Baseball: Agoura is No. 1 in The Times’ preseason top 25 rankings
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Agoura is ranked No. 1 in The Times’ preseason top 25 baseball rankings. The Chargers won last year’s Marmonte League championship ahead of eventual Southern Section Division 1 champion Newbury Park and return top pitchers and hitters.
1. AGOURA (Division 1): Seven starters return, led by pitchers Tyler Cohen, Henry Baker and Andy Sondreaal.
2. MATER DEI (Division 1): Monarchs have a batting order that can produce lots of runs
3. ORANGE LUTHERAN (Division 1): There’s no lack of college prospects playing for Lancers
4. CYPRESS (Division 2): Catcher Tyler Alamo and shortstop David Fletcher will be tough to stop
5. BISHOP AMAT (Division 3); Lots of starters return from a team that doesn’t mind playing anybody and everybody
6. EL TORO (Division 1); With three standout pitchers back, beware
7. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (Division 1); Jack Flaherty’s pitching and hitting will be key
8. GAHR (Division 3): There’s lots of talent throughout the lineup
9. LONG BEACH POLY (Division 1): Any team with Chris Castellanos pitching is going to cause problems
10. VISTA MURRIETA (Division 1): Pitcher Tyler Russell always comes through
11. GARDENA SERRA (Division 3): An influx of transfer students have transformed Cavaliers
12. CHATSWORTH (City DI): Chancellors are clear-cut favorite to win City championship
13. LAKEWOOD (Division 1): If Lancers develop an ace pitcher, beware
14. JSERRA (Division 1): Young players can propel Lions to top status
15. LOYOLA (Division 1): Strong pitching and exceptional defense will make Cubs tough to beat
16. CHAMINADE (Division 1): Everything is in place for Eagles to be a top team
17. BONITA (Division 3): Pitching transfers give Bearcats a big advantage
18. GREAT OAK (Division 2): Team has earned respect from winter performances
19. NOGALES (Division 4): Loaded with returnees, including ace Erik Gonzalez
20. DAMIEN (Division 2): Pitchers Grant Hockin and Jonathan Olsen are UCLA commits
21. EL DORADO (Division 1): The versatile Chris Rivera leads Golden Hawks
22. EDISON (Division 1): Young team last season won Sunset League
23. VALENCIA (Division 1): Vikings finally have the pitching to win some playoff games
24. EL CAMINO REAL (City D1): Top pitchers return for defending City champs
25. St. JOHN BOSCO (Division 1): Will have to break through in tough Trinity League
Others to watch: South Hills, Long Beach Wilson, Esperanza, Los Alamitos, Simi Valley, Dana Hills, Alemany, West Ranch, Hart, Riverside North, Yucaipa.
-- Eric Sondheimer