PRIME 31 Players | 15-11

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.

15. RALLIN COVEY

Sacred Heart Prep, junior

Rallin Covey, at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, would consider himself a power pitcher. He can get to the low 90s on the radar gun, but that wasn’t always the case. In middle school and during his early years of high school, he got by with finesse and guile. In the big picture, he thinks that has made him a better pitcher. “Having that foundation has helped me to be able to not rely only on fastballs by hitters, but also using my command and off-speed pitches,” he said. It’s made him a more well-rounded pitcher, a junior right-hander who has already committed to USC. Covey now boasts an elite fastball thanks to an additional 15 pounds of body weight that comes courtesy of weight training in the fall.

In their own words:

“As always, it’s just a lot of small constant adjustments in mechanics, along with lifting to try and maximize what I can get out of my body because I don’t do plyos or long toss like a lot of guys do.”

What others are saying:

“Rallin is a student of the game, always looking to learn and advance his craft day after day.”
–  Sean McMillan, Sacred Heart Prep coach

14. JAKE BELLONI

Hillsdale, senior

Mark your calendars for March 20 when Hillsdale and Aragon, separated by about two miles along the Boulevard of the Fleas, meet up in what could be a pitching duel between Jake Bollini and Aragon’s Josh Jacobs. “Honestly, if I get the chance to face Josh, I am going to try to throw it by him,” said Bollini, the hard-throwing senior. Jacobs walked in his only at-bat against Bollini last year, while Bollini, who hit five homers in 2024, never faced Jacobs during the high school season. Bollini is a power pitcher, a lefty who is hoping to live in the high 80s and top out in the low 90s when he needs a little something extra.

In their own words:

“I work hard every day trying to make myself better. … I honestly don’t think or have an approach to pitching. I just throw.”

What others are saying:

“He’s got a way better arm than me. He throws hard. He’s going to get it up there in the high 80s. I’m looking forward to facing him.”
– Josh Jacobs, Aragon senior

13. ETHAN JOHNSON

The King’s Academy, senior

Ethan Johnson admits the recruiting process was “stressful,” but he tried to have fun with it. In the end, it couldn’t have worked out any better. The senior slugger will become The King’s Academy’s first signee to a Southeastern Conference school – the undisputed top college baseball league these days – after signing a letter of intent to attend the University of Missouri. “In the end, it was a ton of fun and I’m excited about going to Mizzou,” he said. “I am extremely blessed for the experience and future I have after high school.” Besides defending its CCS-Division II title, Johnson has a personal goal of leaving the Sunnyvale campus with the school’s all-time home run record. “I am a better hitter this year,” he said.

In their own words:

“I try to drive the ball back through the pitcher’s head and take my best swing each time.”

What others are saying:

“He hits bombs.”
– Nate Plata, junior catcher, The King’s Academy.

12. LUCAS ZAYAC

Capuchino, senior

After shocking the world with a CCS championship last season, Capuchino is excited for a new season and the chance to show that last year was no fluke. “It’s going to be fun trying to go back-to-back,” said senior catch Lucas Zayac, the Mustangs’ leader – and their heart and soul. “We have the horses to repeat because everybody is so dedicated and willing to work hard.” Having a solid catcher makes life easier for coach Matt Wilson, who will count on Zayac in all phases of the game. He's a solid hitter whose offensive game was only enhanced by a summer of travel baseball.

In their own words:

“My approach to hitting is to sit fastball always until there are two strikes, but to always be able to adjust to the off-speed pitches.”

What others are saying:

“Lucas is every coach’s dream. He’s not only a leader on the field, but off the field as well. He leads by example and always does his job.” -- Matt Wilson, Capuchino coach

11. GINO CAPPELLAZZO

Saint Francis, junior

In the rugged WCAL, strength up the middle matters, which gives Saint Francis a big advantage with catcher Gino Cappellazzo behind the plate, The junior backstop was as good as any sophomore in the WCAL last year, says Lancers coach Erik Wagle and worked hard to get better in the offseason, by hitting the weights and working on his defensive skills, while becoming a better hitter. “I dialed in on my approach and my swing,” he said. “My approach is to be ultra-aggressive and seek fastballs early in the count, while staying inside the ball.” His biggest strength at the plate might be the knowledge he has gleaned from behind the plate. He knows what pitchers are thinking. “I have gained a sense of when a pitcher is on, especially when his off-speed stuff is working, and the tendencies he shows.”

In their own words:

“My goal at the plate is to compete and not get cheated.”

What others are saying:

“He has an advanced approach at the plate with pop. … He’s also an incredible teammate and young man. … He’s the heart and soul of our team.”
– Erik Wagle, St. Francis coach.