PRESEASON O.C. TOP 10
1. Los Alamitos: The Griffins return plenty of talent from last year’s team that went 19-11 and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals. It starts with starting pitcher Jacob Nix, a hard-throwing senior right-hander who has signed with UCLA and is a likely early-round pick in the MLB draft. The pitching staff includes Darren McCaughan (Long Beach State) and another UCLA signee, Kyle Mora.
2. JSerra: The Lions might be the most improved team in the county, going from 11-16 last year to a CIF championship-caliber team this year. The pitching staff includes senior lefty Quentin Longrie, who has committed to UCLA, and Texas-committed Parker Joe Robinson. A young but solid batting order includes USA national team MVP Chase Strumpf and power-hitting junior outfielder Jake Pries.
3. Aliso Niguel: Seven starters return for the Wolverines, including UCLA-committed pitcher/outfielder Kyle Molnar and All-CIF shortstop Justin Fowler. Sophomore catcher Blake Sabol played on Team USA’s 15-and-under national team this past summer. Molnar is one of three returning pitchers from last year’s Sea View League championship club that went 21-12.
4. Huntington Beach: The Oilers, who were 15-14 last season, are loaded with college prospects. Senior shortstop Jesse Kuet committed to Stanford, senior pitcher Sean O’Toole is bound for St. Mary’s and junior pitcher Noah Davis committed to UC Santa Barbara. Sophomore third baseman Logan Pouelson, a Team USA member, has committed
5. Fountain Valley: The Barons return some key players from last year’s team that won the Sunset League championship. Senior shortstop Daniel Patzlaff, who is committed to Oregon, and hard-hitting senior first baseman Brock Lundquist, who is going to Long Beach State, are the top returners. If the pitching comes through, Fountain Valley will be in the running in what should be an excellent Sunset League.
6. Cypress: Last year’s CIF-SS Division 2 championship team that finished 26-8 returns a good group. Senior pitcher Trevor Hall, committed to Long Beach State, was All-CIF last year. Another returning starting pitcher, senior Joe Mercado, committed to St. Mary’s. Elijah Skipps is one of the better returning outfielders in Southern California.
7. Orange Lutheran: The Lancers have enough pitching, offense and defense to challenge JSerra for the Trinity League championship. UCLA-committed shortstop Josh Morgan is projected as an early-round MLB draft choice, and senior pitcher Garret King has committed to Nebraska. Lutheran, 19-8 last year, has one of the county’s better freshmen, left fielder Tristan Hanoian, who is the son of former Fountain Valley and USC star Greg Hanoian.
9. San Clemente: There are a lot of talented juniors on this team. Junior left-hander Kolby Allard was All-Sea View League first team on last year’s team that went 23-10. Junior catcher Lucas Herbert was all-league, too, and he has committed to UCLA. Junior third baseman Trevor Beard is a three-year starter.
10. Mater Dei: Graduation stripped away much of the talent from last year’s team that went 24-3 and won the Trinity League championship. But tradition remains and talent is there. Junior shortstop Brandon Perez, who has committed to Oregon, and junior second baseman Bryan Call form one of the better keystone combos in the county. Senior pitcher Charlie Vorsheck has committed to Notre Dame, and highly touted freshman pitcher Nick Pratto has already committed to USC.
TOURNAMENTS, IMPORTANT GAMES AND PLAYOFFS
Edison Tournament at various sites, now through March 22
Loara Tournament at various sites, now through March 15
Newport Elks Tournament at various sites, now through March
14
Anaheim Lions Tournament at various sites, March 29-April 2
Boras Classic at JSerra and Mater Dei, April 1-5
Fountain Valley at Los Alamitos, April 10
Mater Dei at Santa Margarita, April 11
Orange Lutheran at JSerra, April 11
Ryan Lemmon Invitational, Windrow Park, April 12-16
Hard 9 National Classic, various sites, April 14-17
El Toro at Capistrano Valley, April 18
Mission Viejo at El Toro, April 23
Orange Lutheran at Mater Dei, April 23
Huntington Beach at Fountain Valley, April 25
El Dorado at Canyon, April 29
Calvary Chapel at Laguna Beach, April 29
Cypress at Pacifica, April 30
Capistrano Valley at Mission Viejo, May 2
Woodbridge at Beckman, May 6
Los Alamitos at Huntington Beach, May 13
Mater Dei at JSerra, May 13
San Clemente at Aliso Niguel, May 15
CIF-Southern Section playoffs wild-card round: Divisions 2,4 and 6 on May 20; Divisions 1, 3, 5 and 7 on May 21
CIF-SS playoffs first round: Divisions 2, 4 and 6 on May 22; Divisions 1, 3, 5 and 7 on May 23
CIF-SS playoffs second round, May 27
CIF-SS playoffs quarterfinals, May 30
CIF-SS semifinals, June 3 (Division 1 at Blair Field, Long Beach; others at designated home sites
CIF-SS championship games: Divisions 1, 2 and 3 on June 6 at Dodger Stadium; Divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7 at UC Riverside
MORE IN THE 2014 O.C. BASEBALL PREVIEW:
Fast track to Dodgers Stadium?
Cypress does not expect a letdown
Top 10 players to watch in 2014 (plus other players to watch)
Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com
