Top 10 California high school baseball rankings: LA City Section (2/19/2024)

The first look at the Top 10 baseball rankings in the Los Angeles City Section

The first edition of SBLive's Top 10 high school baseball rankings in the Los Angeles City Section.

Birmingham is the defending Open Division City champion. Sylmar won the Division I City crown in 2023.

1. El Camino Real (4-0)

Royals start the 2024 campaign with four straight wins over Southern Section teams, including two Mission League teams in Crespi and Chaminade. ECR is led by Braden Sellz, Ethan Granillo and Dylan Adams.

Pitchers Christian Gastelum, Luke Howe and Ben Lopez make for a strong bullpen.

• ECR vs. Westlake in Easton Tournament final

2. Granada Hills Charter (3-1)

Easton Hawk, a UCLA commit, is the best player in the City Section. Jackson Lyons and Diego Monreal are fellow seniors that make a trio of top players for the Highlanders. Junior pitcher Alex Schmidt and senior Collin Azoy will pitch at No. 2 and 3 behind Hawk.

3. Carson (1-0)

Colts return Aidan Brasher, Dylan Mares and Noah Gomez, all seniors that played in the City Section Open final last year at Dodger Stadium.

4. Birmingham Charter (2-2)

The Patriots return the City Player of the Year in JB Dalumpines at third base, senior pitcher Mike Figueroa and senior first baseman Trevor Sostman. Freshman Bronson Jackson will also contribute.

Birmingham is the defending Open Division City champions.

Birmingham beats Carson 3-1 to win its fifth Open Division City title in six seasons – a tremendous accomplishment.

Kaden Taque threw a complete game and had nine Ks.

What an emotional-laced season its been for coach Matt Mowry, who lost his wife in September to cancer. pic.twitter.com/gEmjHXm2nQ

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) May 27, 2023

5. Venice (0-0)

The Gondoliers return TEN of its top performers from last season. Seven are now juniors and two are sophomores. Canon King, Marjion Boyles and Ivan Carrera combined for 110 hits and 56 RBI last spring. King hit eight homers.

King and Jaxson Ehlers will be top arms from the mound.

6. Narbonne (1-2)

The Gauchos have challenged themselves early this spring, taking on teams like Edison and Vista Murrieta. Coach Bill Dillon (21st year) returns Brandon Dillon, Twain Meadows and Jared Nakazawa.

7. Sylmar (0-0)

The Spartans return All-City performers in seniors Matthew Benzor and Anthony Castaneda with Victor Carrera. Sophomore Alex Martinez and junior Luis Mendoza return from winning the Division I title at Dodger Stadium in 2023.

Sylmar's Victor Carrera at Dodger Stadium after winning the Division I City title in 2023 :: Tarek Fattal/SBLive

8. Palisades (0-0)

The Dolphins will look to top pitcher John Iacono, outfielders Noah Andrews and Logan Bailey, along with freshman Hudson Ramberg at shortstop.

9. San Pedro (0-0)

The Pirates are led by first-year coach Marvin Flores. Justin Holt, Jacob Lopez, Brody Harper, Richard Justiniano, Aidan McCroskey and Braydon Griffin are San Pedro's top players heading into the 2024 campaign. Flores says pitching will be San Pedro's strength.

10. Sun Valley Poly (0-3)

The Parrots haven't lost an East Valley League game since May 21, 2021. Coach Gabriel Cerna returns a core of veteran seniors in Ricardo Estrada, Isaac Estrada, Jacob Flores and Josh Flores.

Poly nonleague schedule is as tough as anyone else's in the City.

Top 25 CIF Southern Section baseball rankings (2/12/2024)