1995 PREP BASEBALL ALL-STARS : Moreno-Orozco of Bell, South Gate’s Ryan Honored

The team that produced the best record in City baseball also produced the best player.

John Moreno-Orozco of Bell High School earned Player of the Year honors in his selection to the 1995 City Times All-Star team.

Moreno-Orozco was a perfect 10-0 as the Eagles’ top pitcher this season, and he was equally impressive at the plate, compiling a .465 batting average.

Bell finished with a 27-3 record, the best in the City, but it wasn’t a championship season for the Eagles. That distinction belonged to South Gate.

In sports, determination may be the only factor that outweighs talent when it comes to winning. Two years ago, when South Gate won the City Section 3-A Division championship, it was the Central City’s most talented team.

But South Gate’s march to the 3-A title this year was more the result of one player’s heart and drive to succeed and the ability of a coach to shape a champion from an unproven supporting cast.

Andy Silva, pitcher and outfielder, led the Rams with his all-out hustle and hard-nosed play. For his efforts, Silva was rewarded with the 3-A Player of the Year honors and a spot on the City Times All-Star team.

For his achievements, South Gate Coach Mike Ryan has won the City Times Coach of the Year award for the second time in three years.

Lincoln’s Cesar Castaneda and Moreno-Orozco are the only players to make a second consecutive appearance on the team.

Fremont’s Jorge A. Camacho and Franklin hit-machine Oscar Cabrera are the only juniors to make the team.

Roosevelt’s Chris Minter, Franklin’s Jeff Deno and Crenshaw’s Todd Moore head an impressive list of first-timers.

A look at the 1995 City Times first team:

Rafael Aispuro, Wilson--The senior shortstop batted a team-high .583 with two home runs and 25 RBIs. Aispuro, who was named to the All-City 3-A team, also led the Mules with 35 hits. He was named to the Northern Conference first team.

Oscar Cabrera, Franklin--Cabrera led the Panthers in hitting (.506), home runs (12) and RBIs (44). The first baseman was selected to the All-City 3-A team for the third consecutive year. He was named to the Northern Conference first team.

Jorge A. Camacho, Fremont--Camacho batted .441 with one home run and 21 RBIs and made the All-City 3-A team. He scored 23 runs and stole 24 ases. The All-Southeastern Conference performer was one of the Central City’s best center fielders.

Cesar Castaneda, Lincoln--Despite being pitched around for much of the season, Castaneda still managed to hit .515 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. Castaneda, who was co-Player of the Year in 1994, again made the All-City 3-A team. A member of the Northern Conference first team, he was selected by the Dodgers in the June free-agent amateur draft.

Jeff Deno, Franklin--It took Deno three years to finally lose a game. The southpaw was 8-2 with a 2.30 ERA and 56 strikeouts. Deno, the Northern Conference Player of the Year, batted .435 with two home runs and 35 RBIs. He was drafted by the Dodgers and chosen for the All-City 3-A team.

Reggie Douglas, Dorsey--Douglas suffered from lack of run support as a pitcher in losing 9 of 10 games. However, he had a good year offensively, hitting .342 with eight RBIs. Douglas was named to the All-Southern Pacific Conference team.

Temo Lopez, Bell--Lopez was chosen co-Southeastern Conference Player of the Year with Moreno-Orozco. The right-hander, who was 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA, threw a no-hitter against Garfield. Lopez, who doubled as a center fielder, batted .562 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. He was selected to the All-City 3-A team.

Chris Minter, Roosevelt--The Southeastern Conference first-teamer hit .448 with two home runs and 22 RBIs. Minter, a center fielder, has been the cornerstone of the Roosevelt team for three years. He was also named to the All-City 3-A team.

Daniel Mojarro, South Gate--Mojarro was the only catcher named to the All-City 3-A team. The senior batted .345 with five home runs and 30 RBIs. Mojarro was also was named to the Southeastern Conference first team.

Todd Moore, Crenshaw--Moore was switched from catcher to first base early in the season and Crenshaw began its surge shortly thereafter. Moore led the Southern League in home runs (three) and RBIs (23). His .362 batting average was second-best on the team.

John Moreno-Orozco, Bell--Moreno-Orozco was the class of the Central City in 1995. The right-hander, who was 10-0 with a 0.95 ERA, threw back-to-back one-hitters against Locke and Huntington Park. An All-City 3-A selection, he batted .465 with three home runs and 25 RBIs as the designated hitter.

Andrew Silva, South Gate--Silva, who was named 3-A Player of the Year, played a significant role in South Gate’s 3-A championship season. In the Rams’ 9-3 victory over Narbonne, Silva went 2 for 4 with an RBI, was the winning pitcher and made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch. On the mound, Silva was 4-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 50 strikeouts. Silva also batted .438 with 21 RBIs.

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City Times Second Team

Here are the members of the second team:

PLAYER POSITION SCHOOL YEAR Jorge Erami Infielder Lincoln Sr. David Goss Infielder Washington Sr. Braulio Robledo Infielder Roosevelt Sr. Alec Adame Infielder Franklin Sr. Justin Brown Outfielder Dorsey Sr. Cleo Cloman Outfielder Crenshaw Sr. Ray Puga Outfielder Garfield Sr. Fidel Catano Pitcher Wilson Sr. Byron Valencia Pitcher Garfield Sr. Scott Walter Catcher Loyola Soph. Jesus Rosales Utility Manual Arts Sr. Jose Munoz Utility Bell Gardens Soph.

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1995 PREP BASEBALL ALL-STARS

Name: Cesar Castaneda

School: Linclon

Position: Infielder

Year: Senior

*

Name: Rafael Aispuro

School: Wilson

Position: Infielder

Year: Senior

*

Name: Todd Moore

School: Crenshaw

Position: Infielder

Year: Senior

*

Name: Oscar Cabrera

School: Franklin

Position: Infielder

Year: Junior

*

Name: Chris Minter

School: Roosevelt

Position: Outfielder

Year: Senior

*

Name: Andy Silva

School: South Gate

Position: Outfielder

Year: Senior

*

Name: Jorge A Camacho

School: Fremont

Position: Outfielder

Year: Junior

*

Name: John Moreno-Orozco

School: Bell

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

*

Name: Jeff Deno

School: Franklin

Position: Pitcher

Year: Senior

*

Name: Daniel Mojarro

School: South Gate

Position: Catcher

Year: Senior

*

Name: Reggie Douglas

School: Dorsey

Position: Utility

Year: Senior

*

Name: Temo Lopez

School: Bell

Position: Utility

Year: Senior