PREP BASEBALL ‘94: EMPIRE LEAGUE

Katella

1993 RECORDS:

OVERALL: 14-12

LEAGUE: 5-10

COACH: Tim McMenamin

RECORD AT SCHOOL: 131-102

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Jae Park Sr. 2B R-R David Rojo Sr. C/OF R-R Jaret Wright Sr. P/OF R-R

TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T David Reese Sr. P R-R Mike Stevenson Sr. P/OF R-R Mike Villegas Sr. P/OF R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Geoff Burgueno Jr. SS/3B R-R Joe Fraser So. 3B/P R-R Marcelo Miranda Jr. UT R-R Geno Ramirez Jr. SS R-R

OUTLOOK

Finished a disappointing fifth last season after going 9-2 in nonleague play. The Knights do have a quality player in Wright, son of former Angel Clyde Wright. Baseball America lists Wright as the fourth-best high school prospect in the nation. He hit .451 with seven home runs and 26 runs batted in. Problem is, there’s no one who can keep teams from pitching around Wright. He’ll be more effective on the mound. Wright was 5-4 with 80 strikeouts and was named second-team All-Division I. Rojo returns as his catcher and Park is back at second base. David Reese, Mike Stevenson and Mike Villegas are seniors and one of them probably will end up as the No. 2 starter. The question is which one? For better or worse, they are all equal heading into the season. The Knights are depending on players with only junior varsity experience. A lot lower expectations this season, but, when Wright is on the mound, the Knights will be tough.