Los Angeles Times Top 25 Preseason Baseball Rankings

A look at the top 25 Southland high school baseball teams heading into the spring of 2023.

Rank SCHOOL: Comments

1 JSERRA: Loaded with elite pitchers, hitters and defensive players. MVP, SS Jonathan Mendez.

2. HARVARD-WESTLAKE: Best pitching staff. MVP, OF Will Gasparino.

3. HUNTINGTON BEACH: The Oilers will score a lot this season. MVP, 1B Ralphie Velazquez.

4. ORANGE LUTHERAN: Improved pitching will make the Lancers dangerous in the playoffs. MVP, 3B Casey Borba.

5. CYPRESS: All signs point to coach John Webber having one of the best teams around. MVP, SS Abbrie Covarrubias.

6. SANTA MARGARITA: A veteran team with quality players in key positions. MVP, C Blake Balsz.

7. SO NOTRE DAME: Oliver Boone and Justin Lee are pitchers to watch. MVP, OF Dean West.

8. CORONA: Ethan Schiefelbein, Sam Burgess, Billy Carlson – great. Best player, C Josh Springer.

9. VILLA PARK: The Spartans are looking for pitcher Zach Brown. MVP, SS Gavin Grahovac.

10. AQUINAS: Top prospect Eric Bitonti had 55 hits as a junior. Best Player, P. Owen Egan.

11. LA MIRADA: Six returning starters and a group of outstanding sophomores. MVP, IF Maverick Russell.

12. ETIWANDA: Sophomore Brady Ebel is a future major leaguer. MVP, P. Dylan Gough.

13. NORCO: Coach Gary Parcell’s final season features Grant Gray and Cole Hansen. MVP, SS Cameron Kim.

14. CRESPI: Mission League pitcher of the year Isaiah Magdalena is back. Best Player, Ethan Kodama.

15. MARANATHA: Shortstop AJ Beltre adds to a talented team. MVP, P Zach Strickland.

16. EL DORADO: Four left-handed pitchers will battle opponents. Best Player, P Garvey Rumary.

17. SOUTH HILLS: Showed impressive winter season form. Best player, SS Marcos Rosales.

18. SAN DIMAS: Will play in Boras Classic. Best Player, SS Kasen Khansarinia.

19. NEWBREY PARK: Cole Miller leads a trio of top returning pitchers. Best player, P Derek Turner.

20. ARLINGTON: Many players return from 27-2 team. Best player, C Jack Cleveno.

21. BIRMINGHAM: Strong innings and good batting with Gavin Taylor. Best player, P Daniel Flores.

22. CAPISTRAN VALLEY: A tough schedule offers opportunities and challenges. Best Player, SS Boston Baro.

23. WARREN: Pitching depth is a team’s strength. MVP, 1B Julian Angulo.

24. LOS ALAMITOS: New coach, lots of D1 commitments, lots of potential. MVP, SS Jake Evans.

25. LOYOLA: First-year coach Keith Ramsey has a track record of success. Best player, SS Adam Magpok.