Season Preview: Torrey Pines Falcons

With the 2019 high school baseball season just around the corner in California, we have begun rolling out team previews from around the state. Today we focus on the Torrey Pines Falcons. The reigning CIF-San Diego Section Open Division Champions return six starters, posses an impressive six Division I college commits and the 2018 San Diego section coach of the year in Kirk McCaskill. The bar has been set for the Falcon baseball program and with a roster loaded with college commits the 2019 season looks to be a promising one.

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Team: Torrey Pines

Nickname: Falcons

Section: San Diego Section, Division 1

League: Avocado West

Head Coach/Years at school: Kirk McCaskall (7th season)

Team Twitter Handle: @TPHS_Baseball

2018 Overall Record: 29-6 (13-2, League Champions)

2018 Postseason Finish: Open Division Champions

Number of Returning Starters: 6

Number of Returning Pitchers: 2

Top Returning Players:

Mac Bingham, OF, 2019, 5'10", 190, R/R, Michael Schreiber, RHP, 2019, 5'10", 190, R/R, Matt Schlesener, RHP/1B, 2019, 6'2", 210, R/R, Kevin Sim, 3B/P, 2020, 6'2", 205, R/R, Jack Johnston, INF, 2021, 5'11", 165, R/R, Max Isaacman, C, 2020. 5’ 10”, 185, R/R

Top Newcomers:

Jake Connelly, OF, 2019, 6'3", 170, L/R (Cathedral-Catholic Transfer), Max Power, INF, 2019, 6', 170, R/R (Rancho Bernardo Transfer)

Other Players to Know:

Brian Kraft, LHP, 2020, 6’4”, 215, L/L, Nic Baum, INF, 2020, 5’10”, 155, R/R, Carson Williams, INF/P, 2021, 5’ 11”, R/R

College Commitments:

Mac Bingham, OF, 2019, 5'10", 190, R/R (University of Southern California)   Michael Schreiber, RHP, 2019, 5'10", 190, R/R (University of Washington), Matt Schlesener, RHP, 2019, 6'2", 210, R/R (Point Loma Nazarene), Jake Connelly, OF, 2019, 6'2", 170, L/R (University of Utah), Max Power, INF, 2019, 6', 170, R/R (Holy Cross), Kevin Sim, 3B, 2020, 6'2", 205, R/R (University of San Diego), Jack Johnston, INF, 2021, 5'11", 165, R/R (University of California-Berkley)

Notable Games:

March 12th @ Poway Titans

March 29th @ La Costa Canyon DH

April 16th Desert Oasis (Lions Tournament)

April 17th Eastlake (Lions Tournament)

May 7th Canyon Crest Academy

2019 Outlook:

Coach McCaskill and the Torrey Pines Falcons are coming off a magical 2018 season that culminated in a CIF-San Diego Section Open Division Championship. The Falcons posted a 29-6 overall record including an impressive 15-1 home record. There was no lack of drama through their postseason run, which included a two-strike walk off homerun by Joey Magrisi versus rival La Costa Canyon, and a 2-1 extra inning walk off victory versus Poway in the open championship.

Offensively, the Falcons have more depth than ever before and should be a force at the plate. The Falcons are returning six starters and have five Division I offensive college commits. It starts with senior leadoff man Mac Bingham, who already has two first team All-CIF decorations under his belt and a scholarship to USC. This past fall he tied a CIF-SS football record with 8 touchdowns against football powerhouse Oceanside high school and was named First Team All-CIF as a running back. Junior third-basemen and University of San Diego commit Kevin Sim was leading in all major offensive categories last season (.377 BA, 29 hits, 4 HR, 27 RBI) before suffering a season ending injury. Defensively sound and a notable clutch player by Coach McCaskill, he should have no problem bouncing back and producing big numbers. Sophomore Jack Johnston, a Cal-Berkeley commit, may be the most advanced bat for his age in the San Diego section heading into the 2019 season. He will also help anchor the Falcons infield while playing second base. Known for his fantastic barrel to ball swing path, advanced bat control, aggressive play and fearlessness on the field, he will be a name to watch heading into this season and beyond when he’ll undoubtedly be on scouts radars for MLB Draft consideration. Senior Jake Connelly, an outfield transfer from Cathedral Catholic and a University of Utah commit, has flashed left-handed pop and speed from a projectable 6-foot-3 frame. He should contribute immediately after sitting out the mandatory transfer period. Senior Max Power, a shortstop transfer from Rancho Bernardo and Holy Cross commit, is set to make an impact on and off the field where he brings leadership qualities to the Falcons team. Junior catcher Max Isaacman posted an impressive .367 batting average his sophomore season and will anchor the catching position and help lead the pitching staff.

With only two returning pitchers combined with the loss of the best statistical pitcher in San Diego high school baseball history and 2018 Prep Baseball Report California Pitcher of the Year Joe Magrisi, the Falcons pitching staff has big shoes to fill. Senior right-handers Michael Schreiber and Matt Schlesener will headline the pitching rotation. Schreiber, a University of Washington commit, returns after going 8-2 and posting a 2.02 ERA in 69 innings during the 2018 season. Schlesener, a Point Loma Nazarene commit enters his senior season after posting a 6-1 record and 3.04 ERA in 27 innings during the 2018 season. Outside of Schreiber and Schlesener, the Falcons have many unproven arms that will need to step up to keep the pitching staff at an elite level. Third basemen Kevin Sim possess a power arm and will be relied upon out of the bullpen. He flashed 86-88 mph off the mound and a bulldog mentality that will make him an important late inning arm. Junior left-hander Brian Kraft stands 6-foot-4 and posted a 6-2 record with a 1.93 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 50 innings on junior varsity last season. Long and lanky with deceptive mechanics and some life on his fastball, he has the tools to contribute immediately and has the talent to become a Division I collegiate arm.

The combination of six returning starters, five Division I commits and the star power of Mac Bingham bode well for the 2019 Falcon offense. The lack of depth and experience in the pitching staff is an area of concern but the combination of Schreiber and Schlesener coupled with Coach McCaskill’s ability to develop pitchers should help bridge the gap and make this a quality pitching staff. The Falcons have a roster that will put them in a position to defend their crown and make the 2019 season an exciting one to watch.

UPCOMING EVENTS