BASEBALL PREVIEW : TOP 10 : Despite Early Woes, Irvine Is O.C.’s Best in Baseball

Its top pitcher, Ryan O’Toole, has yet to throw a pitch after tearing a hamstring during a sprint drill.

Its best catcher, David Hongslo, is nursing a sore ankle and didn’t play this week.

Its publicized transfer, outfielder Jeff Noisy, is struggling at the plate.

But despite the nagging injuries and Noisy’s slow start, Irvine has Orange County’s best baseball team.

Of course, Coach Bob Flint doesn’t think so: “We’re not the total package that everyone seems to think. We’re certainly not a team deserving of a national ranking at this point.”

USA Today begs to differ, ranking Irvine ninth in the nation. But the Vaqueros did show some glaring gaps during a 7-3 victory over Marina Monday in the Loara Tournament.

For openers, the graduation of last season’s leader, catcher Jason Minici, leaves a big hole. Hongslo, a sophomore, did an admirable job in his debut, throwing out the first runner who attempted to steal and then getting a base hit in Irvine’s opener against Magnolia.

“The kid was so nervous, he threw his first practice throw to second base out to Noisy in center field,” Flint said. “At least we know if anybody tries to steal center, we’ve got a kid who can throw him out.”

O’Toole’s situation is of more concern. He is being counted upon to be the Vaqueros’ top pitcher. He tore his hamstring running a 60-yard sprint before the first day of practice and has yet to suit up.

“We’re throwing by committee until Ryan gets back,” Flint said. “He’s such a big part of our plans. Unfortunately, the pitching is not there with him out.”

1) IRVINE 1992 Record: 21-11 League: Sea View Coach: Bob Flint

What Flint fails to mention is that Irvine has four gifted returning starters in the lineup. Tommy Louie, who pitched a no-hitter in his first start, is equally effective on the mound or at the plate.

The power will be provided by first baseman Ryan Jones and right fielder Scott Seal. Seal made two fine plays in right field and Jones hit a towering home run against Marina Monday. Seal will also be the bullpen closer.

Seal showed his versatility in the field after Marina loaded the bases with nobody out. He made a sprawling catch in foul territory for one out, dropped to his knees to catch a line drive for anotherand then threw out a runner attempting to tag up and score.

The consistency will come from shortstop Aron Garcia, who has two hits in two games and ended the Marina game with a hidden-ball trick.

2) CAPISTRANO VALLEY 1992 Record: 21-6 League: South Coast Coach: Bob Zamora

This is a young team with outfielder Brian Benner, third baseman Scott Shone and shortstop Brodie Lefebvre being the only seniors. Lefebvre and catcher Dominick Lombardi, transfers from Dana Hills, provide the missing pieces for Zamora.

Zamora’s son, Peter, was the most valuable player on the Cougars’ junior varsity team, for which he had a 10-2 record and batted .400. He has made the adjustment to the varsity level, hitting two homers and earning a win in two games pitching.

The surprise has been the play of second baseman Dan Lauder, who was a shortstop on the junior varsity. Lauder had three stolen bases against Trabuco Hills Tuesday. The Cougars figure to be a running team, having stolen 10 bases in two games.

3) FOUNTAIN VALLEY 1992 Record: 16-13 League: Sunset Coach: Ron LaRuffa

Ten of Fountain Valley’s 29 games last season were decided by one run. It won’t be that close this year.

Brian Ponchak, who will pitch and play first or third base, is one the county’s best players. He had two home runs Monday against Cypress. Ara Petrosian figures to be No. 1 for the pitching-deep Barons with Rich Montgomery coming out of the bullpen.

Mark Gardner, a left-hander, could be among the county’s best pitchers if he improves his control. LaRuffa is starting six juniors, including standout second baseman Chuck Harcar.

4) KATELLA 1992 Record: 16-10 League: Empire Coach: Tim McMenamin

The best 1-2 pitching combination could be at Katella. Junior Jaret Wright, son of former Angel pitcher Clyde Wright, and senior George Schalip are two talented power pitchers. Jesse Santivanez provides the relief.

The trio will rotate between the mound, shortstop and third base. “All three of them hit the ball well, which is a plus,” McMenamin said. Katella’s best player is catcher Alex Alvarez, who is starting his third season.

“I’ve been waiting for this team for four years,” McMenamin said. “I have a real good feeling about this team. The kids really play together well.”

5) ESPERANZA 1992 Record: 12-13 League: Empire Coach: Mike Curran

Katella’s McMenamin summed up Esperanza in a nutshell, saying, “They missed the playoffs last year, and they’re not too happy about it. And they’ve got a lot of guys back who aren’t about to let it happen again.”

A big plus is the return of all-league selection Poncho Ruiz to shortstop. Ruiz was limited to the role of designated hitter last year because of an injured shoulder. Ruiz started only two games at shortstop.

George Hart, who was 6-0 last season, figures to be the team’s top pitcher and should get help from Marcus Jones, a starter on the basketball team. Curran has eight starters returning.

6) MATER DEI 1992 Record: 23-5 League: South Coast Coach: Bob Ickes

Ickes tried to sandbag before the season, telling everyone the Monarchs would be down. But that sure looked like the Mater Dei of old Tuesday in an 18-1 victory over Santa Ana Valley.

Shortstop Jeff Frankel, who has signed with Santa Clara, is a two-year starter. “He’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached,” Ickes said.

Pitcher/first baseman Mike McDonald, a right-hander, was 8-0 last year and batted .400. He figures to be the No. 1 pitcher followed by Adam Harris. Second baseman Ryan Locanto, who didn’t play much last year, is the team’s leading hitter after two games.

7) EDISON 1992 Record: 10-14 League: Sunset Coach: Paul Harrell

Harrell has his deepest pitching staff in the six years he has been coaching at Edison. Chris Kurz is being counted upon to replace last year’s ace, Shawn Albee, in the starting rotation.

Jamie Surdock, a junior who has a combined record of 17-3 on lower level teams, is the Chargers’ No. 2 pitcher. The top hitters include leadoff batter Adam Cancelleri and first baseman Todd Belitz.

“Belitz is a 6-foot-1, 200-pound kid with a Division I body,” Harrell said. “He’s been crushing the ball this season.”

8) HUNTINGTON BEACH 1992 Record: 24-4 League: Sunset Coach: Mike Dodd

The Oilers could be as good or even better than last year’s club that finished as the top-ranked team in Orange County.

Pitcher Ryan Brannan, the county’s answer to the “Wild Thing” character in “Major League,” already has struck out 19 batters in eight innings. He has also hit four batters and walked four more.

Brannan, who has signed with Miami, has also hit two home runs. The team’s No. 2 pitcher, Donny Most, had a complete game win against El Dorado. Center fielder Ryan Arakaki had four hits against San Clemente earlier in the week.

9) EL DORADO 1992 Record: 23-6 League: Empire Coach: Steve Gullotti

Gullotti said his team has played “surprisingly well” despite losing four of the county’s top players to graduation. Shortstop Chris Remala has gained 25 pounds since moving to Placentia from Georgia last year and has developed into the team’s top player.

Outfielder/first baseman Jeff Moore didn’t play baseball during the summer while concentrating on football and basketball but has been another big surprise. Leadoff hitter Ryan Reyes is the best hitter on the team.

“One guy won’t carry us this year like Shawn Holcomb did last year,” Gullotti said. “This is more of a team. I’ve got a real scrappy bunch of ballplayers.”

10) LA QUINTA 1992 Record: 15-10 League: Garden Grove Coach: Dave Demarest

Here’s another team that uncharacteristically missed the playoffs last season but should rebound in 1993. When La Quinta finished fourth, it marked the first time in 15 years that the Aztecs had failed to qualify for postseason play under Demarest.

Catcher Kenny Granger, a four-year starter, is the best of six returning starters. Jim Livernois is a returning first-team, all-league selection who already has a win and a save this season.

La Quinta will have the added advantage of playing its home games on a new, $15,000 field that is the finest in the Garden Grove League.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Buena Park (12-11), Canyon (19-8-1), Kennedy (18-9), Laguna Hills (20-9), Ocean View (14-10), Santa Margarita (15-7) and Tustin (20-8).