2023 Team Preview: Rancho Mirage Rattlers

The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2023 California high school baseball season. With the season just around the corner, our staff has begun putting out team previews from all around the state, getting you prepared for another year of exciting coverage.

Today we focus on the Rancho Mirage Rattlers who finished 15-14 overall in 2022 and clinched a berth in the CIF SS D6 playoffs. The Rattlers are "young and hungry" to compete for a top three spot in the Desert Empire League once again this season and expect their seven returning starters to help step up against the high-level talent they face in order to do so.

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Team:

Rancho Mirage Rattlers

Head Coach (years at school):

David Shaw (7)

Twitter Handle:

@RMHS_Rattlers

CIF Section & Division:

CIF SS D6

Conference/League Name:

Desert Empire

Last Year’s Record:

15-14

7-8 (League)

2022 Playoff Run:

Lost in first round of CIF SS D6 playoffs vs Miller

# of Returning Starters:

7

# of Returning Pitchers:

4

Team Expectations:

"Compete for top 3 in league/ making playoffs for sure"

Team Strengths:

"We have a high baseball IQ, with a young and hungry group of athletes."

Areas of Improvement:

"Need to step up against high level programs and compete consistently with higher ranked teams game in and game out."

Top Uncommitted 23s:

Jose Diaz- P/LF, 6' 3", 205lbs, L/R, cleanup hitter

Top Uncommitted 24s:

Malakai Lopez- SS/P, 6'2", 175lbs, R/R, Great bat to ball skills, with plus arm and defensive instincts.

Top Uncommitted 25s:

Marcos Ceja Jr.- 3B/2B, 5' 10", 185lbs, R/R, Confident young man who covers all fields well with his bat.

Top Uncommitted 26s:

Kobee Finnikin- CF, 5' 11", 155lbs, R/R, Fantastic athlete with plus speed and arm. Covers outfield and first step well. Baseball JUMPS off his bat like no one else on our team when he squares it up.