2024 Preseason Preview: Archbishop Mitty
February 22, 2024
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The 2024 California high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across California.
Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective CIF Section Championship Game, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action and the Third Annual Prep Baseball California Spring Invitational.
Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across California. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, Podcasts and much more.
Our 2024 preseason coverage continues today.
High School: Archbishop Mitty Monarchs
Head Coach: Brian Yocke
CIF Section: CIF-CCS, Division 1
Conference League: WCAL
2023 Record: 21-8
Team X Handle: @MittyBaseball
Team Strengths: Lineup
No. of Returning Starters: 3
No. of Returning Pitchers: 1
Areas of Improvement: Pitching, minus Luka Pintar
COMMITTED PLAYERS
+ ‘24 LHP/DH Luka Pintar - San Diego State - 6’2 180 lbs.
+ ‘24 INF Nico Rodriguez - Wichita State - 5’8 145 lbs.
+ ‘24 UTIL Makoa Sniffen - St Mary’s - 6’1 190 lbs.
+ ‘24 INF Waylon Walsh - Santa Clara - 6’3 175 lbs.
TOP UNCOMMITTED SENIORS
+ ‘24 INF Tanner Kern - 5’10 190 lbs.
+ ‘24 C Andrew Sauceda - 5’10 180 lbs.
TEAM OUTLOOK
Last season, the Monarchs amassed 21 wins, en route to a second place finish in the West Catholic league, but graduated a large majority of that roster. As they head into the 2024 season, they will be relying on another crop of seniors to lead the way. On the mound ‘24 Luka Pintar is expected to be this teams No. 1, as he returns a team leading 1.73 ERA from a season ago.
Offensively, ‘24 Makoa Sniffen hit to an average of .234 last season, and will be looking to build off of that heading into his senior season. ‘24 Nico Rodriguez and ‘24 Waylon Walsh are a pair of other committed names on this squad that will be looking to make a big impact during their final prep seasons. The Monarchs also possess two talented uncommitted seniors in ‘24 Tanner Kern and ‘24 Andrew Sauceda. Kern recorded a .256 batting average in 2023, which included 10 RBIs, but expect those numbers to increase as he takes on a larger workload. As for Sauceda, he hit .290 in just 31 at-bats, and he too is expected to see more time this season.
Coach Brian Yocke’s Expectations: “Talented group of baseball players, but lack of experience due to a strong senior class of 16 players last season.”