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New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

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: Bishop Amat Lancers
Head Coach: Joe Hoggatt
CIF Section: CIF-SS, Division 1
Conference League: Del Rey League
2023 Record: 21-5-1
Team X Handle: @amatbaseball

Team Strengths: Deep line up and a plus defense
No. of Returning Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 4
Areas of Improvement: We have some youth in areas that will grow over the season

 

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COMMITTED PLAYERS

+ ‘24 OF Isaiah Hernandez - California-Riverside - 6’1 180 lbs.
+ ‘26 SS Santiago Ramirez - Long Beach State - 5’10 160 lbs.

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TOP UNCOMMITTED SENIORS

+ ‘24 OF/LHP Raymond Perez - 5'10 180 lbs.
+ ‘24 OF/C Miguel Perez - 5’10 185 lbs.

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TOP UNCOMMITTED JUNIORS

+ ‘25 OF Jacob Campos - 6'0 190 lbs.
+ ‘25 LHP/1B Justin Peinado - 5'10 150 lbs.

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TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2026

+ ‘26 RHP/2B Gabe Guerrero - 5'10 170 lbs.
+ ‘26 C Victor Merlos - 5'8 190lbs.

Class of 2027

+ ‘27 C Michael Mendoza - 5'10 170 lbs.
+ ‘27 RHP/INF Raymond Castro - 5'9 145 lbs.

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Last year, the Lancers amassed a 21-5-1 record, which included a spotless 12-0 record in league play, and in 2024 their sights are set on building off of that. Leading the way for Bishop Amat will be reigning league MVP ‘24 Isaiah Hernandez who returns a .402 batting average from last season. A couple other seniors set to lead the Lancers are ‘24 Raymond Perez, who will make some big two-way contributions according to Coach Hoggatt, and ‘24 Miguel Perez, who will be a big piece in the Lancers offense.

Expect ‘25 Jacob Campos to have a "breakout year" Coach Hoggatt said, as he will be manning right field and will look to be one of the main contributors to the Lancers offense. Classmate of Campos, ‘25 Justin Peinado is another two-way player on this squad and he is “really starting to blossom” said Coach Hoggatt.

As for underclassmen, the 2026 class is highlighted by Long Beach State commit ‘26 Santiago Ramirez and he will be mainstay up-the-middle for the Lancers. Coach Hoggatt was also very high on both ‘26 Gabe Guerrero and ‘26 Victor Merlos, so expect them to play big roles during their sophomore year. A pair of freshmen prospects are also expected to be quality contributors for the Lancers in ‘27 Michael Mendoza and ‘27 Raymond Castro.

Coach Joe Hoggatt’s Expectations: “Big expectations - should be a factor in the Division”

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