HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEWS : FOOTHILL LEAGUE

Burbank

COACH: George Vranau, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 7-15; tied for last in league, 4-11

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Vranau is counting on pitching depth and an experienced, speedy outfield to carry the Bulldogs. Junior left-hander Brian Sindle (3-3), second-team all-league, will be the No. 1 starter. Senior Reynaldo Cortez, junior John Bocanegra and sophomore Ramiro Alvarez, right-handers, are competing for the No. 2 spot. Senior left fielder and leadoff hitter Armando Meza is the team’s fastest player. Senior center fielder Gino Archuleta, second-team all-league, plays excellent defense and is a switch-hitter. Senior right fielder Kris Wynne also is a switch-hitter. Vranau expects a big season from senior third baseman Brandon Mora. Players are battling for starting positions at catcher (senior Jimi Rodriguez and junior Juan Gonzalez), first base (seniors Jeff Lamoureaux and John Kulpa), second base (juniors Eric Beardsley and Ricardo Juarez) and shortstop (seniors Chris Cowen and George Leousis).

OUTLOOK: “I think we definitely have some talent,” Vranau said. “Our outfield is great defensively and we’ve got a lot of team speed. I think we’ll be competitive.”

*Burroughs

COACH: Terry Scott, 4th season

LAST SEASON: 9-15; tied for 4th in league, 6-9

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Indians are depending on seniors Karl Castro and Troy Wilson for offense. Castro, a left fielder who Scott believes will be one of the best power hitters in the area, batted .290 with four homers and 11 runs batted in. Wilson, a third baseman, was first-team all-league after batting .343 with three homers and 21 RBIs. Senior first baseman Gary Johnson, the most valuable player of the junior varsity, senior shortstop Jerry Ruiz and slick-fielding junior second baseman Juan Fernandez give Burroughs a strong infield. Senior Holland Cowger (3-4) and junior Mike Bassett (3-4), right-handers, return for their roles as the No. 1 and No. 2 starters. Junior right-handers Josh Cartee and Chris Centeno provide relief. Senior catcher Luis Ayala will handle the experienced staff.

OUTLOOK: “We’re going to be good at everything but not great at any one thing,” Scott said. “We’ve got a lot of players who can play several positions. Our flexibility will help us.”

*Canyon

COACH: Scott Willis, 2nd season

LAST SEASON: 10-14; 3rd in Golden League, 8-7

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior catcher Chuck Schuster (.396, two homers, 14 RBIs) is among seven returning players Willis believes will provide the foundation for an excellent season. Senior left-hander Ray Avalos (2-2) probably will be the No. 1 starter. Avalos (.308) also is competing to start at first base with senior Mike Kling and junior Sean Connelly. Senior right-hander Brad Coukos (1-1) and junior left-hander Pat McDermott are competing for the No. 2 slot. Left fielder Adam Vance (.361), center fielder Jason Jennings (.277) and right fielder Ken Moody, seniors, are defensive standouts. Senior Steve Bench will play third and junior Bret Tonkiss second. Juniors Rick Harbo and Dan Cleland are competing at shortstop. Junior Chad Phillips will be the utility man.

OUTLOOK: “Our pitching is going to be consistent because our guys throw strikes,” Willis said. “Our outfield is going to be very strong. I’ll be surprised if many balls get to the gaps on us.”

*Hart

COACH: Bud Murray, 15th season

LAST SEASON: 23-3; 1st in league, 15-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Hart has only three returning players from the team that cruised to the championship, but the Indians will again be a force. Quality pitching should will help separate Hart from the pack. Senior Gary Stephenson (7-2, 1.75 earned-run average) and sophomore Luis Sanchez (7-0, 3.64 ERA), an all-league choice, are expected to again dominate the competition. Senior left-hander Casey Niccum will provide help. Junior Mike Adachi is a good defensive catcher. Junior Aaron Dean will start at first. He is a power hitter with a good glove, as is sophomore Mike Espy, who also will play the position. Senior Darin Feely starts at second and junior Aaron Miyata at shortstop. Sanchez and Brian Ballew will share time at third. Senior right fielder Alan Ray (.304, 13 stolen bases) is the leader of the outfield. Left fielder Kai Chauncey has excellent range.

OUTLOOK: Hart has been a perennial league power, and Murray does not expect any changes this season. “I think we will be good,” he said. “We have a lot of young kids, but our outfield is also strong and we’re talented.”

*Saugus

COACH: Doug Worley, 18th season

LAST SEASON: 19-6-1; 1st in Golden League, 13-2

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Led by senior right-hander Bobby Cowan, the Centurions’ deep and talented pitching staff should be among the area’s best. Cowan posted a 12-2 record and 1.69 ERA while striking out 85 in 78 1/3 innings. Junior John Maggiora had a 4-1 record with a 2.21 ERA. Seniors Jarrod Henry and Marty Thombs, right-handers, and junior left-hander Steve Rogers will relieve and occasionally start. Cowan and Henry also will share time in left field and Rogers will play first. Handling the pitching staff will be junior catcher Jeff Brown, who hit .400 on the junior varsity. Senior center fielder Scott Himes (.391) was second-team all-league. Junior Brandon Hernandez will play right. Junior Danny Cato (.329, two home runs, 23 RBIs), second team all-league, returns at shortstop. Senior Mike McGuigan will play second and senior Kevin Brown is battling with sophomore Jarrod Brunsman at third. Junior Dennis Gill will provide help off the bench.

OUTLOOK: Worley believes Saugus and Hart will battle for the championship. “We’re pretty talented and pretty deep everywhere, especially with our pitching,” he said. “But Hart is also going to be very strong, so it’s not going to be easy.”