When putting together a resume for California State Player of the Year honors, they don't come much more complete than the one provided by Mater Dei's Cory Hahn.
The 2010 MaxPreps California State Player of the Year, Hahn was considered one of the state's best outfield prospects entering his senior season, however, he also developed into one of the state's most reliable pitchers. His 14 wins were the second highest total in California and he saved his best pitching performance for last.
Starting in the Southern Section Division I championship game against Dana Hills, Hahn pitched five perfect innings before handing the ball over to teammate Ty Moore to complete the perfect outing. But that's not all. Hahn added a potentially game-saving catch in the outfield and then belted a solo home run to cap off the 2-0 victory.
Hahn then climaxed his prep career by being drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Joining Hahn on the awards stand is a longtime coach who led his team to a top 5 national finish, a top ranking in the state and a Central Coast Section Division I championship. Archbishop Mitty's Bill Hutton did all of that in leading the Monarchs to a section crown. Besides being the No. 3 overall team in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Rankings with a 31-3 record, Hutton's team was also the highest ranked California team in the poll. Hutton will also spend his month of August coaching in the Aflac All-American Game.
Hahn and Hutton head a list of 60 all-state players, 30 on the first team and 30 on the second, chosen by the MaxPreps staff. Archbishop Mitty tops the list with four players selected, including first teamers Alex Balog, Brett Fuller and James Roberts and second teamer Tyler Davis.
MaxPreps California All-State Baseball Team
First Team
Cody Buckel, Royal (Simi Valley, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - Named the Player of the Year in Ventura County, Buckel was an All-Southern Section pick and landed a spot on the all-area team for the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News, earning player of the year honors by the latter. Picked in the second round by the Texas Rangers, Buckel was 12-1 on the season with a 0.61 ERA and 123 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 80 innings pitched. He has committed to Pepperdine.
Henry Owens, Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Pitcher, Jr. - Owens earned All-Orange County honors from the Orange County Register for the second straight season as he went 9-2 with a 1.67 ERA and 115 strikeouts while earning pitcher of the year honors in the Sunset League.
Cory Hahn, Mater Dei, MaxPreps California State Player of the Year.
Photo by Heston Quan
- A compensatory pick by the Colorado Rockies, Tago was the 47th overall selection in the MLB draft. He pitched the Dolphins to the Southern Section Division I championship game and was 10-3 on the season with 97 strikeouts, 21 walks and a 2.77 ERA in 86 innings pitched.
Adam Plutko, Glendora (Glendora, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The Southern Section Division II Player of the Year, Plutko was drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Astros. He was the San Gabriel Valley Tribune's Player of the Year after going 10-1 with a 1.36 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. Led Glendora to the Southern Section Division II championship. He has committed to play at UCLA.
Dylan Covey, Maranatha (Pasadena, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The Pasadena Star News Player of the Year, Covey was also the District 8 Player of the Year by the Baseball Coaches of America and was taken in the first round of the MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. Covey was 7-1 on the season with a 0.40 ERA and 138 strikeouts with just 20 walks in 70.2 innings pitched. He also batted .414 with 17 RBI. He has committed to play at the University of San Diego.
Griffin Murphy, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The player of the year by the Riverside Press Enterprise, Muphy was an All-Southern Section Division II first team pick while going 11-1 with 104 strikeouts and a 1.35 ERA in 72.2 innings pitched. The Toronto Blue Jays selected Murphy with the No. 61 overall pick in the second round.
A.j. Vanegas, Redwood Christian (San Lorenzo, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The Pitcher of the Year in the East Bay by the Contra Costa Times, Vanegas was 11-0 on the season and pitched a no-hitter in the North Coast Section Division 5 championship game. He struck out 141 batters and had a 0.67 ERA in 73.1 innings pitched. He went to the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the MLB Draft.
Eric Karch, Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The Player of the Year by the Fresno Bee, Karch went 11-1 for the nationally ranked Golden Eagles. He had a 2.40 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched and also batted .402 with 41 RBI, 27 runs scored and 7 home runs.
Wynston Sawyer, Scripps Ranch (San Diego, Calif.), Catcher, Sr. - The first catcher chosen in the MLB draft from California, Sawyer earned All-San Diego Section honors after batting .391 with 34 runs, 39 RBI, 10 doubles and seven home runs. The Baltimore Orioles chose Sawyer in the 8th round.
Louie Lechich, St. Mary's
Photo by Mark Bahrenfuss
- Chosen by the Colorado Rockies in the 15th round, Swanner was an All-San Diego Section choice. Swanner batted .405 with 10 home runs, 35 runs scored and 37 RBI.
Aaron Jones, San Clemente (San Clemente, Calif.), Catcher, Sr. - An All-Orange County choice and a member of the All-Southern Section Division I team, Jones went to the Boston Red Sox in the 37th round. He batted .467 wtih 43 hits, 23 runs, 35 RBI, 14 doubles and 9 home runs.
Christian Yelich, Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.), First Base, Sr. - The Florida Marlins nabbed Yelich in the first round of the MLB draft after he posted a .451 batting average this year with 41 runs, 37 hits, 14 doubles, 9 home runs, 25 RBI and 28 stolen bases. He was named to the All-Southern Section Division I team as well as the all-area team by the Los Angeles Daily News. He has committed to UCLA.
Brett Fuller, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), First Base, Jr. - One of the top returning juniors in the state next year, Fuller was the home run leader for the Monarchs en route to a Central Coast Section Division I championship. He batted .388 with 36 runs, 38 RBI, 14 doubles and 8 home runs.
Jake Rodriguez, Elk Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - The Sacramento Bee Metro Player of the Year, Rodriguez went to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 11th round. He batted .461 with 48 RBI, 51 runs, 8 doubles, 4 triples and 14 home runs while leading the Thundering Herd to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game. An infielder most of his career, Rodriguez also saw time behind the plate this year.
Tony Wolters, Rancho Buena Vista (Vista, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - The first player drafted from the San Diego Section, Wolters landed with the Cleveland Indians in the third round. He batted .430 with 27 runs, 17 RBI, 6 doubles and 4 home runs and was an All-San Diego Section pick.
Tyrone Wiggins, El Capitan (Lakeside, Calif.), Jr. - Filled up the stat sheet for the Division III champions in the San Diego Section. He led the section with 47 RBI and batted .462 with 13 home runs and 48 runs scored. Named to the all-section team.
Jake Rodriguez, Elk Grove
Photo by Mark Bahrenfuss
- Batting .488 with a San Diego Section best 57 runs, Daniel also had 13 home runs and 38 RBI. He was named to the All-San Diego Section Team and helped lead the Broncos to the Division I championship.
James Roberts, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - Roberts anchored the infield for the Monarchs at shortstop, earning All-Mercury News honors. He batted .411 with 39 runs, 19 RBI, 11 doubles and 3 home runs. He was drafted by the 42nd round by the San Francisco Giants.
Angelo Gumbs, Torrance (Torrance, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - Gumbs led Torrance to the Southern Section Division IV championship game in California and was named to the All-Southern Section Division IV team. The New York Yankees selected Gumbs with the 82nd overall pick in the MLB Draft. He batted .495 this year with 22 RBI, 49 hits, 47 runs scored, 14 doubles and 4 home runs.
Cory Hahn, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Hahn had a spectacular finish to his season as he pitched five perfect innings and drove in the winning run with a homer in a 2-0 victory over Dana Hills in the California Southern Section Division I championship game. The player of the year by both the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times, Hahn batted .411 with 33 runs, 37 hits, 3 doubles, 10 home runs and 24 RBI. He was also 14-1 on the mound with a 0.89 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 94.2 innings pitched. He was chosen in the 26th round by the San Diego Padres. He has committed to play at Arizona State.
Austin Wilson, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), Outfield, 6-4, 215, Sr. - An all-area pick by the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News, Wilson also made the All-Southern Section Division I team. Projected as a potential first round draft pick, the Stanford recruit slipped to the 12th round to the St. Louis Cardinals due to signability issues. He batted .500 (45-for-90) with 53 runs scored, 24 stolen bases, 13 doubles, 5 home runs and 20 RBI.
Louie Lechich, St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Picked in the 42nd round by the Oakland Athletics, Lechich was named the Player of the Year by the Stockton Record. Led the Rams to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship by batting .445 with 40 RBI, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs and 39 runs scored.
Joc Pederson, Palo Alto (Palo Alto, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Drafted in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pederson helped lead Palo Alto to the Central Coast Section Division II championship game. He batted .466 wtih 48 runs, 22 RBI, 8 doubles, 4 triples and 6 home runs.
Michael Lorenzen, Fullerton (Fullerton, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Named to the All-Southern Section Division IV team, Lorenzen batted .455 with 46 hits, 35 RBI, 14 doubles, 4 triples and 8 home runs. He went to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 7th round of the MLB Draft. He has committed to play at Cal State Fullerton.
Isaiah Turner, Stockdale (Bakersfield, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - An all-area pick by the Bakersfield Californian, Turner was one of the leading home run hitters in the Central Section as he hit 13 out of the park this year. he also had 10 doubles and batted .485 with 40 runs, and 40 RBI.
Alex Balog, Archbishop Mitty
Photo by David Stephenson
- Helped Elk Grove reach the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game and earned All-Metro honors by the
Sacramento Bee after batting .483 with 62 RBI, 56 hits, 10 doubles and 8 home runs.
Alex Balog, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. -Balog pitched and hit Archbishop Mitty to a Central Coast Section Division I title. He batted .407 on the season with 8 doubles, 5 home runs and 30 RBI. On the mound, he was 8-2 with a 1.01 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 48.1 IP. The San Jose Mercury News Player of the Year has committed to play at USF.
Tyler Painton, Centennial (Bakersfield, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. -The Player of the Year by the Bakersfield Californian, Painton went to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 13th round of the MLB draft. He batted .440 wtih 39 runs, 32 RBI, 11 doubles and 6 home runs while also going 11-1 on the mound with 87 strikeouts, 18 walks and a 2.55 ERA in 71.1 innings pitched.
Joey DeNato, Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - The San Diego Section Player of the Year, DeNato was 10-2 on the mound with 97 strikeouts and a 1.15 ERA in 73 innings pitched. He also batted .364 with 33 runs, 26 RBI, 5 doubles and 9 home runs.
Taijuan Walker, Yucaipa (Yucaipa, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - Walker batted .426 with 36 runs, 37 RBI, 10 doubles, 3 triples and 6 home runs. He also had a 10-4 pitching record with 93 strikeouts and a 1.77 ERA in 67.1 innings pitched. He was chosen by the Seattle Mariners with the 43rd overall pick in the MLB draft.
Second Team
Drew Merlo, Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The co-pitcher of the year in the Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference, Merlo also made the Fresno Bee's All-Area Team. He posted a 12-1 record in leading the Bears to the Central Section Divison I championship and had 89 strikeouts and a 1.74 ERA in 72.1 innings pitched.
Drew Merlo, Buchanan
Photo by Craig Morley
- One of the winningest pitchers in the state this season, Eagle won 13 games and had 131 strikeouts with a 0.83 ERA in 92.2 innings pitched. Named to the All-East Bay Team by the
Contra Costa Times.
Nick Baker, Palm Desert (Palm Desert, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The Southern Section Division IV player of the year, Baker led Palm Desert to the section championship and shut out Torrance 9-0 in the finals. He posted a 12-2 record with four shutouts, struck out 58 batters and had a 0.97 ERA in 94 innings pitched. He was drafted in the 44th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gabriel Encinas, St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The two-time area player of the year by the Whittier News, Encinas was 9-3 on the mound with a 1.39 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 75.1 innings pitched. The New York Yankees selected Encinas in the sixth round of the MLB Draft. He has also committed to play at Loyola Marymount.
Paul Paez, Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - Paez earned All-Southern Section Division IV honors after going 13-2 on the season with 148 strikeouts, 24 walks and a 0.92 ERA in 84 innings pitched. He has committed to play at University of San Diego.
Aaron Sanchez, Barstow (Barstow, Calif.), Pitcher, Sr. - The two-time High Desert Area Player of the Year, Sanchez was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays with the No. 34 overall pick in the MLB Draft. Sanchez was 7-0 on the mound with a 0.73 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 57.2 innings pitched. He also excelled at the plate, batting .403 with five home runs.
Tyler Davis, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), Pitcher, Jr. - Davis was unflappable on the mound for Archbishop Mitty, which finished ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 final rankings. He was 11-0 and struck out 82 batters in 78 innings with a 2.87 ERA.
Jose Cardona, El Camino Real (Woodland Hills, Calif.), Pitcher, Jr. - The Player of the Year in the Los Angeles City Section, Cardona was 11-1 with a 1.56 ERA. He also found a spot on the Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Dax Turner, Golden West (Visalia, Calif.), Catcher, Sr. - Named to the all-area team by the Fresno Bee, batted .420 with 33 RBI, 40 runs, 15 doubles and nine home runs for Golden West.
Chris Hoo, St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), Catcher, Sr. - Headed to play at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo, Hoo was named to the All-Mercury News Team. He batted .405 with 32 hits, 26 RBI and 24 runs. he also rapped 5 doubles and 6 home runs.
Adam Plutko, Glendora
Photo by Heston Quan
- Selected in the 28th round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels, Helton was named to the All-Southern Section Division II team. He batted .462 with 44 runs, 20 RBI, 10 doubles and 4 home runs.
Nigel Nootbaar, El Segundo (El Segundo, Calif.), First Base, Jr. - Named the Daily Breeze Player of the Year, Nootbaar led El Segundo to a league championship and a deep run in the Southern Section playoffs. He batted .425 with 9 home runs, including three in one game. he also had 9 doubles and 47 RBI. On the mound, Nootbaar was 8-0 with a 0.98 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 57 innings.
Eric Jaffe, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), First Base, Sr. - A future California Golden Bear, Jaffe was named to the All-East Bay team by the Contra Costa Times after batting .442 with 20 RBI and 7 home runs. He also spent time on the mound and posted an 8-1 record with 98 strikeouts and a 0.85 ERA.
Trey Williams, Valencia (Valencia, Calif.), Infield, Soph. - An All-Southern Section Division I selection as well as a first team pick by the Los Angeles Daily News, Williams batted .388 with 34 runs, 32 RBI, 10 doubles and 10 home runs.
Rio Ruiz, Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), Infield, Soph. - One of the top sophomore athletes in the state, Ruiz was a standout in football and baseball for the Lancers. He batted .528 on the season and bashed 4 home runs to go with 34 RBI.
Chris Keck, Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.), Infield, Jr. - The East Bay Player of the Year by the Contra Costa Times, Keck batted .462 with 26 runs, 26 RBI, 4 doubles, 3 triples and 4 home runs. He has given a verbal commitment to UCLA.
Hunter Jones, Lakewood (Lakewood, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - Batted .433 with 52 runs, 45 hits, 35 RBI, 8 doubles and 4 home runs while earning a spot on the All-Southern Section Division I team. Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 11th round.
Sam Tuivailala, Aragon (San Mateo, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - The athlete of the year in San Mateo County, Tuivailala was drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Cardinals. He batted .424 with five home runs and 21 RBI and also went 6-0 as a pitcher with a 1.28 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 60.1 innings pitched.
Tyler Kuresa, Oakmont (Roseville, Calif.), Infield, Sr. - The first player drafted from the Sac-Joaquin Section, Kuresa went to the Minnesota Twins in the 11th round. Also an All-Metro pick by the Sacramento Bee, Kuresa batted .447 with 30 runs, 34 hits, 15 RBI, 12 doubles and 3 home runs.
Daniel Arellano, Centennial (Corona, Calif.), Outfield, Jr. - An All-Southern Section Division I selection and a member of the Riverside Press-Enterprise all-area team, Arrelano batted .427 with 36 RBI, 31 runs scored, 5 doubles and 12 home runs. He also had a 9-3 mound record with 67 strikeouts in 76.2 innings pitched.
Tyler Painton, Centennial
Photo by Craig Morley
- A two-sport standout for Central Catholic, Flamion batted .465 with 34 runs, 37 RBI, 8 doubles and 7 home runs. A defensive standout, Flamion also pitched and had a 9-2 record with a 2.76 ERA.
Steven Karkenny, Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Helped Chatsworth tie for first place in the West Valley League and was named the circuit's co-MVP. He also made the Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team by batting .430 with 30 runs and 22 RBI. He was also 5-1 on the mound with 46 strikeouts and a 1.36 ERA in 43 innings pitched.
Aaron Siliga, Oceanside (Oceanside, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Taken by the Cleveland Indians in the 17th round of the MLB draft, Siliga was one of the leading home run hitters in the San Diego Section with 14 round trippers. He batted .505 with 40 runs, 41 RBI, and 10 doubles while earning All-San Diego Section honors.
Kyle Buchanan, El Dorado (Placerville, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Buchanan earned a spot on the Sacramento Bee's All-Metro team after leading El Dorado to a 27-3 season and a berth in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship game. He batted .414 on the season with 37 runs scored, 50 RBI, 5 doubles, 3 triples and 10 home runs.
Brando Tessar, Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.), Outfield, Sr. - Selected to the Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team, Tessar earned league MVP honors while batting .402 with 8 home runs and 19 RBI. He also pitched and was 9-2 with a 1.45 ERA.
Jesus Valdez, Hueneme (Oxnard, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - Taken in the fifth round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels, was named All-Ventura County and All-Southern Section Division I after batting .446 with 31 runs, 34 RBI, 10 doubles, 3 triples and 10 home runs. He also pitched and had a 7-2 record with 85 strikeouts and a 0.98 ERA in 57 innings pitched.
Luke Swenson, Moorpark (Moorpark, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - Went 8-1 on the mound with a 1.52 ERA, Swenson was All-Ventura County and made the Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team. He also batted .437 with 12 doubles and 3 home runs.
Robby Rowland, Cloverdale (Cloverdale, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - Drafted in the third round by the Diamondbacks, Rowland was 7-1 with two no-hitters and three shutouts while striking out 117 batters and walking only 11 with a 0.32 ERA in 65 innings pitched. He also batted .473 with 8 doubles and 6 home runs.
Vincent Velasquez, Garey (Pomona, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - An All-Southern Section Division IV team member, Velasquez went to the Houston Astros in the second round of the MLB draft. He batted .608 with 29 RBI for Garey and was 6-1 on the mound with 52 strikeouts and a 1.89 ERA.
Vince Wheeland, Turlock (Turlock, Calif.), All-Purpose, Sr. - The Stanislaus County Player of the Year by the Modesto Bee, Wheeland was 13-0 on the mound with 147 strikeouts and a 0.74 ERA in 85 innings pitched. He also batted .372 with 26 runs, 27 RBI, 12 doubles and 2 home runs.
