2017 high school baseball Top 25 team preview: No. 4 Orange Lutheran

Video: Early Contenders - #4 Orange Lutheran (CA)
See the fun that took place when we visited the Lancers in Southern California.


Head coach: Eric Borba

2015-16 record: 22-9, No. 29 in MaxPreps National Baseball Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

State Association: California Interscholastic Federation - Southern Section Division 1

Enrollment: 1,330

No national preseason high school baseball rankings would be complete without a team from California's Trinity League of the Southern Section, and Orange Lutheran is this year's representative. With 10 Division 1 prospects on the roster, the Lancers have the potential to improve upon their record from last year, when they finished second to JSerra Catholic in the Trinity League standings and ranked No. 29 in the MaxPreps national computer rankings.

It won't be easy, however. The Lancers play one of the most challenging schedules in the country, including a cross-country venture to the National High School Invitational. Southern Section teams have always fared well in the tournament, however, with fellow Trinity League member Mater Dei (Santa Ana) winning the event twice and Huntington Beach winning last year. Both teams are on Orange Lutheran's schedule.

The starting lineup is soIid, according to head coach Eric Borba, with experience at nearly every position. The Lancers have seven positional starters returning (all except left field) with the infield featuring four players with at least two years of experience. The outfield is also outstanding with a pair of All-American candidates.

"Team speed is remarkable," said Borba. "We have one of the fastest outfields in the country."

As a result, the Lancers begin the season as the No. 4 team in the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Baseball Rankings.

Senior center fielder Garrett Mitchell is the top player in the lineup. Mitchell batted .299 last year but his biggest asset is his speed in the outfield and on the basepaths. Although he is diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic, scouts like his ability to drive the ball as well as his batting eye.

Gallery: Orange Lutheran preseason Top 25 Early Contenders photo shoot

The Lancers finished second in the Trinity League and they were ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation last year for most of the season. They reached the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs before falling to eventual champion Murrieta Mesa.

Orange Lutheran could open the season against two of the nation's top pitchers, as it begins the season on Feb. 25 against Dana Hills and potential first round pick Hans Clouse. The Lancers then meet Huntington Beach on March 4 and could face either Hagen Danner or Nick Pratto, both of whom are potential MLB Draft picks.

Players to watch

Garrett Mitchell (CF, Senior) - .299 batting average, 19 runs, 11 RBIs, 8 doubles... Potential first round MLB Draft pick ... UCLA commit.

Tristan Hanoian (SS, Senior) - .320 batting average, 11 runs... Four-year starter... TCU commit.

Zachary Lew (2B, Junior) - .235 batting average, 16 runs, 4 doubles... Three-year starter ... Cal-State Fullerton commit.

Jasiah Dixon (RF, Sophomore) - .283 batting average, 16 runs, 11 RBIs, MaxPreps Freshman All-American ... USC commit.

Jason Farese (LHP, Senior) - 2-1 pitching record, 2.10 ERA... University of San Diego commit.

Brenden Avventino (IF/RHP, Senior) - .328 batting average, 14 RBIs... UC Riverside commit.

Sawyer Chesley (IF, Junior) - Arizona commit.

Austin Mowrey (IF, Junior) - .200 batting average... Columbia commit.

Zach Busalacchi (1B/RHP, Senior) - Three-year starter. Storylines

* The Lancers play an incredibly tough schedule, due mainly to the fact that they play in the Trinity League with the likes of Mater Dei (Santa Ana), JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) and Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita). Orange Lutheran will also compete in the National High School Invitational, quite possibly the nation's top high school tournament, and the Boras Classic, possibly the toughest tournament in California. Add in regular season games against the Dana Hills, De La Salle, Cypress and Huntington Beach - all teams expected to do well in 2017 - and the Lancers will be challenged often.

* Orange Lutheran will field one of the top outfields in the country. Center fielder Garrett Mitchell is a possible early round pick in the Major League Baseball Draft in June while right fielder Jasiah Dixon is one of the top players in the Class of 2019. He was a member of the MaxPreps Freshman All-American Team in 2016. They could be joined by Stanley Berryhill, a senior transfer from Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.).

Key dates

Feb. 25 - vs. Dana Hills (Dana Point) - Features pitcher Hans Crouse, a potential first round draft pick.

March 4 - vs. Huntington Beach - Defending champions of the National High School Invitational.

March 18 - vs. De La Salle (Concord) - Spartans finished ranked No. 2 in the state last year.

March 29-April 1 - At National High School Invitational in Cary, N.C.

April 18-20 - At Boras Classic in Orange County

May 2, 3 and 5 - vs. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) - A three-game series with defending Trinity League champions.

May 8, 9 and 11 - vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) - A series against the perennial Trinity League powerhouse.