Prep Baseball Report

2020 Preseason Preview: Aptos Mariners


Ryan Ozella
NorCal Area Scout

                          

At The Yard Podcast

The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2020 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.

In this edition we will take a closer look at the Aptos Mariners (Santa Cruz, CA), one of the more talented teams in the Central Coast Section who are looking to repeat as league champs and making another deep run in the Playoffs.

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TEAM

Aptos Mariners

HEAD COACH (years at school)

Jason Biancardi (5)

OFFICIAL TWITTER

@AptosAthletics

CIF SECTION & DIVISION

Central Coast Section/Division 2

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME

Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League

LAST YEAR’S RECORD

21-7-1

PLAYOFF RUN

Division 2 Semi-final Loss

# OF RETURNING STARTERS

6

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS

3

OUTLOOK: 

With 9 players returning including 6 starters from a team that made it to the CCS semifinals, the confidence and expectations are very high. Of the returning players, 4 have been starting since their sophomore seasons. With 3 pitchers returning and a group of young players ready to step in and make their name, Aptos should be able to stay atop the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League in 2020. Their offense will be a big strength as it’s deep and can extend games. With the talent that they have and the culture of a close knit team, Aptos should hold high expectations for the 2020 season and a deep playoff run isn’t out of the question. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

‘20 SS Luke Keaschall - San Francisco Commit
3-year Varsity Player who shows above-average defense and is the leader on offense and in the clubhouse.

‘20 OF/INF/C Jack Bollengier - Sac State Commit

3-year Varsity Player with athleticism to fit all over the field. Started at Catcher last year but could move to OF and improve overall team defense. LH swing made for gap-to-gap extra base hits. 

‘20 RHP/3B Jacob Mendoza

Pitcher who can get through lineups multiple times with his control of multiple offspeed pitches. When not pitching has the lateral range to make plays on defense and put together quality ABs.

‘20 1B Jaden Long

Physical and strong middle of the lineup bat. Showed good range at 1st but will be counted on with bat to drive in runs. 

‘21 RHP Nathaniel Brouse

One of the best uncommitted Pitchers in the Central Coast Section, Brouse has a live arm (72 Ks in 2019) and should assume the #1 status for Aptos in 2020. SLD flashes as future plus pitch.

‘21 OF/RHP Fisher Johnson

Physical and strong athlete who has big arm and growing pop in the bat. Multi-sport athlete who could really blossom in the middle of the lineup. 

THE FUTURE:

‘22 LHP/OF Owen Dueck

Athletic LHP who flashed growth this summer/fall and could push to be a regular starter for Mariners. CB/CHG have shown ability to miss bats and should be future average or better pitches.

‘22 RHP/INF Reed Moring

Multi-position athlete who can fill spots when others are pitching. Future on the mound is quite bright with a live arm and athletic delivery. 

‘22 LHP/1B Jack Spinelli

Another multi-spot LH who’s added strength will push for him to get into the lineup on a regular basis. Has shown moxie and bulldog mentality on the mound and could be a perfect LH compliment out of the bullpen. 

‘23 RHP/INF Gabe Gaeckle

One of the regions best incoming Freshman who will make an impact in multiple ways for the club. Focus on the mound could provide Aptos with a late inning shut down option.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Orange County Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/04 JSerra High School
Riverside County Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/05 Elsinore High School
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/07 EM Sports - San Diego
Central Valley Preseason I.D. CA 01/11 Clovis North HS
Winter Update Series powered by South Bay Sport Training CA 01/12 South Bay Sports Training
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/13 EM Sports - Rancho Cucamonga
Winter Update Series powered by Monterey Bay Pirates CA 01/17 Monterey Bay Pirates Facility
California Far North Preseason I.D. CA 01/18 Chico HS
NorCal Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) CA 01/25 Islanders Field at River Islands
Winter Update Series powered by Paradigm Sport CA 01/26 Paradigm Sport
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports CA 01/27 EM Sports - Long Beach
Super 60 Pro Showcase NATIONAL 02/02 The MAX - McCook, IL
Winter Update Series powered by Mike Murphy Baseball CA 02/08 MMB - Walnut Creek

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