2026 High School Baseball Preview

First contest: Was Feb. 21

Section finals: May 20-30

Defending champions: Granite Hills (Open Division), Point Loma (Division 1), Mt. Carmel (Divsion 2), University City (Division 3), Ramona (Division 4), High Tech-San Diego (Division 5), Rock Academy (Division 5-AA).

2025 Player of the Year: Brenden Lewis, Granite Hills (now at Arizona State)

2025 Pitcher of the Year: Luke Gailey, Granite Hills (now at UC Santa Barbara)

Preseason Top 10

Team;Record;Comment;Last Year 

1. Cathedral Catholic;19-12; 10 Dons are committed to colleges;4

2. Granite Hills;24-1;Eagles don’t rebuild; they reload;1

3. Rancho Bernardo;21-13;Brady Strachan leads host of returnees;10

4. Patrick Henry;23-11;Gunn twins, Lukas Waite, Tyson Bobo lead roster;2

5. Eastlake;22-11;12 lettermen, seven starters return;4

6. San Marcos;20-8;Pitching and defense are a strength;6

7. La Costa Canyon;16-12;Deep, experienced roster;7

8. Del Norte;18-12;SS Aiden Sun best of five returning starters;NR

9. Point Loma;22-13;Pointers return six starters;5

10. University City;23-12;AJ Curry might be section’s best player;NR

Others to watch (in alphabetical order): Bishop’s (20-12), Bonita Vista (12-20), Carlsbad (17-12), El Capitan (10-14), Escondido (22-9), Fallbrook (15-13), Grossmont (12-18), Hilltop (13-19), La Jolla (18-13), La Jolla Country Day (18-14), Madison (22-8), Mission Bay (23-8), Monte Vista (8-19), Mt. Carmel (23-13), Olympian (16-14), Otay Ranch (23-11), Ramona (23-8), Rock Academy (22-3), Santa Fe Christian (15-15), St. Augustine (20-12), Torrey Pines (14-18), Vista (18-11), Westview (15-14)

San Marcos' Carter Tsai delivers during the third inning against La Costa Canyon Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Carlsbad, Calif. (Photo/Denis Poroy)San Marcos’ Carter Tsai delivers during the third inning against La Costa Canyon Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Carlsbad, Calif. (Photo/Denis Poroy)

Top 10 Players

Ian Brooke;C;Sr.;Patrick Henry;First-team All-CIF pick hit. 356 with 18 RBIs.

AJ Curry;LHP/OF;Sr.;University City;First-team All-CIF pick a Tennessee commit.

Caden Docken;RHP;Rancho Bernardo;Sr.;Went 7-3 with a 2.33 ERA. UCSD commit.

Jeremiah Jennings;RHP;Madison;Sr.;Second-team All-CIF pick went 7-1 with 1.60 ERA.

Clyde Kates;RHP/SS;Bishop’s;Second-team All-CIF pick a Dartmouth commit.

Jorge Luque;RHP/INF;Madison;Eastern League Player of the Year hit .406 with 17 RBIs.

Aiden Sun;SS;Del Norte;Jr;Second-team All-CIF pick a UCSD commit.

Brady Strachan;OF;Rancho Bernardo;Sr.;First-team All-CIF pick hit .419 with 21 RBIs.

Carter Tsai;RHP;San Marcos;Sr.;Second-team All-CIF pick signed with PLNU.

Leo Wilderman;INF;Madison;Sr;Second-team All-CIF pick hit .333 with 16 RBIs.

Cathedral Catholic's Kaden Kuhn (8) pitches against La Costa Canyon during their game at La Costa Canyon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in Carlsbad, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)Cathedral Catholic’s Kaden Kuhn (8) pitches against La Costa Canyon during their game at La Costa Canyon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in Carlsbad, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

More Players to Watch 

(in alphabetical order)

Ricardo Aguilar;RHP/3B;Jr.;Montgomery;Hit .299 with 11 RBIs.

Jared Aguirre;RHP/C;Jr.;Hilltop;First-team all-league.

Kasen Baker;SS;Sr.;El Capitan;All-leaguer hit .290 with 12 RBIs.

Rob Bering;LHP/OF;Carlsbad;Jr.;Hit .344 with 18 RBIs.

Tyler Bissenar;RHP;Westview;Sr.;Went 2-1 with 1.91 ERA.

Tyson Bobo; RHP/OF;Sr.;Patrick Henry;Texas Tech commit.

Johnny Bowes;LHP/OF;Jr.;Mission Bay;USC commit.

Ryall Campbell;RHP/SS;San Pasqual;Sr.;San Diego State commit.

Mason ChoI;INF/OF;So.;St. Augustine;Hit .317 with 11 RBIs.

Mitchell Circuit;INF;La Jolla Country Day;Jr.;Hit .292 with 21 RBIs

Shoei Darvish;P;Cathedral Catholic;Sr.;UC San Diego commit.

Jace Daldo;RHP/SS;Rock Academy;Jr.;Hit .458 with 32 RBIs.

Moises Davison;RHP/OF;Sr.;Morse.;Hit .337 with 26 SB.

Brayden Dent;OF;Fallbrook;Jr.; Hit .322 with 13 RBIs.

Ansel Eaton;RHP/SS;Kearny;Sr.;2-6 over 49 2/3 innings.

Isaac Esquer;LHP;San Marcos;Sr.Signed with Cal Poly Pomona.

Adrian Figueroa;3B;Bonita Vista;Jr.;All-leaguer hit .330, 23 RBIs.

Colin Gallagher;LHP;Madison;Sr.;7-1, 1.24 ERA. Cal State San Marcos commit.

Ty Glaus;RHP/INF;Santa Fe Christian;Fr.;Team USA player.

Owen Glick;C;Rancho Bernardo;Sr.;Hit .330, 19 RBIs. UC San Diego commit.

Nate Godbold;SS;Mt. Carmel;So.;Hit. 30-6, 17 RBIs.

Carlos Gomez;RHP/INF;San Ysidro;Jr.;5-5, 4.57 ERA.

Hugo Gonzalez;INF;Rancho Bernardo;Sr.;Hit .358. Hawaii Pacific commit.

Jack Grassa;LHP/INF;Mt. Carmel;Sr.;7-5, 1.07 ERA.

Johannes Granillo;RHP;Foothills Christian;Jr. 10-3, 0.74 ERA.

Brady Gunn;RHP/IF;Patrick Henry;Sr.;7-2, 2.44 ERA

Jimmy Gunn;LHP/1B;Patrick Henry;Sr.;6-3, 1.73 ERA. Texas Tech commit.

Elias Hanley;LHP;La Jolla Country Day;So.;5-2, 1.83 ERA.

Alex Harrington;SS;Cathedral Catholic;Sr.;Hit .371. Stanford commit.

Hunter Harrington;OF;Cathedral Catholic;Sr.;Hit .277. Stanford commit.

Johnny Haskett;RHP;St. Augustine;Sr.; 1.16 ERA.

Ben Hastings;RHP/OF;San Dieguito Academy;Sr.;Oregon Tech commit.

Hamza Hatahet;OF;Eastlake;Sr.;Hit .340. UC Santa Barbara commit.

Camen Hoff;1B;Fallbrook;Jr.;All-leaguer hit .361, with 25 RBIs.

Tyer Holmes;C/1B;Grossmont;Jr.;All-leaguer hit .342.

Lucian Hura;C;Hoover;Jr.;Hit .405.

Daxton Hyde;RHP/INF; Mission Hills;So.;Fastball touches 90. Hits with power.

Justin Jarrett;RHP/INF;Ramona;Sr.;10-game winner. Hit .343.

Charles Jaskowiak;RHP/OF;Jr.;Westview;Jr.;5-2, 1.50 ERA. Hit .330, 19 RBIs.

Kensen Johnson;RHP/SS;Bonita Vista;So.;Hit .339, 16 RBIs. 1-0, 3.36 ERA.

Jason Jutronich;LHP;Torrey Pines;Sr.;4-3, 1.97 ERA. UC Santa Barbara commit.

Brandyn Ketcher;RHP/C;Vista;Jr.;Hit .309. 3-3 on the mound.

Kaden Kuhn;RHP;Cathedral Catholic;Sr.;4-2, 1.99 ERA.

Jacob  Kuy;RHP/3B;Westview;Jr.;5-0, 1.66 ERA.

Harper Lane;LHP/OF;La Jolla;Sr.;1st team all-league. Hit .373.

Brody Layne;RHP/INF;San Marcos;Sr.;Signed with Cal State Fullerton.

Jake Leslie;RHP/OF;Mar Vista;Jr.; 2-2,1.95 ERA in 18 games.

Kelle Leuck;RHP/INF;Mt. Carmel;Sr.;Hit .355, 16 RBIs. 2-1, 2.94 ERA.

Ben Lopez;RHP;Carlsbad;Sr.;1-3, 1.93 ERA.

Jorge Lopez;RHP;Chula Vista;Jr.;League pitcher of the year.

Sebastian Luevano;RHP/OF;Hilltop;Jr.;1st-team all-league.

Carlos Martinez;INF;Otay Ranch;Sr.;Hit .330 with 15 RBIs.

Owen Mauser;LHP/1B;Santa Fe Christian;Sr.;2-1 with 3.97 ERA.

Micha Mecucci;OF;Mission Hills;So.;Hit .276, 6 HR, 17 RBIs.

Ben Meyers;LHP/OF;Oceanside;Sr.;Hope International commit.

Anthony Mioti;INF;Granite Hills;Sr.;Hit .320 with 15 RBIs.

Benji Molina;INF;Christian;Sr.;1st-team all-league. Hit .342.

Xander Molina;OF;Christian;Jr.; Hit .370 with 12 SB.

Richie Moore;C;Del Norte;Sr.; Cal Poly signee.

Jack Morgan;C;Foothills Christian;Sr.;Hit .315 with 27 RBIs.

Zack Nightengale;OF;Ramona;Jr.;Hit .400 with 31 RBIs.

Camden Nischnick;1B;Torrey Pines;Jr. Hit .328.

Wyatt Olson;1B;Point Loma;Jr.;USF commit.

Jaime Onaitis;LHP/1B;La Jolla Country Day;Sr.;6-3 with 1.79 ERA.

Carlos Orozco;RHP/OF;San Ysidro;Sr.;Drove in 16. 1-0, 2.62 ERA.

Owen Oswald;LHP/OF;Mission Bay;Sr.;Portland commit.

Jayden Parker;SS;University City;Sr.;Hit .371.

Hector Peralta;2B;Olympian:Sr.;1st-team all-league. Hit .371.

Maddox Ponsford;INF;San Marcos;Sr.;Signed with Santa Clara.

Josh Priest;INF/OF;Cathedral Catholic;Jr.;Arizona State commit.

Thiago Quillin;RHP/INF;University City;Jr.;5-5, 2 saves, 0.95 ERA.

Isaac Reese;RHP/INF;Mt. Carmel;Sr.;4-3, 1.85 ERA in 56 2/3 IP.

Hunter Reddeg;C;Point Loma;Sr.;Cal State Fullerton commit.

Marco Reyes;OF;Montgomery;Sr.;Hit .292 with 16 runs, 21 SB.

Demarco Rojas;LHP;Bonita Vista;Sr.;1st-team all-league.

Cooper Sitton;RHP/INF;Scripps Ranch;Sr.;Hit .302. Pitched 36 innings.

Charlie Smith;LHP;La Jolla;Sr.;2-0, 1.25 ERA in 39 IP.

Parker Smith;OF;Poway;Sr.;Hit .393 with 20 RBIs.

Logan Struck;LHP/OF;Grossmont;Jr.;Hit .326.

Carter Stubblefield;C/INF;San Pasqual;So.;Returning all-leaguer.

Derek Taylor;SS;Ramona;Jr.;Hit .447, 21 RBI, 28 SB.

Adyn Thomason;INF;Vista;Sr.;All-leaguer hit .360.

Josh Tornillo;SS;La Costa Canyon;Sr.;Headed to Sacramento State.

Quentin Uhland;RHP/INF;Rock Academy;Jr.;Hit .447 and was 6-1.

Joel Vargas;OF;Eastlake;So.;Hit .312 with 14 RBIs.

Mateo Villanueva;RHP;Coronado;Sr.;San Diego State commit

Lukas Waite;RHP/OF;Patrick Henry;Jr.;Arizona State commit.

Zowen Watson;2B;Eastlake;Jr.;LSU commit.

Hunter Weller;RHP;Point Loma;Sr.;USD commit.

Xavier Wilson;LHP/OF;Monte Vista;Jr.;Hit .481, 1-0 in limited action.

Liam Zazueta;1B;Bonita Vista;Jr.;Hit .362. 1-0 with 2.47 ERA

Breitbard Hall of Fame inductee Stephen Strasburg speaks at the 78th annual Salute to the Champions dinner Jan. 12, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)Breitbard Hall of Fame inductee Stephen Strasburg speaks at the 78th annual Salute to the Champions dinner Jan. 12, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)

Notable

MLB to HS

Several former major leaguers will serve as assistant coaches this season. Tony Muser returns to Madison, where he has assisted for more than a decade. … Stephen Strasburg has left Santa Fe Christian to help at San Diego State, but the Eagles have Tim Stauffer and Troy Glaus on staff. … Donny Lucy is the co-head coach at Fallbrook. … Kirk McCaskill and Charles Nagy are helping again at Torrey Pines, giving the Falcons 235 MLB wins in the dugout. … Brett Tomko joins the staff at Poway.

MLB kids

Cathedral Catholic’s roster features three sons of major leaguers. Pitcher Shoei Darvish, who is committed to UC San Diego, is the son of Padres pitcher Yu Darvish. Outfielder Trey Kotsay, who will play at Dartmouth, is the son of A’s manager Mark Kotsay. Outfielder Xavier Nady, who is headed to NYU, is the son of former Padres first-round pick Xavier Nady.

Twins power

There are a pair of talented twins to follow this season.

Cathedral Catholic has shortstop Alex Harrington and center fielder Hunter Harrington, who have both signed to continue their careers at Stanford.

Right-hander Brady Gunn and left-hander Jimmy Gunn will anchor the pitching staff at Patrick Henry. Jimmy Gunn has committed to Texas Tech, while Brady Gunn has not yet committed.

Century mark

This season marks 100 years of baseball at Oceanside High School. Former Pirates star Jose Hernandez is in his second year as coach; he replaced Dave Barrett, who coached 1,305 games over a 48-year career.

Winningest coaches

• Justin Machado of La Costa Canyon leads all active coaches with 619 career wins.

• Mike Mitchell of Christian has 616 wins, 570 at Christian.

• James Davis of Granite Hills has 541 wins.

• Gary Remiker of Cathedral Catholic has won 526 games.

• Robert Lovato of Madison has 455 victories and is one win away from passing legendary Clairemont coach Ernie Beck for the second-most wins in the San Diego Unified School District history. Mission Bay’s Dennis Pugh is No. 1 at 671. Jim Westlund of Chula Vista has won 427 games and John Edman of La Jolla Country Day is at 407.

• Kurt Gritts of Hilltop checks in with 360 wins, Craig da Luz of St. Augustine and Gary Frank of La Jolla are at 324.

Best league?

To start the season, the Western League stands out.

Cathedral Catholic, 19-12 last season, is the preseason No. 1, Patrick Henry (23-11) is No. 4, No. 9 Point Loma (22-13) is No. 9 with University City (23-12) at No. 12. Add Coronado (22-10) and St. Augustine (20-12) and this is one tough league.

Tournaments

• The annual Lions Tournament is set for March 20-April 2. There are nine divisions and 132 teams.

• Kearny hosted the Bully’s East Komet Klassic last week.

• The 10-team Dennis Pugh Invitational was held over the weekend.

• The 12-team Kendra Couch Classic begins started Monday.

• The 10-team Hilltop-Lolita’s Tournament starts Tuesday.

• The GMC Tournament, which features several divisions, starts March 16.

• Patrick Henry is the only San Diego team in the prestigious Boras Classic. The Patriots start play April 7 against Cerritos Gahr at JSerra High in San Juan Capistrano.

• The annual Petco Park games are set for April 24-25. Teams have yet to be announced, but schools from the Southern, Grossmont, San Diego City, Metro , Frontier and North County conferences will fill the six slots.

JOHN MAFFEI

 

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