2024 Preseason Preview: Los Altos
January 21, 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: Los Altos Conquerors
Head Coach: Gabe Lopez
CIF Section: CIF-SS, Division 4
Conference League: Hacienda League
2023 Record: 9-17
Team X Handle: @losaltosbball
Team Strengths: Pitching and Young Talent
No. of Returning Starters: 6
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Areas of Improvement: Offense
TOP UNCOMMITTED SENIORS
+ INF Chris Barrientos - 5’8, 165 lbs.
+ INF Danny Duran - 5’9 175 lbs.
TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS
Class of 2026
+ SS/RHP Nico Munoz - 6’2 175 lbs.
+ RHP/UTIL Jacob Vargas - 5’9 160lbs.
Class of 2027
+ INF Alex Maduray - 5’10 170 lbs.
+ LHP Manny Tinajero - 6’0 150 lbs.
+ RHP/1B Dominic Estrada - 6'1 180 lbs.
+ INF Mikey Arroyo - 5'8, 155 lbs.
+ C Matt McEachren - 5'8, 155 lbs.
+ RHP/DH Ethier Diaz - 6'0, 195 lbs.
TEAM OUTLOOK
While the Conquerors will be relying on a number of underclassmen during their 2024 campaign, seniors ‘24 Chris Barrientos and ‘24 Danny Duran will be leaned on as the most experienced members of Los Altos. When talking about underclassmen, Coach Lopez certainly expects them to step up and deliver at the varsity level. Expected to man shortstop is ‘26 Nico Munoz and he will also see some solid time on the bump, too. Classmate of the Munoz, ‘26 Jacob Vargas will be another two-way contributor for Los Altos.
In regards to freshman, the Conquerors will deploy a number of them throughout the season. Some freshman arms to note are ‘27 Manny Tinajero, ‘27 Dominic Estrada, and ‘27 Either Diaz, with both Estrada and Diaz also expected to see time on the offensive side of things, too. ‘27 Alex Maduray, ‘27 Mikey Arroyo, and ‘27 Matt McEachren are three other freshmen expected to make contributions. While it isn’t clear exactly how all of these freshmen will be utilized over the course of the year, one thing is clear - Coach Lopez will rely on a number of them to fill some key losses from last year’s team.