PBR California All-State First Team
June 19, 2019
Prep Baseball Report California is excited to expand on the State Player and Pitcher of the Year awards by announcing the First Team All-State.
Last year, Prep Baseball Report California formalized the selection process for the individual State Player and Pitcher of the Year awards, which was a nod to the top performers in the state of California.
Our team of scouts also gathered to create an All-State Team to recognize the top performers across California. We decided there would be no restrictions put on selecting the team and as a result of so many top performances across the state, we published a 2nd and 3rd Team All-State which we will again do this year.
The All-State Team consists of 13 athletes from across California who rose above the competition and stood out at their respective positions. The All-State Team consists of one catcher, a first baseman, three infielders, three outfielders, four pitchers and one utility player.
These athletes made a strong impression on the PBR California scouting staff during the spring season both offensively and defensively on the baseball diamond. The list of athletes were nominated to and by the Prep Baseball Report California staff before being discussed in-depth.
We first released our Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year awards, then, after much deliberation, arrived at the athletes below who have earned their spot on the 2019 PBR California All-State First Team roster.
All-State First Team
C - Darrien Miller - Clovis HS - Class of 2019 - New Mexico Signee (Brewers 9th round, #283)
Miller led his Clovis Cougars to a CIF-Central Section D1 title this last spring and as the year went along, he kept getting better and better. The season got off to a slow start for Clovis HS, but as Miller went, so went the Cougars. The season got great momentum during the Fresno Easter Classic when Miller led his team to the finals before falling Buhach Colony HS in the final. But they were just getting started. The Cougars, in Coach James Patrick's final season in a legendary career, found themselves in the section final vs Frontier HS and ultimately came away with the title. He posted a season line of .398 (124 PA), 36 R, 19 RBI, 6 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 14 SB, 29:10 BB: ratio, 1.187 OPS. He not only provided stellar defense behind the plate (no errors), but also contributed as an outfielder.
1B - Javier Felix - Santa Cruz HS - Class of 2019 - San Diego State Signee
Felix was set to be a two-way player for the Cardinal this season, but a nagging shoulder injury cost him time on the mound and relegated him to 1B/DH duty. All he did was hit and be the big offensive threat that the team needed behind GJ Hill. Slashing .482/593/.785 with 6 2B's and 6 HR's while driving in 24 runs. He also showed his intelligence on the base paths being able to steal 9 bases. Look for the future Aztec to be an offensive weapon for them early in his career.
IF - Keoni Cavaco - Eastlake HS - Class of 2019 - San Diego State (Twins 1st round, #13 - Signed)
After missing a great portion of last season with an injury, Cavaco broke out in a big way during the fall and into the winter where he was lights out at the SDSU MLK Team Camp. He finished the season hitting .433 with 8 HR, 13 Doubles, 16 SB, and 33 runs scored. Struck out only 7 times in 113 plate appearances en route to earning the San Diego Section Player of the Year award and becoming the 13th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft.
IF - Brooks Lee - San Luis Obispo HS - Class of 2019 - Cal Poly Signee (Giants 35th round, #1046)
After bursting on the scene last summer Lee continued his torrid pace into the spring. Coming in as one of the top ranked pro prospects, Lee responded with a massive offensive season that only cemented his reputation as a potential high round draft pick. Lee slashed .405/.457/1.102 with 2 HR’s, 13 2B’s, 25 RBI, 26 R, 10 BB and 9 K’s. For statistical aficionados, Lee would have a very high BABIP measurement. Ultimately he chose to attend Cal Poly and play for his dad, Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee. Look for Lee to be a high round pick in the 2022 draft.
IF - Dalton Bowling - Kennedy HS - Class of 2019 - San Jose State Signee
A prototypical corner INF power hitter, Bowling wrapped up a tremendous high school career with a monstrous senior season. He not only put up big time offensive numbers and earned numerous accolades from various organizations and publications, he did so while being the clear top hitter on his team and showed the ability to carry a team. Going forward he projects well at 3rd base but also has the ability to catch and has good stuff on the mound. The numbers were big time: .536 (97 PA), 33 R, 33 RBI, 12 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 1.622 OPS, 12 SB. Contributed 15.1 strong innings on the mound as well.
OF - Pete Crow-Armstrong - Harvard Westlake HS - Class of 2020 - Vanderbilt Commit
Committed to Vanderbilt since his freshman season, Crow-Armstrong continued to show during the spring season why he's considered a slam dunk first round pick in the 2021 draft. Crow-Armstrong slashed .427/.509/1.071 on the season in helping lead Harvard Westlake to the CIF-SS Division I Championship Game. He scored 22 runs and finished with 22 RBI as well while stealing 10 bags with only one caught stealing, he also chipped in 13 walks on the season. Crow-Armstrong may be the best outfielder in his class in state where he demonstrates elite level athleticism, instincts, speed, and arm strength. He showed that off on the game ending double-play in the semifinals where he caught a ball and medium left-center field then threw a missile to first base to double up the runner.
OF - Steven Zobac - Valley Christian HS - Class of 2019 - Cal Signee
Two-way star for the Warriors leading them to a 29-4 record and third straight CIF-CCS Open Title. At the plate showed off his power and above-average bat-to-ball skills with .465/.622/.802 slash line including 12 2B's, 1 3B, and 5 HR's. He's an all around athlete who also stole 11 bases and put up superb defense in RF. On the mound, he became the team's Ace after serving as the closer earlier in the season building up his innings as the season progressed before finishing the season dominating opposing teams. In 18 appearances (7 starts) he went 6-1 with 4 saves over 60.2 IP giving up 2 ER for a 0.23 ERA. 75K/16BB and a .164 BAA.
OF - Colin Barber - Pleasant Valley HS - Class of 2019 - Oregon (Astros 4th round, #136 - Signed)
The left-hand hitting Barber put up monster numbers for the Pleasant Valley Vikings, leading them to a second consecutive section title. In 27 games the 6-foot-1, 190-lb Barber posted this line: .493 (112 PA), 45 R, 42 RBI, 7 2B, 3B, 10 HR, with an astounding 33:6 BB:K ratio. Going into the season one of the things scouts wanted to see from Barber was less swing and miss as well as seeing him dominate his level of competition, which he obviously did. He was drafted in the 4th round by the Houston Astros (#136 overall). In a 4-year varsity career Barber hit .470 while never hitting less than .449.
RHP - Drew Dalquist - Redondo Union HS - Class of 2019 - Arizona (White Sox 3rd round, #81 - Signed)
Dalquist was Redondo's ace all year appearing in 21 games going 67.0 innings and finishing the year 9-0. Dalquis had 103 strikeouts and finished with a 1.98 ERA. The University of Arizona signee was dominant all year and performed at a high level despite the increasing number of scouts at every outing. At one outing late in the season there were over 60 scouts including scouting directors and General Managers. In arguably one of his best performances, Dalquist struck 10 out of 13 batters in one game.
RHP - Stephen Klenske - Sage Creek HS - Class of 2019 - Sacramento State Signee
Klenske was lights out on the hill for Sage Creek in 2019 as he led them to a CIF-SDS D2 Championship. The senior righty shows mature feel and confidence on the mound while seemingly always in control of the situation. Finished 12-0 with a 0.39 ERA in 90 innings pitched. Struck out 126 while walking only 23 and allowing a mere 36 hits on the season good for an OBA of a paltry .114 against some of the best competition San Diego has to offer.
RHP - Max Rajcic - Orange Lutheran HS - Class of 2020 - UCLA Commit
Rajcic was the ace of what was the top team in the country for a better part of the season. The UCLA commit dominated on the mound in the toughest league in California going undefeated against league opponents and leading Orange Lutheran to back-to-back Trinity League titles as well as a third straight NHSI championship. A starter since his freshman season, Rajcic took the next step on the mound in his junior becoming the bona-fide ace of the pitching staff en route to a dominant season that saw Rajcic finish 8-1 with a save. He struck out 78 while walking only 14 and allowing five earned runs on the season, good for a 0.55 ERA.
LHP - Cooper Hjerpe - Woodland HS - Class of 2019 - Oregon State Signee
Hjerpe, a senior left-handed pitcher/1st baseman/outfielder for the Wolves, had about as dominating a season on the mound as any pitcher in the state. In addition to a sparking season stat line of: 44 IP, 5-1, 1.43 ERA, 10 G, 7 GS, 13 H, 14 R (9 ER), 105 K, 20 BB, he also threw four no-hitters, including a perfect game, and recorded a save for good measure. Three of the no-hitters came in consecutive starts, which was one short of tying the state record. He limited opposing hitters to a .093 BA and a .202 OBP. As a hitter he also had a strong season, hitting .427 with 37 RBI, 5 2B, 3 3B, and 6 HR. There were numerous area scouts who had him quite far up their pref lists but ulitmately signability kept him undrafted. That won’t be the case in the 2022 draft when Hjerpe very well be a 1st round pick.
UTL - RHP/OF Jared Jones - La Mirada HS - Class of 2020 - Southern Cal Commit
Jones, a junior right handed pitcher/outfielder for La Mirada, saved his best for last when in his last outing of the season he touched 99 three times in the first inning. He also had a MAMMOTH home run in that game that helped propel the Matadores to the CIF-SS D1 semifinals. Facing the best competition in the state Jones finished 7-1 with a 0.77 ERA, 94 strikeouts, 29 walks while limiting hitters to a .114 OBA. At the plate he slashed .457/.547/.627 with 3 HR, 16 RBI, 15 walks on 43 hits and accounted for many big and dramatic (see HR below) hits last season.
