Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Invitational Matchup Preview: JSerra vs. Redondo Union


PBR California Staff

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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The Inaugural PBR California Preseason Invitational will kick off on Saturday, February 12, 2022 as the officially CIF Southern Section sanctioned tournament will play host to some of the top teams from around SoCal and the entire state. With the changes in the rules for permissible games allowed taking effect in 2022, PBR California believed coaches would want every non-league game to be against the best competition they can play against which proved to be true. With over half the field in the California Power 25 rankings, the PBR California Preseason Invitational will be heavily scouted by both our own staff and pro scouts alike thanks to the amount of draft talent participating in the event this year. 

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the tournament. You can also see the full schedule here

In the matchup preview we will take a closer look at the JSerra vs Redondo Union game.  

JSERRA: 

PRESEASON INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE

2/12 2/15 2/17 2/21
Redondo Corona Foothill TBD

The JSerra Lions over the past few seasons have established themselves as a powerhouse in the state of California which made them no doubters for our Preseason Invitational. They come off a 30-7 season that included a runner-up finish in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs and a Division 1 State Championship title. This year they have another deep roster that includes 8 D1 commits, but they are going to rely on some juniors that didn’t get much playing time on a senior-heavy starting squad last year. They come in at #3 in our Preseason Power 25 rankings so we expect a good showing this tournament along with a strong overall season. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

DAVID HORN - VANDY 

OWEN FULLER

RICKY RODENBERG

TYLER GOUGH - OSU

TRISTAN LAMAISON - USD 

MATT CHAMPION - LSU 

ANDREW LAMB - USC 

TRENT CARAWAY - OSU 

JJ HOLLIS - UCSB

BEN REIMERS

DOMINIC SMALDIN - CAL

JONATHAN MENDEZ - UCSB 

FROM COACH KAY:

“I think the expectation is always high here. The team albeit a large one in regards to roster size is deep on the mound and deep with position players.  Still have a ton to learn but the sophomores that were on Varsity last year that got to learn, is now their time. We are talented and have what I think is a positive culture within the squad”

REDONDO UNION:

PRESEASON INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE

2/12 2/15 2/17 2/21
JSerra HB Alemany TBD

Redondo Union has consistently been a top HS program in the Los Angeles area for some time now and it's why they are in our Preseason Invitational. They are coming off a 12-11 season (7-3 league) where they tested themselves against some of the top teams in the state and competed. This year they bring back a solid team ready to capture a Bay League Championship title. It starts with their two big arms in '23 Columbia commit Tomas Lopez and '23 Oregon commit Cole Stokes. On the position player side, it’s ‘23 Julien Cojulun and ‘22 Noah Williams that we expect big seasons out of. Our staff wouldn’t be surprised if they snagged a couple of statement wins here this opening week. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

TOMAS LOPEZ - COLUMBIA

JULIEN COJULUN

COLE STOKES - OREGON

NOAH WILLIAMS

JAKE FALLON

LUKA BRANCATO

NATHAN STIVESON

SONNY HURTADO

FROM COACH BARNHILL:

“We are deep with arms on the bump with young starting pitching that have varsity experience and is supplemented by a few senior returners. Strong in the middle. Seniors anchor corner spots. Also got hungry newcomers and seniors with good experience from a short COVID year last year. Looking to build off an above .500 record and first-round playoff appearance. Hopes of a Bay League Championship and deep playoff run. Pitching will be solid; should come down to the bats”

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
SoCal Rising Stars: Los Angeles CA 02/27 O'Malley Field
SoCal Rising Stars: Orange County CA 03/20 JSerra High School
SoCal Rising Stars: Inland Empire CA 04/24 Corona High School
SoCal Rising Stars Games CA 06/04 O'Malley Field

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