2020 Preseason Preview: Harvard-Westlake Wolverines

TEAM:

Harvard-Westlake Wolverines

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Jared Halpert (9)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@hwbaseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Southern Section / Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

Mission

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

27-6-1

PLAYOFF RUN:

Southern Section Division 1 Runner-Up

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

6

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

3

OUTLOOK: 

Coming off a 2019 that saw the Wolverines come just short of a title at Dodger Stadium, this Harvard-Westlake team is poised and looking to get over the hump in 2020. A deep, offensive team with 7 D1 Commits on the Roster and more developing will be tough for any opposing pitcher who they come across. When you have multiple MLB Draft players in the lineup, the young and inexperienced pitching staff will be the key to how far Harvard-Westlake gets in the never easy Division 1 Southern Section. Expect this team to be atop the Mission League and pushing for another title run in 2020. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

‘20 OF Pete Crow-Armstrong - Vanderbilt Commit

The #1 Ranked 2020 player, Pete Crow-Armstrong (“PCA”) will have loads of eyes on him this Spring. Multi-tooled OF that will be the driving force for this team. 

‘20 INF Drew Bowser - Stanford Commit

Another High MLB Draft Follow, Bowser looks more physical this year and ready to show off his prodigious power in the middle of the lineup. 

‘20 OF/LHP Sam Biller - Cal Poly Commit

Athletic and fast showing CF range, will play in RF with above-average defense in 2020. Shows a quick, compact barrel that can create damage and will be another middle of the lineup mainstay. 

‘20 OF/1B Tyler Ganus - Oregon Commit

Confident hitter with patient approach who flashes strong barrel speed. Will get big AB’s either in LF or at 1B and type of guy that could protect other hitters.

‘20 1B/C Thomas McCaffrey - UC Irvine Commit

Bat-to-ball skills are strong and knows what he’s doing at the plate. Will be moved around and fit as needed on the defensive side of the ball.

‘20 RHP Jack Hassett - NYU Commit

Physical and loose arm on the hill. Shows making of stuff to fit reliever profile at the next level and will be counted on for big innings in 2020. 

‘20 RHP Phillip Wong - Williams Commit

Will be counted on in rotation or out of the bullpen to get big outs. 

‘21 RHP Christian Becerra

One of the top Uncommitted arms in 21 class. Athletic delivery and stuff to profile as a front of the rotation guy for HW in 2020. 

‘21 2B/OF George Cooper

Athletic and quick, Cooper will take over at 2B and give the Wolverines another on-base threat deeper in the lineup. 

THE FUTURE:

‘22 C Jacob Galloway

Athletic and gifted catching skills behind the plate. Frame has space to continue to physically develop and take him to the next level. 

‘22 3B/RHP Jordan Kang

Talented up and coming player who shows two-way versatility both on the hill and at 3rd. Arm strength is evident and if he can find more consistency with the bat should be pushing for starting lineup regularly. 

‘23 SS Kai Caranto

One of the best in the 23 class in the state,  Carranto will be pushing to be a starting MIF quickly for HW. Defensively stands out now and flashing better consistency in bat-to-ball skills

'23 3B/RHP David Lozano

Another impressive Freshman, Lozano will be an asset in the future for Harvard-Westlake and push to be a piece during this 2020 Spring.