2023 Team Preview: Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles

The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2023 California high school baseball season. With the season just around the corner, our staff has begun putting out team previews from all around the state, getting you prepared for another year of exciting coverage.

Today we focus on the Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles who had an overall record of 19-11 in 2022. The Eagles bring back nearly its entire roster which made its way to the second round of CIF SS D1 playoffs last year, including 18 seniors. Given the experience, versatility and athleticism of the roster, the Eagles expect to compete against its stacked schedule.

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Team:

Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles 

Head Coach (years at school):

Chis Malec (6)

Twitter Handle:

@SMCHSBaseball

CIF Section & Division:

CIF SS D1

Conference/League Name:

Trinity

Last Year’s Record:

19-11

6-9 (League)

2022 Playoff Run:

Lost in second round of CIF SS D1 playoffs to Foothill

# of Returning Starters:

9

# of Returning Pitchers:

4

Team Expectations:

"We expect to be able compete in the most competitive settings, including Trinity League, NHSI, Boras, DI CIF playoffs."

Team Strengths:

"We return almost everyone from last year’s team, with 18 seniors in total.  A great deal have seen Trinity / DI experience for 2 years now. There is a great deal of versatility in position players able to play multiple positions. We have a great deal of athleticism and team speed. We return 2 of our 3 starters on the mound who have thrown integral innings over the past 2 years."

Areas of Improvement:

"We have more depth on the mound than in the past couple years. Our young incoming sophomore pitchers have shown the ability to consistently throw strikes and should be a great compliment to our senior arms."

College Commitments:

Blake Balsz- 5-11 C / 1B 2023 UCLA (area code player, USA Baseball 18u trips) 

Sammy Cova- 6-3 LHP 2023 Oregon (area code arm)

Logan de Groot- 6-4 OF / RHP 2024 UCLA (underclass area code guy)

Zach Fjelstad- 5-11 INF / RHP 2023 Ohio St (most improved player) 

Bryce Humphry- 6-0 UTL 2023 San Francisco (physical / versatile RH bat)

Luke Johnson- 6-1 INF 2023 Cornell (Much improved Sr infielder)

Jake Lavin- 6-0 UTL 2024 Cal-Berkeley (versatile defender, tough LH out)

Luke Lavin- 6-4 C / 1B 2023 Stanford (physical LH hitting Catcher)

Drew Rutter- 6-0 OF 2023 San Diego St (Plus athletic CF)

Jack Svinth- 6-1 RHP 2023 Stanford (Big arm down with Tommy John)

Blake Wilson- 5-10 INF/RHP 2023 Washington (Athletic 2 sport)

Top Uncommitted 23s:

Collin Clarke- 6-4 RHP 2023 (starting RHP who threw 70% strikes last year)

Top Uncommitted 24s:

Cole Grey- RHP 

Sam Tucci- 1B/LHP 

Austin Sanders- INF / C

Aidan Stevenson- INF / RHP

Top Uncommitted 25s:

Trevor Banning- 5-10 INF / RHP

Brennan Bauer- 5-9 RHP

Hayden George- 6-4 INF / RHP

Lucas Owens- 6-0 C / INF

Christopher Saucedo- 5-11 INF / RHP

Top Uncommitted 26s:

Andre Owens- INF / C 

Jacob Wicker- OF / RHP