Quarterfinal game is matchup of the year

It’s time to call grandma and grandpa, load up the minivan, pack the camcorder and head to the game of the year in high school baseball: Norco (25-4) at Santa Ana Mater Dei (23-5) today at 3:15 p.m.

This Southern Section Division I quarterfinal playoff game is worthy of being played at Angels Stadium. There won’t be a better matchup all season than Mater Dei and its ace pitcher, Aaron Northcraft (9-2, 1.28 earned-run average), taking on top-seeded Norco and likely first-round draft pick Matt Hobgood (11-0, 0.33), who also is batting .490 with 55 runs batted in and 21 home runs.

Thank goodness Mater Dei has lights because the chances of the game going extra innings is 99% and might last into the early evening hours.

Extra innings is about the best way for Mater Dei to win. The Monarchs have to find a way to score or get Hobgood out of the game, and he has a maximum of nine innings left to pitch this week.

Anyone whose hobby is getting future professional standouts to sign autographs while they are in high school ought to get into line afterward and seek out Hobgood, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound giant who has hit 40 career home runs and was named Thursday as the Gatorade state player of the year in baseball.

Those major league teams that decide to pass on him during next month’s baseball draft will be regretful in the years ahead, for Hobgood is as good a professional prospect as I’ve seen in more than 30 years of watching high school baseball.

He has the power of Delmon Young, the toughness of Jack McDowell, the focus of Jeff Suppan, the confidence of Bret Saberhagen and the work ethic of Mike Moustakas.

But don’t feel sorry for Mater Dei. This is a team that rises up in big games, and it has a big-game pitcher in Northcraft, who thrives under pressure situations and relishes the challenge ahead.

It’s going to be so much fun to see how Northcraft intends to pitch to Hobgood. He was in the bleachers in April watching Norco in a National Classic game. He was supposed to pitch against Hobgood in the second round of the tournament, but Norco was upset in the opening game and the matchup never happened.

Will Northcraft do the smart thing and not throw any pitches Hobgood can send flying over the fence? Will he try to challenge him? Will he walk him?

I don’t know which team is going to win, but unless the 5 and 405 freeways are shut down, I’m not missing what I truly believe is going to be a baseball classic.

A defensive gem

Carlos Escobar Jr. of Chatsworth will be playing in his final high school game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Dodger Stadium against Reseda Cleveland in the City Section Division I final, and it’s a fitting place because as the Chancellors’ All-City catcher, it offers another opportunity for people to recognize his immense defensive skills.

Coach Tom Meusborn won’t utter the word because he doesn’t want to hurt the feelings of his other top catchers in 20 seasons as coach, but I’ve seen them all, and Escobar is the best.

He’s a 6-3, 190-pound senior who has become so respected that opponents rarely try to steal bases on him. Chatsworth pitchers have thrown just six wild pitches because of his quick hands and quick feet, with Escobar making only one error.

“Whenever he’s catching, I’m fired up,” pitcher Andrew Klausmeier said. “He sets up perfectly, he’s a big target and he knows what he’s doing.”

Escobar started catching only four years ago. “Honestly, it’s easy for me,” he said.

Hitting has been the challenge for Escobar, who signed with Nevada. He’s hovering around .300, and if he learns how to hit successfully, the majors will be his destination.

It’s no surprise that the two teams playing in the City final both have outstanding catchers. Cleveland’s Spencer Horowitz has been his team’s most consistent hitter with a .521 batting average while also performing well defensively. A competent catcher is a requirement to win at Dodger Stadium, where wild pitches and wild throws can lead to certain defeat.

Escobar is also good at starting dog piles in front of the mound at Dodger Stadium. He did it in 2007 and 2008 and wants to do it a final time on Saturday.

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eric.sondheimer@latimes.com