Players To Watch In ’99

PITCHERS

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Jamie Shields, Hart Jr. 2. Jordan Olson, Crescenta Valley Sr. 3. Ivan Hernandez, Sylmar Sr. 4. Mike Kunes, Chatsworth Sr. 5. Tim Leveque, Crespi Sr. 6. Chris Cordeiro, Thousand Oaks Jr. 7. Greg Ramirez, Rio Mesa Sr. 8. Michael Jackson, Crespi Sr. 9. Phil Polanco, Notre Dame Sr. 10. Matt Harrington, Palmdale Jr. 11. Tyler Johnson, Newbury Park Sr. 12. Kameron Loe, Granada Hills Sr. 13. Ryan Ayers, Newbury Park Sr. 14. Matt Parris, Paraclete Jr. 15. Shane Miranda, Camarillo Sr. 16. Scott Rice, Royal Sr. 17. Jesse Kozlowski, Westlake Jr. 18. Mike Munn, Canyon Sr. 19. Carlos Reguengo, Poly Sr. 20. Michael Frost, Campbell Hall Jr. 21. Justin Wade, Taft Sr. 22. Jeremy Gonzales, Village Christian Sr. 23. Mike Marble, Grant Jr. 24. Travis Allen, Quartz Hill Sr. 25. Jason Urquidez, Chaminade So. 26. Chad Garson, Harvard-Westlake Jr. 27. Tracy Goebel, Thousand Oaks Jr. 28. Ryan Cowsill, Notre Dame Sr.

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Player, School: Comment

Jamie Shields, Hart: Pitches like a future first-round pick

Hart: Pitches like a future first-round pick

Jordan Olson, Crescenta Valley: Possesses region’s best curveball

Ivan Hernandez, Sylmar: Has excellent velocity and loves to compete

Mike Kunes, Chatsworth: All he does is win, baby

Tim Leveque, Crespi: Mature, tough and throws strikes

Chris Cordeiro, Thousand Oaks: Just try to hit his curveball

Greg Ramirez, Rio Mesa: Changes speeds very well

Michael Jackson, Crespi: Left-hander who can get strikeouts

Phil Polanco, Notre Dame: Throws balls past hitters

Matt Harrington, Palmdale: Struck out 19 in nine innings for summer team

Tyler Johnson, Newbury Park: Capable of being an elite pitcher

Kameron Loe, Granada Hills: He’s 6-7 and the next Mike Schultz

Ryan Ayers, Newbury Park: Fastball approaches 90 mph

Matt Parris, Paraclete: Will surprise everyone with his skills

Shane Miranda, Camarillo: He’s healthy again, so beware

Scott Rice, Royal: Great arm, but will he throw strikes?

Jesse Kozlowski, Westlake: He’s 6-4 with lots of potential

Mike Munn, Canyon: A dangerous, underrated right-hander

Carlos Reguengo, Poly: Knows how to pitch in big games

Michael Frost, Campbell Hall: Best small-schools pitcher

Justin Wade, Taft: Shut out Chatsworth, 2-0, as a junior

Jeremy Gonzales, Village Christian: Worked hard to become ace

Mike Marble, Grant: Has poise, toughness, intelligence

Travis Allen, Quartz Hill: Once was highly regarded

Jason Urquidez, Chaminade: Young pitcher on the rise

Chad Garson, Harvard-Westlake: Has excellent ball movement

Tracy Goebel, Thousand Oaks: Right behind Cordeiro in ability

Ryan Cowsill, Notre Dame: Out-dueled Shields in Legion game

FIRST BASE

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Brian Jacobsen, Agoura Sr. 2. Fernando Valenzuela, St. Francis Jr. 3. Billy McGrath, Birmingham Sr. 4. Jon Bringuier, Granada Hills Sr. 5. Brian Somoza, El Camino Real Sr. 6. Ernie Borjas, Rio Mesa Sr. 7. Randy Curtis, Calabasas Jr. 8. Brian Lipman, Royal Jr. 9. David Brown, Paraclete Sr. 10. Garett Michaels, Westlake Sr.

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Player, School: Comment

Brian Jacobsen, Agoura: Chargers’ version of Mark McGwire

Fernando Valenzuela, St. Francis: Can be a hitting machine

Billy McGrath, Birmingham: He’s a marked player for Patriots

Jon Bringuier, Granada Hills: Has lots of power

Brian Somoza, El Camino Real: If he gains consistency, look out

Ernie Borjas, Rio Mesa: Hits, pitches, succeeds

Randy Curtis, Calabasas: Was no ordinary sophomore

Brian Lipman, Royal: Will be feared hitter in Marmonte League

David Brown, Paraclete: Led region with .593 batting average

Garett Michaels, Westlake: Don’t throw him fastballs down the middle

SECOND BASE

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Mark McCauley, Crescenta Valley Jr. 2. Brendan Ryan, Notre Dame Jr. 3. Ryan Haag, Hart Jr. 4. Juan Guerrero, Poly Sr. 5. Ryan Soroka, Chaminade Jr. 6. Felipe Tetelboin, Grant Sr.

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Player, School: Comment

Mark McCauley, Crescenta Valley: Future NCAA Division I player

Brendan Ryan, Notre Dame: Nobody’s better on double-play pivot

Ryan Haag, Hart: Bud Murray compares him to J.T. Stotts

Juan Guerrero, Poly: Strong, aggressive and hustles

Ryan Soroka, Chaminade: Will hit .400 this season

Felipe Tetelboin, Grant: Batted .418 as a junior

THIRD BASE

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Bobby Egan, Royal Sr. 2. Conor Jackson, El Camino Real Jr. 3. Francis Enriquez, San Fernando Sr. 4. Matt Palmer, Canyon Jr. 5. Jeff Spector, Chatsworth Sr. 6. Tim Thompson, Grace Brethren Jr. 7. Paul McAnulty, Oxnard Sr. 8. Chris Stoddard, Moorpark Sr.

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Player, School: Comment

Bobby Egan, Royal: Can be top player in Marmonte League

Conor Jackson, El Camino Real: Has the makings of an MVP candidate

Francis Enriquez, San Fernando: Hit .422 and has powerful arm

Matt Palmer, Canyon: Watch him deliver clutch hits

Jeff Spector, Chatsworth: Gets his chance to play for top team

Tim Thompson, Grace Brethren: He’s no small-schools player

Paul McAnulty, Oxnard: Batted .426 as a junior

Chris Stoddard, Moorpark: Clutch hitter for Musketeers

SHORTSTOP

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Kevin Howard, Westlake Sr. 2. John Puccinelli, Notre Dame Sr. 3. Wes Rasmussen, Moorpark Sr. 4. Matt Fisher, Chatsworth Jr. 5. John Manuel, Poly Sr. 6. Billy Lockin, Thousand Oaks Jr. 7. Bruce McReynolds, Cres. Valley Sr. 8. Tim Hutting, Hart Sr. 9. Mark Hendricks, Palmdale Sr. 10. Colin Ward-Henniger, Buckley So. 11. Leo Rosales, Reseda Sr. 12. Ryan Martinez, Channel Islands Sr. 13. Robbie Fockaert, Paraclete Jr. 14. Ted Atler, Canyon Sr. 15. Nathaniel Dunlap, Chaminade Sr. 16. Andrew Petersen, L.A. Baptist So.

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Player, School: Comment

Kevin Howard, Westlake: Ready to produce big time

John Puccinelli, Notre Dame: Nobody works harder to succeed

Wes Rasmussen, Moorpark: Does everything well

Matt Fisher, Chatsworth: Balls hit to him are automatic outs

John Manuel, Poly: Will lead East Valley League in hitting

Billy Lockin, Thousand Oaks: Crucial player for Lancers

Bruce McReynolds, Cres. Valley: Returning starter for Div. I champs

Tim Hutting, Hart: Hit .481 and can field, too

Mark Hendricks, Palmdale: Best athlete in Golden League

Colin Ward-Henniger, Buckley: Has terrific skills

Leo Rosales, Reseda: Will hit over .450 in weak league

Ryan Martinez, Channel Islands: Four-year starter

Robbie Fockaert, Paraclete: The guy can play any sport

Ted Atler, Canyon: Steady, dependable veteran

Nathaniel Dunlap, Chaminade: Will be a first-team all-league pick

Andrew Petersen, L.A. Baptist: Best LAB sophomore since John Wilson

CATCHER

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Joey Hamer, Newbury Park Jr. 2. Jason Allec, Highland Sr. 3. Luke Peterson, Crescenta Valley Sr. 4. Tony Cicero, Cleveland Sr. 5. Mike Leduc, El Camino Real Jr. 6. Michael Nickeas, Westlake So. 7. Spencer Wyman, Camarillo Jr. 8. Jonathan Higashi, Chaminade Jr. 9. Mike Shamoon, Burroughs Sr. 10. Nick Hillman, Agoura Sr. 11. Matt Cunningham, Notre Dame Jr. 12. Isaac Romero, Rio Mesa Sr. 13. John Smith, Thousand Oaks Sr.

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Player, School: Comment

Joey Hamer, Newbury Park: Would play baseball from dawn to dusk

Jason Allec, Highland: Tough, physical player

Luke Peterson, Crescenta Valley: Knows how to handle pitchers

Tony Cicero, Cleveland: Proved last season he can hit

Mike Leduc, El Camino Real: No passed balls at Dodger Stadium

Michael Nickeas, Westlake: Just call him Mike Lieberthal Jr.

Spencer Wyman, Camarillo: Ready to step in for Joe Yingling

Jonathan Higashi, Chaminade: Best catcher in Mission League

Mike Shamoon, Burroughs: Two-year all-league player

Nick Hillman, Agoura: Part of strong Marmonte group

Matt Cunningham, Notre Dame: If he’s healthy, watch out

Isaac Romero, Rio Mesa: Has caught in 77 consecutive games

John Smith, Thousand Oaks: Lancers’ best hitter

OUTFIELD

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Rk Player, School Yr. 1. Matt Cassel, Chatsworth Jr. 2. Brian Horwitz, Crespi Jr. 3. Michael Falco, Agoura Sr. 4. Chad Redfern, Chatsworth Sr. 5. Chris Testa, Palmdale Sr. 6. Justin Babin, Saugus Sr. 7. Matt Thayer, Harvard-Westlake Jr. 8. Marke Horvat, Hart Jr. 9. Matt Schwartz, El Camino Real Sr. 10. Justin Collins, Camarillo Sr. 11. Eddie Camacho, Sylmar Jr. 12. Jason Kubel, Highland Jr. 13. Matt Friedrichsen, Hart Jr. 14. Billy Karz, Grant Sr. 15. Larry Brown, San Fernando Sr. 16. Sean McElroy, El Camino Real Jr. 17. Jeremy Serr, Kennedy Sr.

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Player, School: Comment

Matt Cassel, Chatsworth: Will drive in at least 50 runs

Brian Horwitz, Crespi: Sit back and marvel at his swing

Michael Falco, Agoura: There are few fences tall enough to stop him

Chad Redfern, Chatsworth: Ready for breakthrough season

Chris Testa, Palmdale: Best hitter in Golden League

Justin Babin, Saugus: Toughest out in Foothill League

Matt Thayer, Harvard-Westlake: Hits, hits, hits

Marke Horvat, Hart: Coming off excellent summer

Matt Schwartz, El Camino Real: Knows how to get on base

Justin Collins, Camarillo: Possesses outstanding speed

Eddie Camacho, Sylmar: Key hitter for City title contender

Jason Kubel, Highland: Has physical skills to make people notice

Matt Friedrichsen, Hart: Hit three grand slams last season

Billy Karz, Grant: All-league player who makes things happen

Larry Brown, San Fernando: QB with immense baseball potential

Sean McElroy, El Camino Real: Capable of hitting monster home runs

Jeremy Serr, Kennedy: Has made impressive improvement