2022 Season Preview: Mountain House Mustangs

The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2022 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 prepare for another year of exciting coverage.

Today we focus on the Mountain House Mustangs who look to build upon their 2021 WAC North Division title and make a playoff run.

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Team

Mountain House High School Mustangs

Head Coach (years at school)

Stephen Gatehouse 8

Twitter Handle

@coachgatehouse

CIF Section & Division

SJS Div 3

Conference/League Name

Western Athletic Conference

Last Year’s Record

18-10, 12-3 in WAC

Stat Leaders from 2021

2023 C/RHP Cameron Valentine

2023 CF Ny'Zaiah Thompson

2021 Playoff Run

Section did not have playoffs

# of Returning Starters

6

# of Returning Pitchers

8

Team Expectations

Build upon our 2021 WAC North Division title and make a playoff run.

Team Strengths

Returning 5 out of the top 7 in last year's lineup and getting a couple key players back from injury.

Areas of Improvement

Figuring out roles on the pitching staff and integrating a brand new assistant coaching staff at the varsity level.

College Commitments

Ny'Zaiah Thompson CF, 2023, 5'10 155, R/R, verbal to Cal State Fullerton

Top 22s

Isaiah Castillo C/OF, 2022, 5'9 185, R/R, In 2021 he came in third place for league MVP, set MHHS single-season batting average record; .558/.604/.697 with 12 RBI in 15 league games

Tyler Hingco 2B, 2022, 5'7 150, R/R, Burner on the bases that can play second base and centerfield, went down with an injury in the middle of a breakout junior season (.412, 7 doubles, 1 homer, 17/17 SB in only 34 AB)

Chase Patrizio RHP/1B, 2022, 6'1 205, R/R, Emerged to make the All-League team as a junior, 3-1, 1.99 ERA in 6 league app (4 starts), also hit .368

Jareth Franco, RHP/UTL, 2022, 6'1 210, R/R, DE/LT on the football team as well, should have a big role both on the mound and at all four corners

Armando Ponce-Torres RHP/INF, 2022, 5'9 155, Athletic "kitchen-sink" righty who came on strong and grabbed a key role on the pitching staff toward the end of the season

Top 23s

Cameron Valentine C/RHP, 2023, 5'10 170, R/R, WAC League MVP as a sophomore - .477/.564/.681 with four triples, 12/12 SB, 1-0, 2 SV, 0.50 ERA, 1 CG, 19 K in 14 IP; leadership and feel for the game as well as stats/metrics are comparable to committed 2023 catchers.

Ny'Zaiah Thompson CF, 2023, 5'10 155, R/R, All-League as a sophomore, .395/.541/.567 on season, eighth in state of California in steals (35), verbal commitment to Cal State Fullerton

Roy Gardner, RHP/OF, 2023, 5'10 165, All-League as a sophomore, .385/.500/.557 after coming out later from football - three-star cornerback recruit and was all-league both ways (RB, DB) for football this fall. Great athlete with excellent feel for the game, plus makeup.

Jordan Rimando-Fabro SS, 2023, 5'9 165, Started every game at shortstop as a sophomore, .351 league BA, had a huge offseason in the weight room and will be counted on at shortstop again

Top 24s

Tyler Jordan RHP/3B, 2024, 6'1 150, R/R, Debuted on varsity late in league season, good defender at both corners and should mature into a frontline starting pitcher as he develops