Top 10 San Diego Section high school baseball rankings (2/26/2024)

La Costa Canyon begins the season at No. 1, looking for their third straight Open Division title

The high school baseball season in the San Diego Section is here. Several teams began playing last week while many more will get going this week as various tournaments start across the section.

La Costa Canyon, who has captured two straight San Diego Section Open Division titles, opens the season on top. The Mavericks will begin with games against Hilltop and Bonita Vista this week.

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

SBLive's San Diego Section Top 10 baseball rankings

La Costa Canyon's Kalen Applefield celebrates scoring a run during last year's win over Carlsbad at Petco Park / Photo by Steven Silva

1. La Costa Canyon (0-0)

Last season: 26-7

Ranking rationale: The two-time reigning Open Division champions return a strong group of seniors led by Kalen Applefield (Cal) and Stunner Gonzales (LSU). Behind Gonzales in the rotation, the Mavericks have several top options with Cooper Walls (Hawaii), Max Collins (UCSB) and Gavin Barton. Applefield drew 31 walks as a junior, finishing with a .552 on-base percentage and 11 extra-base hits.

2. Eastlake (0-0)

Last season: 29-6

Ranking rationale: Eastlake returns their top two pitchers from last season in Jake Davis (9-0, 1.39 ERA) and Brody Wells (6-1, 3.59 ERA). The Titans lineup includes Angel Laya (Oregon), Noah Betanco (Cal State San Bernardino) and Kalani Jaregui (San Diego State). They'll get a boost at the end of March when transfers Noah Solano and Xander Iniguez are cleared to play.

3. Carlsbad (0-0)

Last season: 21-12

Ranking rationale: Pitching should be a strength for the Lancers, returning four of their top five in innings pitched from a year ago. Ian Fisher (UCLA), Blake Gordon and Tyler Foster (UC Irvine) lead the staff. Jett Kenady (Cal) returns after hitting seven home runs as a sophomore and will be joined in the infield by standout freshman Matthew Kelley (Miami).

4. Patrick Henry (0-0)

Last season: 21-13

Ranking rationale: The Patriots return their top five hitters from last season led by seniors Jack Giordano (San Diego) and Talin Gardini (St. Mary's). Gardini, who's closing in on 200 career strikeouts, is joined on the mound by fellow two-way player Cody Cappelletti. Jayden Goldman and Preston Conklin will be eligible in a month when the transfer sitout period ends.

5. Rancho Bernardo (0-0)

Last season: 22-10

Ranking rationale: Rancho Bernardo returns nearly 200 innings on the mound from last season led by Cal State Fullerton-signee Brady Dockan (9-1, 1.91 ERA). They'll be replacing San Diego Section Player of the Year Kevin Takeuchi, but will have a strong lineup that includes Nathan Bembenek, Tyler Arnold, Theo Kim (UC Irvine) and Jehee Lee (Cal State Northridge).

6. Cathedral Catholic (0-0)

Last season: 22-9

Ranking rationale: Last year's Division 2 finalists are back in Division 1 and feature 11 college commits on their roster. The Dons infield features Alex Harrington (Stanford) and Anthony Perritano (USC) while Trey Gudoy (UCLA) and Hunter Harrington (Stanford) will patrol the outfield. Michael Podstreleny (UC Irvine) and Elijah Selga (San Diego State) give the Dons two options at catcher. Trey Telfer (Indiana) led the team in innings last season while Vincent Venverloh (San Diego) was third in hits and innings pitched.

7. Granite Hills (0-0)

Last season: 16-9

Ranking rationale: Granite Hills brings back a strong trio of juniors in Tommy Entrekin (Cal Baptist), Brenden Lewis (Arizona State) and Parker Vance (TCU). Lewis, along with Chander Henry (San Diego State) and Rowan Haynes (Seattle) lead the way on the mound. They'll add Luke Bailey (UCSB) and Anthony Miotti when the transfer sitout period ends March 31.

8. Torrey Pines (0-0)

Last season: 19-9

Ranking rationale: Chris Possemato takes over as head coach after previously serving as the pitching coach for the Falcons during their 2018 Open Division title. His group returns six of their top eight hitters led by Peyton Rodgers (San Diego State), Thomas Maher (UC San Diego), and Chase Klemke (San Diego State). Rodgers, a two-way standout, had a 1.39 ERA last season and is joined by Jack Swanberg (Air Force) atop the rotation.

9. St. Augustine (0-0)

Last season: 16-12

Ranking rationale: The Saints return seven of their top eight hitters from a season ago led by Grayson Boles (Texas) and Justin Heffler (St. Mary's). Boles, their returning leader in innings pitched, is joined by Michael Ivanjack, Ryan Popkins, and Tyler Wick (Oregon) in a group that tossed valuable innings as sophomores. Infielder Raphael Dunne (UC San Diego) will be eligible to play on March 31 after transferring in from rival Cathedral Catholic.

10. Coronado (0-0)

Last season: 17-11

Ranking rationale: The Islanders are not lacking pitching. Their group on the mound includes returning standouts Max Murray (Cal), Sean Cannon, Taylor Werth and Mateo Villanueva. Junior Shane Cannon provides the power in the lineup and the defense in the infield.

Five others to watch

Del Norte

Point Loma

Santa Fe Christian

La Jolla Country Day

Montgomery

-- Bodie De Silva | bodie@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca