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2026 High School Team Previews: Servite Friars

December 19, 2025
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 Servite Friars.

High School: Servite Friars
Head Coach: Shawn Gilbert
CIF Section: Southern Section
Team Strengths: Speed and defense.
2025 Record: 17-14
Returning Starters: 4

 

TOP RETURNING UNCOMMITTED PLAYERS

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • INF Luke Jung (2028)
  • INF Lucas Alfaro-Chuan (2028)
  • INF Jesse Lopez (2028)
  • OF/BHP Cole Grotheus (2028)

TEAM OUTLOOK

The Servite Friars enter the 2026 season under head coach Shawn Gilbert looking to build upon a 17–14 campaign and a deep CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoff run. With four starters and four pitchers returning, Servite will look to stress run prevention, athleticism, and pressure on the bases as it navigates a competitive schedule. The Friars’ ability to defend at a high level should keep them in games as they continue to develop depth on both sides of the ball.

The returning core features a mix of experienced seniors and impact underclassmen. C Jaden Liu (2026) will look to steady the pitching staff, while OF Michael Cabral (2026) and OF Tommy Hauben (2026) provide solid athleticism and range in the field. The junior class adds versatility and upside, highlighted by C Eli Rubel (2027),1B/RHP John Sullivan (2027), INF Dylan Kemp (2027), and a deep group of arms including RHP Shane Wendler (2027), RHP Isaiah Camacho (2027), and RHP Ty Van Zutphen (2027). OF Kane Clark (2027) and OF Gavin Gonzalez (2027) will provide further depth in the outfield, giving the Friars multiple options to work into the lineup.

Looking ahead, there looks to be a talented group of sophomores that showcase potential to make an early impact. INF Luke Jung (2028), INF Lucas Alfaro-Chuan (2028), and INF Jesse Lopez (2028) bring versatility on the infield, while OF/BHP Cole Grotheus (2028) and RHP Wyatt Karges (2028) add further depth on the mound. If Servite can continue to develop offensively while maintaining its defensive prowess, the Friars have the pieces in place to take a step forward in 2026 and position themselves well for another deep playoff run.

Quote from the Coach

“We have a very young team this year. We’re likely to only have three senior starters, with plenty of juniors and sophomores in the mix. We will need to grow up quickly if we want to compete in the Trinity League”

Find more information on the 2026 Servite Friars program below:

+ @ServiteFriarsBB
+ Prep Baseball California, Power 25 Homepage

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