MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school baseball rankings

Just take a look at the weather report. It's quite obvious we're in the heat of the baseball season in California.

MaxPreps is proud to unveil its second season of Southern California Top 25 Baseball Rankings, which are different than others in that the Southern, Central, Los Angeles and San Diego sections are all factored in. Starting things off, it's quite obvious that the Central Section is a big-time player when it comes to national rankings. And another lesson: There is no clear-cut top team in the region.

We expect the big tournaments to provide some great battles between ranked teams this coming week.

Local media play a huge role in choosing the teams and the spots. And next week, we will integrate the MaxPreps Computer Rankings as well.

Also note that for this week, Thursday games are not factored in.


1. Clovis, 19-4
Classification: Central Section I

This is as loose a hold as a team can have on the top spot in a rankings story. We all know the Cougars are great (No. 5 in the Xcellent 25), but they do have a pair of losses to No. 5 Clovis North and one to No. 15 Frontier. But you can't deny a trip to the NHSI final and wins over some national-caliber opponents. A league matchup with Clovis North and the Fresno Easter Classic await in the coming week.

2. Buchanan (Clovis), 16-2
Classification: Central Section I

The Bears don't have a national-caliber schedule and they lost to Clovis. But they are No. 6 in the Xcellent 25. Unlike Clovis, they beat Frontier and Clovis North. But they also lost to No. 14 Clovis West. Buchanan will participate in the northern portion of the Boras Classic this coming week.

3. Temecula Valley (Temecula), 12-2
Classification: Southern Section II

The Golden Bears are 20th in the Xcellent 25 and own the southern title in the Boras Classic. They own a pair of victories over No. 20 Vista Murrieta and one over No. 17 Carlsbad. All they need to do is figure out how to beat Great Oak, a Southwestern League opponent ranked No. 18 that has beat them twice. Murrieta Valley and Vista Murrieta are on the schedule for the next week of games.

4. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 13-1
Classification: San Diego Section Open

The Dons have the No. 24 spot in the Xcellent 25. And they have a stacked pitching staff. What they don't have is a schedule loaded with ranked opponents. Their only game of the year against a SoCal Top 25 team was their only loss, an 8-6 setback to No. 22 Poway. No other team has scored more than four runs against Cathedral Catholic. They will participate in the San Diego Lions tournament this coming week.

5. Clovis North (Fresno), 15-3
Classification: Central Section I

The local rankings, the Cal-Hi Sports rankings and the Xcellent 25 have Clovis North a bit lower than this, but those came out before the Broncos beat Clovis for the second time this season. The Broncos are No. 40 in the Xcellent 25, have defeated Clovis twice, Clovis West twice and Frontier once. They do have losses to Clovis West and Buchanan. They face Clovis one more time before heading to the San Diego Lions tournament.

6. Loyola (Los Angeles), 13-1
Classification: Southern Section I

The Cubs are ranked 26th in the Xcellent 25, which was expanded to 50 teams last week. They haven't faced a SoCal Top 25 team yet this season, so we're going on rankings and talent alone. They have two games with No. 7 Harvard-Westlake coming up this week, along with a game against Crespi in the Mission League. Those three games will tell us a lot.

7. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 12-3
Classification: Southern Section I

The Wolverines (30th in the Xcellent 25) took a couple lumps in the Big League Dugout National Classic in Arizona but have otherwise been great. They own wins over No. 10 Chatsworth and No. 21 West Ranch, while one of their losses was to Horizon of Arizona, No. 9 in the Xcellent 25. They face Loyola twice next week.

8. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 11-3
Classification: Southern Section I

The Lions are the toast of the Trinity League, and they own a win over No. 9 Huntington Beach early on. They also own a loss to Vista Murrieta, ranked 20th. Orange Lutheran and a doubleheader with Cypress await this week.

9. Huntington Beach, 11-2
Classification: Southern Section I

The Oilers are playing great baseball locally, but came up short in their only game against a SoCal Top 25 team, falling to JSerra. Huntington Beach will play in the National Classic Tournament at Esperanza this coming week.

10. Chatsworth Charter, 12-2-1
Classification: Los Angeles City Section I

The Chancellors' losses were both 1-0, and to very good teams - Harvard-Westlake and Banning (Wilmington). They're that close to being much higher in the rankings. The Harvard-Westlake contest was their only against a SoCal Top 25 team. They will go to the Blazer Spring Break Bash, and have a scheduled contest with Birmingham (Lake Balboa).

11. Hart (Newhall), 11-1-1
Classification: Southern Section I

The Indians are at the Bishop Gorman Easter Classic in Las Vegas and won their first contest. They own a victory over No. 21 West Ranch earlier this season, and started things off with an 11-game unbeaten streak. After finishing in Vegas they face Canyon (Canyon Country) next week.

12. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), 11-2
Classification: San Diego Section Open

The Broncos' two losses are both of the quality variety, as they came to No. 22 Poway and No. 17 Carlsbad. They will get to prove themselves in the San Diego Lions tournament with some big games in the Classic Division and have a great shot at moving up.

13. Vista, 11-1
Classification: San Diego Section Open

The Panthers are on a seven-game winning streak and own a triumph over Carlsbad already. Their revenge matchup with Carlsbad is today, and the third of the three-game series is set for Saturday. They open San Diego Lions tournament play with Cathedral Catholic, so this is a big week for Vista.

14. Clovis West (Fresno), 14-4-1
Classification: Central Section I

The Golden Eagles are yet another force from the Fresno area. Thus far this year they have defeated Buchanan and Clovis North, but Clovis North has also beat them twice. Clovis West also lost to Clovis once. The next week will feature a contest with Central (Fresno) and then the Boras Classic, starting with Northern Section power Foothill (Palo Cedro).

15. Frontier (Bakersfield), 15-4
Classification: Central Section I

The Titans are the lone Central Section team from the Bakersfield area to make the cut. They have a win over top-ranked Clovis on their resume, and losses to Clovis North and Buchanan certainly aren't ugly either. Local rival Liberty and then the Fresno Easter Classic are on the schedule for the coming week.

16. South Hills (West Covina), 12-2-1
Classification: Southern Section II

The Huskies limp in a bit, off a 10-2 loss to Damien (La Verne). But they are highly regarded by the Los Angeles Times and in the Southern Section coaches polls as well. Games with Ayala (Chino Hills) and Chino Hills await in Sierra League play.

17. Carlsbad, 9-3
Classification: San Diego Section Open

Carlsbad has what may be its biggest week of the season coming up in terms of the rankings, with two games with Vista, then the San Diego Lions tournament starting with Clovis North. The Lancers own a victory over Rancho Bernardo, and two of their three losses aren't bad at all: Temecula Valley and Vista.

18. Great Oak (Temecula), 13-3
Classification: Southern Section II

This team has proven to be the biggest thorn in Temecula Valley's side, beating them twice. Moreso, Great Oak also has a win over No. 19 Vista Murrieta. All that's holding Great Oak back from a much higher ranking is a loss to Chaparral (1-5 in league play). Murrieta Mesa (once) and two contests with Murrieta Valley await.

19. Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 11-4
Classification: Southern Section II

Yet another representative from the Southwestern League, the Broncos have a couple good wins and three good losses. An early-season win over JSerra Catholic looks nice, so does beating Woodrow Wilson. And they have two losses to Temecula Valley and one to Great Oak. Chaparral and Temecula Valley are on the schedule for the next week.

20. Dana Hills (Dana Point), 14-4
Classification: Southern Section II

The Dolphins have not played anybody ranked in the SoCal Top 25. Their win over San Clemente was a big reason to allow them in. Dana Hills battles Aliso Niguel twice this coming week.

21. West Ranch (Valencia), 10-3
Classification: Southern Section I

The Wildcats are in the midst of the Bishop Gorman tournament in Las Vegas, not an easy task. Their wins are decent, but the losses are to Harvard-Westlake and Hart. They come home for two games with Valencia this coming week.

22. Poway, 9-4
Classification: San Diego Section Open

The four losses don't look good at all. The wins over Cathedral Catholic and Rancho Bernardo look very good. Let's leave the Titans here and see if the big wins are the real story - or the four losses. Mt. Carmel awaits before the San Diego Lions tournament.

23. Gahr (Cerritos), 11-2
Classification: Southern Section III

The Gladiators are the top-ranked D-III team in the Southern Section coaches poll and should continue to roll this season. They've consistently played up this season with solid results. One loss is to No. 25 Woodrow Wilson. They face Warren Friday before the National Classic at El Dorado, and a great test in Valley Christian (San Jose) to start things out.

24. Upland, 13-1
Classification: Southern Section II

This team's only slip-up has been a 3-1 loss to Glendora, a very good team. Other than that, it's been the Scots taking care of business against the teams in front of them. One game with Rancho Cucamonga and two more with Glendora await.

25. Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach), 15-4
Classification: Southern Section I

The Bruins get the nod for the final spot. Obviously, there are many other worthy squads, but we like the two wins over San Clemente. Wilson beat Gahr earlier this season and has a loss against Vista Murrieta. The Bruins have Long Beach Poly and Millikan in Moore League play coming up.