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Friday, February 27
SGV ARSENAL PLAYED NAMES TO L.A. TIMES TOP PLAYER LIST
Congratulations to the many SGV Arsenal players named to the Los Angeles Times Players to watch list. Quite an honor to named.
Pitchers:
Evan Brock(Ayala/UC Irvine ‘09)
Mitcher Mertin(Servite/UC Irvine ‘09)
Brady Zuniga(Bishop Amat/UNLV ‘09)
Eddie Magallon(Paramount ‘09)
Tommy Nance(LB Wilson ‘09)
Paul Paez(Bishop Amat/USD ‘10)
Andrew Thurman(Orange Lutheran/UC Irvine ‘10)
Eddie Pedroza(Northview ‘10)
Dylan Covey(Maranatha ‘10)
FIRST BASE
1. Jonathan Singleton(LB Millikan/LB State ‘09)
SECOND BASE
3. Dillon Bryant(Orange Lutheran ‘10)
SHORTSTOP
Pierce Bily(Orange Lutheran/UC Irvine ‘09)
Phil Holinsworth(Chino Hills/UC Riverside ‘10)
Austin Walker(Crespi/UC Irvine ‘10)
Cody Harris(LB Wilson ‘10)
Lonnie Kauppila(Burbank ‘10)
Rio Ruiz(Bishop Amat ‘12)
THIRD BASE
3. Ryan Arnold(Northview/UNLV ‘09)
4. Jeff Yamaguchi(Lakewood ‘10)
OUTFIELD
5. Jeff Gelalich(Bonita/UCLA ‘09)
Thursday, October 30
PERFECT GAMES TOP TEN LIST OF JUPITER MOMENTS AT THE WWBA CHAMPIONSHIPS
 | |  | | Dylan Covey-Maranatha/USD '10 |
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| PERFECT GAME CROSSCHECKER'S TOP TEN LIST |
| WEEK 41: 10/27/08 - 11/2/08 |
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Ten Jupiter Moments |
BY ALLAN SIMPSON
Wednesday October 29, 2008 |
8. Covey Emerges Among Hard-Throwing Elite
In
160 pool-play games played on 12 fields over a four-day period, 166
pitchers were clocked at 90 mph and above. A total of 298 hit 88 or
better. Hard throwers were in evidence throughout the tournament, but
no pitcher threw harder than Winning Inning (Fla.) righthander Mychal
Givens (Tampa), a projected first-rounder in 2009 who was clocked at
96—and yet lost his only start while giving up three walks, four hits
and four runs in three innings. Eight more pitchers were clocked at 94,
including Covey, who worked all seven innings of San Gabriel Valley’s
key 3-2, pool-play win over the talented Royals Scout Team. Not only
did Covey allow just one hit, a wind-blown triple, but he struck out 17
and most impressively was 94 from the first inning to the seventh. No
pitcher in the entire tournament (with the possible exception of
Miller) may have created quite as much buzz. Ranked No. 34 in the 2010
high school class at the outset of the tournament, Covey progressed to
a potential first-rounder off his dominant performance.
| Ten Jupiter Names That Generated A Buzz |
| BY DAVID RAWNSLEY |
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Friday October 31, 2008
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1. Dylan Covey, rhp, Marantha HS, Pasadena, Calif. (2010)
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Covey’s first pitch was 94
mph and his last pitch, seven innings later, was 94—and there were lots
of nasty fastballs and 78-80 mph hammer curves in between. A very good
team (the Kansas City Royals Scout Team) had no chance, absolutely no
chance, to hit him when he got in a groove and he gave up just one hit,
a wind-blown triple, while striking out 17.
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Wednesday, March 18
PRESS TELEGRAM ON EDDIE MAGALLON(PARAMOUNT '09)
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Duo ready for more
Magallon, Wright tough to beat
By Brian Biaotto, Correspondent
Posted: 03/17/2009 10:58:36 PM PDT
PARAMOUNT - Just win, baby!
That's
all Paramount High's Eddie Magallon and Los Alamitos lefty Beau Wright
have done since taking the mound. The dueling aces are a combined 34-5
with an ERA of just over 1.00 during their careers, and both have led
their teams to consecutive league titles.
Magallon (18-2, 1.10 ERA) isn't physically imposing and has
a deceivingly boyish appearance, but has the ferocity and heart of a
champion. The Paramount right-hander has 106 strikeouts in 108 innings
pitched.
Magallon lost his mother, Maria, before the beginning of
last season. But in her honor, the senior came up biggest when
Paramount coach Cameron Chinn needed him most.
Magallon shut down Gahr to wrap up the Pirates' second
straight San Gabriel Valley League title and in the playoffs beat
undefeated Jeff Rauh and Laguna Hills to reach the quarterfinals.
At the plate, Magallon has 46 hits and 33 RBIs over the
past two seasons, including a sophomore season in which he hit .394 and
was named the SGVL's MVP.
"Eddie is a fierce competitor who wants the ball in his
hand when the game is on the line," Chinn said. "He is a very smart
player who is able to mix his speeds and location."
Magallon has control of his curve, change and fastball, but
has worked hard on a cutter that will have opposing batters guessing.
"I think I've been successful because I have the confidence to throw any of my pitches in situations where most pitchers might not," Magallon said. "I love
to have the pressure on my shoulders to win the big games, but we have
the players around me that could make us very good at the end of the
season."
The most frustrating thing for Magallon is that his 5-foot-11,
180-pound frame has weighed more in the minds of scouts than his
undeniable dominance on the mound.
Said Magallon: "I can't control how big I am, but I am a
student of the game and I know how to go out there and get it done. I
hope my results are what people measure me by."
Chinn believes Magallon would benefit any college that makes him an offer.
"Whatever
school is the first to make him a serious offer will get someone golden
in return, because Eddie does everything the right way and is a proven
winner," Chinn said.
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Tuesday, March 31
PRESS TELEGRAM ON JEFF YAMAGUCHI(LAKEWOOD '10)
| |  | | Jeff Yamaguchi-Lakewood '10 |
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Peas in a Pod
Lakewood's Duffy, Yamaguchi are both competitive, versatile and fearless on the mound
Posted: 03/30/2009 10:49:42 PM PDT
By Brian Baiotto Correspondent
LAKEWOOD - There are many reasons why Lakewood has the best high school baseball team in the area, but Matt Duffy and Jeffrey Yamaguchi are the two biggest.
The Lancers duo make up arguably the most complete tandem in Long Beach prep baseball because of their versatility, putting Lakewood (9-3) on path to another potential Moore League crown.
Duffy, a senior right-hander, is 3-0 with a minuscule 0.39 ERA and 16 strikeouts. He has 13 RBIs and is what Lakewood coach Spud O'Neil calls "the best shortstop in the Moore League."
Yamaguchi is also 3-0 with a 2.74 ERA, has 12 strikeouts and is hitting .389 with 14 hits and nine RBIs.
It's Duffy's team-first attitude that makes him so special to his coaches and teammates.
jonathan Worrell was expected to be the Lancers ace, but had kidney stones before the season started, leaving a void in the Lakewood pitching staff. So Duffy convinced O'Neil to give him a shot.
"I wish Matt had told me this earlier, because he's been incredible so far and is such a smart and competitive player," O'Neil said. "He is a great leader, who practices as hard as he plays and is someone everyone else looks up to."
Yamaguchi is capable of playing all nine positions at a high level and along with Duffy, embraces the pressure to perform for a school that every team loves to beat.
With 16 Moore League and two CIF titles in O'Neil's 26-year reign in Lakewood, the Lancers have become the Duke of college basketball or the Yankees of major league baseball and a team everyone roots against.
"You either love or hate Lakewood and we really like that," Yamaguchi said.
The 6-foot-2 junior right-hander has three pitches in his arsenal and loves the opportunity to control the outcome of a game.
“I really like going right after a hitter and getting ahead early and never letting them get comfortable at the plate," Yamaguchi said. "Matt and I both love the pressure of having to get the big hit or striking out the other team's best hitter to get our team the win."
Duffy raved about his younger teammate.
Said Duffy: "Jeff is the definition of composure and is always smiling. He is incredibly mature and versatile and does so many things to help us win ballgames."
Duffy hit .409 last season with 47 hits and had a quick start this year. But his .300 average is well below what he's capable of, and yet he finds a way to take over a game.
“I am not going to blow people away with a 94-mph fastball, but I am not afraid to throw any pitch in any situation and have been able to locate my pitches very well," Duffy said.
Yamaguchi credits the Lancers captain with even his own rise to stardom.
“Matt is our leader and someone we all trust will make the big play when we need it and we all know his hitting will come around because he works so hard," Yamaguchi said.
Duffy is also versatile and competitive in the classroom with a 3.8 grade-point average, which he begrudgingly admits is down from a 4.0
“I am not hitting as well as I'd like, but that will come around and as long as I'm helping my team win games in any way I can, I am happy," Duffy said. "We have so many guys who contribute on this team (David Peters, Anthony Razo, Alex Padilla) and everyone does their part."
Both Yamaguchi and Duffy say their fathers (Tom Duffy, Max Yamaguchi) have played leading roles in their development as players and young men, while coaches Matt Nuez, Chris Viera and O'Neil have created a positive and stress-free environment to grow as athletes.
Duffy and Yamaguchi each live for the big-game pressure and both thrive with a bat or ball in their hand and despite taking it one game at a time, there is a big-picture result that both agree on.
"We know winning another Moore League championship would be a great accomplishment, but our ultimate goal is to win a CIF title," Duffy said. "Along with all of our teammates, Jeff and I can give us a good shot at one, but with a healthy Worrell, we really like our chances."
For O'Neil, the veteran skipper knows how lucky he is to have two marquee players in his starting lineup.
“These are two kids that not only perform in the classroom and on the field, but are the epitome of the type of kid you want representing your program," O'Neil said.
Tuesday, April 28
TIM BROOKES HAS RECORD DAY FOR SAN DIMAS
| |  | | Tim Brookes-San Dimas '09 |
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San Dimas center fielder Tim Brookes had a game for the history books.
In a 20-4 win over Covina, Brookes hit two grand slams and finished
with nine RBIs, which was the most RBIs in a single game in more than
20 years. His nine RBIs ties him with Rio Hondo Prep's Jim Key (1977)
and Don Lugo's Bob Malins (1978) for second all-time in the CIF-SS
record books for RBIs in a single game. Only Calvary Baptist's Eddie
Martinez had more, setting the record with 11 in 1977.
Friday, May 15
L.A. TIMES ON LONNIE KAUPPILA(BURBANK '10)
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Kauppila, 6 feet, 165 pounds, has struck out four times in 55 at-bats. He's hitting .545 with 12 home runs and 25 runs batted in. Opposing outfielders are starting to treat him with extreme respect, lining up so far from home plate that they could use a pair of binoculars.
In a game against Pasadena, Kauppila hit a 400-foot ball that was caught in left field.
"Any other field, it's a home run," he said. "There was a fence, but it was over 400 feet away."
With a 4.2 grade-point average and A's in Advanced Placement history and AP stats, Kauppila doesn't have a lot to complain about, especially since he is thriving at a new school after playing last season at Crescenta Valley, where his older brother, Kris, was a standout shortstop before moving on to the University of Portland.
"It was just a better environment for me," Kauppila said of his transfer. "I didn't know what to expect, but everything turned out good."
The only disappointment might be the way he left Crescenta Valley. Let's just say there was no love lost between the Kauppilas and Crescenta Valley Coach Phil Torres, who said, "Some families just don't fit in our program."
The tension between the schools erupted on the field last weekend, when two Burbank coaches and a player were ejected in a 7-5 loss to Crescenta Valley.
Kauppila hit a two-run home run and a double against his former teammates. He also made some terrific defensive plays, leaving little doubt he's going to have his pick of college programs, if the professional scouts don't sign him first.
Burbank Coach Bob Hart said Kauppila's home runs have all been "legitimate."
"He has tremendous bat speed," Hart said. "The nice thing is he brings the level of everyone else up. He raises the bar."
And pitchers, beware.
"I'm jumping on every pitch I get," he said
Sunday, July 5
AARON SANCHEZ(BARSTOW '10) NAMED DAILY PRESS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
| |  | | Aaron Sanchez-Barstow '10 |
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Summer is just 14 days old. School has been out just 17 days for Barstow High School students. Aaron Sanchez has already racked up more baseball accolades — and frequent flyer miles — than many players ever see. There have been stops in Minneapolis, Minn., Cary, N.C., Compton and San Diego — all for baseball purposes. He’s earned praise at the Perfect Game 2009 National Showcase and USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars. He was recently named to the AFLAC All-American team, one of just 40 high school players selected. “It’s fun,” Sanchez said. “I kind of got used to it because all the games we play we have to travel. It’s not really a big deal now. We’ve been doing it for a couple years.” Summer and baseball are only just starting for the right-hander with a full travel-ball schedule and games in Chicago and Florida to attend before his season officially ends in October. But it was his performance during his junior season with Barstow High that earned him the 2009 Daily Press Baseball Player of the Year award. Sanchez was a dominant force both at the plate and on the mound for Barstow. The pitcher/shortstop batted .542 with 34 RBIs and a staggering .972 slugging percentage. He struck out 74 batters in just 45 1-3 innings, posting a 3-3 record with a 3.29 ERA. He hit 14 home runs, including a walk-off shot against Granite Hills on May 12 in Barstow that Sanchez calls his most memorable moment of the season. He came within one out of pitching a no-hitter against Apple Valley in March. Sanchez has been on a steady climb for several years. He played in 130 baseball games as a 13-year-old and currently averages near 100 a year. He turned 17 on July 1 and already commands a fastball in the mid 90s, a 20 mph jump from just three years ago. “You could tell there was so much there,” said Mike Viera, who coaches Sanchez on the San Gabriel Valley Arsenal travel baseball team. “You could see it was going to come.” The number of colleges currently chasing him is almost up to 20, but the call of Major League Baseball could change all of that. Sanchez has a shot to be a first-round pick during the 2010 draft. He is considered to be among the best high school pitchers in the country because of his smooth delivery and command of three pitches. “Most people think he is in the top five consensus of the arms in the country,” said Jeff Simpson, a reporter for PGcrosschecker.com, which rates Sanchez as the country’s No. 12 high school player regardless of position. Simpson scouted Sanchez at the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars in Cary, N.C., but was aware of the name before, as Sanchez has generated some talk among scouts lately. It was at the Tournament of Stars that Sanchez struck out Sports Illustrated cover boy and Baseball America High School Player of the Year Bryce Harper. Harper, just a sophomore, batted .676 with a .723 on-base percentage for Las Vegas High School last season. Sanchez got him swinging to end the inning. “Yeah, that was cool,” Sanchez said. “It was cool to know I struck (Harper) out; I can compete with the best high school kid in the nation. You go back to the dugout and all your teammates are telling you, ‘You struck out the best kid in the nation.’ ” Even during surreal moments like that, Sanchez manages to keep the game in perspective. Viera said Sanchez considers himself just another player. Sanchez’s stepdad, Mike Shipley, said Sanchez isn’t completely comfortable talking about his recent success. “I think he’s embarrassed a little bit to talk about it,” Shipley said. “He’s had some good outings lately.” While the travel can becoming tiring, meeting new players and earning new respect has been the best part of the journey, which is only just beginning, Sanchez said. “A lot of compliments from other kids are exciting to hear because you don’t know how good you are really,” Sanchez said. “Obviously you are good enough to be at a showcase with all kinds of talent from around the world, but hearing it from people who say I’m a tough pitcher to face is a good feeling. You know you’re really meant to be here.” Matthew Peters is the sports editor of the Desert Dispatch. He can be reached at mpeters@desertdispatch.com or at 256-4124.
Wednesday, July 22
LONNIE KAUPPILA(BURBANK '10) GLENDALE NEWS PRESS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ALL AREA BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Swinging a big stick
 | | All-Area Baseball Player of the Year Lonnie Kauppila of Burbank High.(Scott Smeltzer/News-Press) | Burbank shortstop Lonnie Kauppila hit .545 and"
belted 12 home runs this season for the BulldogsBy Gabriel RizkPublished: Last Updated Monday, July 20, 2009 10:55 PM PDT It didn't take long for Lonnie Kauppila to make a great first impression as a member of the Burbank high baseball team.
The first time he stepped to the plate this season, the lanky junior shortstop belted a pitch right out of the park.
"That was pretty much one of the best feelings," Kauppila said. "First at-bat in a new place and showing everyone what you can do."
If anyone at that point remained unconvinced that the highly-touted transfer was the real deal, Kauppila likely erased all doubt when he homered in his very next at-bat, as well. He would add to his exciting offensive debut by leaving the yard a total of four times in Burbank’s first three games.
Kauppila, who played a supporting role on Crescenta Valley’s 2008 Pacific League champion team as a sophomore, became the star this year for the Bulldogs and, over the course of the season, proved to be much more than just a power bat.
He also displayed skillful situational hitting, artful defense and provided the spark the Bulldogs needed to crack the upper echelon of the Pacific League standings and make the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs. The total package he represented was enough to make him a unanimous selection for All-Area Player of the Year, as voted on by the sportswriters and editors of the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun. "I was pretty happy about how I played this year, but overall, I was more worried about how we did as a team," Kauppila said. The Bulldogs certainly benefited from the addition of Kauppila, who batted .545 and slugged 1.169 on the season with 12 home runs, 25 runs batted in and 27 runs scored. After failing to make the playoffs last season, Burbank, which swept league champion Arcadia, was in contention for a league title until late in the campaign and finished in a tie for third with Crescenta Valley with a league record of 9-5. Bulldogs Coach Bob Hart said that Kauppila, who garnered All-CIF second-team and all-league first-team honors, made the team better in more ways than just his statistical contributions. "He has the ability to make other people around him play better and, to me, that’s the mark of a true talent," Hart said. "He came in and fit right in and meshed in really nicely with the team."His game results speak for themselves." It was a season of transition in many ways for Kauppila. He went from being a component of a perennial league titlist to the main man for a program looking to get over the hump. He switched positions from third base to shortstop, not to mention the fact that his transfer required adjusting to a new school and surroundings. "I thought it was going to be tough, I didn’t really know anyone going into Burbank," Kauppila said. "I didn’t really know what to expect, but, in the end, it wasn’t really that tough. I adapted really well to all the coaches and my teammates and I adapted to the school and the program."It went pretty well. I was pretty happy with the change and I feel like it helped me in the end, too." Kauppila’s skills in the field helped him make a seamless jump to the more demanding position of shortstop and he was never a defensive liability for the Bulldogs."His arm is tremendous, he’s got about 15 different arm angles," Hart said. "He’s very fluid, effortless at times, but when he rears up and really throws, you kind of drop your jaw a little bit. "Some of the things he makes look very easy, it’s just because he’s natural." Fiercely competitive, Kauppila isn’t immune to the self-criticism that comes with his own high standards, according to Hart, but he also seems to have a talent for tuning out distractions. Far from letting pressure from the big expectations of assuming a prominent role on a new team get to him, Kauppila just focused on what he does best, playing baseball. "I didn’t really feel any pressure, but then again, I’ve played baseball all my life and it’s really what I do," Kauppila said. "I didn’t really think about anything. I just played how I would [normally] play and it just all came together. "This is probably the most fun year I’ve had playing baseball. ...I’m looking forward to next year, as well." With the way he energized the program this season, Kauppila won’t be the only one around Burbank High looking forward to the next one.
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Friday, August 28
SGV ARSENAL TO PLAY AT SAN DIEGO STATE ON SEPT 19TH.
The San Gabriel Valley Arsenal will be playing at San Diego State University's Tony Gwynn Stadium on September 19. We will be playing the SoCal Bombers and the San Diego Show. We will be taking select player from our 2010 and 2011 teams. Pitching Rotations: SGV vs San Diego Show 9:00 Xavier Martinez Northview ‘11 Sean Buckle LB Wilson ‘11 Jesus Cuevas Sante Fe ‘11 SGV vs SoCal Bombers 11:30 Nick Baker Palm Desert ‘10 Charles Cantrell Gahr ‘11 Daniel Arellano Corona Centennial ‘11
Friday, September 4
SGV ARSENAL TO PLAY AT UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ON SEPT. 26
The San Gabriel Valley Arsenal will be playing at Cunningham Stadium at the University of San Diego on Sept. 26. This will be the SGV Arsenal 5th annual trip to the Toreros home. Our 2011 team will be playing our 2012 team. Players arrive hour and 15 minutes before game time. 2011 wear black and 2012 wear white.
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