2023 Team Preview: Valley Christian Warriors

The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2023 California high school baseball season. With the season just around the corner, our staff has begun putting out team previews from all around the state, getting you prepared for another year of exciting coverage. 

Today we focus on the Valley Christian Warriors who earned a record of 25-8-1 in 2022. The Warriors bring back nine starters for 2023 and are riding the strengths of experience, pitching and defense in hopes of competing for a West Catholic League championship and a deep playoff run.

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Team:

Valley Christian Warriors

Head Coach (years at school):

John Diatte (34)

Twitter Handle:

@vc_baseball

CIF Section & Division:

CIF CCS D1

Conference/League Name:

West Catholic

Last Year’s Record:

25-8-1

10-3-1 (League) 

2022 Playoff Run:

Lost in CIF CCS D1 second round to Palo Alto; lost in second round of CIF NorCal D1 Tournament to Saint Francis

# of Returning Starters:

9

# of Returning Pitchers:

4

Team Expectations:

"We return all of our pitching from last year and 7 starting positions. We should compete for championships."

Team Strengths:

"Mature pitching and offense"

Areas of Improvement:

"We should be greatly improved on defense."

College Commitments:

Alec Belardes- Arizona St., P, '23, 6'3" 215, R/R

Michael (MJ) Castaneda- Northern Kentucky Univ., P/Utility, '23, 5'10, 185 R/R (1st Team WCAL)

PJ Moutzouridis- Cal Poly Univ., SS, '23, 6'0" 185 R/R 

Tatum Marsh- (Verbal) Stanford Univ., OF, '24, 6'2" 175 R/R 

Quinten Marsh- (Verbal) Stanford Univ., P/Util, '25, 6'3" 180 L/L (Co-Freshman of the Year)

Top Uncommitted 23s:

Jacob Hudson- P/Util., '23, 5'11" 210 R/R.  Returning WCAL MVP

Josh Heard- C/DH, '23, 6'1" 205 R/R

Keaton Norris- Inf., '23 6'3" 200 R/R 

Carmelo Rivera- OF, '23 5'10" 165 R/L Plus Athlete

Top Uncommitted 24s:

Rocco Muccilli- Inf., 5'9" 165 R/R

Top Uncommitted 25s:

Hunter Fujimoto- LF, 5'10"" 165 L/L (Co-Freshman of the year)  Div. 1 offers, undecided

Jordan Ortiz- C, 6'2" 175 R/R   Div. 1 offers, undecided 

Brock Ketlesen- P/OF, 6'3"  185 L/L Elite Athlete

Top Uncommitted 26s:

Warren Gravely- P/C, 5'11" 165 R/R

UPCOMING EVENTS