PRIME 31 Players | 25-21

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.

25. CRUZ TORRES

Woodside, junior

Outfielder Cruz Torres burst onto the scene last season by becoming one of the Peninsula Athletic League’s top hitters. Now, he comes into his junior season – armed with the confidence from a summer of tournament baseball and an even better approach at the plate – and can foresee a Cruz Torres 2.0-type season. “I certainly think I can do even better this season because of how I’ve been working. It feels like I’ve only improved.”

In their own words:

“My approach as a hitter is to stay short and limit the extra movements.”

What others are saying:

“His competitiveness and energy make him a good ballplayer. He’s always hyped up and ready to play as hard as he can.”
– Trent Amaroso, Woodside senior.

24. BEAU SHAFFER

St. Ignatius Prep, senior

Everything seemed to fall into place in the fall for Beau Shaffer after he committed to Colby College in Watterville, Maine. Once he knew where he would be studying – and playing baseball – for the next four years, it allowed him to relax and enjoy getting ready for his final season of high school baseball. “Once I committed at the end of the summer, fall baseball allowed me to just focus on getting reps, practicing and weightlifting without have to worry about getting looks from colleges.” Shaffer is a hard-throwing right-hander with the bonus of some pop in his bat. He’ll be counted on to do both for Brian Pollzzie’s squad.

In their own words:

“My approach is to be aggressive. I want to attack hitters and get into a pitcher’s count and the best way to do that is to be able to throw all my pitches for strikes.”

What others are saying:

Whenever he has the ball on the mound, I just know he’s going to compete and give it everything he has.”
– Chase Gordon, St. Ignatius Prep senior pitcher.

23. MORGAN WINFIELD

Sequoia, junior

Morgan Winfield is more than a power hitter even though most know him best for his long home runs. That won’t soon change, but Winfield wants people to know he’s more well-rounded in his game. “I think I am a good situational hitter,” he said. “Sure, I have power, but I can hit the ball to all fields.” Winfield is one of the players coach Mike Doyle is counting on to stay in the thick of a chase for a CCS playoff berth. He’ll play the corner infield positions as well as taking a spot on the Ravens’ pitching rotation.

In their own words:

“I definitely have more pressure on me to do well this year, but I am confident I can do that.”

What others are saying:

“Morgan has power to all field and additionally, will be a force for us on the mound.”
– Mike Doyle, Sequoia coach

22. RILEY JACKSON

Half Moon Bay, sophomore

Riley Jackson was humbled by his first varsity at bat a year ago. The freshman was facing Sequoia’s Ian Holt, now a Pepperdine freshman, and it wasn’t much of a contest. “He struck me out on three pitches, which I don’t think has ever happened to me before,” Jackson said. “I remember thinking, ‘is this what every (pitcher) is going to be like? I don’t know if I can handle that.’” Jackson bounced back in the next game by getting a hit and stealing a couple of bases. That gave him the confidence needed to collect 25 hits for the Cougars. Now, as a seasoned sophomore with a summer of select baseball under his belt, he carries himself differently. The doubts of whether he belongs among the upperclassmen have been answered. Make no mistake, he belongs.

In their own words:

“I don't go through long stretches without a hit, but when I do, it's, it's tough, and just got to find ways to work out of it. And I always do. So it works out.”

What others are saying:

“He's got a lot of potential. I mean, look at his size. It's amazing that he’s just a sophomore. I'm excited to see where he's going to go.”
– Josh Jacobs, Aragon senior outfielder.

21. DEVIN SALTZGABER

Sacred Heart Prep, senior

Devin Saltzgaber is healthy again. The left shoulder that hampered him as a junior is at full strength again. And that makes him confident that he’ll return to the form that saw him earn CCS Pitcher of the Year honors as a sophomore by going 12-0 with a 1.12 earned-run average. He went into 2024 excited to build upon his sophomore season but strained a muscle in his shoulder in January while at a college camp. He found himself playing catch-up the rest of the way – only able to play catch until finally getting medically cleared to pitch midway through the season. “I had a rushed ramp-up and never felt confident on the mound,” he said. “Even when I was ready and physically healthy, I always had some doubt, wondering if throwing was going to result in my arm pain again.” The Pamona-Pitzer signee did extensive training and goes into the new season mentally and physically fit.

In their own words:

“I lost some confidence on the mound after getting injured but worked on getting back to where I was before the injury.”

What others are saying:

“Confidence is the key to success for any baseball player on the diamond. Without it, there’s no ability to have success.”
– Sacred Heart Prep coach Sean McMillan.

PRIME 31 Players | 20-16

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,

Peninsula Prep BaseballPPB Team