Preseason Preview: Fountain Valley Barons

TEAM:

Fountain Valley Barons

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Deric Yanagisawa (10)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@FVBaronbaseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Southern Section / Division 3

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

Sunset Conference / Surf Division

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

6-2

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

2

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

2

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

2021 RHP Sam Grack - CSU Bakersfield

2021 UTL Ryan Sullivan

2022 1B/3B/RHP/OF Blake Wentz

2022 OF Chris Ouellette

THE FUTURE:

2023 SS/3B/RHP Tim Grack

2023 UTL Tyler Arevalos

2024 OF Gibson Rath

SEASON OUTLOOK: 

Fountain Valley has built a program that has become a staple of talent in the Southern Section of California and the Barons are hoping to keep that momentum going into the 2021 Season. Expectations at Fountain Valley are continually high, but some of those expectations may need to be tempered in 2021 as the level of experience is young and fresh. With just two returners and two pitchers coming back, Coach Yanagisawa will be focused on getting players up to speed quickly. For the Barons to have their most success, they’re going to rely on putting out a consistently strong defense and pitching staff to lead them against tough competition. If the Barons can find consistency in their offense against good arms, they’ll expect the season to reach its ceiling.