Top infielders, outfielders to watch this season
The San Fernando Valley and surrounding area is loaded with high school baseball talent. With the 2023 season underway, the Daily News is looking at the players to watch on the field, on the mound and at the plate.
The list of the top pitchers has already been released and be on the lookout for the list of the top hitters.
and Nate Johnson — they are twins — play up the middle for the Warriors. Nolan is the catcher and Nate plays shortstop. Newbury Park senior Derek Turner will command the infield for the Panthers.
In the Mission League, Sierra Canyon will lean on the duo of Kehden Hettiger, a senior who will play catcher and first base, and senior Omar Cisneros at shortstop. St. Francis’ first-year coach Shaun Kort inherits promising infielders in junior Holden Dietch and sophomore Jordan Lewallen. Notre Dame’s Madden Ocko is at first base, Greg Pierantani is at shortstop and Levi Sterling is at the hot corner.
Harvard-Westlake’s Bryce Rainer is one of the nation’s top prospects at third base when he’s not pitching, and he’ll be accompanied by Kai Caranto at shortstop and second baseman Owen Carlson. Alemany’s Andrew Garcia is at shortstop and first baseman Jarrett Segura provides a big bat for the Warriors. Crespi’s Chris Arce and Loyola’s Adam Magpoc are among the league’s top shortstops.
Chaminade’s Miles Ghossein is at third base and Vinny Van der Well will play shortstop.
In the City Section, Birmingham’s Vince Cervantes is at shortstop. Cleveland senior Matthew Chasek is one of the top shortstops in the West Valley League. Granada Hills senior shortstop Miles Ortiz and senior Andrew Cuervo at first base will look to lead the Highlanders.
Quartz Hill’s Logan Reddemann will play a big role defensively, playing shortstop and pitching. Agoura senior shortstop Joey Blank will anchor the Chargers’ defense.
Outfielders
Oaks Christian’s Elijah Clayton, Calabasas’ Phoenix Call and Agoura’s Will Michelman are returning Daily News All-Area outfielders who can cover a lot of ground and hit well, too.
West Ranch’s Ty DePerno, who helped lead the school’s football team to its first Foothill League title, will be a leader for the Wildcats in the outfield. Castaic’s Joji Sakata is a returning All-Foothill League selection.
Sierra Canyon’s Grant Werdesheim, Notre Dame speedster Dean West (headed to UCLA), Harvard-Westlake’s Will Gasparino, Chaminade’s Tyler Garcia and Crespi’s Ethan Kodama headline a crop of super-talented center fielders in the Mission League.
El Camino Real senior Jacob Rosenfeld will play first base and outfield. Simi Valley’s Aiden Nykoluk is in center field and Moorpark’s Happy Edwards is a top player in the Musketeers’ outfield.