SBLive’s San Diego Section Baseball Top 10: Granite Hills begins the season at No. 1

The 2022 high school baseball season began in the San Diego Section last week. After winning the Division 1 Championship in 2021, Granite Hills looks to be loaded once again. The Eagles return nearly all of their starting lineup led by last season's Home Run Derby Champion at Petco Park, Grant MacArthur. Granite Hills' combination of hitting and pitching earn the Eagles the No. 1 slot in our first San Diego Section rankings of the season.

SBLive’s San Diego Section high school baseball rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Bodie DeSilva and will be released every Monday throughout the the season.

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SAN DIEGO SECTION TOP 10 BASEBALL RANKINGS

February 21, 2022

1. Granite Hills (0-0)

The Eagles return 20 home runs from last season's team led by Grant MacArthur and Ethan McNish-Heider. Sophomore San Diego State commit Chandler Henry moves into a bigger role on the mound.

2. San Marcos (1-0-1)

San Diego State-signee Ryan Rivera is back for his final season after hitting .473 with 12 home runs and 12 doubles last season. The Knights have scored 25 runs in their first two games.

3. Eastlake (0-0)

Marcelo Mayer and Ray Cebulski are gone but the reigning Open Division Champions are not without talent. They'll rely heavily on juniors Isaiah Lane (Oklahoma), Nico Libed (USD), and Daniel Mora.

4. Rancho Bernardo (1-0)

The Broncos began last season 14-0 and were ranked No. 1 in California before losing six of eight. Look for big seasons from returners Trent Abel, Cameron Rowe (Utah Valley), and Kevin Takeuchi.

5. St. Augustine (1-0-1)

The Saints have one of San Diego's best lineups top to bottom featuring San Diego State-signees Cade Martinez and Trevor Fox.

6. Torrey Pines (0-0)

The Falcons will have to replace the offense of Tampa Bay Rays first round pick Carson Williams, but few return as much pitching as Torrey Pines. Seniors Eric Van Valkenburg (Oklahoma) and Zach Isaacman lead a strong pitching staff.

7. Poway (0-0)

Poway returns four of their top five hitters from last season led by senior Austin Butler. Arizona State commit Ryan Kroepel is one of San Diego's top two-way players.

8. Madison (0-0)

The Warhawks return a strong core of hitters led by Colin Bush, Gavin Lass, Maddox Haley (San Diego State), and Jake Jackson (San Diego State). They also added Calvary Christian transfer Manoah Chapman (San Diego State) to the mix.

9. La Jolla Country Day (0-0)

Princeton-signee Jake Bold leads a strong group of returners that hit for tons of power last season. Chris Esquivel (USD) and Daniel Shaul (Grinnell) will be relied upon on the mound.

10. La Costa Canyon (0-0)

The Mavericks got hot late last season, defeating Long Beach Millikan, 1-0, in 9 innings to capture the Southern California Division 2 Championship. Gabe Camacho (Pacific) and Landon Elliott (Point Loma Nazarene) are two of the few top contributors that return from last season.

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5 other teams considered: Christian, Steele Canyon, Grossmont, Point Loma, Patrick Henry