THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

DAN ARRITT’S PRESEASON BASEBALL

RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

1 ANAHEIM CANYON

(SS-Div. II) Eight deep in pitching, even thicker offensively than last season’s 25-6 team.

2 VILLA PARK

(SS-Div. II) Nine starters back for the Spartans, led by versatile USC-bound Mark Trumbo.

3 VALENCIA

(SS-Div. II) Jared Clark and Matt Aidem will be tough to beat on the hill and in the box.

4 CHATSWORTH

(City) Regular lineup expected to feature five returning starters...and two freshmen.

5 MARINA

(SS-Div. I) Lost best player to pro draft, but cabinets far from bare for defending champions.

6 SANTA MARGARITA

(SS-Div. I) Eagles bring eight starters back, but inexperience on mound a concern.

7 CRESPI

(SS-Div. III) Polished in every way, and we’re not just referring to Trevor Plouffe.

8 LAKEWOOD

(SS-Div. I) Infielders Mike Carp and Aljay Davis support right-hander Danny Johnson.

9 CAPISTRANO VALLEY

(SS-Div. I) Only two starters return, but Jason Corder is area’s best.

10 MISSION VIEJO

(SS-Div. I) Pitchers Chris Jones and Steve Grove combined to go 14-3 last season.

11 ARLINGTON

(SS-Div. I) Slugger Lucas Duda leads five returning starters who went 24-6.

12 EL CAMINO REAL

(City)Expected to give Chatsworth a run for its money in West Valley League.

13 MATER DEI

(SS-Div. I) Two-thirds of starting lineup debuts, but usually not a problem here.

14 WMSTR. LA QUINTA

(SS-Div. IV)Brandon Laird & Co. will take torch from stellar graduated class.

15 FOOTHILL

(SS-Div. II) Led by top prospect Phil Hughes, pitching will be the savior.

16 CYPRESS

(SS-Div. III) Deep, experienced pitching staff could take Centurions a long way in playoffs.

17 PASO ROBLES

(SS-Div. II) Seven starters return, including three-year veteran Casey Larson.

18 SERVITE

(SS-Div. I) Newest line from factory is Long Beach State-bound center fielder Jose Hernandez.

19 CAMARILLO

(SS-Div. I) Enough people back to be pretty good, even without Delmon Young.

20 FOUNTAIN VALLEY

(SS-Div. I) Eight starters back and enough pitching and defense to make a run at Marina.

21 CANYON SPRINGS

(SS-Div. I) Five returning starters bolstered by Hawaii-bound transfer Joe Spiers.

22 PENINSULA

(SS-Div. II) If Andy Beal continues to rebound, Panthers will flourish in Bay League.

23 QUARTZ HILL

(SS-Div. II) Led by Matt Ware, a pitcher/shortstop who has signed with UCLA.

24 ARROYO GRANDE

(SS-Div. II)Erik Morrison, a 6-3 middle infielder, has signed with Kansas.

25 CLEVELAND

(City) Cavaliers also think they have shot at unseating Chatsworth for the league title.