Area Code Games begin in Long Beach

By Kevin Askeland Aug 3, 2010, 11:43pm

Top 200 high school baseball players in the country expected to compete at Area Code Games.

The annual Area Code Games baseball tournament gets underway Thursday with 200 of the top high school players in the country expected to compete in the six-day event at Blair Field in Long Beach (Calif.).

The eight teams feature many of the players who recently competed for Team USA at the Junior World Championships in Thunder Bay, Canada, including Daniel Camarena, John Hochstatter, Ricky Jacquez, Christian Lopes, Henry Owens, Elvin Soto, Bubba Starling and Blake Swihart.

Here's a look at each of the rosters as well as a schedule of games:

Milwaukee Brewers Blue
- Consisting of players from Southern California, the Brewers Blue have two of the Games top pitchers in Henry Owens of Edison and Daniel Camarena of Cathedral Catholic. Both pitched for Team USA over the summer at the Junior World Championships. Also on the team are three of Owens' teammates, Christian Lopes and his brother Timmy Lopes and outfielder Eric Snyder. Christian Lopes is a veteran of the Area Code Games, having participated since his freshman season. Others to watch include outfielder Travis Harrison of Tustin, Max Homick of Rancho Bernardo and Phillip Evans of La Costa Canyon.
Roster
Danny Keller, Newbury Park (Newbury Park, Calif.), P, 2011
Ryan Keller, West Ranch (Stephenson Ranch, Calif.), P, 2011
Trevor Megill, Marina (Huntington Beach, Calif.), P, 2012
Henry Owens, Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), P, 2011
Lucas Giolito, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), P, 2012
Matt Budgell, Woodbridge (Irvine, Calif.), P, 2011
Michael Jordan, Murrietta Valley (Murrietta, Calif.), P, 2011
Cole Irvin, Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), P, 2011
Adam McCreery, Bonita (La Verne, Calif.), P, 2011
Joseph Musgrove, Grossmont (El Cajon, Calif.), P, 2011
Austin Hedges, JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), C, 2011
Riley Moore, San Marcos (Santa Barbara, Calif.), C, 2011
Kenny Matthews, Diamond Bar (Diamond Bar, Calif.), 1B, 2011
Max Homick, Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.), 1B, 2011
Christian Lopes, Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), INF, 2011
Phillip Evans, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.), INF, 2011
Brandon Martin, Santiago (Corona, Calif.), INF, 2011
Timmy Lopes, Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), INF, 2012
Trent Boras, JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 3B, 2011
Kyle Raubinger, Arroyo Grande (Arroyo Grande, Calif.), 3B, 2011
Taylor Sparks, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 3B, 2011
Travis Harrison, Tustin (Tustin, Calif.), OF, 2011
Jacob Anderson, Chino (Chino, Calif.), OF, 2011
Daniel Camarena, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), OF, 2011
Eric Snyder, Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.), OF, 2011

Milwaukee Brewers White - Players mostly from Northern California make up the Brewers White club, led by a couple of familiar names - Shawon Dunston of Valley Christian and Trevor Gretzky of Oaks Christian. Dunston is the son of former Chicago Cubs shorstop of the same name while Gretzky is the son of former NHL hockey great Wayne Gretzky. Other top talent for the Brewers White include Archbishop Mitty first baseman Brett Fuller, San Ramon Valley pitcher John Hochstatter, Diamond Ranch first baseman Rouric Bridgewater, Amador Valley infielder Chris Keck and Central Catholic outfielder Billy Flamion.
Roster
Joseph Ross, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), P, 2011
Robert Stephenson, Alhambra (Martinez, Calif.), P, 2011
John Hochstatter, San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.), P, 2011
Max Fried, Montclair Prep (Van Nuys, Calif.), P, 2012
Nigel Nootbaar, El Segundo (El Segundo, Calif.), P, 2011
Joseph Armstrong, Logan (Union City, Calif.), P, 2011
Darin Gillies, San Benito (Hollister, Calif.), P, 2011
Brett Fuller, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), P, 2011
Spenser Linney, Head-Royce (Oakland, Calif.), P, 2011
Matthew Troupe, Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.), P, 2011
Carlos Rodriguez, Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii), P, 2011
Blake Grant-Parks, Yuba City (Yuba City, Calif.), C, 2011
Nathan Esposito, Granite Bay (Granite Bay, Calif.), C, 2011
Adam Ehrlich, Campbell Hall (North Hollywood, Calif.), C, 2011
Trevor Gretzky, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), 1B, 2011
Rouric Bridgewater, Diamond Ranch (Pomona, Calif.), 1B, 2011
Zachary Green, Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.), INF, 2012
Chris Keck, Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.), INF, 2011
Dante Flores, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), INF, 2011
Kevin Kramer, Turlock (Turlock, Calif.), 3B, 2011
Tyler Goeddel, St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), 3B, 2011
Billy Flamion, Central Catholic (Modesto, Calif.), OF, 2011
Aaron Brown, Chatsworth (Chatsworth, Calif.), OF, 2011
Desmond Henry, Centennial (Compton, Calif.), OF, 2011
Shawon Dunston, Valley Christian (San Jose, Calif.), OF, 2011



Washington Nationals - Players from Washington, Oregon and Idaho make up the Nationals roster. Top prospects include Redmond pitcher Dylan Davis and Lake Stevens rising sophomore Dylan Lavelle. Players with Area Code Games experience include Kyle Olsen of Jackson, Spencer O'Neil of Southridge and Michael Conforto of Redmond.
Roster
Michael Conforto, Redmond (Redmond, Wash.), OF, 2011
Spencer O'Neil, Southridge (Kennewick, Wash.), OF, 2011
Landen Cray, Chimacum (Chimacum, Wash.), OF, 2012
Cameron Neal, St. John's (Houston, Texas), OF, 2011
Michael Reed, Leander (Cedar Park, Texas), OF/P, 2011
Clint Coultier, Union (Camas, Wash.), C, 2012
Kyle Olson, Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.), C, 2011
Brian Olson, Tahoma (Covington, Wash.), C, 2011
Eric Forgione, W.F. West (Chehalis, Wash.), INF, 2011
Dylan Lavelle, Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens, Wash.), INF, 2012
Trevor Mitsui, Shorewood (Shoreline, Wash.), INF, 2011
Jack Coulton, San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.), INF, 2011
Tyler Gonzales, Madison (San Antonio, Texas), INF/P, 2012
Dylan Davis, Redmond (Redmond, Wash.), P, 2011
Sam Johnson, Westview (Portland, Ore.), P, 2011
Jared Fisher, Newport (Seattle, Wash.), P, 2011
Blake Snell, Shorewood (Shoreline, Wash.), P, 2011
Cole Wiper, Newport (Bellevue, Wash.), P, 2011
Porter Clayton, Bonneville (Idaho Falls, Id.), P, 2011
Jace Fry, Southridge (Beaverton, Ore.), P, 2011
Nick Keil, Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.), P, 2011
Kevin Moriarty, Shorewood (Shoreline, Wash.), P, 2011
Robert Galligan, St. Dominic (Oyster Bay Cove, N.Y.), P, 2011
Jesus Ortiz, Laredo United (Laredo, Texas), P/1B, 2011
Michael Casper, Monte Vista (Alamo, Calif.), P, 2011
New York Yankees - The top players from New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the New England area lead the Yankee contingent. DeShorn Lake of Menchville and Jake Cave of Kecoughtan are a pair of Virginia pitchers to watch while all-New York City catchers Elvin Soto of Xaverian and Nelson Rodriguez of George Washington form a potent backstop crew. Soto played for Team USA during the summer at the Junior World Championships.
Roster
Tyler Beede, Lawrence Academy (Groton, Mass.), P, 2011
Andrew Chin, Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge, Mass.), P, 2011
Kevin Corner, Seneca (Tabernacle, N.J.), P, 2011
Pat Connaughton, St. John's Prep (Danvers, Mass.), P, 2011
Jordan Cote, Winnisquam (Tilton, N.H.), P, 2011
John Gorman, Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury, Mass.), P, 2011
Karl Keglovitz, Nazareth Area (Nazareth, Pa.), P, 2012
Sal Romano, Southington (Southington, Conn.), P, 2011
John Magliozzi, Dexter (Brookline, Mass.), P, 2011
Joey Maher, Bedford (Bedford, N.H.), P, 2011
Devin Perry, Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Cambridge, Mass.), P, 2011
Adam Ravenelle, Lincoln-Sudbury (Sudbury, Mass.), P, 2011
Tanner Wilt, North Allegany (Wexford, Pa.), P, 2011
Cameron Gallagher, Manheim Township (Lancaster, Pa.), C, 2011
Elvin Soto, Xaverian (Brooklyn, N.Y.), C, 2011
Nelson Rodriguez, Washington (New York, N.Y.), C, 2012
Josh Ake, Hunterdon Central Regional (Flemington, N.J.), INF, 2011
Matt Duran, New Rochelle (New Rochelle, N.Y.), INF, 2011
Devin Over, Windsor (Windsor, Ct.), INF, 2011
Morgan Phillips, Fredrick Douglas (Brox, N.Y.), INF, 2011
Zac LaNeve, Pine-Richards (Gibsonia, Pa.), INF, 2011
Justin Bianco, Peters Township (McMurray, Pa.), OF, 2011
John Norwood, Seton Hall Prep (Orange, N.J.), OF, 2011
Mike Papi, Tunkhannock Area (Tunkhannock, Pa.), OF, 2011
Franelis Sanchez, Washington (Bronx, N.Y.), OF, 2012

Cincinnati Reds - Players from Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico lead the Reds, topped by Team USA standout Blake Swihart of Cleveland. Swihart was the leading hitter for Team USA during the summer, topping the team in batting average (.468) and home runs (5). He's joined at catcher by Grandview's Greg Bird, an all-state pick from Colorado. Cole Gleason of Red Mountain is a heavy-hitting first baseman while Scott Hoffman of Desert Ridge, Ricardo Jacquez of Franklin and Zach Davies of Mesquite give the Reds a strong pitching corps. Hoffman was the state MVP in Arizona while Jacquez pitched for Team USA this summer.
Roster
Blake Swihart, Cleveland (Rio Rancho, N.M.), C, 2011
Greg Bird, Grandview (Aurora, Colo.), C, 2011
Ryne Dean, Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.), C, 2011
Cole Gleason, Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.), 1B, 2011
Jake Hager, Sierra Vista (Las Vegas, Nev.), INF, 2011
Drew Stankiewicz, Gilbert (Gilbert, Ariz.), INF, 2011
Brett Harrison, Green Valley (Henderson, Nev.), INF, 2011
Casey Thomas, Desert Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.), INF, 2011
Kavin Keyes, Alta (Sandy, Utah), INF, 2011
Joe Serrano, Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.), INF, 2011
Michael Suiter, Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), OF, 2011
Xavier Palmer, Las Vegas (Las Vegas, Nev.), OF, 2011
Connor McKay, Regis Jesuit (Denver, Colo.), OF, 2011
Michael Mucha, Cherokee Trail (Aurora, Colo.), OF, 2011
Omar Gomez, Burgess (El Paso, Texas), OF, 2011
Zac Qualls, Rancho (Henderson, Nev.), LHP, 2011
Scot Hoffman, Desert Ridge (Gilbert, Ariz.), RHP, 2011
Ricardo Jacquez, Franklin (El Paso, Texas), RHP, 2011
Zach Davies, Mesquite (Gilbert, Ariz.), RHP, 2011
Michael Howard, Prescott (Prescott, Ariz.), LHP, 2011
Stephen Tarpley, Gilbert (Gilbert, Ariz.), LHP, 2011
Brandon Bonilla, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), LHP, 2011
Scott Squier, Greenway (Phoenix, Ariz.), LHP, 2011
Nevin Wilson, Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.), LHP, 2011

Chicago White Sox - Teams from the Midwest make up the White Sox roster, led by Team USA standout Derek "Bubba" Starling of Gardner-Edgerton. Fellow Kansan Cody Kukuk, an all-state player from Lawrence Free State, leads the pitching staff.
Roster
CJ Picerni, Montclair Prep (Van Nuys, Calif.), C, 2011
Dylan Delso, Broken Arrow (Broken Arrow, Okla.), C, 2011
Conner Knight, Maize (Wichita, Kan.), OF, 2011
Zachary Regier, Gilbert (Gilbert, Ariz.), C/OF, 2011
Charles Tilson, New Trier (Winnetka, Ill.), P/OF, 2011
Kyle Shaw, Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.), P/OF, 2011
Johnny Eierman, Warsaw (Warsaw, Mo.), SS, 2011
Joel Seddon, St. Clair (St. Clair, Mich.), SS, 2011
Drake Roberts, Brenham (Brenham, Texas), SS, 2011
Mason Snyder, Marquette (Ottawa, Ill.), SS, 2011
Jerrick Suiter, Valparaiso (Valparaiso, Ind.), P, 2011
Caleb Simpson, Norman North (Norman, Okla.), C, 2011
Michael Fulmer, Deer Creek (Edmond, Okla.), P/INF, 2011
Brian Anderson, Deer Creek (Edmond, Okla.), SS, 2011
Clayton Blackburn, Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.), P/1B, 2011
Patrick Hope, Broken Arrow (Broken Arrow, Okla.), P, 2011
Brett Lilek, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.), P/OF, 2012
Cody Kukuk, Lawrence Free State (Lawrence, Kan.), P/OF, 2011
Mark Hensley, Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.), C, 2012
Ryan Diers, Belle Plaine (Belle Plaine, Minn.), P, 2011
Jackson Laumann, Boone County (Florence, Ky.), P/1B, 2011
Blake Hickman, Simeon (Chicago, Ill.), C, 2011
Brendon Hayden, Wilmont Union (Twin Lakes, Wisc.), P/INF, 2011
Joseph Ceja, Marquette (Ottawa, Ill.), P, 2011
Derek Starling, Edgerton (Gardner, Kan.), P/OF, 2011
Nicholas Burdi, Downers Grove (Downers Grove, Ill.), P, 2011

Texas Rangers - The state of Texas takes up most of the roster spots for the Rangers, led by Bellaire pitcher Toller Boardman and Westside catcher Daniel Mengden.
Roster
Aaron Johnson, The Dunham School (Baton Rouge, La.), LHP, 2011
Bryan Brickhouse, The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas), RHP, 2011
Cody Glenn, Westbury Christian (Houston, Texas), LHP, 2011
Jacob Rhame, Guyer (Denton, Texas), RHP, 2011
John Curtiss, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas), RHP, 2011
Jordan Stephens, Alvin (Alvin, Texas), RHP, 2011
Kyle Crick, Sherman (Sherman, Texas), RHP, 2011
Parker French, Dripping Springs (Dripping Springs, Texas), RHP, 2011
Riley Ferrell, A&M Consolidated (College Station, Texas), RHP, 2012
Toller Boardman, Bellaire (Bellaire, Texas), LHP, 2011
Trevor Simms, Liberty Christian (Argyle, Texas), RHP, 2011
Daniel Mengden, Westside (Houston, Texas), C, 2011
Wayne Taylor, Memorial (Houston, Texas), C, 2011
Hunter Kopycinski, St. Thomas (Houston, Texas), C, 2012
Elliott Richoux, The Woodlands (The Woodlands, Texas), 1B, 2011
Chris McFarland, Lufkin (Lufkin, Texas), INF, 2011
C.J. Hinojosa, Klein Collins (Spring, Texas), INF, 2012
Connor Castellano, Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.), INF, 2011
Matt Dean, The Colony (The Colony, Texas), 3B, 2011
Trevor Story, Irving (Irving, Texas), OF, 2011
Nick Williams, Ball (Galveston, Texas), OF, 2012
C.J. McElroy, Clear Creek (League City, Texas), OF, 2011
Collin Shaw, Westlake (Austin, Texas), OF, 2011

Oakland Athletics - Drawing from the talent-rich states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, the Athletics roster has one of the nation's top rising juniors in Orangewood Christian's Dante Bichette. The team also has three players from California, including San Ramon Valley's Brett Geren, the son of Oakland Athletics manager Bob Geren.
Roster
Zac Freeman, Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.), OF, 2011
Ahmad Christian, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), SS, 2011
Shon Carson, Lake City (Scranton, S.C.), OF, 2011
Brett Geren, San Ramon Valley (Danville, Calif.), C, 2011
Logan Ratledge, Ardrey Kell (Charlotte, N.C.), SS, 2011
T.J. Costen, First Colonial (Virginia Beach, Va.), SS, 2011
Alec Bankhead, Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.), INF, 2011
Vance Vizcaino, Wakefield (Wake Forest, N.C.), SS/OF, 2012
Kenneth Gaines Jr., Luella (McDonnough, Ga.), SS, 2011
Chase Griffin, Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.), C/OF, 2011
Chris McCue, Ardrey Kell (Charlotte, N.C.), P, 2011
Colton Freeman, Spain Park (Birmingham, Ala.), OF/P, 2012
Andrew Faulkner, South Aiken (Aiken, S.C.), P, 2011
John Hayman, Ware County (Waycross, Ga.), P, 2011
Dante Bichette, Orangewood Christian (Orlando, Fla.), OF/INF, 2011
Jo-El Bennett, Houston Academy (Dothan, Ala.), OF, 2011
William Solomon, Columbus (Columbus, Ga.), P, 2011
Darren Whatley, Bibb County (Centerville, Ala.), P/INF, 2011
Charles Sheffield III, Columbus (Columbus, Ga.), P/INF, 2011
Tyler Olgesby, Savannah Christian Prep (Savannah, Ga.), P, 2011
Spencer Herrmann, Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.), P/OF, 2011
Nick Coffman, Wilson (Portland, Ore.), P/3B, 2011
Jordan Ramsey, North Davidson (Lexington, N.C.), P, 2011
Alex Blandino, St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.), SS, 2011
James Harris Jr., Oakland Tech (Oakland, Calif.), OF, 2011
Tanner Pollack, The Pendleton School (Bradenton, Fla.), OF, 2011

Schedule
August 5 - 4 p.m. - Rangers vs. Brewers Blue; 7 p.m. - Nationals vs. White Sox (9 innings)



August 6 - 8:30 a.m. - Nationals vs. Athletics; 12 p.m. - Yankees vs. Rangers; 3 p.m. - Reds vs. Brewers White.

August 7 - 10 a.m. - Rangers vs. Brewers White; 1 p.m. - Athletics vs. White Sox; 4 p.m. - Nationals vs. Brewers Blue; 7 p.m. - Yankees vs. Reds (9 innings).

August 8 - 10 a.m. - Brewers Blue vs. Nationals; 1 p.m. - Brewers White vs. Reds; 4 p.m. - Yankees vs. White Sox; 7 p.m. - Rangers vs. Athletics (9 innings).

August 9 - 10 a.m. - White Sox vs. Reds; 1 p.m. - Nationals vs. Yankees; 4 p.m. - Athletics vs. Brewers White; 7 p.m. - Brewers Blue vs. Brewers White (9 innings).

August 10 - 8:30 a.m. - Athletics vs. Yankees; 12 p.m. - White Sox vs. Rangers; 3 p.m. - Reds vs. Brewers Blue.