Baseball: Bonita’s Justin Garza is better than ever

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Right-hander Justin Garza of La Verne Bonita went 13-0 last season throwing a fastball between 86 and 89 mph.

On Saturday, at a major-league scouting bureau showcase in Compton, he was clocked mostly between 91 and 94 mph, according to Coach John Knott.

That’s scary.

Bonita was already finding out about Garza’s improved velocity during winter ball. He has been striking out a lot more batters.

The big winner could be Cal State Fullerton, which signed Garza, though the pro scouts will be following him with increasing interest this spring.

Garza worked on his strength during the summer. Knott said Garza could only do four pull-ups in a row. After lots of conditioning, he was doing 20 in a row.

So beware of Justin Garza this season. He’s scheduled to open against La Verne Damien on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. at home. The radar guns will be locked and loaded.

-- Eric Sondheimer