1. ST. FRANCIS-MOUNTAIN VIEW (29-5 in 2015)
Returning plenty of talent from their 2015 Central Coast Section Open Division championship roster, the Lancers were a no brainer to begin at No. 1 this season. UCLA-bound outfielder and pitcher, Jeremy Ydens, will lead a dynamic offense and solid defensive group that also includes senior infielder Andrew Martinez (UC Santa Barbara-commit) as well as junior infielders Blake Diggle (USC) and R.J. Teijero. St. Francis has been the gold standard of the West Catholic Athletic League, winning 25 games in each of the last five seasons. This year projects to be no different.
2. ELK GROVE (24-10)
We wouldn’t have the Thundering Herd on the cover if we didn’t think they had something special brewing “” again. A senior-dominated roster will aim to win the Herd’s 10th SJS title in 2016. Leading the way are 1B/OF/LHP Dylan Carlson (Cal State Fullerton signee) and OF Ryan Robards (Pacific). Carlson and Robards power a solid offense, but Elk Grove may have its deepest pitching staff in two decades. Seniors Alex Zalasky and Austin Del Chiaro both posted 7-1 records a year ago, and will be joined in the rotation by junior Riley Lamb (USC) and Carlson. Add transfer SS Josh Urps (Sacramento State), and there’s a lot to like.
3. DE LA SALLE-CONCORD (19-9)
The Spartans find success pretty much every season, but the past two even-year seasons have concluded in NCS Div. I titles. If De La Salle is going to maintain that trend, it certainly has the pitching depth for it. The senior quartet of Nick Sparks (Saint Mary’s), Conner Roberts (UC Santa Barbara), Connor Redmond (Cal Poly) and Jordan Chriss (Columbia) combined to allow just 7 ER in 53.1 innings of work last season. Senior infielder Armani Smith (UC Santa Barbara) will lead the offense.
4. SERRA-SAN MATEO (18-10)
Arizona State-bound Under Armour All-American OF Hunter Bishop leads a powerful offensive attack that will also include 3B Angelo Bortolin (Loyola Marymount) and OF Tyler Villaroman (USF). Most of the Padres pitching returns too.
5. HERITAGE-BRENTWOOD (20-4)
Despite losing USC-bound pitcher Austin Manning to a transfer, the Patriots roster has never been deeper. Saint Mary’s-bound two-way threat Kevin Milam will serve as the ace, and ought to get plenty of run support.
6. LOS GATOS (30-6)
The Wildcats return nearly whole pitching staff, which includes Harvard-bound Hunter Bigge who went 12-3 with a 0.72 ERA in 2015.
7. JESUIT-CARMICHAEL (19-9)
Left-hander Jack Wolger and righty Jack Cosca, both Cal-signees, provide a dominant 1-2 punch on the bump.
8. MARIA CARRILLO-SANTA ROSA (18-8)
With 22 of 26 players returning from a season ago, 2016 is set up to be the Pumas’ year. Cal-bound Andrew Vaughn leads the way with both arm and bat.
9. CASA GRANDE-PETALUMA (21-7)
The Gauchos are powered by a pair of juniors, Cal commit Chris Joaquim (9-2, 0.83 ERA as sophomore) and Arizona State pledge, Spencer Torkelson (.387, 21 RBI).
10. VINTAGE-NAPA (23-7)
The bevy of returning talent to the Crushers roster for 2016 includes two Area Code Games selections in RHP Jared Horn and C Jake McNichols.
11. VALLEY CHRISTIAN-SAN JOSE (22-8)
12. PITMAN-TURLOCK (24-7)
13. MARIN CATHOLIC-KENTFIELD (20-9)
14. BELLARMINE-SAN JOSE (17-11)
15. OAK RIDGE-EL DORADO HILLS (25-6)
16. DAVIS (16-13)
17. COLLEGE PARK-PLEASANT HILL (26-4)
18. ST. MARY’S-STOCKTON (21-14)
19. GRANITE BAY (19-13)
20. ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE (20-11)