PRIME 31 Players | 4-2

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.

4. ARCHER HORN

St. Ignatius Prep, junior

The Stanford commit might be the area’s most gifted player and St. Ignatius will lean on his talent in its bid for a West Catholic Athletic League title. “Nothing can beat the competitiveness and feeling you get when you’re playing another WCAL school,” he said. The Wildcats have the talent to challenge for a league title as well as a CCS crown and Horn’s skillset factors greatly. He’s a burgeoning five-tool player who will play every day and pitch when coach Brian Pollzzie calls his number. In the season-opening victory over nationally ranked Granada, he pitched the last two innings, striking out five of the six batters he faced to nail down the save in the 2-0 victory. As a hitter, he’s a force with the ability to drive the baseball. “My approach is to stay smooth, catch the ball out in front and get the front foot down early.”

In their own words:

“This is my favorite time of the year, when my whole team gets to show off all the work we have put in during the offseason.”

What others are saying:

“His attention to detail makes him good. He’s big on the little things, whether for himself or the team.”
– Emmet Johnson, St. Ignatius Prep outfielder.

3. WAYLON WALSH

Archbishop Mitty, senior

Waylon Walsh believes in loyalty. So, when it came time for the Archbishop Mitty senior to choose where he wanted to play baseball at the next level, the conversation began and ended with Santa Clara. “They were the first ones on me and I like,” he said. Loyalty matters for Walsh, who looks forward to staying close to home and playing for the Broncos, but first he has a senior year and a CCS-Division I title to help the Monarchs defend. Mitty lost much of last year’s championship team, but that does little to make 2025 any less exciting, Wash says. “This is going to be fun.” He’s a switch-hitting shortstop with incredible talent, says coach Brian Yocke. “He has power to all fields and from both sides of the plate,” Yocke said. “That doesn’t affect his ability to hit for a high average, which is a rare combination.

In their own words: “We've kind of got a target on our backs now, more so than last year. That’s always fun. It means that you get to face the best guys all year.”

What are others saying: “’Way’ puts in a ridiculous amount of work and is an absolute grinder.” – Grayson Munoz, Mitty senior first baseman.

2. IAN JOSEPHSON

Junipero Serra, senior

The St. Mary’s College commit is the latest in a long line of former Padres – from Jim Fregosi to Barry Bonds and Gregg Jefferies to Tom Brady – to shine on the local stage. Josephson is considered one of the top players on the Peninsula after fighting his way into the starting lineup on a roster that featured 18 seniors in 2024 and smacking four home runs. This year, he’s no longer playing the role of the proverbial kid brother. The Padres are his team. They will go, largely, by how well he leads – and performs. Thus far, he's leading well. The Padres rolled through a season-opening tournament in Atherton and in the championship-game win over Los Gatos – a 6-1 extra-inning affair that saw him collect two hits – the shortstop was called upon to pitch the final three innings, which nearly matched his entire inning output all of last year.

In their own words:

“I’m being counted on more for my leadership this year because I’ve played two years of varsity. I know how it goes. I know what it takes. So, there’s more on me in the leadership for the young guys, getting them acclimated to what a varsity season looks like.”

What others are saying:

“He rakes. He’s got a pretty swing,”
Waylon Walsh, Mitty senior shortstop.