What we learned from 2023 Southern California Baseball Media Day

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — JSerra Catholic High School hosted the annual Southern California high school baseball media day on Thursday. The event was organized by JSerra head coach Brett Kay and Prep Baseball Report. Here's what we learned about the 17 teams in attendance.

MATER DEI

2021 record: 12-16

The Monarchs will receive a big boost with the return of Vanderbilt commit Brennan Seiber to the mound this season. The 6'5" senior had Tommy John Surgery following his sophomore season and missed all of junior season while recovering.

"I'm really fired up, it's gonna be fun," Seiber said on Thursday.

Freshman Ezekiel Lara is expected to be Mater Dei's starting left fielder when the season begins on Monday.

"His poise and his temperament," head coach Richard Mercado said of what he's seen from Lara so far. "He's been nothing but great for us."

VILLA PARK

2021 record: 28-6

Villa Park had several impressive victories a season ago but the Spartans fell short to JSerra in the Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

"When all was said and done we were one game short and so I think that's what our team is taking into this year, we've got a lot of unfinished business," senior right-handed pitcher and infielder Zach Brown said.

Brown, an Ohio State commit, was joined by Texas A&M commit Gavin Grahovac and UC-Irvine commit Brandon Luu.

"I think my speed kind of got underseen," Grahovac said. "I'm a bigger guy and I think my speed is gonna play a big role in my game as the season goes on and I'll show a lot differently on the basepaths this season.

SERVITE

2021 record: 17-12

In Southern California there is no lack of talented shortstops. Among those in the mix for top billing is Servite senior Roman Martin. He hit .422 last season, walking 20 times while striking out only 10 times.

"It's more of a friendly thing," Martin said of comparing himself among other shortstops in the area. "I try to ignore it as much as possible and stick to myself."

Servite's roster features 10 freshmen and sophomores this season with sophomore outfielder Miles Scott expected to make the biggest impact among that group.

"There's no one guy that's gonna make us go... everybody has to do a piece of it," head coach Shawn Gilbert said. "Chipping in could just be a good at-bat, getting a bunt down, just do your part."

CYPRESS

2021 record: 22-6-3

Cypress brought three PAC-12 commits to media day on Thursday led by senior shortstop Abbrrie Covarrubias.

"He's our catalyst, he's a four-year starter at shortstop," head coach John Weber said. "Need him to do really, really well to be honest with you in order to move everyday."

Senior Matthew Morrell, an Oregon State commit, is set to begin his final season after also starring on the football field for Cypress.

"He's incredibly upsided, super talented athlete who's gonna hopefully dominate everybody when he pitches," Weber said.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE

2021 record: 22-8-1

Texas commit Bryce Rainer, one of the nation's top two-way players in the class of 2024, is cleared to pitch after only playing the infield last season.

"I really like it all equally and I'll play both as long as I can until someone says that I can't do one or the other," Rainer said of his two-way ability.

Rainer hit .391 with five home runs last year and is one of several pieces returning that excites head coach Jared Halpert about this year's team.

"A dynamic offense," Halpert said of his team. "One of the best that we've had."

Senior outfielder Will Gasparino, a Texas commit, arrived to media day with his right hand in a soft cast. He recently sustained a fracture in his right hand and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

CORONA

2021 record: 19-10

"We've got some high end guys, that's the reality," Corona head coach Andy Wise said of his group.

Juniors Ethan Schiefelbein (UCLA) and Josh Springer (Oregon) were in attendance in addition to sophomore Billy Carlson (Vanderbilt).

"He had two senior shortstops in front of him and he continued to work, continued to develop in our program and went through the summer and showed everyone what he's all about," Wise said of Carlson.

Carlson saw time with the freshman team at Corona last season to get reps before his breakout summer that has seen him impress in the field, at the plate and on the mound.

"High-end bat, high-end defender, and if I really wanted to cut him loose he'd steal 20 or 30 bags," Wise said of Springer who he has entrusted to call the pitches while he's behind the plate.

ORANGE LUTHERAN

2021 record: 25-5

The Lancers dominated the Trinity League last season, finishing with a 13-2 record. Their season ended earlier than expected however when they fell to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinal round.

Among the top returners from that team are Texas commits Casey Borba and Evan Miranda as well as LSU commit Derek Curiel.

"We have a good combination of older guys that have been waiting their turn and some really good, talented young guys so that dynamic has been fun but challenging at times," head coach Eric Borba said.

Outfielder Derek Curiel had an injury scare in the offseason while playing for USA Baseball but was able to avoid major damage and has been cleared for his junior season.

"For a little bit we thought I was gonna be out for this season and next season," Curiel said. "I'm just happy that I can play with this group and guys and for this coach. It's a little emotional for me because to think I wasn't gonna play high school baseball again was crazy."

ST. JOHN BOSCO

2021 record:  16-12

St. John Bosco lost 21 seniors from last year's team making them one of the most inexperienced teams in the area.

"The outlook for this season is, we'll see," head coach Don Barbara said.

Hunter Friedberg, a University of San Diego commit, is Bosco's leading returning hitter after finishing his junior year with a .339 average.

"It's chaotic, there's so many arguments back-and-forth about who's gonna be better this year," Friedberg said of what it's like at home dealing with his younger brother, Hamilton, who is a freshman baseball player at Orange Lutheran.

ST. AUGUSTINE

2021 record: 17-11-2

The Saints graduated their top two pitchers from last season, paving the way for Calvin Shaw to take the lead role this year. Shaw pitched 13 times last season finishing with a 2.50 earned run average over 28 innings.

"Getting that leadership from the two guys ahead of me last year making sure you're set but also making sure the guys behind you are set because you can't do it  by yourself," Shaw said.

Along with Shaw on Thursday were senior corner infielders MJ Sweeney (Texas) and Frankie Giacalone (Northwest Nazarene).

"Our corners and the meat of our offense is intact," head coach Craig da Luz said.

Oregon commit Tyler Wick has transferred into St. Augustine after spending his freshman season at Francis Parker. He'll play a big role for the Saints up the middle of the diamond once he becomes eligible on March 28.

LA MIRADA

2021 record: 22-7-1

After an undefeated league title last season, La Mirada was shut out by Harvard-Westlake in the second round of the Division 1 playoffs.

UCLA commits Maverek Russell and Aiden Aguayo are back after standout freshman seasons.

“We want contact,” head coach Jimmy Zurn said. “We have a really good defense that we take pride in and obviously Aiden in the middle there solidifies that spot for us, and we’re blessed to have him there.”

Eric Jeon, a Columbia commit, returns after finishing his junior season 7-1 with a 0.58 earned run average.

“Obviously I want the strikeouts here and there but I trust our defense to play the game,” Jeon said.

EL DORADO

2021 record: 17-13

El Dorado's 2022 season ended with a second round loss to eventual finalist Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, but the Golden Hawks return significant contributors both in their lineup and on the mound.

“A good mix of experience and new guys," head coach Matt Lucas said. “Five of the seniors have been starters for us since their sophomore year.” 

Among the returners for El Dorado is senior left-handed pitcher and outfielder Garvey Rumary. The San Diego State commit led the Hawks with 56.2 innings on the mound last season while finishing with a 2.35 earned run average.

SOUTH HILLS

2021 record: 23-6

South Hills cruised to a 10-0 Hacienda League title last season before a surprising upset ended their season in round one of the Southern Section Division 2 playoffs.

"We're not gonna make excuses," head coach Darren Murphy said. "We've got to be better in the first round and get through that and come ready to play. The kids have owned it and our weight room has been great."

Cal State Fullerton commit Marcos Rosales and Oregon State commit Paul Vasquez are the two leading returning hitters for the Huskies.

Rosales hit .330 with 11 doubles and two home runs a season ago.

Sterling Patick, who's committed to UC Santa Barbara, is back following his junior season that saw him finish 7-3 with a 1.46 earned run average.

"I think this summer for me allowed me to get seen by newer people and extra time allowed me to get stronger and bigger and really develop my game on and off the field," Patick said.

BISHOP AMAT

2021 record: 22-7

The Lancers were shutout by Huntington Beach in the second round of the playoffs after a second place finish in the Del Rey League.

"We've got our work cut out for us this year but we've got a group of kids that have something in them, I can't really define it," head coach Joe Hoggatt said.

Sean Suriyaniel (Cal Poly Pomona) and Moises Escobedo (Cal State Los Angeles) are both two-way players for Bishop Amat who are expected to carry a large part of the load on the mound this season.

"I told them the other day we need them to be good in order to be good and they know that responsibility and they work hard," Hoggatt said.

Uncommitted senior Luke Viola plays all over the infield for the Lancers and has received rave reviews from Coach Hoggatt.

"He's a tremendous athlete, he'll be hitting near the top of the lineup and get our offense going," Hoggatt said.

HUNTINGTON BEACH

2021 record: 25-9

After a semifinal loss in the Southern Section playoffs last season, Huntington Beach regrouped and made a run to capture the Southern California regional championship, defeating JSerra 2-0 in the final.

Senior Arizona State commit Ralphy Velasquez, who was the hero in that win over JSerra, returns for his final season and will have eyes on him all season by major league scouts.

The Oilers enter the season at No. 4 in the SBLive Power 25 and will have tremendous expectations placed upon them all season while playing a national schedule.

"Just play the way we've been playing," Velasquez said. "If we have confidence in each other and we pull for each other we'll do perfectly fine."

"I feel like we're pretty comfortable with what's going on because we have a tough schedule," senior outfielder Aidan Espinoza added. "I think the best way we go at it is just by having fun every day."

SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC

2021 record: 19-11

The Eagles showed what they were capable of last season, beginning Trinity League play by sweeping three games from JSerra. They slipped down the stretch and were eliminated by Foothill in round two of the Division 1 playoffs.

"We have 18 seniors this year and I just think about how fun it has been to show up to the ballpark with these guys from their freshman year to their senior year," head coach Chris Malec said.

The Eagles have two of the best catchers on the West Coast on the same roster in UCLA commit Blake Balsz and Stanford commit Luke Lavin.

"We can't get ahead of ourselves with the schedule that we have," Malec said. "We have the opportunity to play in some events we've never played in but if we get too ahead of ourselves then we lose sight of what we're trying to do in the moment."

Sammy Cova, a left-handed pitcher and Oregon commit, is the Eagles returning leader on the mound.

"He's pitched three playoff games for us now," Malec said.

JSERRA CATHOLIC

2021 record: 25-11

The Lions were 6-9 at one point last season before turning the season around in a major way. They worked their way through the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, beating Sherman Oaks 3-1 in the championship game.

“That playoff run was really special,” head coach Brett Kay said.

Senior right-handed pitcher JJ Hollis returns after a junior season that saw him go 9-0 with a 1.01 earned run average in 61.1 innings.

“JJ just doesn’t lose,” Kay said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s throwing 97 or 27, he’s gonna find a way to win.”

USC commit Andrew Lamb, who’s capable of playing all over the field for the Lions, returns after being named the Southern Section Division 1 Player of the Year last season.

“He was hot as hot can be in the big moments,” Kay said. “He had the big triple in the CIF championship game.”

“This team really has a lot of expectations,” Kay added. “We have 19 commits in our program.”

MARANATHA

2021 record: 24-8

After capturing an Olympic League title, Maranatha ended the season on a two-game losing streak, falling in the Southern Section Division 2 semifinal round and the opening round of the Southern California regional playoffs.

The Minutemen enter the season with eight committed players, including sophomore UCLA commit Zach Strickland.

Freshman Eric Zdunek announced his commitment to TCU earlier in the week and received high praise from head coach Matt Shupper on Thursday.

"Eric Zdunek is going to be one of the best hitters in Southern California early on in his high school career."

His older brother Dylan, a Princeton commit, is expected to see time at both catcher and first base during his senior season.