Dave Roberts, supervisor of the World Collection champion Dodgers, meet Andy Sensible, your highschool baseball counterpart at Corona Excessive.
Like Roberts, Sensible had the very best crew on paper final season and received the Southern Part Division 1 championship. Like Roberts, he has a lot expertise that not profitable a title this season could be thought of a failure. Like Roberts, he has his personal model of Shohei Ohtani in pitcher-first baseman Seth Hernandez, Mookie Betts in shortstop Billy Carlson and Freddie Freeman in third baseman Brady Ebel.
“Honestly, our whole infield is pretty unbelievable,” Hernandez stated. “It’s unreal to have that support system behind you.”
It’s clear the 2 greatest groups in L.A. baseball for 2025 must be the Dodgers and Corona Excessive. They’re each ranked No. 1 in America with no debate wanted.
In fact, not like Roberts, who may have to win a seven-game collection to win a championship, Sensible has a tougher activity. The highschool playoffs are win or go house. You may’t have an off day and get a second likelihood. That’s the place Corona’s opponents have a combating likelihood. One good pitching efficiency can spoil the Panthers’ season irrespective of how dominant they could be through the common season.
“Everything is magnified and there’s pressure,” Sensible stated. “There’s so many good teams in Division 1 that you really have to have some things go your way and luck on your side.”
La Mirada’s $20 million baseball subject will likely be opened with a recreation on Feb. 22.
(La Mirada HS)
There’s loads of groups able to making Corona go house and not using a trophy. Huntington Seashore misplaced to the Panthers within the semifinals final season and is loaded with pitching, hitting and 13 gamers dedicated to four-year faculties. Orange Lutheran has 6-foot-8 pitcher Gary Morse and fabulous energy hitter Josiah Hartshorn. The Mission League is armed from prime to backside to tackle any and all groups. La Mirada opens its new $20-million subject and has a lineup full of prime hitters.
And but, it will not be unwise to wager the home and your Taylor Swift T-shirts on the Panthers.
Hernandez has the pitching abilities to be a top-five choice on this summer season’s MLB novice draft. Carlson is an distinctive shortstop and certain first-round choice who hits for energy and possesses nasty stuff when he takes the mound as a better. Ebel could be taking part in shortstop if not for Carlson. He’s the son of Dodgers’ third base coach Dino Ebel, so baseball runs by his veins and brother Trey is the beginning second baseman.
Outfielder Anthony Murphy can hit, run and subject. Arrowhead Christian switch Ethin Bingaman is an Auburn commit who will play proper subject when he’s not pitching.
Requested if he’s going to seek the advice of with Roberts on coping with stress and expectations, Sensible stated, “I almost wish I could. High school baseball is playoff baseball. When you get to the CIF playoffs, every game is truly the World Series.”
Serving to the Panthers is the chemistry and confidence of the gamers. Each follow, they compete.
“Having so much talent at one school pushes you to do better every day,” Carlson stated.
The Panthers know they would be the hunted with each opponent hoping to make their season with a victory over Corona.
“I like the competition,” Hernandez stated. “I like everyone coming after us with their best.”
Carlson, who generally will get slightly emotional when he’s closing video games, admitted, “I’m a real competitive guy. Sometimes when the moment gets big, I like to let the other team know I struck them out.”
About the one uncertainty for the Panthers is at catcher, the place four-year starter Josh Springer has moved on to skilled baseball. Chosen to exchange him is junior Jesiah Andrade, who didn’t play highschool ball final season after taking part in at Yucaipa as a freshman. “His development has been great,” Sensible stated.
From followers to scouts to gamers, when Corona involves city, folks will need to see them play.
Hernandez will likely be below the microscope most of all, however it’s not like he isn’t ready for the highlight.
“Because I’ve been blessed doing this for a while, I’ve always had people watching me,” he stated. “It’s nothing new. You keep coming with your A game.”
