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The 2025 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 these individual programs across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings.

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 2025 preseason coverage continues today with a preview of the Linfield Christian Lions.

2025 TEAM OUTLOOK

High School: Linfield Christian Lions
Head Coach: Kyle Owsley
CIF Section: Southern Section
Division: Division 3 (2024)
2024 Record (Playoff Finish): 13-13 (0-1, 1st round loss to Summit)
Key Players Lost:   DJ Kerr, Gavin Malcomson, Ryan McCalmont

+ No. Returning Positional Players: 6
+ No. Returning Pitchers: 3
+ Team Strengths: Our pitching staff is going to be vital to our succes in 2025.

+ Key Players: 

Seniors:

+ '25 UTL Luke Waddell

Juniors:

+ '26 C/RHP/OF Drew Taylor California Baptist Commit

+ '26 SS/3B Connor Woulf

+ Projected Starters: Noah Getz (2025), Carter Stidman (2025), Drew Taylor (2026)

+ Projected Relievers: Jase Brenier (2026), Kai Carson (2027), Caelin Thomason (2025), Brody Vizenor (2028)

IMPACT UNDERCLASSMEN 

+ '27 INF Kai Carson

+ '28 INF Tyce Johnson

+ '28 C/INF Brody Vizenor

BOTTOM LINE

After a solid season in 2024 which saw the the program reach the CIF-SS D3 playoffs, but suffer a first round defeat to Summit the Lions lost a trio of key pieces off that squad. For 2025 to build upon the strong showing in 2024 the Lions are going to lean on a stout and deep pithing staff with strong starters and depth to the bullpen to eye a return to the playoffs this spring. 

PREP BASEBALL CA STAFF’S TAKE

On the offensive side of the game the Lions are returning an extensive portion of their key players from the 2024 squad and if those players can take steps forward this year they have an interesting potential as an offensive squad. With the experience gained by those players in 2024 even if the results weren't loud they are prepared to be productive pieces in 2025 for the Lions. On the mound they Getz and Stidman were two of their key arms in 2024 throwing 57.1 and 28.2 IP each during the spring. Getz posted a 2.93 ERA while collecting 2 saves as a versatile arm who made starts and threw out of the bullpen. Stidman was very strong with 4-0 record and .98 ERA while also blending starting appearances with relief appearances. The Lions will need the bats in their lineup to prove they have grown/developed since last spring to back up what should be a very strong pitching staff and they should be in the mix for a potential return to the CIF-SS playoffs. - Steven Hardesty Assistant Scouting Director

Learn more about California’s 2025 spring season below:

+ Follow Linfield Christian on X: @LCHS_Athletics
+ Find more team previews on the Prep Baseball California Season Previews homepage

FOLLOW US THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball California on X
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+ Prep Baseball California on Facebook
+ Prep Baseball California on YouTube

MORE 2025 TEAM PREVIEWS

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Orange County Rising Stars ID	CA	03/02/25	Mater Dei High School
Central California Rising Stars ID	CA	03/23/25	Ventura College
Inland Empire Rising Stars ID	CA	03/30/25	Corona High School
Los Angeles Rising Stars ID	CA	04/27/25	O'Malley Field

MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS