Victor Valley’s Reggie Lawson is done pitching

Victor Valley senior pitcher/infielder Reggie Lawson’s pitching season is over.

According to a text sent by his coach, A.J. LeDay, Lawson is “done for (the) season.” LeDay didn’t elaborate as to why, but last week said Lawson was day-to-day.

Lawson, who signed with Arizona State, was ranked as the No. 26 draft prospect by Baseball America. According to maxpreps.com, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound right-hander last pitched April 5. He has continued to play infield in the absence of pitching.

This season, Lawson is 3-0 with a 1.20 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 35 innings. He is batting .469 with one home run, 13 runs scored and nine RBIs, but his draft prospects are primarily as a pitcher.

Of course many people speculate as to what the problem is. I don’t know, so I won’t toss out guesses.

Many think Lawson will be a first round pick in early June, but how will this news affect that? Regardless of the reason, scouts will want to know why Lawson stopped pitching. Is it serious or just precautionary? Will they get medical reports (if there are any)? Will he throw a side session just before the draft just to show scouts he’s worthy of a high draft pick?

All that remains to be seen. But it’s possible, if his draft stock falls, that the (temporary) loss for pro baseball will be Arizona State’s gain.

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San Bernardino High’s Alexander Mattison weighs college options

San Bernardino High’s Alexander Mattison made a name for himself rushing for a county-leading 2,017 yards last season as a junior and continued to draw the eyes of college scouts at various offseason football camps.

Alexander Mattison carrying the ball during practice at San Bernardino High School on Thursday, August 6, 2015 in San Bernardino, Ca.  (Micah Escamilla/The Sun)

Alexander Mattison carrying the ball during practice at San Bernardino High School on Thursday, August 6, 2015 in San Bernardino, Ca. (Micah Escamilla/The Sun)

While the Cardinals’ faithful can expect another solid performance from the running back as he conclude his high school career. It will be up to opposing defenses, especially from

the Mountain Valley League, to stand in his way and try to stop him.

But the elephant in the room is what will be next for Mattison following his senior year.

Mattison has several scholarship offers which include Pac-12 programs, according to head coach Jeff Imbriani, but it is not a guarantee that the running back will play in the conference.

The senior confirmed that Boise State, Washington and Arizona State are at the top of his list.

“Out of my offers right now those are the most communicative and interesting to me,” said Mattison.

He also mentioned Washington State as a program that completes his top four at the moment.

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Etiwanda’s Khaylan Thomas picks Arizona State

Etiwanda High School linebacker Khaylan Thomas decided not to wait until the official signing day in February. He made an oral commitment to Arizona State, choosing the Sun Devils over 14 other schools.
The 6-foot, 217-pounder first announced his choice on Twitter Tuesday night.
“It was family oriented and I liked that. They all seemed like they were very together,” he said. “I decided that was where my heart was and where I wanted to go.”
Thomas did not make an official visit. He toured USC, UCLA, Arizona and Arizona State, all in “unofficial” capacity with his trip to Arizona State coming over the summer. He has an official trip to Tempe slated for Dec. 13.
He had an official trip to Oregon State planned but hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll take it.
“I didn’t seen the need to drag it out any longer,” Thomas said. “I knew where I wanted to go.”
Thomas is the latest local prospect headed to the Pac-12. Among the others are teammate Michael Neal (Washington), Upland’s Tyler Hilinski (Washington State), Kameron Powell (Washington State), Josh Woods (UCLA), Ayala’s Malik Psalms (Cal), Los Osos’ Caleb Repp (Utah) and Pomona’s Shawn Wilson (Oregon State).
Thomas, a first-team All-Inland Valley selection last year as a junior, has 43 total tackles, including five for a loss, with an interception and a fumble recovery for the Baseline League contending Eagles.

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