After scouting the state for the past 5 months, our team had the difficult task of trying to select 13 players that had outstanding seasons and name them to the First-Team All-State Team. Because of the overwhelming amount of great seasons put together in 2018, we took it a couple steps further and created our All-State Second Team and All-State Third Team. 

Our scouts pored over notes, videos, statistics and recommendations from coaches to fill out these teams. In the end there were tough decisions made on players who may have deserved to make the list, but we feel this is a fair representation of the over 350 games our team of scouts saw this year. 

It is with great pleasure that we recognize the players in the inaugural Prep Baseball Report California All-State First Team. 

All-State First Team

C - Kameron Guangorena - St. John Bosco HS - Class of 2018 - Cal State Fullerton (Draft 36th round, #1076)

With 120 career varsity games for the Braves, Guangorena posted an impressive .340 BA in 382 at-bats, had 130 hits, 70 runs scored, 27 doubles, 11 HR's, 75 RBI's and 200 total bases. Over the course of his high school campaign, he grew into one of the top catching prospects in the country, and unquestionably the State of California. Guangorena is a hit first catcher that has tremendous feel and instincts for the catching position. There is no doubt that he will make an immediate impact for the Titans of Cal State Fullerton.

1B- Christian Almanza - St. Mary's (Stockton) - Class of 2018 - Utah

Big physical left-handed hitter who put up the type of numbers you'd expect from a 1st baseman with his physical traits. Hit .451, with 11 2B, 4 3B, and 5 HR for St. Mary's HS, which plays at the D1 level in the ultra-competitive Sac-Joaquin Section. Almanza is also a very steady fielder with soft hands and nimble feet, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 for years to come at the University of Utah.

IF - Brice Turang - Santiago HS - Class of 2018 - LSU (Draft 1st round, #21)

There wasn't a player put under the microscope, or examined more than Brice Turang in the State of California, period. To carry that burden at such a young age must have been a daunting task. The 4-year letter winner, and USA alum posted a .433 career BA, with 392 at-bats, 171 hits, 10 HR's, 77 RBI's, 40 doubles, 11 triples, 115 runs scored, 54 walks, 51 stolen bases, and only 20 total strike outs; that's a 12% SO rate. Turang met and exceeded expectations and had a stellar high school career.

IF - Osiris Johnson - Encinal HS - Class of 2018 - Cal State Fullerton (Draft 2nd round, #53)

There may not be a more exciting and electric player in the state of California. But not only does Johnson possess the tools, he performed at an elite and dominant level this spring. A second cousin of former MVP, World Series and Gold Glove winning shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Johnson pounded the ball to the tune of .535, with 15 2B, 2 3B, and 6 HRs. This Cal-State Fullerton signee was drafted in the 2nd round so it's certainly possible that the next phase of his career will be in professional baseball.

IF - Matt McLain - Beckman HS - Class of 2018 - UCLA (Draft 1st round, #25)

Committed to UCLA, McLain was not considered a 1st round pick at the beginning of his 2018 campaign, but drew a solid MLB following, and rightfully so. McLain exceeded expectations and put together a season for the ages. He impacts every game he is in and puts his stamp on it in some form or fashion. He seems to slow the game down at the most critical moments. McLain's aptitude and feel for the game is off the charts. It's impressive to see the growth and development of a HS player in such a short period of time. It will be fun to see his progression in the pro game.

OF - Pete Crow-Armstrong - Harvard Westlake HS - Class of 2020 - Vanderbilt

Committed to Vanderbilt since his freshman season, Crow-Armstrong backed up a stellar frosh campaign with a sophomore season to remember. Crow-Armstrong was the top hitter in a lineup loaded with talented hitters. The sophomore finished with a .427 batting average with 11 doubles and 22 RBI. He also stole 10 bags. The #2 ranked player in the PBR California Class of 2020 Rankings, Crow-Armstrong combines elite speed, with a plus arm and plus instincts and you get one of the top outfielders in the state regardless of grad year.

OF - Nick Vogt - Davis HS - Class of 2019 - UCSB

Vogt's team got all the way to the SJS D1 final, finally falling to a talented Vacaville HS team. However, Vogt's development this season made the Davis Blue Devils one of Northern California's top teams to watch, as he and senior OF Ryan Holgate formed a dynamic 1-2 punch. Vogt, a centerfielder with game-changing speed and some surprising power, was perhaps the most impactful player in the region, given the offense and defense he supplied. He hit .432, with 18 2B, 2 3B, and 2 HR, along with 14 SB and exceptional centerfield defense. He has verballed to UC Santa Barbara.

OF - Kingston Liniak - Mission Hills HS - Class of 2018 - San Diego (Draft 4th round, #105)

A freakishly athletic player, Liniak had a monster senior season that ended with San Marcos winning the CIF San Diego Section Division 2 title sending longtime head coach Ken Putnam into retirement with a championship. Linkiak hit .448 with four home run, 25 RBI, 17 doubles, 55 runs scored, and a whopping 30 stolen bases. The University of San Diego signee is a tremendous outfielder with range who has been clocked at 6.6 in the 60 yard dash. Liniak heard his name selected in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and has indicated that he'll be signing his pro contract.

P - Alex Williams - Redwood Christian HS - Class of 2018 - Stanford

Williams, a Stanford signee, was an Area Code Games standout last summer and MLB scouts around the region have pegged him as a pitcher in this class who has high draft round potential by the time he's a junior in college. He was a DOMINANT performer this year for Redwood Christian, both on the mound (9-1, 0.50 ERA, 133 K, 34 hits, 69.2 IP) and as the starting shortstop (.500, 10 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR). His command and feel of three pitches was overwhelming to high school hitters and he will take his talents to The Farm in the fall.

P - Grant Holman - Eastlake HS - Class of 2018 - CAL

Grant Holman has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the entire state of California the last three seasons. Consider that Holman didn't collect his first loss until midway through his senior season. He started his career 26-0 before his first loss, finishing at 29-1 inclusive of his 9-1 campaign this year. He struck out 80 in 73 innings pitched while walking 26 and finishing with a 1.97 ERA this season as Eastlake made another push in the Open Division playoffs after winning it all in 2017. Holman is a three-pitch mix guy who be menacing Pac-12 hitters for the next three years.

P - Sean Mullen - Stockdale HS - Class of 2018 - UCLA (Draft 35th round, #1,056)

Mullen was one of the best pitchers in the state in 2018, in fact, the same could have been said in 2017. But if you look at his offensive numbers this year, he was one of the best hitters in the state too. Mullen put the finishing touches on a brilliant senior season in the CIF Central Section Division I Championship game in which he threw a one-hit, 12 strikeout shutout against Clovis West. The win punctuated an 8-1 season and pushed his career record to 26-7 overall, including 17-2 the last two seasons. His ERA (1.30), strikeouts (72), walks (20), and earned runs (10) were career best marks. At the plate Mullen hit .394 with seven home runs, 31 RBI, 39 hits, 6 doubles, and 45 runs scored. The future Bruin will most certainly pitch at UCLA, he may get a shot with the bat too.

P - Josh Seward - Archbishop Mitty HS - Class of 2018 - RHP

Seward was one of the best righties in all of California finishing his career at Archbishop Mitty with a dominant season as he carved his way through the elite West Catholic League on the way to WCAL Pitcher of the Year. Seward finished the season 10-1 showing he can thrive in any situation going the distance throwing 5 complete games and coming in for one save. The lean righty ended the season with a 0.71 ERA to go with 65 strikeouts vs 18 walks over 69 innings and hitters hit just .189 against him during his senior season. Seward was a control freak pounding the zone with his three-pitch mix and keeping hitters uncomfortable at the plate all season.

Util - Jared Jones - La Mirada HS - Class of 2020 - OF/RHP - Southern Cal

The sophomore righty was one of the most dominant pitchers in Division I of the CIF Southern Section, and one of its most feared hitters. Jones finished the season 7-2 with 0.80 ERA and 99 strikeouts to 25 walks. He allowed only 8 earned runs on the season and opponents hit .152 against him. At the plate Jones hit in the middle of the order in a stacked lineup. Despite that he hit .431 with 3 HR, 13 doubles, 30 RBI, and 26 runs scored. He hit a dramatic walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning to win a playoff game and seemed to come up with a clutch hit whenever La Mirada needed one.

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