SBLive’s San Diego Section Baseball Top 10: La Costa Canyon begins the season at No. 1

La Costa Canyon's combination of hitting and pitching earn the Mavericks the No. 1 slot in our first San Diego Section rankings of the season.

The 2023 high school baseball season is underway in the San Diego Section. After winning the Open Division Championship in 2022, La Costa Canyon looks to be ready for a playoff run once again. The Mavericks return nearly all of their starting lineup led by last season's championship game hero, Gabe Camacho. La Costa Canyon's combination of hitting and pitching earn the Mavericks the No. 1 slot in our first San Diego Section rankings of the season.

SBLive’s San Diego Section high school baseball rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Bodie DeSilva and will be released every Monday throughout the the season.

(Lead photo by Steven Silva)

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SAN DIEGO SECTION TOP 10 BASEBALL RANKINGS

February 23, 2023

1. La Costa Canyon (0-0)

The reigning Open Division champion Mavericks return eight of their top 10 hitters from last season led by Pacific-signee Gabe Camacho and welcome in Cal commit Kalen Applefield from San Marcos. Stunner Gonzales (LSU) and Cooper Walls (Hawaii) are two of five returning pitchers.

Next game: 2/28 at Granite Hills

2. Granite Hills (0-0)

Photo by Steven Silva

Granite Hills graduated the San Diego Section Player of the Year in Grant MacArthur and several other seniors but the cupboard is not bare. Infielders Brenden Lewis (Arizona State) and Camden Sos (TCU) are two of the leading returners. San Diego State commits Nico Tomasello and Chandler Henry combined for 14 wins last season and return to lead the rotation.

Next game: 2/28 vs. La Costa Canyon

3. Rancho Bernardo (0-0)

The Broncos return their top two hitters from last season in Ben Lyons and Kevin Takeuchi (USC) and their top two pitchers in Tyler Arnold and Brady Dockan (Cal State Fullerton). Josh Hartman (UC Santa Barbara), Trent Abel (Cal State Northridge), Theo Kim (UC Irvine), and Jehee Lee all return in the Rancho Bernardo lineup.

Next game: 3/1 at Mission Hills

4. Eastlake (0-0)

Photo by Steven Silva

Eastlake returns their top five hitters from last season led by catcher Nico Libed (USD) and shortstop Isaiah Lane (Oklahoma). Senior Isaiah Martinez finished 7-2 with a 1.32 ERA and 61 strikeouts last season. Oregon commit Angel Laya is with the Titans after spending his freshman season at Mission Bay.

Next game: 2/27 at Coronado

5. Patrick Henry (0-0)

Junior catcher Jack Giordano (USD) is back after finishing second on the team in hits last season while two-way standout Talin Gardini also returns after hitting .305 and striking out 96 as a sophomore.

Next game: 2/28 at Canyon Crest

6. Christian (0-0)

Christian returns their top six hitters from last season including two-way standouts Vaughn Major (UC Santa Barbara), Shane Bailey (Western Oregon) and Ashton McCurty. Hunter Kaul (Biola) and Xavier Farnum are two others to watch in what should be a loaded Patriots lineup.

Next game: 3/2 at Chula Vista

7. St. Augustine (0-0)

MJ Sweeney (Texas) and Frankie Giacalone (Northwest Nazarene) will provide power in the lineup while holding down the corner infield spots. Grayson Boles, who led the team in appearances as a freshman last season, and Calvin Shaw will lead the Saints rotation. Oregon commit Tyler Wick transfers over from Francis Parker and will boost the infield when he becomes eligible on March 28.

Next game: 2/28 vs. Chula Vista

8. Cathedral Catholic (0-0)

The Dons graduated their top two hitters from a season ago but have two top returners ready to step up in senior Cody Nitowitz (UC Santa Barbara) and junior Anthony Perritano (USC). Catcher Elijah Selga (Hawaii), who posted a .506 on-base percentage last season returns for his junior year. Expect freshmen Stanford commits Hunter and Alex Harrington to have a big impact.

Next game: 2/28 at Rancho Buena Vista

9. Torrey Pines (0-0)

Pitchers Grayson Bonanno (UC Davis) and Peyton Rodgers (San Diego State) return after combining to allow just 11 earned runs over 80.1 innings last season. UC Santa Barbara commit Thomas Maher will be counted on in a lineup that returns just one of their top seven hitters from last season's Southern California regional championship team.

Next game: 2/28 at La Jolla Country Day

10. San Marcos (0-0)

The Knights lost five of their top six hitters from last season but still have a lineup that includes Liam Herrera (Northwest Nazarene), Brett Williams (St. Mary's), JJ Moran (Stanford) and Max Farrell (San Diego State). They'll look for additional arms to step up behind senior left-handed pitcher Carson Gish.

Next game: 2/28 at Francis Parker

Others considered-- Madison, Maranatha Christian, La Jolla Country Day, Del Norte, Point Loma, Francis Parker