Preseason Preview: Serra Padres

TEAM:

Junipero Serra Padres (San Mateo)

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Chris Houle (24, 4 as Head Coach)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@Serra_Baseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Central Coast Section / Open/Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL)

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

1-3

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

6

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

4

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

2021 3B Thomas Gould - Santa Clara

2021 OF/INF Pat Keighran - USF

2021 C Nico Button

2021 OF PK Walsh

2021 C/1B Pablo Ossio

2021 OF/C Joey Lee

2021 INF DJ Ghiorso

2021 RHP Will Pires

2022 OF/LHP Will Bowen

2022 INF Will Kinney

THE FUTURE:

2023 INF Ben Cleary - Santa Clara

2023 RHP/1B Jack Brownfield

SEASON OUTLOOK: 

Serra has a history of producing top-notch players and that development focus looks to be carrying into 2021 as well. In a unique season where the West Catholic League is split into two sections, the Padres are excited about the returning punch that their lineup is bringing. If it were a regular-season, this offense would be dangerous for any team in the WCAL, but the North Half will have to figure out how to slow it down. The Padres are looking to emphasize that offense in 2021 along with their strong team defense as their stable of arms, while talented, are inexperienced. Returning 6 starters and 4 pitchers, this team for Coach Houle will be heavy with upper-classmen with multiple who have been starting at the Varisty level for 3 years. The West Catholic has been one of the better leagues in California for quite some time and Serra consistently puts itself up as one of the best teams in the league. That looks to be the case again in 2021 for the Serra Padres.