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The 2024 California high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across California.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective CIF Section Championship Game, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action and the Third Annual Prep Baseball California Spring Invitational.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across California. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, Podcasts and much more.

Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Rancho Mirage Rattlers
Head Coach: David Shaw
CIF Section: CIF-SS, Division 6
Conference League: Desert Empire League
2023 Record: 16-12 (7-8 League)
Team X Handle: @RMHS_Rattlers

Team Strengths: Defense and Pitching combined with a lot of returning young players who excelled last year as freshman on varsity.
No. of Returning Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5

 

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TOP UNCOMMITTED SENIORS

+ ‘24 SS/RHP Malakai Lopez - 5'11 165 lbs.

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TOP UNCOMMITTED JUNIORS

+ ‘25 3B Marcos Ceja Jr. - 5’8 200 lbs.

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TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2026

+ ‘26 OF/SS Kobee Finnikin - 5’10 160 lbs.
+ ‘26 C/3B/RHP Jaden Labit - 5'10 170 lbs.

Class of 2027

+ ‘27 OF/INF Josiah Thrasher - 5'7 145 lbs.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Leading the way for the Rattlers will be ‘24 Malakai Lopez, who is coming off consecutive First Team All Desert Empire League selections and he will be a mainstay on both sides of the ball. As for juniors, ‘25 Marcos Ceja Jr. will headline the class at Rancho Mirage; Coach Shaw referred to Ceja Jr. as a “natural baseball athlete who works harder than anyone on the field at his craft. Has worked hard to turn himself into a more athletic and complete player.”

Rancho Mirage’s underclassmen will also play a big role in the success of their season according to Coach Shaw. ‘26 Kobee Finnikin will look to build off a standout freshman campaign where he earned First Team All Desert Empire League honors. Another sophomore expected to make a big impact will be ‘26 Jaden Labit, who earned the starting catcher position last year and earned Second Team All Desert Empire League honors in the process. While it is unclear exactly what his role will be, ‘27 Josiah Thrasher is a freshman to note on the roster and he will look to provide in some capacity during his first year at the prep level.

Coach David Shaw’s Expectations: “Competing for at least top 3 in League, with shot at the league title.”

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