The 2026 California high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across California.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in their respective CIF Section Championship Game, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview these individual programs across California. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across California. Each week we will be releasing our Power 25, Players of the Week, Diamond Notes, podcasts, and much more.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today with the Ayala Bulldogs.

High School: Ayala Bulldogs
Head Coach: Brad McGuire
CIF Section: Southern
Team Strengths: Pitching, athleticism, offense, and experience.
2025 Record: 19-9
Returning Starters: 8

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• 3B/OF Dylan Wood (2026)

• INF Eric Hernandez (2026)

• 1B Ivan Ruddell (2026)
• RHP Nolan Chuang (2026)
• OF Aiden Granados (2027)

• OF Jrue Hurd (2027)

• RHP/INF Jake Zandbergen (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• SS Jonah Boyd (2028)

• RHP Luke Payne (2028)
• OF Ben Schwarz (2028)
• OF Aiden Widger (2028)
• INF Alex Ramirez (2028)
• INF Jorge Ceja (2028)
• INF Maverick Medina (2028)
• RHP/INF Joaquin Cruz (2028)
• INF Paulson Cheung (2028)
• OF/LHP Zachary Esparza (2029)
• RHP Bryant Lee-Romo (2029)
• RHP/OF/1B Isaac Herrera (2029)
• RHP/INF Ethan Callon (2029)
• C Grant Hauser (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Ayala Bulldogs enter 2026 with as much experience and confidence as any program in the region after posting a 19–9 record in 2025. Head coach Brad McGuire welcomes back a veteran core that is returning from a CIF Southern Section Division 1 Playoff appearance. With eight returning starters and four arms back, Ayala’s strengths are clear: pitching depth, athleticism, and offensive consistency. This is a group that knows how to win, and that experience should pay dividends throughout the spring.

The Bulldogs bring back a strong group of uncommitted contributors led by 3B/OF Dylan Wood (2026), along with versatile INF Eric Hernandez (2026), and run-producing 1B Ivan Ruddell (2026). On the mound, RHP Nolan Chuang (2026) is expected to log meaningful innings, while the junior class adds impact athleticism with OF Aiden Granados (2027), OF Jrue Hurd (2027), and RHP/INF Jake Zandbergen (2027). The underclass pipeline is equally impressive, highlighted by SS Jonah Boyd (2028) plus arms and outfield depth in RHP Luke Payne (2028), OF Ben Schwarz (2028), and OF Aiden Widger (2028), giving Ayala both immediate contributors and long-term upside.

Ayala’s committed core provides proven production and leadership, including RHP/INF Caleb Trugman (2026) headed to UC Santa Barbara, OF/LHP Jaden Valenzuela (2026) bound for UC Irvine, C/INF Elijah Duarte (2026) committed to California Baptist, and LHP/OF Easton Sarmiento (2027) also pledged to UC Santa Barbara. With a seasoned core, high-level talent on both sides of the ball, and a steady influx of young players, the Bulldogs head into 2026 positioned for another deep postseason push and remain one of the most complete, experienced teams in Southern California.

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Quote from the Coach

“We're very excited about this group. We return the same core from the past two seasons, and expectations are high. The energy and focus the boys have brought this fall has been different, and it's been great to see.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Ayala Bulldogs program below:

+ @AyalaBaseball
+ High School Previews

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