Player of the Year: SCOTT FRAZIER, Upland, Senior, Pitcher
Frazier went 6-2 with a 1.16 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 54 innings on his way to being selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the MLB draft on June 8. Frazier’s fastball peaked at 96 mph during a season he began with an 18-strikeout no-hitter. The 6-foot-7 senior, who is deciding between utilizing a 96% scholarship to Pepperdine of signing with the Phillies, was also an imposing hitter, batting .386 with 6 home runs and 21 RBIs for the Baseline League champions.
Coach of the Year: JOHN KNOTT, Bonita
The fifth-year coach led Bonita to its first CIF final in 36 years where a 2-1 loss in the Division 3 title game prevented the Bearcats from capturing the school’s first CIF baseball title since 1951. Despite an exodus of talent last season, including a first-round MLB draft pick, a starting outfielder for UCLA and the reigning Miramonte League MVP, Knott led Bonita to its second straight league championship.
first team
CESAR AGUILAR, Pitcher, Miller, Sr.
The St. Louis Cardinals 14th round pick, who has already signed and jonied the Gulf Coast League, had a 1.02 ERA and 6-2 record his senior season. He struck out 89 batters in 69 innings and hit .333 with 12 RBIs
STEPHEN LANDAZURI, Pitcher, Carter, Sr.
The Seattle Mariners’ 22nd round selection in the MLB draft posted a 3.05 ERA his senior season and struck out 86 batters in 62 innings. He also batted .403 with three home runs and 18 RBIs.
KENNY MATHEWS, Pitcher, Diamond Bar, Sr.
The Cal State Fullerton-bound pitcher posted a 1.73 ERA, a 7-3 record and 91 strikeouts in 73 innings in additon to a .471 batting average with three home runs and 19 RBIs in helping Diamond Bar to a third-place finish in the Sierra League. He was a first team all-CIF selection.
VINCENT VELASQUEZ, Pitcher, Garey, Sr.
Evidenced by his second-round selection by the Houston Astors in the MLB draft, Velasquez had a banner year, capped by a 17-strikeout performance against defending CIF champ San Dimas in a first-round playoff win. The first team all-CIF selection went 6-1 with a 1.89 ERA and batted .608 with 29 RBIs to lead Garey to a Mt. Baldy League championship.
JAKE HERNANDEZ, Catcher, Los Osos, Sr.
Defense is unanimously considered Hernandez’s strength, which is saying something considering he batted .446 with four home runs and 29 RBIs in leading the Grizzlies to a second-place finish in the Baseline League. The second team all-CIF selection was drafted in the 22nd round by the Detroit Tigers but will instead attend USC, to which he has been committed since he was a freshman.
ROURIC BRIDGEWATER, Infield, Diamond Ranch, Jr.
The first team all-CIF third baseman compiled some eye-popping statistics in helping Diamond Ranch finish its season on a six-game win streak before exiting in the first round of the playoffs. Bridgewater batted .580 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in just 26 games for the third-place team in the Miramonte League.
JULIO ESPINOZA, Infieid, Rialto, Sr.
The first team all-CIF shortstop, the Tampa Bay Rays’ 28th-round draft pick, hit .395 with four home runs and 30 RBIs as Rialto finished second in the competitive Citrus Belt League. On the mound the right-hander went 6-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 52 innings.
ROBERT MIER, Infield, Bonita, Jr.
The first team all-CIF second baseman was one of the best leadoff hitters in the area with a .435 batting average, seven home runs, 31 RBIs and 37 runs scored for the Miramonte League champions, who reached Bonita’s first CIF final since 1951.
AUSTIN REED, Infield, Rancho Cucamonga, Sr.
The Chicago Cubs 12th-round draft pick excelled at third base with a .416 batting average, seven home runs and 25 RBIs in addition to being a front line pitcher for the Cougars, who fiinshed third in the Baseline League. The second team all-CIF selection posted a 6-4 record, 3.25 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 71 innings.
FRANKIE CHRISTIAN, Outfield, Upland, Sr..
The Baseline League champions’ center fielder collected seven home runs and 37 RBIs while batting .418 for the Highlanders. Christian was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 19th round of the MLB draft on June 8.
ERIC JOHNSON, Outfield, Rialto, Sr.
Johnson hit .414 with 21 RBIs for Rialto, which won eight games in a row to finish the seson before exiting the playoffs in the second round. The senior outfielder was named to the All-Citrus Belt League first team.
JAMES ZAMARRIPA, Outfield, Rancho Cucamonga, Jr.
The speedy junior was a terror on the base paths and also hit for power in leading the Cougars to a third-place finish in the Baseline League. Zamarripa hit .390 with four home runs and 25 RBIs as Rancho Cucamonga compiled a 17-11 record.
TIM HELTON, Utility, Upland, Sr.
The catcher hit .462 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in earning his second Baseline League MVP of the year — Helton was the football MVP as a linebacker for the CIF champs — and helping Upland to a league title. If the first team all-CIF selection doesn’t sign with the Angels, who drafted him in the 28th round, Helton will attend Chaffey College.
second team
P — C.J. Beatty, Western Christian, Sr.
P — Derek Penilla, San Dimas, Sr.
P — Brian Tuttle, Bonita, Sr.
C — Joshua Ortega, Garey, Sr.
INF — Antonio Duenas, Kaiser, Jr.
INF — Ryan Goodman, Upland, Sr.
INF — Anthony Fernandez, Los Osos, Sr.
INF — Ernie Zaragosa, Kaiser, Sr.
OF — Jeff Crowe, Diamond Bar, Sr.
OF — Bobby Oatman, Damien, Sr.
OF — Matt Gelalich, Bonita, Jr.
UTL — Chance Fuglistahler, Kaiser, Jr.
DH — Scott Makorow, Don Lugo, Sr.
third team
P — Nick Amerhein, Damien, Sr.
P — Marcos Flores, Alta Loma, Jr.
P — Josh Yepez, Bonita, Sr.
C — Derek Goodwin, Diamond Ranch, Sr.
INF — Evan Highley, Bonita, Sr.
INF — Erik Lewis, Damien, Sr.
INF — Ricky Mount, Chino Hills, Sr.
INF — Joey Puzin, Colony, Sr.
OF — Abel Osuna, Rialto, Sr.
OF — Chester Pak, Diamond Bar, Sr.
OF — Spencer Thornton, Los Osos, Jr.
UTL — Troy Brown, Western Christian, Sr.
DH — Drew Stein, Chino Hills, Sr.
