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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - In January we will again see players from all over the region at our Preseason ID events, including some players we've previously seen. In those cases we look forward to seeing the development for those players. There will also be many players we've not seen before, some we've heard of and have been looking forward to seeing. Those players will show us their tools while creating a data/metrics baseline in their Prep Baseball profile.

Looking back at players we saw at a Prep Baseball California event or in a high school, summer, or fall game, these juniors feel like good bets to make loud noise this spring... some are coming back from injury, some because of increased opportunity due to graduation, while some have been under the radar a bit and started to break out last summer.

Here is the link to the 2023 version of this article... check it out and see how accurate the crystal ball was.

Oh, speaking of the Preseason ID events, here is a link to the five we have coming up. Come on out, show us what you've got! Let's get your talents and hard work publicized BEFORE the spring season.

LINK TO ALL 2024 PBR CALIFORNIA PRESEASON EVENTS

SS Dario Freschi, Vintage HS (2025) - In the Comeback Player of the Year category I see the junior shortstop as having the most impactful season. Freschi (ACL surgery due to injury sustained in 2022/2023 basketball season) is one of the top left-handed hitters in his class, regardless of position. As a freshman he started for the Crushers and his home run at Casa Grande stood out as a lasting memory of the 2022 high school season. His at-bats are gritty and feisty, able to hit both RH and LH pitching, with the ability to work the count and make consistent/impactful contact, to all fields.

C Eli Burnham, Davis HS (2025) - Was a standout at BAWS 2023, showing off power AND the hit tool (grinded out an impressive at-bat vs 2024 RHP Liam Golden, a double down the RF line), to go with one of the strongest arms among catchers in his class. In what is one of the region's top leagues (Delta League), Burnam is going to emerge as an MVP candidate while his Davis Blue Devils contend for a league title. This will lead to not only D1 attention for Burnham, but also glean interest from the pro scouts when they see him compete vs Franklin HS RHP Nic Abraham.

RHP Arlo Pendleton, Petaluma HS (2025) - For two years Petaluma has had one of the most heavily relied on, and effective pitchers in the region, Aaron Davainis (now at Cal). The innings load carried by Davainis the last two seasons was hefty (87.2 and 82.1 IP last two seasons) and Pendleton, who was held back nearly all baseball season due to a finger injury sustained playing basketball, is poised to pick up the mantle as team 'horse' and keep Petaluma in contention during the VVAL season. It will be a big jump, but he's built to accept the challenge.

MIF Davis Minton, Serra HS (2025) - Serra, in the top league in Northern California (West Catholic Athletic League), is LOADED at the middle infield position. Senior Jake Downing (Cal Poly) is one of the region's top pure hitters, while senior Sammy Rivas (uncommitted) is among the most toolsy players in the class, with an INF/OF profile. Having seen Minton at a preseason event in 2023, he sure looked the part of not only a talented player, with good all-around tools, but a winning-type player. The Clemmens Crystal Ball sees an all-league campaign for Minton.

INF/P Mason Ravera, Granada HS (2025) - The 2023 Granada Matadors were led by two outstanding senior pitchers, LHP Joshua Morano (Arizona) and RHP Jason Krakoski (Fullerton). The 2024 team, with senior P/SS Parker Warner (Stanford) and the junior position player depth is going be just fine. I see Ravera having a breakout season as he somewhat fills the Warner role from last year, which would be manning SS when Warner pitches, and being utilized on the mound in versatile role, as the Matadors challenge De La Salle for league supremecy.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL 2025 RANKINGS LIST

UPCOMING EVENTS

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