2024 Preseason Preview: Palos Verdes
February 1, 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: Palos Verdes Sea Kings
Head Coach: Alex Morales
CIF Section: CIF-SS, Division 1
Conference League: Bay
2023 Record: 16-12
Team X Handle: @KingsBaseball
Team Strengths: Depth should be a strength.
No. of Returning Starters: 2
No. of Returning Pitchers: 2
Areas of Improvement: Length of lineup should be an improvement from last season. On the mound we will be looking to improve. We have arms, but inexperienced and should improve as the season progresses.
TOP UNCOMMITTED SENIORS
+ ‘24 INF Justin Camel - 6’0 170 lbs.
+ ‘24 C/1B Kaden Stone - 6’1 190 lbs.
+ ‘24 INF/RHP Tyler Tellenbach - 5’11 185 lbs.
+ ‘24 LHP DJ Cicero, LHP, Senior - 6’4 210 lbs.
+ ‘24 RHP/OF Stephen Deakins - 6’2 195 lbs.
+ ‘24 P/UTIL Lukas Lizdenis - 6’0 180 lbs.
TOP UNCOMMITTED JUNIORS
+ ‘25 OF/C Luke Bowen - 6’0 180 lbs.
+ ‘25 RHP/1B Gavin Eades - 6’1 210 lbs.
+ ‘25 C/OF Cole Sipes - 6’0 175 lbs.
TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS
Class of 2026
+ ‘26 INF/RHP Kai’nalu Van Scoyoc - 5’11 160 lbs.
+ ‘26 C/OF RJ Paddock - 6’0 200 lbs.
+ ‘26 LHP Ronin Fujisawa - 6’0 170 lbs.
+ ‘26 RHP Wesley Wang - 5’11 160 lbs.
Class of 2027
+ ‘27 RHP/INF Jonah Cohen - 6’0 160 lbs.
+ ‘27 RHP/1B Asher Friedman - 6’0 175 lbs.
+ ‘27 RHP/OF Tyler Kaercher - 5’9 155 lbs.
TEAM OUTLOOK
While there are a number of seniors on this Sea Kings team, many of them will be getting their first taste of the varsity level. Of those returning, ‘24 Justin Camel and ‘24 Kaden Stone are the most experienced as they each have three years under their belts. ‘24 Tyler Tellenbach is another veteran returner and he is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball for the Sea Kings. A few other seniors to note are ‘24 DJ Cicero, ‘24 Stephen Deakins, who is a transfer from Texas, and ‘24 Lukas Lizdenis, who is a switch hitter and switch pitcher.
As for juniors, ‘25 Luke Bowen and ‘25 Cole Sipes will provide some depth at the catcher position for Coach Morales. Still pretty new to pitching, ‘25 Gavin Eades has been showing some upside throughout offseason work according to Coach Morales, so expect to see him on the mound in some capacity this year. A number of sophomores will also look to contribute this year, too. ‘26 Kai’nalu Van Scoyoc, ‘26 Ronin Fujisawa, and ‘26 Wesley Wang are a trio of arms to know on this team, with Van Scoyoc also looking to make two-way contributions. ‘26 RJ Paddock adds even more depth behind the plate and will also provide some pop in the heart of the Sea Kings’ lineup. A number of freshmen have also made a good impression on Coach Morales so far in ‘27 Jonah Cohen, ‘27 Asher Friedman, and ‘27 Tyler Kaercher.
Coach Alex Morales’s Expectations: “We will be young in terms of experience. Not many varsity at-bats or innings on the mound returning. ”