SBLive’s Southern Section Baseball Top 25: Orange Lutheran is No. 1 to begin 2022
High school baseball in California is back!
Harvard-Westlake ended last season at No. 1 after winning the Division 1 Southern Section championship, but the Wolverines start at No. 3 in our first Southern Section baseball rankings of 2022 following last week's loss to No. 2 Yucapia. Trinity League power Orange Lutheran begins the year at No. 1.
SBLive’s Southern Section high school baseball rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Connor Morrissette and are released weekly throughout the season.
SBLIVE SOUTHERN SECTION TOP 25 BASEBALL RANKINGS
FEB. 21, 2022
1. Orange Lutheran (3-0)
Last week: N/A
The Lancers are stockpiled with Division 1 commits. Senior pitcher Louis Rodriguez is is arguably the top arm in the state. He's a TCU pledge.
2. Yucaipa (3-0)
Last week: N/A
Yucaipa walked off to beat Harvard-Westlake 6-5 last week. Junior pitcher Owen Egan is committed to UCLA. Senior Washington commit Jacob Reimer, an infielder, is a 2022 MLB Draft prospect.
3. Harvard-Westlake (2-1)
Last week: N/A
The Wolverines won the Mission League and Division 1 Southern Section championship last season. Last year's league MVP Toussaint Bythewood, a UCLA commit, returns for HW.
4. JSerra (3-0)
Last week: N/A
On paper it may look like a rebuilding year for the Lions following last season's regional championship, but this year’s group has a shot to repeat as champs despite their inexperience. Senior David Horn is the Lions' top pitcher. He’s committed to Vanderbilt.
5. Sierra Canyon (4-0)
Last week: N/A
The Trailblazers have two MLB Draft prospects in senior pitchers Jaden Noot and Kassius Thomas.
6. Notre Dame (3-1)
Last week: N/A
Notre Dame will once again give Harvard-Westlake a run for its money in the Mission League this season. The Knights are led by junior outfielder Dean West, a UCLA commit.
7. Huntington Beach (1-2)
Last week: N/A
Junior Ralphy Velazquez is one of the state's top hitters. The Oilers also have two UCLA commits in senior pitcher Ben Jacobs and junior outfielder Aidan Espinoza. Huntington Beach has lost to Orange Lutheran and Alemany this season.
8. Corona (2-1)
Last week: N/A
One area coach called this season's Corona team the best he's seen in a decade. Senior shortstop Andrew Walters is committed to UCLA.
9. Santa Margarita (0-0)
Last week: N/A
Junior Jack Svinth (Stanford commit), junior Sammy Cova (Oregon commit), senior Matthew Porchas (Texas commit), senior Tanner Warady, and junior Collin Clarke will all pitch this season for the Eagles. They have tremendous depth on the mound.
10. Servite (2-0)
Last week: N/A
Servite's starting pitching trio of senior Chris Grothues (UCLA commit), senior Mikiah Negrete (San Diego commit) and senior Xavier Cardenas (San Diego State commit) gives the Friars a chance to beat anyone on any given day.
11. Ayala (1-2)
Last week: N/A
Ayala lost some talent to graduation, but senior shortstop Ty Borgogno, a Long Beach State commit, is back. The Bulldogs have lost to No. 1 Orange Lutheran and Gahr.
12. Maranatha (3-1)
Last week: N/A
Maranatha went 21-4 last season. Senior shortstop Angelo Aleman, a Cal State Fullerton commit, is back in the infield for the Minutemen this spring.
13. Foothill (1-2)
Last week: N/A
Foothill lost to No. 3 Harvard-Westlake 5-4 and to No. 4 JSerra 3-2 earlier this season. The Knights aren't afraid of anyone. Senior outfielder Austin Overn is committed to USC.
14. King (1-1)
Last week: N/A
The Wolves have a very strong junior class. Last season, King went 24-6.
15. San Dimas (3-0)
Last week: N/A
San Dimas is up in Division 1 for the first time in the school's history, but the Saints have earned it -- they're that talented. Sophomore infielder Landon White is a player to watch.
16. Villa Park (2-0)
Last week: N/A
The Spartans have one of the top juniors in the country in shortstop Gavin Grahovac, a Texas A&M commit.
17. Capistrano Valley (0-3)
Last week: N/A
Senior pitcher Brady Disbro is committed to Mississippi State. He's an MLB Draft prospect. The Cougars three losses this season have all come against teams ranked ahead of them.
18. Newbury Park (4-0)
Last week: N/A
2023 UCLA commit Cole Miller pitched Newbury Park to a 1-0 win over St. Francis on Feb. 12. He's one of the best arms in the state. The Panthers beat No. 19 Hart 4-3 in 10 innings on Saturday.
19. Hart (3-1)
Last week: N/A
Sophomore shortstop Brayden Jeffries and senior catcher Matt Quintanar can hit top pitchers.
20. Arcadia (3-0)
Last week: N/A
Arcadia's 1-0 win over No. 22 South Hills gives the Apaches a top 20 ranking to start the season.
21. Bonita (3-1)
Last week: N/A
Senior Luke Mistone, a Cal State Fullerton commit, struck out nine in a 5-1 win over No. 12 Maranatha last Saturday.
22. South Hills (2-1)
Last week: N/A
This year's South Hills squad is the best team the school's had in five years. Led by senior Matt Lorrenzano, the Huskies pitching staff is loaded. Lorrenzano is committed to Long Beach State.
23. St. John Bosco (3-0)
Last week: N/A
The Braves are much improved from last season. Senior Dylan Lina is one of the Trinity League's top power hitters.
24. West Ranch (2-2)
Last week: N/A
West Ranch has lost two games to NorCal power Buchanan this season. The Wildcats beat La Mirada 11-0 on Saturday.
25. El Dorado (2-1)
Last week: N/A
An early season win over Bishop Amat puts El Dorado in the top 25.
