2020 Preseason Preview: Ayala Bulldogs

TEAM:

Ayala Bulldogs

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Chris Vogt (9)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@ayalabaseball 

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Southern Section / Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

Palomares League

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

26-5

PLAYOFF RUN:

2nd round loss to Harvard-Westlake

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

6

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

2

OUTLOOK: 

2019 was another strong year for the Ayala Bulldogs seeing them have an outstanding regular season before having a tough playoff exit against eventual Division 1 runner-up Harvard Westlake in the 2nd round of the Southern Section Division 1 Playoffs. 2020 continues to bring optimism as the Bulldogs return 6 starters who will lock down the defense and lineup this season and look to carry the load for a young, inexperienced pitching staff. Losing one of the best players in the Southern Section in Cleveland Indians 3rd Round pick Joe Naranjo hasn’t dampened the spirits of Coach Vogt as he expects his team to rebound around the young pitching staff. With the deep group of returners, another Division 1 playoff run isn’t out of the question and will come down to if the young pitchers can make their expected leaps.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

2020 SS Sean McLeod - 5-8, 175, R/R - Long Beach State commit

3 year starter, spark plug in the 4 hole

2020 RHP/1B/C Ethan Rivera - 5-11, 195, R/R - Cal State San Marcos commit

Team ace.  He was hurt for a large portion of last year with a broken bone in his hand.  As a soph he led team to the Semi Finals

2020 3B/1B Travis Hobbensiefken - 6-2, 175, R/R

Transferred from Chino Hills where he was the starting 3B.  He will be a big part of our offense when he becomes eligible.

2021 SS/3B Luke Solis - 6-0, 175, R/R - UCSD commit

++ defender with the bat making leaps. Chance to be a very good player. 

2021 OF Cole Koniarsky - 6-4, 195, R/R - Cal State Fullerton commit

One of the better kids in the state (maybe nation) showing plus power and getting better understanding of the game daily.  Expect a monster year out of Cole.

2021 1B Mateo Matthews - 6-4, 185, L/R - Wagner commit

Finally growing into his body.  He is a solid defender and supplies top end power.  There is some swing and miss but should put up huge offensive numbers.

2021 UTL Damien Degadillo - 5-10, 165, R/R

Damien is going to be all over the field for us this season.  He is a MIF at the next level, but we can put him all over the place in order to get his bat into the lineup.

2021 RHP/1B Nico Ortiz - 6-3, 230, R/R

Transferred from Damien and will give us a boost on the mound and in the lineup when he becomes eligible.

2021 C/OF Jacob Badawi - 5-8, 185, R/R

Our leadoff hitter last year and will be moved behind the plate this year.  He is a continuing to improve; D1 caliber player

THE FUTURE:

2022 MIF Ty Borgogno - 5-10, 165, R/R

When it is all done Ty will be one of the better players in the area.  His bat is starting to come around and has been an impact for us this fall

2022 OF Anthony Dominguez - 5-10, 175, L/R

Anthony is a good defensive outfielder with some pop.  Has shown the ability to take over a game.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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