The Top 10

1. Servite. The Friars have been on the verge of greatness the last couple of years only to fall short. But the 13 seniors (only one sophomore) give Servite the feel of a veteran team that knows how to win. New Coach Todd Cook will give Servite every chance to reach its potential.

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2. Mater Dei. Like last year, the pitching is questionable after Nick Lovato. But the starting lineup can swing with the best. Times All-Orange County performers Pat Manning and Jon Kinney, back for their senior years, lead the way as the Monarchs chase an eighth consecutive South Coast title.

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3. Esperanza. Coach Mike Curran and staff will say there are too many players to replace from last year’s Division I finalist. But Curran has a history of going far with marginal talent; the most recent example is his 1998 team. The talent this season is not marginal.

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4. El Dorado. Like Mater Dei, the defending Empire League champion Golden Hawks have the kind of lineup that wears out opposing pitching staffs. The only drawback is a team-wide lack of speed. but that shouldn’t hinder El Dorado’s ability to score and score often.

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5. Cypress. The Centurions may have the one pitching staff El Dorado can’t pound. That could get them the Empire League title. And if some other pieces fall into place, Cypress could go farther than that. But no matter what, the Centurions will be an obstacle for whomever they face.

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6. Brea Olinda. After watching Magnolia win three consecutive league titles, the Wildcats reestablished themselves as the Orange League’s best team last year. Now Brea Olinda wants to prove that last year’s trip to the semifinals wasn’t a fluke. The feeling here is, it wasn’t.

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7. Edison. The upstart Chargers have the talent, both on the mound and at bat, to wrest the Sunset League title from Esperanza. But Edison must also show it can do more than battle the best teams, and battle every team. That is what Esperanza has done the past two years.

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8. Woodbridge. The Warriors have nearly everyone back from last year’s team, which took Santa Margarita down to the wire before losing the Sea View title. This season Woodbridge, with a fortified pitching staff, expects to win its first league title in six years.

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9. Foothill. The Knights have spent the last two years pulling even with Canyon in the Century League. Now, with Canyon expected to drop back in the pack, look for Foothill to move into the county elite. Winning a second league title in three years would be a big step.

10. Western. Reaching the quarterfinals of the playoffs, as Western did last year, can affect a team two ways. Either they rise to great heights or fade back to obscurity. The Pioneers appear to be a team on the rise and should give Brea Olinda a fight.