SBLive’s LA City Section Baseball Top 10: Granada Hills is No. 1 to start the season

On paper, the Highlanders have the top pitching staff in the City.

Play ball! Here are SBLive’s first Top 10 LA City Section high school baseball rankings of the season. The rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Connor Morrissette and are released weekly.

—

SBLIVE’S LA CITY SECTION TOP 10 BASEBALL RANKINGS

Feb. 21, 2021

1. Granada Hills (3-1)

Last week: N/A

On paper, no City team can matchup with Granada Hills' pitching staff. Senior Drew Gustafson is committed to UC Santa Barbara.

2. Birmingham (3-1)

Last week: N/A

The Patriots bring back a lot of talent from last season including junior power hitter Gavin Taylor and senior pitcher Chris Romero.

3. Chatsworth (1-2)

Last week: N/A

Head coach Marcus Alvarado has a talented team, arguably the best one he's had in his time as coach of the Chancellors. Chatsworth beat St. Francis and Cleveland lost to St. Francis so the Chancellors start the year ahead of Cleveland.

4. Cleveland (1-3)

Last week: N/A

Senior Gabe Juarez is one of the top power hitters in the City.

5. Roosevelt (2-0)

Last week: N/A

When Lino Zepeda pitches, Roosevelt can beat anyone.

6. San Pedro (0-1)

Last week: N/A

San Pedro graduated a lot of seniors from last year's Open Division City title winning team and the Pirates have a new coach in Nick Lusic. There's a good amount of turnover, but San Pedro will still be a tough team to beat this spring. Senior pitcher Zack Geiss returns for the Pirates.

7. Palisades (1-0)

Last week: N/A

Expect the Dolphins to get back into the Open Division this season.

8. El Camino Real (1-3)

Last week: N/A

ECR lot some impact seniors from last year's team. Catcher Josh Klein should have a big season.

9. Sylmar (0-0)

Last week: N/A

Pitcher/catcher Frank Garcia is one of the top returners in the City.

10. Venice (0-0)

Last week: N/A

Venice could be a surprise team out of the Western League. Diego Amaya, Cash Halverson, Ruben Medina, and Colin McNeal are the four captains for the Gondoliers.