PREP BASEBALL 1993 / GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

SANTIAGO

1992 RECORDS OVERALL: 15-10 LEAGUE: 9-5

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Ralph Draeger: First year

RETURNING STARTER YR. POS. B-T Luis Perez Sr. P-1B R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS: None

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Jason Calderwood Sr. 3B R-R Ruben Castaneda Jr. P-INF R-R Anthony Duran Jr. C R-R Forest Long Sr. INF R-R Paul Menchaca Sr. OF R-R Johnny Pelayo Sr. SS-P R-R Joseph Romero Jr. Util. R-R

OUTLOOK

With a new coach and virtually a new team, except for Perez, Santiago figures to struggle. Former coach Myron Pines built Santiago into a baseball school and Draeger, Pines’ assistant for seven years, is hoping that counts for something. “We’ve established a baseball consciousness here,” said Draeger, whose only previous head coaching experience was at Pacific Christian College for two years. “We have a challenge, but anybody who would replace Myron would have had a challenge.” Draeger’s biggest challenge will be finding a No. 2 starter behind Perez (4-4, 2.12 earned-run average). He will pick from Pelayo and Castaneda, who have yet to throw an inning of varsity ball. Draeger also needs a healthy year from Perez, who dominated the league as a sophomore, but battled arm problems last year and finished only two games. Santiago’s offense and defense were dealt severe blows when junior center fielder Jeff Noisy transferred to Irvine. Noisy probably would have been the best junior athlete in the league. Perez (.323, four home runs, 14 runs batted in) will play first base when he’s not pitching and provide leadership to an extremely inexperienced group.