MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school baseball rankings

Playoff fever is about to take its grip in Southern California. The Central Section is in the midst of the postseason already, and teams from the Los Angeles and Southern sections will find out their playoff draws before the next set of rankings come out.

Lots of ranked teams had losses in the past week, showing just how competitive it is out there as the regular season comes to an end. Teams have a lot to play for, and it's showing in many league races.

Be sure to check back often for California baseball playoff brackets. Click here to view them, as more sections will be added.

Click here to visit the California computer rankings and click here to see the California stats leaderboard.

Wednesday matchups are not factored into this week's rankings.


1. (1) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), 23-3
Classification: San Diego Section Open
Ranks: 4 State, 34 National, 9 Xcellent 50

The Broncos own a nine-game winning streak and for the second-straight week, they own the top spot in the region. They won all three of their contests over the past week, taking 5-0 and 14-0 shutouts over Westview and then whacking second-place Poway 10-5. That equals a four-game lead in the Palomar League standings, all but assuring the Broncos of a league title. They have Wednesday and Friday games with Poway then on Tuesday face Canyon Crest Academy.

2. (2) Clovis, 30-5
Classification: Central Section I
Ranks: 5 State, 35 National, 10 Xcellent 50

The Cougars finished their regular season with a 7-4 victory over Clovis West to secure the Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference title and a No. 1 seed in the Central Section Division I playoffs, which came with a first-round bye. They face No. 9 seed Central (Fresno) Thursday and a win there would mean a semifinal meeting with Clovis West or Frontier on Tuesday.

3. (6) Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach), 25-4
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 26 State, 183 National

The Bruins have now won 12 in a row and have climbed high in the Cal-Hi Sports and Los Angeles Times polls. They own at least a share of the Moore League crown thanks to winning 18-0 over Compton and 10-2 over Long Beach Poly. Wilson faced Millikan Wednesday in the season finale to decide whether it's a shared league title or all Wilson's.

4. (11) Norco, 23-2
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 6 State, 36 National, 39 Xcellent 50

The Cougars keep climbing. Hard not to when you have won 21 in a row. The Big VIII champions won 9-2 and 12-8 over King (Riverside) and then beat Santiago (Corona) 2-0 in the past week. They played Santiago Wednesday in the regular season finale.

5. (12) Great Oak (Temecula), 20-6
Classification: Southern Section II
Ranks: 1 State, 4 National

A 1-0 triumph over Temecula Valley and then a 4-1 win over Murrieta Mesa have put the Wolf Pack in a spot where they can do no worse than tie for the Southwestern League crown. A win Thursday against Murrieta Mesa seals the deal, whereas a loss and Vista Murrieta win would mean a shared title.

6. (8) Fountain Valley, 18-7
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 24 State, 170 National

The Barons lost a game, yet moved up in the rankings. That has a bit to do with other top teams losing, and also with a slight readjustment. They are tied with Huntington Beach atop the Sunset League but are up 2-1 in the head-to-head battles. They won 9-6 and 8-1 over Marina, but then lost a 1-0 nailbiter to Edison (Huntington Beach). They finish Thursday at Edison.

7. (9) Huntington Beach, 20-4
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 13 State, 87 National

The Oilers took a doubleheader from Edison, winning 4-3 and 6-0, before also taking down Los Alamitos by a 7-6 count. They're tied with Fountain Valley atop the league standings and finish their regular season Thursday at Los Alamitos.

8. (16) Clovis North (Fresno), 21-8
Classification: Central Section I
Ranks: 15 State, 116 National

The Broncos have moved themselves back up to the level they were at earlier this season, and it's mostly because of their 6-0 shutout of Buchanan in the regular season finale that secured second place in the TRAC and the No. 2 seed in the Central Section Division I bracket - one that comes with a first-round bye. They face No. 10 seed Bullard Thursday and if they win, they would play Tuesday against Buchanan or Liberty (Bakersfield).

9. (4) Buchanan (Clovis), 23-7
Classification: Central Section I
Ranks: 20 State, 151 National

The Bears' 6-0 loss to Clovis North made life a little tougher, as it meant a No. 3 seed in the Central Section Division I bracket and an opening-round game. But they got past it, waxing Clovis East 12-0 to advance to play against No. 6 Liberty (Bakersfield) Thursday. A win there would mean Clovis North or Bullard in the semifinals.

10. (3) Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 20-4
Classification: San Diego Section Open
Ranks: 10 State, 81 National

The Dons dropped a 5-4 decision to Scripps Ranch in league play before bouncing back three days later and winning 6-2 over the same team. It's going to be a busy week for them, as they faced St. Augustine Wednesday, play the Saints again Friday, battle Bishop Amat (La Puente) Saturday and then face Mira Mesa on Monday.

11. (5) Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 20-6-1
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 16 State, 120 National

The Wolverines were humbled in a 9-3 loss to Chaminade, something that hurt them badly in the Mission League title race as they chase Loyola. They bounced back to win 2-1 over Notre Dame and head to Sherman Oaks to face Notre Dame again Thursday in the regular season finale.

12. (7) JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 19-6
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 9 State, 77 National

The Lions split a doubleheader with Santa Margarita, winning big in a 13-2 rout then coming up short 5-4 in a loss. But their biggest story of the week was undoubtedly an 8-3 victory over Mater Dei Tuesday that secured the Trinity League title - not bad for a team with one senior starter. A Thursday game with Mater Dei is all that's left in the regular season.

13. (14) Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 19-6
Classification: Southern Section II
Ranks: 2 State, 20 National

The Broncos are still in the hunt for a shared Southwestern League title. They won 5-1 over Murrieta Mesa on Thursday and took care of business Tuesday with a 6-3 victory over Chaparral. They face Chaparral again Thursday and need to hope for a Great Oak loss if they want a share of the title.

14. (22) Loyola (Los Angeles), 22-5-1
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 25 State, 180 National

The Cubs lead the Mission League - they just have had bad luck outside league play - and that's why Harvard-Westlake is still ranked higher. Still, Loyola is perhaps one of the most dangerous squads looking in the playoffs. The Cubs finished their regular season with a 7-2 victory over Alemany and a doubleheader sweep of Gahr (2-0 and 4-2).

15. (17) Hart (Newhall), 20-4-1
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 32 State, 251 National

Hart has earned a reputation as a great team in one-run games, and showed it by winning 7-6 over Golden Valley and 2-1 over Saugus. The Indians also won 7-3 over Golden Valley as well. A win in the regular season finale at Saugus Thursday secures the Foothill League title. A loss could mean a shared title with Valencia.

16. (19) Chatsworth Charter, 25-4-1
Classification: Los Angeles City Section I
Ranks: 22 State, 159 National

The Chancellors took out Taft twice, 2-1 and 7-1, in league play. They played El Camino Real on Wednesday and will do so again Friday to close out the regular season, and that's for the West Valley League title. If Chatsworth loses both, then ECR would win the title.

17. (21) Granite Hills (El Cajon), 19-6
Classification: San Diego Section Open
Ranks: 11 State, 83 National

The Eagles won a pair of tight one-run contests in league play, taking down Valhalla 3-2 and Steele Canyon 2-1. They face West Hills Thursday, Grossmont Saturday and Helix Tuesday. Grossmont is tied with Valhalla for second place in the Grossmont Hills League.

18. (10) Otay Ranch (Chula Vista), 20-6
Classification: San Diego Section I
Ranks: 53 State, 382 National

The Mustangs were saddled with a couple forfeit losses earlier this season, and they also lost to Eastlake 4-3 in league play. They beat Mater Dei Catholic 6-5. Otay Ranch, tied with Eastlake atop the Mesa League, faces Eastlake Thursday and Bonita Vista Tuesday.

19. (13) Temecula Valley, 17-8
Classification: Southern Section II
Ranks: 8 State, 66 National

The offense disappeared for the Golden Bears in a pair of losses, 1-0 to Great Oak and 9-0 to Murrieta Valley. That cost Temecula Valley a shot at the Southwestern League title. They face Murrieta Valley Thursday in the regular season finale.

20. (15) Dana Hills (Dana Point), 23-6
Classification: Southern Section II
Ranks: 14 State, 113 National

The Dolphins lost to San Clemente by a 4-2 score, then avenged that loss in a 4-1 win. The final games of the year for Dana Hills were Wednesday in a doubleheader against Pacifica (Garden Grove). They've already won the Sea View League title.

21. (24) Chino Hills, 20-5
Classification: Southern Section II
Ranks: 17 State, 122 National

The Huskies won 16-0 and 12-2 over Claremont, which were nice. But the big one was a 3-2 triumph over Damien. That win coupled with South Hills' setbacks against Damien means that all Chino Hills has to do to claim the Sierra League title is win Thursday against Damien. A loss and South Hills win would mean a shared title.

22. (18) Alemany (Mission Hills), 18-7-2
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 37 State, 280 National

It was a tough week for the Warriors in the Mission League. They dropped a 7-2 contest to Loyola, and that's understandable, as Loyola is a great team. But an 11-1 loss at Crespi was a tough one to swallow. Alemany gets a chance at revenge when it faces Crespi Thursday in the regular season finale.

23. (NR) Agoura, 22-5
Classification: Southern Section I
Ranks: 44 State, 324 National

It's our first chance to feature the Chargers, a group that spent a lot of time in last year's rankings. Agoura's five losses are to Chatsworth, Loyola, Woodrow Wilson, Templeton and Harvard-Westlake - not bad at all. The regular season is over for the Marmonte League champions.

24. (20) Glendora, 19-6
Classification: Southern Section II
Ranks: 34 State, 254 National

Glendora dropped a 6-3 contest against Los Osos before rebounding with an 8-5 triumph over Alta Loma. The Baseline League champions will face Alta Loma again Thursday to close out the regular season.

25. (25) Frontier (Bakersfield), 25-6
Classification: Central Section I
Ranks: 72 State, 600 National

We will find out once and for all if the Titans belong in these rankings, as they will fight in the brutal Central Section Division I bracket. Frontier had no trouble knocking out North (Bakersfield) by a 10-1 score, now it gets tougher with Clovis West on Thursday. A win there would lead to the semifinals and a game Tuesday against either Clovis or Central (Fresno).