De La Salle’s Billy Haggerty (5) receives a warm embrace from Hank Tripaldi (1) of De La Salle High School following their victory over Valley Christian High School in the CIF NorCal Division I championship at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, California, on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Photo by Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
Preview of High School Baseball 2024
Review of Previous Season
In the last 30 postseason matches since 2016, De La Salle led by coach David Jeans has maintained an impeccable record of 30-0. The Spartans have a remarkable ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, as demonstrated in their recent triumph over Central Coast Section powerhouse Valley Christian in the CIF Northern California Division I final. Despite facing a one-run deficit and being on the brink of defeat, Hank Tripaldi rose to the occasion, hitting a crucial grand slam to secure the regional championship for De La Salle. This victory, dedicated to Tripaldi’s late mother, mirrored their previous year’s NorCal win against St. Francis. St. Ignatius also clinched a regional championship, with standout performances from pitchers Chase Gordon and Archer Horn. Notable section title winners from the Bay Area News Group coverage include (Division I), (Division II), (Division IV), and (Division V).
Standout Performers
Despite losing key players from the previous season, De La Salle retains strong talent with the likes of RJ Meyn and Hank Tripaldi. Meyn, a standout left-handed pitcher committed to Santa Clara University, boasts an impressive 10-0 record with a 2.20 ERA. Tripaldi, a San Diego State commit, showcased his prowess with a .314 batting average and 29 RBIs in his junior year. Valley Christian relies on the returning talent of outfielder Tatum Marsh, a Stanford commit who excelled in the previous season. Other teams like San Ramon Valley, Archbishop Mitty, and Bellarmine also exhibit promising rosters for the upcoming season.
New Additions and Transfers
Notable changes for the upcoming season include St. Francis appointing Erik Wagle as head coach, the WCAL implementing a revised scheduling format, and the transfer of pitcher/outfielder Graham Schlicht from Campolindo to De La Salle.
Players to Watch
Among the top prospects for the season are standout players like Charlie Bates (Palo Alto), Alec Blair (De La Salle), and Ryan Burton (Capuchino). These players, along with others like Carter Johnstone (Los Gatos) and Tatum Marsh (Valley Christian), are poised to make significant contributions to their respective teams.
Other Notable Players
A host of talented individuals from various schools, including Liam Barrett (Mountain View), Diego Emerling (College Park), and Donovan Freed (Los Gatos), are also expected to leave their mark on the upcoming season.
Bay Area News Group Baseball Preseason Top 20
The rankings feature powerhouse teams like De La Salle, Valley Christian, San Ramon Valley, and Archbishop Mitty among others, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead.
Teams mentioned in the Bay Area News Group rankings primarily represent Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties.