
El Camino will be the team to beat in the L.A. City Section this season.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea
2016 California Los Angeles City Section Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. El Camino Real (Woodland Hills)
Head coach: Josh Lienhard
2014-15 record: 27-7
The Conquistadors defeated Cleveland (Reseda) to capture the Division I championship last year. The top three players from that team return, including section MVPs
Eric Yang (.432) and pitcher
Jeremy Polon (11-2). All-section pitcher
Jordan Berg (7-2) also returns.
See last season's Los Angeles City Section baseball computer rankings
2. Chatsworth
Head coach: Tom Meusborn
2014-15 record: 24-11
The West Valley League runners-up behind El Camino Real, Chatsworth fell to Cleveland in the Division I semifinals in 2015. Pitching should be the key for the Chancellors as two all-league picks return in
Josh Garcia and
Thomas Palomera. All-league selection
Andrew Renteria returns at second base while junior
Daniel Zakosek is back at catcher.
See Los Angeles City Section baseball pro photo galleries3. Cleveland (Reseda)
Head coach: Scott Drootin
2014-15 record: 25-11
The Cavaliers finished third in the West Valley League, but advanced to the Division I finals before falling to El Camino Real. Cleveland returns one of the top pitchers in the Los Angeles City Section in junior
Sam Villa. Cleveland also returns one of its leading hitters from last year in
Chris Gonzalez.
See last season's Los Angeles City Section baseball playoff brackets4. Banning (Wilmington)
Head coach: John Gonzalez
2014-15 record: 19-14
Banning finished second in the Marine League last year, but it returns an all-section pitcher in
Michael Ramirez (7-3) as well as five other starters. Outfielders
Anthony Valadez (.340) and junior
Gabriel Ruiz (.298) are the top returning hitters while
Ivan Martinez (7-1) joins Ramirez on the pitching staff.
See last season's Los Angeles City Section baseball stat leaders5. San Pedro
Head coach: Steve Tedesco
2014-15 record: 19-12
The Pirates finished in third place in the Marine League and lost to Cleveland in the first round of the Division I playoffs. San Pedro returns pitcher
J.J. Duarte, who was named the most outstanding player in the league, as well as all-league infielder
Mikey Hernandez.