2023 Team Preview: Cathedral Catholic Dons

The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2023 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 prepared for another year of exciting coverage.

Today we focus on the Cathedral Catholic Dons who will try to pick up where they left off in 2022 where they made a deep run into the CIF SDS D1 playoffs. The 2023 Dons will try to make another postseason bid as it rosters nine collegiate commits on its squad, including a pair of top-ranked ‘26s in Alex and Hunter Harrington.

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Team:

Cathedral Catholic Dons

Head Coach (years at school):

Gary Remiker (28, 23rd year as head coach)

Twitter Handle:

@CCHSBaseball7

CIF Section & Division:

CIF SDS D2

Conference/League Name:

Western

Last Year’s Record:

15-18

5-7 (League)

2022 Playoff Run:

Lost in fourth round of CIF SDS D1 playoffs vs. Grossmont

# of Returning Starters:

5

# of Returning Pitchers:

4

Team Expectations:

"I expect us to be much improved from the past 2 seasons. We return several starters that should be improved. A little thin on the mound, but the top 3 guys are pretty good."

Team Strengths:

"Should be very good defensively and should be a much better offensive club than the last 2 seasons.  A very talented junior class will lead the charge."

Areas of Improvement:

"We don't have a very deep pitching staff. We have a lot of guys who "can" pitch, but not a lot of guys with plus stuff. My top 3 guys - Trey Telfer, Max Bayles, Vincent Venverloh are good. We will probably have to pitch by committee, especially early."

College Commitments:

Cody Nitowitz- OF, 2023, 5-10, 165, S/R. Signed with UC Santa Barbara. "Plus defender in CF, solid switch hitter."

Cole Thomson- OF, 2023, 6-0, 165, L/R. Signed with Biola. "Had Covid/Pneumonia last year and missed a lot of time. Should be a solid bat and plays a very good RF with a plus arm."

Anthony Perritano- SS, 2024, 6-0, 180, R/R. Committed to Southern California. "Excellent athlete who also plays varsity soccer. Physical athlete who will hit with some power and play a good SS."

Elijah Selga- C/OF, 2024, 5-10, 215, L/R. Committed to Hawaii. "Powerful LH hitter with plus power.  Best position is C, but we will use him in the OF a lot this year since we have 4 catchers on our roster and this helps our club be more competitive. Will probably play C at Hawaii."

Jack McWilliams- LHP/OF/1B, 2024, 6-4, 185. Committed to San Diego. "Projects as a potential draft pick as a LHP. Unfortunately, he had elbow surgery and will not pitch for us at all this year. He may return by mid-season to hit/DH a little bit."

Michael Podstreleny- C/P, 2024, 5-11, 180. Committed to UC Irvine. "Switch hitting C with power. Will also pitch for us this year and has been in the mid 80s on the mound."

Vincent Venverloh- UTL/P, 2024, 5-8, 160. Committed to San Diego. "All around great fundamental player. Will play 2B, 3B, P for us and hit second in our line-up quite a bit.  A kid every coach would love to have on his team."

Alex Harrington- SS, 2026, 6-1, 175. Committed to Stanford. "Looks like an absolute stud. Has to be among the top 2026 players in the country. Made Team USA."

Hunter Harrington- OF, 2026, 6-1 175. Committed to Stanford. "Looks like an absolute stud. Just missed making the final Team USA roster."

Top Uncommitted 23s:

Max Bayles- P, 6-3, 220, R/R. "Thought he was a football player, but I have convinced him he is a much better baseball prospect. Good velocity and a tight curve ball. Loves to compete. Late bloomer but can dominate hitters with his stuff."

Haden DeAnda- C, 5-11, 180, R/R. "Strong armed catcher with some power. Could help a D2 or D3 school right away."

Top Uncommitted 24s:

Dennis (Trey) Telfer- P, 6-0, 165. "Advanced pitcher with plus stuff. Definite D1 arm."

Top Uncommitted 25s:

Raphael Dunne- 5-10, 155, L/R. "Great prospect in the 2025 class. Can play SS, 2B, 3B, OF, and pitch. He may be stuck behind some good juniors/seniors this year, but he is a definite D1 guy."

Top Uncommitted 26s:

Trey Kotsay- "Have just seen a couple workout so far but looks like a very talented kid who projects well. Time will tell."