Prep Baseball Report

California All-State Team


Prep Baseball California Staff

  

  

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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The 2024 spring high school season in California generated some incredible individual moments and performances throughout all corners of the state. As the spring high school season comes to a close, Prep Baseball California is excited to announce the players who emerged ahead of the competition at all levels in the state of California. These players have been selected not only for their outstanding statistical numbers, but also for their overall effect on their high school program.

2024 California Player of the Year: Bryce Rainer

CALIFORNIA FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE

PITCHERS

Ethan Schiefelbein LHP / Corona , CA / 2024

Schiefelbein was dominant on the mound for the Panthers this season, making 10 appearances and finishing with an 8-0 record and an astonishing 0.27 ERA. Over 52 innings, he racked up 83 strikeouts, allowing only two earned runs all season, which came seven weeks apart. His command and stuff were unmatched, boasting a nearly 8:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Josh Jannicelli RHP / Cardinal Newman, CA / 2025

Jannicelli turned in a phenomenal season for the Cardinals, finishing with a 12-1 record over 16 starts. He posted a stellar 0.73 ERA, striking out 116 batters while issuing just 16 walks. His impressive performance earned him league MVP honors as well as area MVP recognition from multiple publications. The future UCSB Gaucho made his mark as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. 

Gabriel Lopez LHP / Arcadia, CA / 2024

Lopez, a signee for Cal State Dominguez Hills, was named his conference's Pitcher of the Year. His best outing came against state-ranked Aquinas, where he struck out nine batters  and allowed just two hits. He didn't allow a run in his first two starts that resulted in two no-decisions.

Jake Ourique RHP / Gahr , CA / 2026

Facing formidable opponents in the CIF, Ourique showcased dominance throughout the 2024 season for Gahr. With a remarkable 7-1 record over 66 innings pitched, he amassed 57 strikeouts and maintained an impressive 1.15 ERA finishing with an impressive six complete games. His performance solidified his position as one of the top sophomore right-handed pitchers in the CIF-Southern Section.

Cade Townsend RHP / Santa Margarita , CA / 2024

Townsend was the Co-Trinity League Pitcher of the Year, showcasing his skills against several of the nation's top teams. He ended the season with an impeccable 6-0 record and a stellar 1.56 ERA, recording an impressive 96 strikeouts. Opposing batters struggled greatly against him, managing just a .165 batting average.

Drew Nelson RHP / San Juan Hills , CA / 2025

Nelson's impressive performances included back-to-back complete-game shutouts in the final two weeks of league play, leading his team to a league championship. He continued his dominance in the playoffs, pitching 6 scoreless innings in the Round 1 game. Nelson set team records for Best ERA, Fewest Runs Allowed, and Most Wins in a season. His season stats included 54.1 innings pitched, an 8-1 record with 1 save, just 5 earned runs, 44 strikeouts, and an outstanding 0.51 ERA.

INFIELDERS

Billy Carlson SS / Corona , CA / 2025

Carlson had a breakout offensive season for the Panthers, hitting .363 with 33 hits, including 9 doubles and 4 home runs. He drove in 22 runs, walked 15 times, and struck out only 9 times. His stellar defense remained a staple of his game. Carlson delivered multiple clutch hits throughout the season, with none bigger than his walk-off home run in the opening round of the playoffs.

Ari Silva LHP / McClatchy, CA / 2026

Silva had a phenomenal season, boasting a .506 batting average with 44 hits, 2 home runs, and 40 RBIs. He crossed the plate 33 times, drew 19 walks, and struck out only 5 times, while also stealing 13 bases. Silva's offensive prowess was so formidable that he was often pitched around late in the season. His numbers were reminiscent of former state player of the year Malcolm Moore, also of McClatchy High School. 

Tyler Arnold RHP / Rancho Bernardo, CA / 2024

A four-year varsity starter, he made his mark as the Coastal League Player of the Year and earned a spot on the 1st Team All-CIF-SDS. His standout performance in the 2024 San Diego Lions Tournament, where he was named MVP in the Open Division, solidified his reputation as a top-tier player. Despite suffering a late-season injury that kept him out of the CIF-SDS Championship Game, he still managed an impressive .353 batting average with 30 hits, 7 home runs, and 29 RBIs. His on-base percentage stood at .437, showcasing his offensive prowess throughout the season.

Brenden Lewis SS / Granite Hills , CA / 2025

Lewis had a spectacular season for Granite Hills, earning CIF-SDS Division I Player of the Year honors. He hit .382 with 19 runs scored, 34 hits, 17 RBIs, 3 stolen bases, 16 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Lewis played above-average defense at shortstop and made contributions on the mound while leading Granite Hills to a league title and the postseason.

Jax Gimenez 3B / Whitney, CA / 2024

Gimenez had a spectacular senior season, setting records for most career hits (121), runs (98), walks (46), and stolen bases (60). He maintained an impressive .442 batting average with 42 hits, 4 home runs, 21 RBIs, 38 runs scored, and 13 walks while hitting from the leadoff spot.

Nate Castellon SS / Calabasas , CA / 2024

Castellon, the standout player for one of the Marmonte League's top teams, earned league MVP honors. He made a game-winning defensive play against Westlake in a pivotal series and played a key role in leading his team to the playoffs. Castellon boasted an impressive .500 batting average with 43 hits and 10 stolen bases.

Brock Thompson SS / Liberty , CA / 2024

Thompson was a powerhouse at the plate this season, hitting .402 and drawing 35 walks, which contributed to an outstanding .552 on-base percentage. His contributions were instrumental in leading the Patriots to both Central Section and Southern California regional titles, capping off the year with an incredible 20-game winning streak. Thompson's offensive prowess was evident with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, and an impressive 22 stolen bases. 

CATCHERS

Augie Lopez C / Loyola, CA / 2024

Named to the 1st Team All-Mission League, he showcased his offensive skills with a .389 batting average, tallying 33 hits, 5 home runs, 19 RBIs, 20 runs scored, and 15 walks. Always a threat at the plate, Lopez had a standout performance against ND, recording 2 doubles and driving in 4 runs to secure the win.  

Brayden Jaksa C / Irvington, CA / 2025

Jaksa delivered a stellar performance this season, posting an impressive .437 batting average. His disciplined eye at the plate paid off, resulting in a remarkable .560 on-base percentage. He showcased his power with eight doubles, six home runs, and a triple, while also proving his speed on the base paths by swiping 12 bases.

Nicholas Montgomery C / Cypress, CA / 2024

Montgomery, named Empire League MVP and committed to Arizona State, had a solid season with a .302 batting average, four home runs, 21 RBIs, 31 walks, and 21 stolen bases while batting leadoff for the Centurions. His impressive skills at the plate and strong arm made him widely regarded as the top MLB Draft catching prospect in Southern California.

Josh Springer C / Corona, CA / 2024

Springer, committed to Oregon, had an impressive season with a .381 batting average, 18 runs scored, 15 RBIs, 2 doubles, 1 home run, and a notable 9 hit-by-pitches. Defensively, he excelled by throwing out 3 would-be base stealers and allowing only one stolen base all season. He concluded his four-year starting career with a standout performance, proving to be a threat at the plate and a reliable presence behind it.

OUTFIELDERS

TP Wentworth OF / Central Catholic , CA / 2024

Wentworth, a three-sport star league MVP, had an impressive senior season that saw him dominate on both sides of the ball. He hit .360 with a .500 on-base percentage, seven home runs, two doubles, and two triples, and also stole 13 bases. On the mound, he was a workhorse, striking out 119 batters and maintaining a stellar 0.51 ERA over 69 innings.

Quinten Marsh OF / Valley Christian , CA / 2025

Marsh, committed to Stanford, had an impressive season with a .378 batting average, 18 RBIs, 23 runs scored, and one home run. On the pitching side, he maintained a strong 1.14 ERA with a 9-3 record, striking out 88 batters over 74 innings pitched. Marsh played a key role in leading a potent Valley Christian offense and was among the team's top performers as they made another deep playoff run.

Anthony Pack OF / Lakewood, CA / 2025

Pack, committed to Texas, had a standout season, batting .394 with three doubles and three triples, scoring 30 runs, and recording 11 stolen bases for the Moore League champions. His strong arm and defensive skills in center field were instrumental for the Rams, helping them secure another playoff spot. Pack's range and arm strength make him a formidable presence in the outfield, showcasing his abilities at a crucial defensive position.

Angel Laya OF / Eastlake High, CA / 2025

Eastlake's Oregon commit had an impressive season with a .376 batting average, 25 runs scored, 21 RBIs, 11 doubles, and 17 walks. He was equally outstanding defensively, showcasing his skills in center field with a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage and contributing two outfield assists during the Titans' deep playoff run in the Open Division.

TWO-WAY

Seth Hernandez RHP / OF / Corona , CA / 2025

The Vanderbilt commit had an outstanding season, going 9-0 with a 0.62 ERA and tallying 73 strikeouts in 56 innings. His mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider made him a force on the mound. Not just a pitcher, he was also one of California's best hitters, boasting a .352 batting average, a .413 on-base percentage, 8 home runs, 7 doubles, and a triple.

Braylon Doughty RHP / OF / Chaparral, CA / 2024

Doughty boasted a .329 batting average with 8 home runs, 31 RBIs, 25 runs scored, and 15 walks. On the mound, he pitched 50.1 innings, finishing with a 4-3 record, 8 earned runs, and an impressive 85 strikeouts with a stellar 1.11 ERA. Setting school records for season and career ERA at 1.42 and career strikeouts at 206, he struck out 8 or more batters in all 9 starts. A legitimate threat at the plate, he hit near the top of the lineup and was among the top hitters on his team.

Tyler Patrick C / RHP / Clovis West, CA / 2024

Patrick had a strong season with a .357 batting average, 35 hits, 6 home runs, 36 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 17 walks, and 17 strikeouts at the plate. On the mound, he pitched 56.1 innings, earning an 8-1 record with 1 save, 7 earned runs, and 68 strikeouts, boasting an impressive 0.87 ERA. He recorded 4 complete games, including two 2-hitters and a 3-hitter. As the team leader in home runs and RBIs, he was named the '24 TRAC Player of the Year, showcasing his clutch performances throughout the season.

Parker Warner RHP / SS / Granada, CA / 2024

Warner had a standout season as the top pitcher on NorCal's best team, guiding Granada to section and regional championships in '24. He compiled a remarkable 13-0 record with a 0.93 ERA, striking out 69 batters across 75 innings. Warner's impact wasn't limited to the mound; he also excelled at the plate, hitting .367 with 14 extra-base hits.

Upcoming Events

Showcase State Date Location
Future Games (Class of 2026/27) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2028/29) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
Senior Future Games (Class of 2025) NATIONAL 07/24 LakePoint Sports
2024 California State Games (Invite-Only) CA 08/09 Fullerton College


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