Top 25 California high school baseball rankings: CIF Southern Section (2/12/2024)

Corona High is the No. 1 team in Southern California coming into the 2024 season

Author:
Tarek Fattal, SBLive Sports
Updated:
Feb 15, 2024 12:39 PM EST
Original:
Feb 12, 2024

High school baseball is here.

Here are the first Top 25 rankings in the CIF Southern Section heading into the 2024 season.

Opening Day was Saturday, Feb. 10.

1. Corona (1-0)

The Panthers roster is loaded with talent: LHP Ethan Schiefelbein (UCLA), C Josh Springer (Oregon) and LHP Sam Burgess (TCU) lead a trio of seniors. Juniors RHP Seth Hernandez and SS Billy Carlson (both going to Vanderbilt), along with new transfers Brady and Trey Ebel (from Etiwanda) make Corona the hunted team this spring.

Coach Andy Wise has quite the season ahead in year 15 at the helm.

2. Orange Lutheran (1-0)

Lancers return a bulk of its Division 1 semifinal team from last season, led by LSU commit Derek Curiel.

3. Harvard-Westlake (1-0)

The Wolverines boast one of the best 1-2 starting pitcher combos in the state in Tommy Bridges (TCU) and Duncan Marsten (Wake Forest). Bryce Rainer (Texas) is starting at shortstop.

4. JSerra (1-0)

Brett Kay has led the Lions to three straight Division 1 finals, and JSerra won the last two. Pitcher Matthew Champion will lead the way after his sensational performance in the postseason last spring.

5. Huntington Beach (1-0)

The Oilers have top catcher Trent Grindlinger (Mississippi St.) and a bevy of talented juniors in Ethan Porter, Linkin Garcia, Trevor Goldenetz and John Petrie III .

6. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (0-1)

Coach Tom Dill enters year 33 at Notre Dame. He returns pitchers Levi Sterling (Texas), Erik Puodziunas (Michigan) and Sammy Petrocelli (Stanford), along with centerfielder Kai Gonzaga. Right-hander Nate Kugler is primed for a big year from the mound.

7. San Dimas (1-0)

UCLA-bound Kasen Khansarinia has the Saints eyeing a big 2024 campaign. San Dimas is senior-laden with Jude Favela (USC), Landon White (Arizona State) and Jude Favela (UC Irvine).

8. La Mirada (0-1)

A trio of UCLA commits in shortstop Aiden Aguayo, infielder Maverek Russell and outfielder Travis Friend gives the Matadores a chance every time out.

9. Gahr (1-0)

Coach Gerardo Perez comes into the season with 300 career wins. Jose Perez, Andres Gonzalez and Bryce Morrison are the team's top players to watch.

10. Santa Margarita (1-0)

The Eagles are loaded with talent with RHP Cade Townsend (Mississippi), OF Logan de Groot (UCLA), C Jake Lavin (UCLA), and juniors, RHP Hayden George and SS Gavin Spiridonoff (Cal Poly).

11. Calabasas (1-0)

RHP Jordan Kingston is set for a big senior year. Nate Castellon and Matthew Witkow are top players at shortstop and third base, respectively.

12. Cypress (0-1)

Nick Montgomery is the top player for coach John Weber in his 19th season. Be on the lookout for junior pitcher Aiden Franco and sophomores Noah Johnson and Jake DeLaquil in the field.

13. South Hills (0-1)

South Hills returns a duo of pitchers in Daniel Camou and Joseph Moreno from last year's Division 2 runner-up squad. Senior Steve Jimenez will be a top bat after winning Hacienda League MVP last year.

14. Crespi (0-1)

The Celts won the Division 2 title last year and saw a lot of leadership graduate, too. But top pitcher-fielder Diego Velazquez (USC) returns for his junior season. Catcher Landon Hodge could emerge at one of the best at his position - only a junior.

15. Mater Dei

Wylan Moss (UCLA) is the pitcher everyone is raving about. Catcher Johnny Elliott (USC) and shortstop Brody Connors lead a trio of seniors.

16. Hart (1-0)

Brayden Jefferis is one of the top athletes at shortstops in SoCal headed to Michigan. Troy Cooper is the top pitcher for coach Jim Ozella.

17. Oaks Christian (1-0)

Cal commit Elijah Clayton at shortstop, top junior Quinten Young (LSU) and Grayden Levin is a top arm from the mound.

18. Westlake (1-0)

Brotherly love at Westlake High. Nolan and Nate Johnson are senior bothers headed to Miami and Tulane, respectively. Pitchers Andrew Habermann and Dylan Volantis will be the No. 1 and 2 pitchers. All returners from last year's regional championship team.

19. Los Alamitos (1-0)

The Griffins have a crop of Division I commits in the field with Jake Evans (Long Beach), Davis D'Errico (UC Irvine) and AJ Cappell (Santa Barbara). Juniors Tristen Dalzell (Long Beach) and Jack Lorenz (UC San Diego) on the mound.

20. Sierra Canyon (1-0)

The Trailblazers are very young, but dangerous. Keep an eye on these freshmen: RHP Sean Parrow, C Dezi Delgado and 3B Aiden Jahng. Julian Areliz is the senior leader.

21. Corona Centennial

Ryder Dykstra (USC) and Espn Simpson (not a typo) lead the Huskies.

22. Camarillo (1-0)

Seniors Boston Bateman (LSU), Tommy Goodin (Vanderbilt) and Trotter Enright (Long Beach) will eye a Coastal Canyon League title.

23. Corona Santiago (1-0)

Coach Ty De Trinidad is in year 24 at Santiago, and will look to seniors Chris Ramirez at short, Austin Gamell at second, Barrett Ronson at first, and Tyler Blade at catcher.

24. Etiwanda (0-1)

Ryan Severns (UC Santa Barbara), Jaeden Toki, Chris Montes de Oca are top players for the Eagles.

25. West Ranch (1-0)

Ben Cushnie (USC) and Jackson Banuelos (CSUN) are a pair of left-handed pitchers that make the Wildcats tough to beat. Junior catcher Nolan Stoll is headed to Stanford.