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2026 High School Team Previews: Livermore Cowboys

January 7, 2026
Ronan Grube
Prep Baseball California Contributor

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 Livermore Cowboys.

High School: Livermore Cowboys
Head Coach: Dave Perotti
CIF Section: NCS
Team Strengths: Power, top of the lineup, and starting pitching.
2025 Record: 15-11
Returning Starters: 3-4

 

TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • C/INF Felix Montes (2028)
  • RHP/OF Jack Wilhite (2029)
  • RHP/INF Rhett Bystrom (2029)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Livermore Cowboys enter 2026 with optimism coming off a CIF North Coast Section Division 2 Playoff appearance 15–11 finish, returning a roster built around power bats, an impact top of the lineup, and reliable starting pitching. Head coach Dave Perotti brings back four arms and a veteran core that is loaded with proven varsity contributors ready to take on expanded roles. With run production and frontline pitching as clear strengths, Livermore has the tools to compete throughout the upcoming season

A strong senior class is headlined by RHP/DH Braden Ford (2026), who did it all in 2025, leading the team in home runs, RBIs, wins, ERA, and strikeouts while bringing good velocity on the mound. With significant Division I interest, Ford enters 2026 primed to build on a breakout year. The middle of the lineup is equally dangerous, featuring OF Tanner Bingham (2026), a power-speed threat capable of setting the table and driving runs in; RHP/1B Dylan Wherry (2026), the team’s batting-average leader with two-way value; 1B/OF Griffin Lee (2026), a physical left-handed bat with power and athleticism; and UTIL Nico Rodriguez (2026), a middle-of-the-order presence with serious pop looking for a healthy senior season. RHP/INF Erik Schock (2026) adds athleticism and versatility both in the infield and on the mound, while juniors like UTIL Tyler Tabaracci (2027), RHP Noah Mena (2027), and OF/LHP Grant Weber (2027) deepen both the lineup and pitching staff.

The next wave is already pushing upward, with C/INF Felix Montes (2028) offering depth behind the plate and in the infield, and freshmen arms RHP/OF Jack Wilhite (2029) and RHP/INF Rhett Bystrom (2029) displaying promising two-way potential. With a strong top of rotation, multiple power bats, and athletic two-way players throughout the roster, Livermore enters 2026 as a team capable of making noise.

Quote from the Coach

“We have a lot of returning players, including two front-line starting pitchers. We return quite a bit of power in the middle of the lineup and have some players who can handle the bat around them.”

Find more information on the 2026 Livermore Cowboys program below:

+ @PokesBaseball
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

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