Daily News’ high school baseball preseason top 10 rankings
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1. Harvard-Westlake: The Wolverines are the reigning CIF Southern Section Division 1 champions and return Mission League MVP Toussaint Bythewood. And of course, 2021 Daily News Freshman of the Year Bryce Rainer is back, too.
2. Sierra Canyon: The Trailblazers have the best pitcher in the area – maybe the state – in Jaden Noot. Max Martin and Kassius Thomas are key seniors.
3. Notre Dame: The Knights bring back top hitter Jack Gurevitch, speedster Dean West and junior pitcher Justin Lee.
4. Hart: The reigning Foothill League champs bring back Daily News Player of the Year candidate Matt Quintanar (catcher) and rising sophomore Brayden Jefferis at shortstop.
5. Granada Hills Charter: UC Santa Barbara-bound pitcher Drew Gustafson, Brandon Garfinkel (and his hair) and Will White are all seniors now. Highlanders are eyeing their first City title since 2008 (Invitational).
6. Thousand Oaks: The reigning Division 2 champions lost their three star-studded seniors to graduation, but return Easton Rulli and Dylan Jackson. Jack Wilson is not the head coach anymore, but the MLB pedigree at the helm still remains with Rod Stillwell.
7. Chaminade: Aric Berg, Miles Ghossein, Wolf Mahony and Christian Brewster return for the Eagles. The loss of speedy Ian Duarte (moved out of state)
8. West Ranch: The Wildcats return Blake Schroeder, Jake Callahan, Ty DePerno and Logan Mandel. Senior Caden Deck is the top pitcher.
9. Westlake: The Wariors won 18 games last year and return a crop of young hitter, like Nolan and Nate Johnson, but are experienced in the bullpen with seniors Brady Barbosa and Dominic Bayless.
10. Birmingham Charter: The Patriots return 4-year starter Dominik Cervantes, Nevada commit (and power hitter) Gavin Taylor, speedster Robert Pitts and catcher Alex Olvera. The pitching staff is talented, but unproven.