The Inland area baseball preview for the 2019 season:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jordan Andrade, Jr., Yucaipa: The 5-foot-11 middle infielder has scouts following his every move after he hit .415 (39 for 94) in 33 games and was an All-CIF Division 2 first-team selection last season.
Diego Armas, Sr., Jurupa Hills: Team captain has owned the shortstop position since Day 1, and is batting .455 for his career (125 for 302) with 91 stolen bases in 101 attempts.
Gerardo Cruz, So., Summit: Generating tremendous pop from his 5-foot-6 frame, the SkyHawks shortstop put on a powerful debut season with a team-leading 11 doubles and two home runs.
Kyle Ethridge, Sr., Los Osos: The 6-foot-1 left-hander emerged as the Grizzlies’ No. 1 starter and one of the most durable arms in the Baseline League after notching 61 strikeouts in a team-high 45.1 innings.
Cody Freeman, Sr., Etiwanda: The 5-foot-10 infielder, who recently surpassed 100 hits for his prep career, was an All-CIF Division 1 first-team selection after hitting .452 (47 for 109) last season.
Kaden Hopson, Sr., Redlands East Valley: Wildcats starting catcher hit .325 (26 for 108) with a team-leading three home runs and 19 RBIs and played in all 28 games last season.
Joseph Lomeli, Sr., Yucaipa: Had five hits and only one error in four playoff games at shortstop, while batting .371 and tying for the team lead in hits (39) with Andrade last season.
Cole Koniarsky, So., Ayala: Broke out in a big way and is the other sophomore on this list; hit .474 (45 for 95) with nine triples, 27 RBIs and was an All-CIF Division 2 first-team selection.
Moses Serrano, Sr., Ontario Christian: The left-hander was 9-1 overall (0.86 ERA) with one save in 13 appearances, batted .363 (33 for 91) and earned an All-CIF Division 5 first-team selection.
Marcus Zofrea, Sr., Redlands: Expect another big year (0.71 ERA, 72 Ks in 78.1 IP in ‘18) out of the 6-foot-1 workhorse starting pitcher, who was All-CIF Division 3 first team last season.