With the 2019 high school baseball season just around the corner in California, we've been rolling out team previews from around the state.

In this edition we take a look at the Archbishop Mitty Monarchs, 2018 Central Coast Section semi-finalists in Division 2. The Monarchs have many starters returning and a few pitchers, which should give them a shot to contend in the rough and tumble West Catholic Athletic League.

(Players, be sure to search our database and claim your profile. Don't see your profile? You can create a free PBR profile here)

Team: Archbishop Mitty 

Nickname: Monarchs

Section: CIF-Central Coast Section, Division 2

League: West Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAL)

Head Coach/Years at school: Brian Yocke (9th year)

Team Twitter Handle: @MittyBaseball

2018 Overall Record: 22-8

2018 Postseason Finish: CCS- D2 Semi-Finalist

Number of Returning Starters: 7

Number of Returning Pitchers: 2-3

Top Returning Players:

'19 1B Joe Yorke; '19 UTL/RHP Jonah Advincula; '19 RHP Andrew McCann; '20 SS Nick Yorke; '21 RHP Jake Geis

College Commits:

'19 1B Joe Yorke - Boise State - '20 SS Nick Yorke - Arizona

Other Players To Watch:

'19 2B/P Dominic Quinones; '19 INF Connor Leaverton; '20 OF/RHP Arthur Soto; '20 UTL Jake Barbeau; '20 RHP Trevor Rogers

2019 Outlook:

The Monarchs had a good 2018 season by just about any measuring stick, finishing with a 22-8 record and a place in the semi-finals of the CCS-D2 tournament. However, given the track record of success at Mitty over the years, there are bigger goals each season. The 2018 Mitty Monarchs had two players perform at a very high level, with senior RHP Josh Seward earning a spot on the PBR-California All-State 1st Team and junior shortstop Nick Yorke earning WCAL Offensive Player of the Year.

The 2019 team will return a lot of experience and in high school baseball, that can be a strong indication that a special season could take place, especially when those experienced players are talented players. The Monarchs rely on the leadership of both Joe Yorke and brother Nick, both of whom are known in the South Bay region for not only their ability on the field but for their make-up and intangibles that bring a team together. 

Their JV squad had a strong season in 2018 and many of those players will get into the mix at the varsity level this year. Aside from the intangible strengths of this team (experience, leadership) the Monarchs should have a strong offensive attack. The top teams in the WCAL generally have very good pitching, with D1 committed pitchers at many of the programs. Games among the top teams in the conference are often quite low scoring. Bringing back a team with a strong offense very well could be a  separator for the Monarchs in 2019.

Leading the way among the returning players is junior SS Nick Yorke. He's an energetic and athletic infielder with the ability to play all over the diamond. In 2018 Yorke hit .494 in 101 plate appearances, with 18 2B, 2 HR, 22 RBI, and seven SB. He posted a .590 OB% with a 13:11 BB:SO ratio. His older brother, 1B Joe Yorke, is also a talented offensive player. He's a left-handed hitter with slugging potential and is coming off a season that saw him hit .377 with 10 2B, 2 HR, and 29 RBI. He's a solid gloveman at 1st base and a vocal leader on the field.

Senior utility man Jonah Advincula is another talented and versatile athlete (WCAL 2nd team in football) coming off a strong junior season and poised for a big 2019. Advincula will see time in the infield, outfield, and on the mound (2 saves in 2018). Offensively he is a catalyst for the Monarchs, with lead-off type tools and speed on the bases. As a junior he hit .319 in 96 plate appearances with a handful of extra base hits (4 2B, 3B, HR), 14 RBI and five stolen bases. Senior Connor Leaverton returns after starting at 3rd base last season and his left-handed bat will lengthen the line-up. Junior outfielder Arthur Soto also returns after starting as a sophomore. He's got offensive talent, with some extra base pop, that should continue to grow and emerge this season.

On the mound is where the 2019 Monarchs season could very well be determined. In losing Seward they lose 69 innings and 13 of the team's 28 games started. Of the returning pitchers, senior right-hander Dominic Quinones has the most experience. Quinones had a strong 2018 season, earning 2nd team All-WCAL honors after posting a 1.82 ERA in 39.1 IP. He started seven games, throwing two complete games. Fellow senior right-hander Andrew McCann also returns with quality experience. He made 11 appearances in 2018 (five starts), posting a 1.70 ERA in 33 IP. McCann has good pitchability and uses a quality breaking ball to keep hitters off balance. 

The pitching staff is hoping to get a big boost by the return of junior right-hander Trevor Rogers. He is a big, strong, projectable pitcher who missed 2018 after sustaining a football injury. If he can return to the form he's flashed in the past then the pitching staff all of a sudden gets quite a bit deeper. Sophomore right-hander Jake Geis is yet another talented pitcher who gained quality experience last season. Geis got in three games as a freshman, making one start. In nine innings he posted a 1.56 ERA and impressed PBR scout Ryan Ozella in a game last spring.

The WCAL is one of California's top conferences and the schedule is always a stiff test, with Valley Christian, Bellarmine, St. Francis, and Serra all routinely among the top teams in the region and Sacred Heart Cathedral and St. Ignatius also capable of beating anyone. The Mitty non-conference schedule has notable games vs. Los Gatos and Santa Cruz and they will play in two tournaments, including the Boras Classic in April.

Returning the conference offensive player of the year and six other starters is a good sign that the 2019 Mitty Monarchs will be heard from during the CCS playoffs. If they can find a way to replace the quality of the lost innings on the mound, they could very well be in the mix for conference and section title this season.

RELATED CONTENT

UPCOMING EVENTS