2023 Team Preview: Crean Lutheran Saints

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 Crean Lutheran Saints who are looking to build off their winning record in 2022. The Saints are a veteran group with a total of 16 seniors, and they will lean on that experience plus its ample pitching depth to compete for a league title and clinch a spot in the playoffs.

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Team:

Crean Lutheran Saints

Head Coach (years at school):

Jake Haney (15)

Twitter Handle:

@CreanBaseball

CIF Section & Division:

CIF SS D4

Conference/League Name:

Empire

Last Year’s Record:

14-13-1

6-4 (League) 

2022 Playoff Run:

N/A

# of Returning Starters:

7

# of Returning Pitchers:

9

Team Expectations:

"We have a really talented and veteran group (16 seniors), with a lot of returning experience. We have the most mound depth we've ever had. The expectation is that this group has the talent to push for a league title and make a deep playoff run."

Team Strengths:

"Pitching, IF defense"

Areas of Improvement:

"Base running, offensive execution"

College Commitments:

(2023) Andrew An- IF, 6', 175, R/R (Pomona-Pitzer)

(2023) Lucas Aguirre- IF/C, 6', 185, R/R (Dallas U)

(2023) Nick Cangas- C, 5'10", 175, R/R (Midland U)

(2023) Mark Fedro- IF/OF, 6'2", 185, R/R (Hawaii-Hilo)

(2023) Bryan Fernandez- RHP, 6', 210, R/R (Lewis and Clark College)

(2023) Jack O'Malley- RHP, 6'7", 220, R/R (Bucknell U)-- "Wild card for us. Missed last season due to injury. Up to 91 with ++ split."

(2023) Alex Iida- RHP- 5'9", 170, R/R (St. Mary's U)

(2023) Wyatt Nichol- RHP, 6'1", 165, R/R (Pepperdine U)-- "Pounds the zone with 3+ pitches. Velo jumped up to 91 from last year."

(2024) Sho Garcia- SS/P, 5'11", 160, R/R (Georgetown U)-- "Smooth defender, extremely athletic."

Top Uncommitted 23s:

James Derflinger- IF/P, 6', 175, R/R-- "Under recruited due to injuries. Up to 90 on the mound and runs a 6.5 60. Freak athlete."

Jack Sand- 1B/P, 5'11", 175, L/L-- "83-88 and can really spin. Command has been an issue. Our best hitter as well."

Top Uncommitted 24s:

Jackson Haney- C, 2024, 5'10", 170, R/R-- "Elite receive, block, throw, controls game."

UPCOMING EVENTS