Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

2026 High School Team Previews: Mater Dei Monarchs

December 10, 2025
By: Ronan Grube
California Staff

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 Mater Dei Monarchs.

High School: Mater Dei Monarchs
Head Coach: Richard Mercado
CIF Section: Southern
Team Strengths: Pitching and athleticism in the lineup
2025 Record: 19-15
Returning Starters: 6

 

TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • Hyunjun Kim (2028)
  • OF Ryan Gates (2029)
  • 1B Tyler Fritz (2029)
  • LHP/OF Finn Goodridge (2029)
  • C/OF Dylan Hendon (2029)
  • MIF Michael Herrera (2029)
  • OF Landen Laimana (029)
  • MIF Aidan Ramos (2029)
  • RHP Landon Stepanoff (2029)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Mater Dei Monarchs enter the 2026 season with confidence under head coach Richard Mercado, returning six starters and seven pitchers from a 19–15 squad. With team strengths rooted in pitching and athleticism throughout the lineup, the Monarchs appear well-positioned to make noise in the Southern Section. A deep collection of college-bound talent bolsters the roster, including RHP Kai Bratton (Tennessee), RHP Jackson Campbell (Notre Dame), SS Brady Guth (Oklahoma State), OF Ezekiel Lara (Georgia Tech), C/1B Jaxon Olmstead (USD), RHP/1B/OF Tristan Ramos (Long Beach State), RHP Owen Shannon (Pitt), and RHP Charlie Fuller (Oklahoma State).

(Kai Bratton, 2025 Area Codes)

Mater Dei’s uncommitted returning group features several potential impact arms and position players. RHP Aidan Harty (2026) and RHP Mason Mejias (2026) headline the pitching side, while OF/C Gio Rudisill (2026) and 3B/1B Jack Reis (2026) bring versatility and offensive upside. The 2027 class also offers meaningful depth, with uncommitted standouts in RHP Charlie Fuller, C Austin Gerken, C Logan Miller, SS/2B Sebastian Navarro, OF Siah White, and right-handers Jackson Casey and Jack Foster, all candidates to push for increased roles this spring.

With returning experience on the mound, athleticism across the field, and a strong mix of committed and uncommitted talent, Mater Dei brings a balanced roster into 2026. If the offense takes a step forward to match the depth of the pitching staff, the Monarchs have the pieces to compete effectively throughout the Southern Section slate.

Quote from the Coach

“Lot of talent on the field and on the mound. Returning some strong arms that should give us a chance to keep games close. Will have a relatively young lineup still with only a lot of juniors, sophomores and freshmen competing for playing time. Will be an athletic lineup and should be exciting to see the offense grow throughout the season.”

Find more information on the 2026 Mater Dei Monarchs program below:

+ @MDHS_BASEBALL
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

Related Content