2020 Preseason Preview: Huntington Beach Oilers

TEAM:

Huntington Beach Oilers

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Benji Medure (20)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@HBHS_Baseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Southern Section / Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

Sunset League

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

26-7

PLAYOFF RUN:

Division 1 Semi-Finalist

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

6

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

5

OUTLOOK: 

There’s a rich tradition of success at Huntington Beach and when you return a core group of players that can carry the offense and starting pitching, that tradition should continue. One of the challengers for the Oilers in 2020 will be one of the toughest schedules in the Southern Section. Playing that much talent will only serve to battle-test this team and they expect to have another deep Southern Section Division 1 playoff run again this year. Coach Medure has been at Huntington for a long time and knows how to keep his team motivated and hungry for a title not only in the Sunset League, but through the playoffs. Expect this team to be a mainstay in the California Power 25 during 2020. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

2020 OF Jake Vogel - UCLA commit

Toolsy OF keeps making leaps and should be a high round pick in this June’s MLB Draft.

2020 OF/LHP Jag Burden - CAL commit

Solid two-way player with tools on both the mound and in the OF. Mature and poised as a rock in the middle of lineup.

2020 RHP Tyler Conant - Long Beach State commit

Big time power arm that will pitch atop the rotation once cleared; transferred in for 2020.

2020 RHP Thomas Babineau - Cal State San Marcos commit

Tough for righties to hit with Sinker/Split combo that causes lots of ground balls. 

2020 C Ryan Navarro - Cal State San Marcos commit

2020 SS Brady Malpass - Azusa Pacific commit

2021 RHP/INF Caden Aoki - Notre Dame commit

Two-way player with power in the bat and FB/CB combo that flashes above-average. 

2021 LHP/OF Shane Stafford - San Diego State commit

Big upside on the mound with a good three-pitch mix. Expecting a big 2020 season on the mound and at the plate. 

2021 1B/C Blake Penso

Continues to improve and has coaches excited. Expect him to be a force in the lineup where power is available. 

2021 INF Mark Muranaka

THE FUTURE:

2022 RHP Jack Smith

Big RHP that could be next in line to be a big time starter.

2022 RHP Aidyn Lucero

Pitchability and ability to attack the zone; with some jumps should be another key pitcher.

2023 LHP/OF Aidan Espinoza

High-ceiling lefty with ability to really hit and strong approach at the plate. Won’t be long before coaches at next level will be on him.

2023 1B/C Ralph Velasquez

Another young swinging lefty that is going to hit and hit for power. Shows skills to stick behind the plate, but will be counted on to hit.