2023 Team Preview: St. Joseph Knights

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 St. Joseph Knights who look to follow up on its late-season success in 2022, where they advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF CS D2 playoffs. The Knights will rely on its youth to compete in 2023, as much of its core is in the ‘24/’25 classes.

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Team:

St. Joseph Knights

Head Coach (years at school):

Bryan Madsen (2)

Twitter Handle:

@sjknightsbsb

CIF Section & Division:

CIF CS D3 (moved up to D2 for playoffs)

Conference/League Name:

Mountain

Last Year’s Record:

11-18

9-8 (League) 

2022 Playoff Run:

Lost in quarterfinals of CIF CS D2 playoffs vs Central

# of Returning Starters:

7

# of Returning Pitchers:

7

Team Expectations:

"USA Baseball veteran coach Bryan Madsen brought a culture change and the Knights are expected to compete for league and a lengthy run in the postseason for years to come. Started 3 sophomores and 3 freshmen last year."

Team Strengths:

"Young, talented team who grew as the year went on. Playoff experience, moved up a division for CIF and knocked off the #1 seed, who was also an unbeaten team. Have 2 transfers (junior pitcher Hunter Hammond and senior Omar Reynoso, College of San Mateo commit. Young team that can compete for years to come"

Areas of Improvement:

"Pitching, speed, young players maturing, experience in postseason and culture change with Coach Madsen."

College Commitments:

Omar Reynoso- P/1B, committed to College of San Mateo

Top Uncommitted 23s:

Charlie Ward- OF/DH, 5'10, 165, R/R

Top Uncommitted 24s:

Hunter Hammond- P/1B, 6'4, 185, R/R, "Big, athletic projectable frame. Hard thrower, 84-86 FB with raw power at the plate."

Jeremiah Philson- OF, 6'1, 170, R/R, 6.6 60 time, "Most athletic player on the team. Huge upside"

Jayden Cervantez- OF/P

Top Uncommitted 25s:

Niko Peinado- C/P/MIF, 5'9, 160, L/R "Natural player, can play anywhere on field. Smooth catcher, clean delivery as a pitcher, and best actions on the team in the infield."

Jayson Rodriguez- MIF/P, 6'1, 165, R/R, "Long frame, starting first baseman as a freshman, has grown into his feet and will be starting at either shortstop or second base, along with a plus arm off the mound.  2 time NTIS finalist to Cary, N.C. for USA Baseball."

Erik Furness- OF/P, 6'0, 165, R/R, "Best bat speed on the team, natural power and plus speed from the outfield."

Dominik Hernandez- MIF/C/P

Top Uncommitted 26s:

Ryan Aparicio- L/L, 6'1, 165,  "Powerful LHP, will be a stud"

Connor Chanley- MIF/P