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Spring Invitational All Tournament Team

March 19, 2024
Prep Baseball California Staff

 

  

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LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The Third Annual Prep Baseball California Spring Invitational concluded in thrilling fashion as Orange Lutheran defeated Corona to take home the title. It was the third time in tournament history that Orange Lutheran has claimed or shared the crown. The Spring Invitational has quickly established itself as the premier tournament in Southern California High School Baseball with 194 professional scouts, including dozens of scouting directors and cross checkers, coming out to see the talented participating players. 

As in years past there were several marquee performances over the four games each team played in the tournament and we are here to honor those performances with our All-Tournament Team and MVP awards. 

The All-Tournament Team is composed of four outfielders, five infielders, one catcher, one utility, two two-way players and five pitchers along with one tournament MVP. Players were selected based on their impact on games, timeliness of plays and their impact in given situations, along with their final tournament statistics. 

MVP

2025 SS/RHP Billy Carlson - Corona - Vanderbilt

Junior SS/RHP Billy Carlson of Corona High School is the MVP of the 2024 Prep Baseball California Spring Invitational. Carlson led the Panthers to the Championship Game by hitting .500 (5-for-10) over four games. In Game Two against Huntington Beach Carlson exploded at the plate with a pair of doubles that one-hopped the wall and likely would’ve left the yard were it not for the frigid temperatures at the park. He continued his hot streak at the plate by banging another double against JSerra in the semifinal game. In the Championship Game Carlson collected another pair of hits to help keep the Panthers alive in a game that they were never out of. Carlson also earned the save in the semifinal game, throwing one inning allowing one hit and registering one strikeout. 

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Outfielders

2024 Ben Reiland - Orange Lutheran - Oklahoma St. 

Senior outfielder Ben Reiland got off to a torrid start in the Spring Invitational that saw him hit .385 (5-for-13) that included timely hits resulting in three RBI through four games. Reiland also scored two runs. Reiland drew two critical walks in the semifinal game, cashing in on one of them. The quintessential table setter from the leadoff spot, Reiland helped lead Orange Lutheran to the Championship with his hitting, baserunning, and ability to swipe a bag when needed. 

2026 James Tronstein - Harvard Westlake - Stanford

Sophomore James Tronstein has established himself as one of the top hitters in his class in the state and that was on full display during the Spring Invitational. After hitting .455 (5-for-11), Tronstein made it very clear that he’s a presence to be reckoned with in the Wolverines lineup with two doubles, three RBI, a walk and a pair of runs scored. A threat to steal a bag when needed, Tronstein also played a fantastic centerfield making plays to both sides in critical situations. 

2025 Adrien Ramirez - Gahr

Junior Adrien Ramirez had a huge Spring Invitational for the Gladiators of Gahr impacting games from both sides of the ball. Ramirez finished hitting .714 (5-for-7) with three walks, four RBI, and four runs scored. Ramirez’s impact was also felt on the defensive side where he made two spectacular catches to go along with a few hustle plays to keep runners from advancing. 

2024 Derek Curiel - Orange Lutheran - LSU

Senior Derek Curiel got off to a great start to his senior campaign during the Spring Invitational where he hit a clean .400 (4-for-10) with timely hits in key situations. In the semifinal game he had a pair of hits that would help break the game open in favor of the Lancers. Curiel, an LSU signee, also scored four runs and drove in another four to go along with three walks. 

INFIELDERS

2025 John Short - Cypress

Junior John Short made the most of his return to full health during the Spring Invitational hitting .500 (6-for-12) for the Centurions. Short, a significant uncommitted bat in this class, also drove in four run to go with a pair of walks and a run scored while playing high level defense at the hot corner for Cypress. 

2024 Drew Nguyen - El Dorado

Senior Drew Nguyen had a fantastic tournament for the Golden Hawks hitting .600 (6-for-10) over the four games. Nguyen was a catalyst from the middle of the lineup finishing with three RBI, a run scored and a walk. Nguyen also showed his chops at third base making some tough plays look routine. 

2025 Cole Clark - Huntington Beach

Junior Cole Clark helped lead the Oilers to a 3-1 finish in the Spring Invitational on the back of hitting .444 (4-for-9) with four RBI, a run scored and a walk. But Clark’s impact was also felt on defense where he made several high level plays at shortstop to stunt rally’s before they happened. In the opener, an 11 inning affair, Clark single handedly killed a late inning rally with a spectacular backhand play that a lot of guys don’t get to, to start an inning-ending double play late in the game. 

2025 Cole Strane - JSerra - USC

Junior Cole Strane took full advantage of every opportunity he had at the plate finishing with a .454 (5-for-11) average. Strane also drove in a pair of runs, scored two runs, and drew a walk in his plate appearances. Strane showed the ability to handle high level pitching with aplomb and the ability to drive the ball using all fields during the tournament. 

2024 Bryce Rainer - Texas

Senior Bryce Rainer, the No. 1 player nationall in the class, did not disappoint in his four games of the Spring Invitational hitting .357 (5-for-14) with a pair of RBI and a walk. The Texas signee set the table from the leadoff spot where even his outs were of the loud variety. Rainer also hopped on the mound in two relief appearances, touching 96 mph with the fastball and striking out the side twice in four innings of work. 

2024 AJ Beltre - Maranatha - Washington

Senior AJ Beltre had a monster tournament for Marantha who finished 3-1 overall. Hitting in the leadoff spot, the Washington commit collected three multi-hit games with one of them being a three-hit day. Beltre hit .438 (7-for-16) with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored. He also walked twice. His two RBI-game came in a game in which he went hitless but still impacted the offense for the Minutemen who were making their tournament debut. 

CATCHER

2026 Brady Murrietta - Orange Lutheran - Texas

Sophomore Brady Murrietta established himself as the top catcher in his class with the bat, the glove, and his arm. Murrietta hit .444 (4-for-9) including a deep home run in the Championship Game that helped propel the Lancers to the title. Murrietta finished with five RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. He also threw out four would-be base stealers defensively.

UTILITY 

2026 Warren Gravely - Santa Margarita

Junior Catcher/Pitcher Warren Gravely quietly put together one of the best offensive tournaments of any participating player. Gravely, a transfer from Northern California, finished the tournament hitting .600 (6-for-10) out of the DH spot for the Eagles. He started and kept rally’s going with multiple key hits as the Eagles finished 2-2 in their inaugural playing of the tournament. 

TWO-WAY PLAYERS

2025 Seth Hernandez - Corona - Vanderbilt

The No. 1 player nationally in the 2025 class, Hernandez didn’t disappoint in his high school baseball debut for the Panthers by playing third base, outfield, and pitching. Hernandez finished by hitting .364 (4-for-11) with three RBI, two walks, and a run scored. Hernandez made a huge play in the Championship Game when he caught a ball in middle-deep right field before throwing a strike to home to cut down a run by four steps. Hernandez was also magnificent on the mound, throwing six innings allowing one hit, two runs and striking out nine batters while touching 98 mph with the fastball. 

2026 Caleb Trugman - Ayala

Sophomore Caleb Trugman was a bit of a revelation during the Spring Invitational making his presence felt early and often. In the opening game of the tournament he made a play to his left up the line where he dove and got fully extended before popping up to throw a dart to first to cut down a runner. Trugman hit .333 (3-for-9) with two runs scored, two RBI, and a walk. In Game Two he threw five stellar innings striking out seven while allowing a single run. 

2025 Zach Strickland - Maranatha - UCLA

Junior Zach Strickland made his presence known immediately as he threw the first pitch of the tournament and would go on to dominate from the mound. Strickland threw 10 combined innings over two starts allowing just two hits while striking out 17 and walking one. His Opening Day start was a thing of beauty allowing just one base runner across five while fanning eight. At the plate Strickland contributed in both of his starts, going 4-for-6 in those at-bats and finishing the tournament with a .364 average and a pair of RBI and a triple. 

PITCHERS

2024 Levi Sterling - Notre Dame - Texas

Senior Levi Sterling was amongst the bigger scouting draws of the tournament. The 6-foot-4 RHP/1B didn’t disappoint on the mound, throwing seven innings with five strikeouts, three hits, and two walks over two tournament outings. While he wasn’t in mid-season form, Sterling was good enough to help his team win games. The Texas signee was brilliant in his Opening Day outing against Huntington Beach that resulted in a no-decision as the game went to extra innings. 

2027 Tanner Brown - Huntington Beach - TCU

Freshman Tanner Brown was brilliant in two appearances for the Oilers. Brown, a TCU commit, threw five innings with six strikeouts while allowing one hit. He was masterful in his Opening Day relief appearance where he tossed three scoreless innings while striking out three and inducing weak contact throughout his appearance. 

2026 Jake Ourique - Gahr

Junior Jake Ourique made the most of his Opening Day start, throwing a complete game in a 6-2 win. Ourique allowed two hits, two runs while striking out five in the outing that propelled the Gladiators into a big time second round matchup. Ourique finished the tournament throwing 11 innings with nine strikeouts, five hits, and three walks. 

2026 Ross Clark - Orange Lutheran 

Junior Ross Clark was impressive in his Opening Day relief appearance going four strong innings allowing just two hits while striking out six. He would throw an inning of relief in the Championship Game allowing one hit and registering a strikeout. Clark showed off the improved changeup that just falls off the table to left-handed hitters and has developed into a true weapon for him on the mound. 

2027 Michael Aleman - Etiwanda

Freshman Michael Aleman got the Opening Day nod for Etiwanda and was masterful through four innings before running into some trouble. Aleman went 4.2 innings allowing six hits, one earned run while striking out three showing poise beyond his years. In his next appearance, Aleman threw four innings allowing three hits and an earned run. Aleman gave his team a chance to win both games, an impressive feat for a freshman. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Showcase State Date Location
Rising Stars ID: San Diego CA 03/24 Eastlake High School
Rising Stars ID: Corona CA 03/30 Corona High School
Rising Stars ID: VTA County CA 04/21 Thousand Oaks High School
SoCal Rising Stars Game CA 05/12 Mater Dei High School
FUTURE GAMES TRYOUT: Orange County CA 06/01 Fullerton College
FUTURE GAMES TRYOUT: Ventura County CA 06/09 Westmont College

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