Junipero Serra
Coach: Mat Keplinger
2024 record: 22-7
The Padres return just three starters, but don’t mistake that statistic for this being a rebuilding year. Serra simply reloads.
Still, it won’t happen overnight, says coach Mat Keplinger.
“It will take some time for this team to establish roles and an identity, with so many new players who will be competing at the varsity level for the first time,” Keplinger said. “… I have high hopes for this team to continually improve and ultimately compete for the WCAL championship – and beyond.”
The Padres graduated 18 seniors, which caused a logjam for playing time. What remains this year is largely a group of unknowns, but few question the talent. The Padres are a perennial power because of their ability to attract some of the best ballplayers from all over the Peninsula. It’s just a matter of time before they become known quantities.
One such household name is senior shortstop Ian Josephson, who hit .341 with four homers and 27 RBI and was a first-team all-league performer a year ago and has already committed to St. Mary’s College. Josephson has taken over the leadership role of this team and is relishing the added responsibility.
“We’ve got 18 lockers for guys who have never played varsity baseball, guys that have never gone through it,” Josephson said. “I think there will definitely be improvements, but I think every team gets better. We got better as the season went on last year.”
Pitcher and third baseman Davis Minton had a miniscule 0.83 earned-run average in more than 25 innings of work, while utility player Evan Bradshaw is a University of Pacific commit.
The Padres will count on pitchers Riley Lim (0.95 ERA), Kelley Crawford, who didn’t allow an earned run last year and has committed to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and outfielder Noah Greenspan to contribute more this year.
Newcomers to watch include outfielders Aaron Maier, Jack Wessell and Aaron Minton, along with pitchers Richie Calderon, Danny Dinelli and Nate Hui.
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