The Times’ preseason high school baseball rankings

A look at the top 25 teams in the Southland entering the high school baseball season:

Rank; Team; Comment (by Eric Sondheimer)

1. HUNTINGTON BEACH. Pitchers Noah Davis and Hagen Danner form potent one-two duo.¿

2. JSERRA. Pitching, defense, hitting make Lions formidable title contender.¿

3. ALEMANY. Have lots of proven hitters and pitchers.¿

4. DANA HILLS. Crouse brothers, Marrick and Hans, are elite pitchers.¿

5. LONG BEACH WILSON. Led by catcher Chris Betts, Bruins are for real.¿

6. MATER DEI. Plenty of pitching and lots of potential on the field.¿

7. HARVARD-WESTLAKE. No Jack Flaherty but many good young players.

8. FOOTHILL. Last season was no fluke.¿

9. CHATSWORTH. Tom Meusborn is back as coach with pitchers galore.¿

10. SOUTH HILLS. Gavin Velasquez is an ace who doesn’t lose.

11. SAN CLEMENTE. If Tritons develop a No. 2 pitcher, beware.¿

12. HART. Another team loaded with outstanding pitchers.¿

13. ALISO NIGUEL. Kyle Molnar is ready for best season yet.¿

14. AGOURA. Shortstop Bryce Fehmel is player to watch.¿

15. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME. Lots of three-year starters in the lineup.¿

16. DAMIEN. Coach Andy Nieto inherits a team with talent.¿

17. MOORPARK. Coaches think Musketeers are going to be very good.¿

18. CYPRESS. If young pitchers come through, beware.

19. VALENCIA. Devin Davis can hit to all fields.¿

20. WARREN. Strong summer and fall has team ready to go.

21. BUENA. Pitcher Austin Rubick is as good as they come.

¿22. VISTA MURRIETA. Jack Moberg will be counted on for big things.

¿23. GLENDORA. Watch Nick Kaye hit.¿

24. BIRMINGHAM. Defending City Section champs have key players back.

25. ORANGE LUTHERAN. Young pitchers have to come through.¿