2020 Preseason Preview: Valencia Vikings

TEAM

Valencia Vikings

HEAD COACH (years at school)

Michael Killinger (21)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@v1k1ngsbaseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION

Southern Section/Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME

Foothill

LAST YEAR’S RECORD

18-13

PLAYOFF RUN

1st round loss in Division 1

# OF RETURNING STARTERS

7

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS

6

OUTLOOK: 

When returning 7 starters and 6 pitchers on a veteran laden team, the Valencia Vikings have strong expectations for 2020 with goals like winning the Foothill and making a deep run in the Southern Section Division 1 Playoffs. That experience and depth will be counted on and matched with a strong crop of arms looking like strengths for the Vikings. The pitching staff is deep and led by front line arms with plenty of arms to close out tough games. The offense will be no slouch either with 4 D1 commits in the lineup and how they execute and run the bases will showcase how far the offense can carry them. Looking to be on top of the Foothill come season end, Valencia has the depth and talent to push to be one of the best teams in the Southern Section.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

‘20 RHP Ryan Kysar - 6-0, 190, R/R - Arizona Commit

Ace pitched in the Area Code Games this summer with live arm. Will be teams #1 and possibly one of best SP in Southern Section.

‘20 OF Brock Kleszcz - 6-2, 195, R/R - UCSD Commit

Athletic and rangy OF with quick hands at the plate

‘20 C/INF Jakob Marquez - 6-1, 200, R/R - Washington State Commit

Physical catcher who has transferred in for 2020 season. Bat has flashed some juice.

‘20 C Grant Weiss - 6-2, 180, R/R - Loyola Marymount Commit

Very strong catcher with agility and athletic ability carrying behind the plate; strong arm matched up with solid blocking skills. Works entire field with barrel and chance for it to keep improving. 

‘20 INF Sean Ogrin - 5-10, 160, R/R - Cal Lutheran Commit

Smooth fielding MIF with flashes of power in compact bat. Has shown the ability to pick it at SS with arm strength to possibly stay there at the next level. 

‘20 3B Steven Gonzalez - 6-2, 185, R/R

Coaches are high on Gonzalez and expect him to continue to make leaps with tools. 

‘20 LHP/1B Mitchell Torres - 6-1, 190, L/L

7-2 on the mound in 2019 and will be asked to be a key contributor on the mound again in 2020. 

‘20 RHP Tyler Robitaille - 6-1, 180, R/R

Swing and miss stuff as evidenced by his 78Ks in 2019 will be another arm that can impact games for the Vikings.

‘20 LHP Justin Tejada - 5-11, 210, L/L

‘21 2B Wyatt Harms - 5-9, 175, R/R

‘21 RHP Brooks Snyder - 6-0, 165, R/R

Will look to be Spot Starter/Long relief role. 

FUTURE PLAYERS:

‘22 RHP Matt Chapman - 6-2, 150, R/R

Coaches like his stuff and believe he will be an up and coming pitcher for them. 

‘22 Kaden Shields

‘22 Noah Nichols

‘22 Chris Kishel