Southern California Baseball Playoffs: Stars to Shine

Baseball

As the Southern California high school baseball playoffs get underway, all eyes will be on the star players who have propelled their teams to championship contention. From dominant pitchers to prolific hitters, these young athletes are primed to elevate their games and etch their names in playoff lore.

At the top of the marquee is Harvard-Westlake’s Bryce Rainer, whose senior season has been nothing short of spectacular. The standout shortstop has seen his draft stock skyrocket with a .518 batting average and 44 hits. But Rainer’s true test will come in the playoffs, where he’ll look to deliver in the biggest moments while also serving as his team’s closer.

Another trio drawing significant buzz is Corona’s Seth Hernandez, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Josh Springer. The top-ranked Panthers boast a formidable one-two pitching punch in Hernandez and Schiefelbein, while Springer has been a rock behind the plate defensively and a force with the bat. Though no championship is guaranteed in the single-elimination crucible, this talented triumvirate will be counted on to guide Corona through the Division 1 gauntlet.

Santa Margarita’s Cade Townsend is peaking at the perfect time, entering the playoffs with a 5-0 record, 76 strikeouts, and only 28 hits allowed in 50 innings. After bypassing last season, the talented right-hander now has a chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage and bolster his collegiate and professional prospects.

While pitching figures to be pivotal, plenty of sluggers are also poised to swing hot bats. Calabasas’ Nate Castellon (.506 average, 42 hits) and San Dimas’ Landon White (34 hits, 36 RBIs, 4 HRs) have been clutch performers all season and will look to stay locked in amid the postseason intensity. The same goes for Huntington Beach’s Trevor Goldenetz, who paces the Surf League champs with a .392 average and 29 hits.

On the mound, a cavalcade of aces should have playoff foes operating in a constant state of unease. Camarillo’s towering Boston Bateman (102 Ks, 6 hits allowed in 48 IP) has been virtually unhittable, while Westlake’s Dylan Volantis (7-0, 0.41 ERA, 76 Ks) and Jackson Klein of Santa Monica (8-0, 0.24 ERA) have been equally stifling. Zach Ireland (16 K, no-hitter last week), Nathan Chavez (8-0, 0.64 ERA), and Zach Strickland (UCLA commit throwing 90+) are among the other big-armed hurlers capable of spinning playoff gems.

The Division 1 bracket will also feature Sherman Oaks Notre Dame’s two-way threat Levi Sterling, a Texas commit who will make his presence felt on the mound and in the batter’s box. Chaminade closer Vinny Van der Wel (37 hits) and Corona Centennial’s power-hitting Michael Malki (6 HRs, 5-1, 1.39 ERA) are two more headliners to monitor in Division 3.

In Division 2, all eyes will be on Paloma Valley’s Chapman Weber (.378, 4 HRs, 6-0, 1.20 ERA) after a sensational 27-1 regular season showing. Aliso Niguel’s Brandon Tatch (30 hits, 7-3, 1.43 ERA) could also be a major factor as an all-around force. On the mound, La Mirada’s Walker Calvo (7-1, 1.34 ERA) and the Arlington duo of left-hander Nathan Chavez (8-0, 0.64 ERA) and Zach Strickland loom as potential neutralizers.

And in the smallest divisions, keep an eye on Texas commit Anthony Pack, a burner who puts immense pressure on opposing pitchers for Long Beach Millikan in Division 4, as well as the Division 5 No. 1 seed Santa Monica and its ace Klein.

No matter which players make the biggest impacts, the Southern California baseball playoffs are sure to be a thrill ride filled with unexpected twists, dramatic finishes, and performances for the ages from the region’s top prep stars. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.