PRIME 31 Players | 7-5

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.

7. KOLE LAUBACH

Valley Christian, junior

On a pitching staff filled with aces, junior Kole Laubach stands out. The returning WCAL pitcher of the year brings what he calls “a killer mentality” to the mound each time he gets the ball. He’s already committed to UC-Santa Barbara and looks forward to washing away the bad taste left by last season’s loss to Mitty in the CCS-Division I title game. “After a tough end to last season, me and (my teammates) are eager to get back on the field.” Laubach spent the summer and fall honing his game, while also working on his strength and conditioning. “I trained consistently and also worked on sharpening my pitches in the offseason.”

In their own words:

“I am always thinking two pitches ahead of the hitter and using all my pitches to get outs.”

What others say:

“He’s dominant because he throw any pitch in any count.”
– Quinten Marsh, Valley Christian teammate.

6. JOSH JACOBS

Aragon, senior

Imagine a 13U West Coast Federals team that featured Ian Josephson and Josh Jacobs, the Aragon senior who burst onto the high school scene with a season that was as impressive as anyone on the Peninsula. “Josh was a quiet kid on that team,” said Federals coach Jerry Berkson. “He was playing for us at a higher level and I think it helped him as a player. … Josh has come a long way.” Jacobs showed last year just how far he’s come. He was one of the PAL Ocean Division’s top hitters as well as a dominant pitcher. Now the Claremont McKenna commit is looking to add to his stats while attempting to lead the Dons into the CCS tournament. He also has the added incentive of knowing this will likely be his last season on the mound, figuring he will focus all of his attention on playing outfield – and hitting – at the college level.

In their own words:

“Pitching has always been in my heart, and even though it's stressful every single second, I love it, and I wish I could do it for forever, but honestly, I know it's going to come to an end after this season.”

What others are saying:

“I’ll always remember how loopy his curveball is and how hard it is to stay back on it. I hated playing against him because he’s so good.”
– Trent Amaroso, Woodside senior pitcher.

5. NATE PLATA

The King’s Academy, junior

Plata was an offensive force a year ago, collecting 41 hits in earning PAL Bay Division Player of the Year honors by leading The King’s Academy to a CCS-Division II crown. He spent the summer months working on his defensive game and says he’s now got better arm strength, a better glove and blocking skills along with a sharper IQ for the game that allows him to call a better game. The new-and-improved result is a catcher who can win games with his bat and his glove.

In their own words:

“I like to not think about all the outside stuff and just play baseball – just clear my mind and focus on the game.”

What others are saying:

“He has an insane work ethic, and he can hit the baseball really far.”
– Toby Trotter, The King’s Academy senior pitcher.