting to see who fills the role of leadoff hitter Devon Eskridge. Look for this team to be battling with Crescenta Valley for the Pacific League crown.
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