Video: Final Top 25 high school baseball rankings Seven California teams ended the year in the national conversation.
At the beginning of the season, the MaxPreps California High School Baseball Player of the Year was not even playing shortstop. By the end of the year, Keoni Cavaco of Eastlake (Chula Vista) was the top shortstop in the state and No. 3 in the nation.
Cavaco began the year at Eastlake as the third baseman, but when the regular shortstop was injured, Cavaco moved over. The rest is history. He was the top California high school player chosen in the MLB Draft, going No. 13 overall to the Minnesota Twins. He was also the No. 3 high school shortstop taken in the draft, coming in behind Bobby Witt Jr. of Colleyville Heritage (Colleyville, Texas) and C.J. Abrams of Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.).
Cavaco batted .433 on the season with 13 doubles and eight home runs. He also proved to be an excellent defensive player and he even saw time on the mound as a reliever for Eastlake. Cavaco also helped Eastlake win the San Diego Section Open Division championship and was named the San Diego Section Player of the Year.
John Weber of Cypress is the MaxPreps California High School Coach of the Year. He guided the Centurions to a No. 3 ranking in the nation in the MaxPreps Top 25, making Weber's team the highest-ranked team from California in the nation.
Weber did it by leading his team to a Southern Section Division 1 championship. Along the way, he beat Orange Lutheran (ranked No. 1 in California by the MaxPreps computer rankings), Harvard-Westlake (No. 4), Huntington Beach (No. 6), Yucaipa (No. 8), and La Mirada (No. 14).
The title was the first Division 1 championship for Cypress, which won a Division 2 crown under Weber in 2013.
The MaxPreps California All-State Baseball Team consists of players from large schools only. Those schools include those that play in the Southern Section Division 1 and 2, San Diego Section Open Division and Division 1, Central Section Division 1 and 2, Central Coast Section Open Division and Division 1, Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 and 2, and North Coast Section Division 1.
MaxPreps California All-State Large Schools Team
Keoni Cavaco, Eastlake
File photo by Steven Silva
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year.
Stats: 7-1, 0.77 ERA, 94 Ks, .457, 3 HR.
P — Max Rajcic, Orange Lutheran (Orange), 5-10, 160, Jr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Orange County Register Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 7-0, 0.39 ERA, 69 Ks, 54 innings pitched.
P — Sam Hliboki, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 6-3, 185, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 9-2, 94 Ks, 78.1 innings pitched, 18 walks.
P — Brett Wozniak, Cypress, 6-1, 175, Jr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: 10-0, 1.22 ERA, 57 Ks.
P — Kyle Harrison, De La Salle (Concord), 6-2, 200, Jr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-0, 1.26 ERA, 103 Ks, .286, 20 RBI, 6 doubles, 1 HR.
P — Dawson Netz, Maranatha (Pasadena), 6-1, 190, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 2 team; Pasadena Star News All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 6-3, 0.44 ERA, 99 Ks.
P — Jake Harrell, Sanger, 6-1, 180, Sr.
Honors: County/Metro League Player of the Year; Drafted No. 1,180 overall.
Stats: 12-1, 143 Ks, 85.2 innings, 0.65 ERA, .457, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR, 25 RBI.
P — Evan Fitterer, Aliso Niguel (Aliso Viejo), 6-3, 195, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Orange County Register All-County Team; Drafted No. 141 overall.
Stats: 9-1, 0.97 ERA, 82 Ks, 65 innings pitched, .375, 30 RBI.
P — Jonathan Guzman, Orange Lutheran (Orange), 5-11, 155, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: 7-0, 0.60 ERA, 57 Ks.
P — Andrew Dalquist, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 6-2, 170, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 2 team; Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Player of the Year; Drafted No. 81 overall.
Stats: 9-0, 1.78 ERA, 103 Ks.
C — Darrien Miller, Clovis, 6-0, 175, Sr.
Honors: Tri-River League Silver Slugger Award; Drafted No. 283.
Stats: .398, 19 RBI, 6 doubles, 3 HR, 36 runs.
C — Johnny Tincher, Birmingham (Lake Balboa), 5-7, 145, Sr.
Honors: Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team; Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year.
Stats: .312, 22 runs, 9 RBI, 4 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR.
C — Paul Skenes, El Toro (Lake Forest), 6-5, 225, Jr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: .371, 25 RBI, 14 doubles, 4 HR.
1B — Joe Naranjo, Ayala (Chino Hills), 6-0, 175, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Inland Valley Daily Bulletin All-Area Player of the Year; Drafted No. 101 overall.
Stats: .381, 29 RBI, 30 runs, 8 HR, 7-3, 1.25 ERA, 65 Ks.
1B — Josh Hahn, Huntington Beach, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Gatorade State Player of the Year; Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: .376, 9 HR, 33 RBI.
IF — Keoni Cavaco, Eastlake (Chula Vista), 6-1, 185, Sr.
Honors: San Diego Section Player of the Year; Drafted No. 13 overall.
Stats: .433, 13 doubles, 33 runs, 16 steals, 8 HR.
IF — Brooks Lee, San Luis Obispo, 6-1, 180, Sr.
Honors: All-Mountain League; Drafted No. 1,046 overall.
Stats: .405, 26 runs, 25 RBI, 13 doubles, 2 HR.
IF — Karson Simas, Clovis West (Fresno), 5-8, 135, Sr.
Honors: All-Tri-River Athletic League; Drafted No. 767 overall.
Stats: .389, 19 runs, 10 RBI, 8 doubles, 2 HR.
IF — Milan Tolentino, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 6-1, 180, Jr.
Honors: Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Southern Section Division 2 Player of the Year; Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: .347, 15 stolen bases.
IF — Michael Curialle, JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 6-3, 200, Sr.
Honors: Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Orange County Register All-County Team; Drafted No. 939 overall.
Stats: .422, 13 doubles, 18 RBI.
Michael Curialle, J Serra Catholic
File photo by Alyson Boyer Rode
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team.
Stats: .419, 10 RBI, 2 doubles, 1 HR.
OF — Derek Diamond, Ramona, 6-2, 185, Sr.
Honors: All-San Diego Section Team; Drafted No. 1,202 overall.
Stats: .377, 23 runs, 24 RBI, 8 doubles, 7 home runs.
OF — Mac Bingham, Torrey Pines (San Diego), 5-11, 190, Sr.
Honors: All-San Diego Section Team; Drafted No. 1,212 overall.
Stats: .387, 37 runs, 18 RBI, 11 doubles, 6 HR.
OF — Pete Crow-Armstrong, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 6-1, 175, Jr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: .395, 23 RBI, 5 doubles, 5 triples, 3 HR.
OF — Kyle Ashworth, Foothill (Santa Ana), 6-0, 175, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: .438, 23 RBI, 7 triples, 12 stolen bases.
OF — Steven Zobac, Valley Christian (San Jose), 6-4, 190, Sr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Player of the Year.
Stats: .365, 23 RBI, 12 doubles, 5 HR, 6-1, 0.23 ERA, 75 Ks.
OF — Michael Dixon II, Berkeley, 6-0, 190, Sr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team.
Stats: .348, 13 RBI, 5 doubles, 3 HR.
AP — Tyson Heaton, Yucaipa, 6-2, 205, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Inland Daily Bulletin All-Area Team; Riverside Press-Enterprise All-Area Pitcher of the Year; Drafted No. 1,201 overall.
Stats: .333, 20 runs, 23 RBI, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 10-2, 1.56 ERA, 84 Ks, 76.1 innings pitched.
AP — Cameron Repetti, Cypress, 6-4, 200, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 Player of the Year; Los Angeles Times All-Area Player of the Year; Orange County Register All-County Player of the Year; Drafted No. 1,076 overall.
Stats: .371, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 27 runs, 11-2, 93 Ks, 1.21 ERA.
AP — Lucas Gordon, Notre Dame (SO) (Sherman Oaks), 6-1, 190, Jr.
Honors: Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: .366, 7 doubles, 5-1, 1.39 ERA, 56 Ks.
Tyson Heaton, Yucaipa
File photo by Louis Lopez
P — Riley Cooper, Clovis North (Fresno), 6-3, 235, Jr.
Honors: Tri-River Athletic League Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 8-2, 1.16 ERA, 95 Ks, 13 walks.
P — Caleb Dulay, Righetti (Santa Maria), 5-7, 150, Jr.
Honors: Lee Central Coast Newspapers All-Area Player of the Year; Mountain League Player of the Year.
Stats: 10-0, 0.55 ERA, 45 Ks, 76.1 innings pitched.
P — Cooper Benson, San Luis Obispo, 6-0, 200, Sr.
Honors: Mountain League Player of the Year.
Stats: .364, 30 RBI, 8 doubles, 3 HR, 9-3, 0.59 ERA, 101 Ks, 59.2 innings pitched.
P — Preston Howey, Arcadia, 5-10, 145, Jr.
Honors: Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team; Southern Section All-Division 2 Team.
Stats: 13-1, 0.75 ERA, 86 Ks, 65 innings pitched.
P — Cole Kitchen, El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 5-10, 165, Sr.
Honors: Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team; Los Angeles City Section Pitcher of the Year.
Stats: 8-2.
P — Ricky Tibbett, Eastlake (Chula Vista), 6-2, 167, Jr.
Honors: All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 12-1, 0.48 ERA, 87.2 IP, 78 Ks.
P — Michael Forbes, Norco, 6-2, 175, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 2 team; Los Angeles Times All-Area Team; Riverside-Press Enterprise All-Area Team.
Stats: 9-1, 1.28 ERA, 83 Ks, 87.2 innings pitched.
P — Ivran Romero, Poway, 5-11, 185, Jr.
Honors: All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 9-1, 1.16 ERA, 65 Ks, 66.2 innings pitched.
P — Trevor Allen, Los Gatos, 6-3, 180, Sr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team.
Stats: 9-0, 1.27 ERA, 41 Ks, 55.1 innings pitched.
P — Aaron Suval, Agoura, 5-11, 170, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 2 team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: 10 wins, 1.21 ERA, 87 Ks, 64 innings pitched, .426, 20 RBI, 10 doubles, 2 HR, 16 stolen bases.
C — Daniel Susac, Jesuit (Carmichael), 6-3, 215, Jr.
Honors: Sacramento Bee All-Metro Team.
Stats: .378, 23 runs, 19 RBI, 7 doubles, 3 HR.
Daniel Susac, Jesuit
Photo by Anthony Brunsman
Honors: Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team; Drafted No. 1,149 overall.
Stats: .323, 18 runs, 30 RBI, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR.
C — Anthony Tulimero, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 6-0, 180, Sr.
Honors: Riverside Press-Enterprise All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: .452, 27 runs, 32 RBI, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR.
1B — Justin Campbell, Simi Valley, 6-7, 205, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 2 team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team; Ventura Star All-County Team; Drafted No. 556 overall.
Stats: .400, 11 doubles, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 20 runs, 8-2, 102 Ks, 1.179 ERA.
1B — Nathan Martorella, Salinas, 6-2, 215, Sr.
Honors: Monterey Herald Athlete of the Year; Drafted No. 917 overall.
Stats: .405, 31 runs, 22 RBI, 5 doubles, 7 HR.
IF — Chris Santiago, De La Salle (Concord), 6-1, 185, Sr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team.
Stats: .407, 38 RBI, 13 doubles, 3 HR.
IF — Mike Marsh, Cypress, 6-0, 180, Sr.
Honors: Orange County Register All-County Team.
Stats: .330, 29 runs, 17 SB.
IF — Jarrett Brannen, Bakersfield, 5-11, 185, Sr.
Honors: Southwest Yosemite League Player of the Year.
Stats: .459, 24 runs, 25 RBI, 6 doubles, 4 HR.
IF — TJ Nichols, Oakmont (Roseville), 6-3, 160, Jr.
Honors: Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year.
Stats: .523, 26 runs, 200 RBI, 10 doubles, 9-1, 0.24 ERA, 91 Ks, 57.2 innings pitched.
IF — Davis Cop, Valencia, 6-0, 185, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team; Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team; All-Santa Clarita Valley Player of the Year.
Stats: .376, 29 runs, 27 RBI, 14 doubles, 5 HR.
IF — Jordan Sprinkle, Palm Desert, 5-9, 155, Sr.
Honors: Southern Section All-Division 1 team.
Stats: .388, 30 runs, 17 RBI, 5 doubles.
OF — Robbie Hamchuk, Leigh (San Jose), 6-0, 170, Sr .
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Area Team.
Stats: .396, 24 runs, 28 RBI, 14 doubles, 6 HR.
Robbie Hamchuck, Leigh
Photo by Jane Hopwood
Honors: All-Southwest Yosemite League.
Stats: .454, 32 runs, 47 RBI, 13 doubles, 8 HR.
OF — Mac Dalena, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno), 5-10, 165, Sr.
Honors: County Metro All-League Team.
Stats: .389, 43 runs, 18 RBI, 3 doubles, 2 triples.
OF — Adam Lovato, Madison (San Diego), 5-8, 165, Sr.
Honors: All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: .411, 26 runs, 17 RBI, 7 doubles.
OF — Jasiah Dixon, Orange Lutheran (Orange), 6-0, 155, Sr.
Honors: Orange County Register All-County Team; Drafted No. 694 overall.
Stats: .352, 16 RBI, 5 doubles.
OF — Devereaux Harrison, Vacaville, 5-9, 165, Sr.
Honors: Monticello Empire League Player of the Year.
Stats: .390, 29 runs, 29 RBI, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 1 HR, 6-0, 0.71 ERA, 60 Ks, 39.2 innings pitched.
AP — Jacob King, Buchanan (Clovis), 6-4, 173, Sr.
Honors: Tri-River Athletic League Player of the Year.
Stats: .394, 14 runs, 26 RBI, 3 doubles, 5 HR, 2-1 record, 0.47 ERA, 21 Ks.
AP — Ryan Jackson, Heritage (Brentwood), 5-11, 175, Jr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team.
Stats: .582, 30 runs, 28 RBI, 8 doubles, 5 triples, 4-0, 0.76 ERA, 55 Ks, 36.2 innings pitched.
AP — Nick Yorke, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 6-0, 195, Jr.
Honors: Bay Area News Group All-Bay Area Team.
Stats: .505, 38 runs, 40 RBI, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR.
