2024 Preseason Preview: Servite
February 14, 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: Servite Friars
Head Coach: Shawn Gilbert
CIF Section: CIF-SS, Division 1
Conference League: Trinity
2023 Record: 14-14
Team X Handle: ServiteFriarsBB
Team Strengths: Speed & defense
No. of Returning Starters: 5
No. of Returning Pitchers: 5
Areas of Improvement: Pitching
COMMITTED PLAYERS
+ ‘24 1B Tyler Thorsteinson - Westmont - 6’2 188 lbs.
+ ‘25 SS Hayden Woodson - USC - 5’11 170 lbs.
+ ‘25 OF/LHP Miles Scott - California - 5’10 160 lbs.
TOP UNCOMMITTED SENIORS
+ ‘24 OF Luke Wilson - 5’8 155 lbs.
+ ‘24 C Ryan Villanueva - 5’11 187 lbs.
TOP UNCOMMITTED JUNIORS
+ ‘25 1B/OF Tomas Cernius - 6’4 230 lbs.
+ ‘25 RHP Ben Dominguez - 6’7 180 lbs.
+ ‘25 OF Avery Jones - 5’7 150 lbs.
+ ‘25 RHP Toby Kwon - 6’2 180 lbs.
+ ‘25 RHP Talan Larson - 6’4 175 lbs.
+ ‘25 RHP/DH Valentine Lopez - 6’2 210 lbs.
+ ‘25 LHP Gustavo Gutierrez - 5’9 165 lbs.
+ ‘25 INF Austin Boatright - 6’1 165 lbs.
TOP UNDERCLASS FOLLOWS
Class of 2026
+ ‘26 INF James Clark - 6’0 170 lbs.
+ ‘26 OF Miles Clark - 5’11 165 lbs.
Class of 2027
+ ‘27 OF Dylan Kemp - 5’9 165 lbs.
+ ‘27 OF/RHP Isaiah Camacho - 6’0 150 lbs.
TEAM OUTLOOK
The Friars will be led by a trio of committed players in ‘24 Tyler Thornsteinson, ‘25 Hayden Woodson, and ‘25 Miles Scott, all of which will contribute on the offensive side of things, with Scott also expected to see some time on the mound. A pair of other seniors, ‘24 Luke Wilson and ‘24 Ryan Villanueva are expected to be big pieces of the Friars’ offensive, too.
There are also a number of other juniors that will play a big role in the Friar's success this season. Offensively, ‘25 Tomas Cernius, ‘25 Avery Jones, and ‘25 Austin Boatright are three names that are expected to contribute with the bat. ‘25 Ben Dominguez, ‘25 Toby Kwon, ‘25 Talan Larson, ‘25 Valentine Lopez, and ‘25 Gustavo Gutierrez will all see time on the mound according to Coach Gilbert, with Lopez also being this team designated hitter.
As for underclassmen, ‘26 James Clark and ‘26 Miles Clark are a pair of sophomores who both offer some athleticism for the Friars. While it is unclear as to what exactly their roles will be this season, ‘27 Dylan Kemp and ‘27 Isaiah Camacho are a freshmen duo that have already made a quality impression on Coach Gilbert and staff - so keep an eye out for them.
Coach Shawn Gilbert’s Expectations: “We expect to compete for a playoff spot”
MORE PREP BASEBALL NEWS