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 Crean Lutheran Saints.

High School: Crean Lutheran Saints
Head Coach: Jake Haney
CIF Section: Southern
Team Strengths: Defense, lineup that can score in multiple ways.
2025 Record: 19-11
Returning Starters: 5

 

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TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

• OF Ian McDermott (2026)

• RHP/3B Griffin Theetge (2026)
• INF/RHP Jayce DeJong (2027)
• C Lucas Williams (2027)
• 1B/OF Luke Smith (2027)

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TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

• UTIL CJ Hook (2029)
• LHP/OF Ray Lenon (2029)
• C Jacob Boomsma (2029)
• INF Maddox Park (2029)
• SS Reid Estrada (2029)

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TEAM OUTLOOK

The Crean Lutheran Saints enter 2026 coming off a solid 19–11 campaign. Ending 2025 with a CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoff appearance, head coach Jake Haney will look to lean on the program’s hallmark strengths of a sound defense and a lineup capable of manufacturing runs in a variety of ways. With five starters and five pitchers returning, the Saints should once again be a well-rounded group that pressures opponents with clean execution on both sides of the ball.

A strong core of uncommitted upperclassmen forms the core of the roster. OF Ian McDermott (2026), C Lucas Williams (2027), and 1B/OF Luke Smith (2027) give length to the lineup, while RHP/3B Griffin Theetge (2026) and INF/RHP Jayce DeJong (2027) offer versatility as two-way contributors capable of impacting games both at the plate and on the mound. Together, this group offers experience throughout the roster and versatility defensively.

The Saints also boast a talented group of underclassmen, with each having a chance to make an impact this coming Spring. UTIL CJ Hook (2029), LHP/OF Ray Lenon (2029), C Jacob Boomsma (2029), INF Maddox Park (2029), and SS Reid Estrada (2029) add solid depth to the current roster and long-term upside across the field. The program is further bolstered by a pair of commits, with SS Brady McKay (2026) headed to St. Mary’s and LHP Blake Armstrong (2027) committed to Cal Poly. With a mix of experience, defensive talent, and offensive versatility, Crean Lutheran looks poised to follow up with another strong season.

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Quote from the Coach

“We have a solid core back from last year. The entire INF back, except our 1B and one starting OF. Additionally, we have three key arms back. With a really talented 2029 class, I expect at least a few of them to contribute this season.”

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Find more information on the 2026 Crean Lutheran Saints program below:

+ @CreanBaseball
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

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