PRIME 31 Players | 10-8

Thirty-one is a Prime number, one that is divisible only by one – and, of course, itself. Hence, the moniker Prime 31. It’s named for the 31 players we think best illustrate the talent level on the Peninsula. In digging into the rosters – and the stats – we found power pitchers, power hitters and powerful presences in their respective dugouts. They represent a solid cross section of private school pedigrees and the nose-to-the-grindstone public school kids who are making themselves seen and heard just as loudly. It’s an impressive list that took hundreds of hours of conversation and sometimes heated debate to compile and complete. It’s meant to inspire conversation and perhaps even more debates.

10. TRENT AMAROSO

Woodside, senior

You wouldn’t expect one of the Peninsula Athletic League’s best hitters to have a flaw or two, but every now and then, Trent Amaroso admits there are times when he “just has to work out all the icks in my swing.” All hitters go through rough stretches, but the Woodside senior works through it with the help of his father. He’s also coming off a solid season on the mound for the Wildcats by throwing strikes. “No matter who the hitter is, I just want to pound the zone with my fastball, work with my off-speed stuff and know the count well enough to get a hitter to hit a weak ground ball.”

2024 Statistics: Amaroso hit .350 with 12 doubles and an OPS of 1.018.  On the mound, he had a 1.95 earned-run average and 45 strikeouts.

Eye-popping stat: He went 9-0 last season, the most wins by a Peninsula pitcher without a loss.

In their own words: “I’m a middle to opposite-field line-drive hitter who pull a ball or put it out if needed.”

What others are saying: “He’s a great teammate who keeps his composure when he’s on the mound. He’s always showing confidence.” – Cruz Torres, Woodside senior outfielder.

9. TOBY TROTTER

The King’s Academy, senior

Toby Trotter, coming off a solid season, is about to rest on his laurels. The senior southpaw established himself as the unquestioned workhorse of The King’s Academy pitching staff, but there’s still work to be done. “I want to improve on every stat from last year and continue my production at the plate and on defense,” he said. He’s one of the reasons the Warriors come into this season with a focus on defending their CCS-Division II crown, but not before bringing home a Peninsula Athletic League-Bay Division championship. “Our goal is the same as it is every year, to win league. The combination of veteran leadership who have won a CCS title before and the up-and-coming talent is something special that this team has.”

In their own words:

“I have definitely seen improvement in my pitching. I’ve strengthened the strong parts of my game and improved on my faults. … I’ve added muscle and strength. My body has never felt better.”

What others are saying:

“He is the best pitcher I have caught. He has the ability to just pitch. There are a lot of guys who just throw baseballs. They throw hard. Toby can pitch. He dots up anywhere he wants.”
– Nate Plate, junior catcher, The King’s Academy

8. ROHAN KASANAGOTTU

Valley Christian, senior

It’s not lost on Rohan Kasanagottu that he’s a part of something special, something not often seen at the high school level. “We have so many Division I commits and I’m just super excited to be able to play one more season with these guys,” said the USC commit. “We are a close group of brothers.” At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, Kasanagottu is a physical force on the mound who has only gotten better in the last year. “I had some ups and downs last year,” he said. “It was my first big role at Valley and I’m a better pitcher now. … I’m bigger, stronger and faster. I’m throwing a lot harder and my other stuff is way more refined.”

In their own words:

“I’m excited to compete this year, to bring it for one more season before I go off to USC.”

What others are saying:

“Rohan can maintain good composure along with good command of an elite pitch: his spliter.”
– Kole Laubach, Valley Christian pitcher.