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Welcome to Hank's Hot Picks, where our Associate Director of Northern California Hank LoForte will provide readers with a brief overview of the five major sections in the northern part of the state. There will be two highlighted players from each of the sections with a write up on how they are doing on the season, as well as stats and how their teams are doing. Will be posted every week. 

April 15th: Hank's Hot Picks

Central Coast Section

Pitcher: Matt Maxon, RHP/OF, Carmel, 2026, Stanford Commit

Maxon has been dominating for Carmel High School, The Stanford commit continues to show why he’s one of the best in the ‘26 class. His numbers speak for themselves. Have yet to get out there this year but everything I’ve been hearing about Maxon has been nothing but positive. 

2025 season stats:

• Record: 6-0
• ERA: 0.45
• IP: 31
• Strikeouts: 42
• BB: 11
• ER: 2
• H: 16
• OBA: .147

2025 offensive stats

• AVG: .444
• H: 20 AB: 45
• RBI: 15
• 2B: 3
• 3B: 2
• HR: 2
• OBP: .527
• BB:9 K:4
• SB: 8

Position Player: Ian Josephson, SS/RHP, Junipero Serra, 2025, St. Mary's Signee

Josephson is on a tear going into his senior year, the SS is hitting over .500 and commands the balls on defense, overall he’s one of the best athletes in the bay area, maybe NorCal. Got to see him play in the Boras Classic recently and it didn't disappoint.

2025 season stats:

• AVG: .509
• H: 27 AB: 53
• RBI: 10
• 2B: 5
• HR: 3
• OBP: .612
• BB: 8 K: 6
• SB: 16

Pitching stats:

• Record: 2-0
• ERA: 2.33
• IP: 9
• Strikeouts: 11
• BB: 2
• ER: 3
• H: 11
• OBA: .289

Central Section

Pitcher: Blake Moore, LHP/OF, California City, 2025, William & Mary Signee

Moore has a ton of strikeouts this season, making him top 3 in all of CA for strikeouts. On the mound hitters can’t seem to square the ball up against the big lefty. Offensively. Moore has been pulling his weight, with a lot of walks and little strikeouts.

2025 pitching stats:

• Record: 4-1
• IP: 45.1
• ERA: 0.62
• Strikeouts: 89 (Top 3 in CA)
• BB: 27
• ER: 4
• H: 16
• OBA: .109

2025 offensive stats:

• AVG: .432
• H: 16 AB's: 37
• RBI: 16
• 2B: 2
• 3B: 5
• OBP: .627
• BB: 18 K: 6

Position Player: Brayden Gutierrez, SS/RHP, Stockdale, 2025, St. Mary's Signee

Gutierrez has been on my radar since this last fall, gertting to see him play scout ball. He's so dynamic his ability to play anywhere on the diamnd is rare. The hit tool is there along with the power thats coming along. He's got a shot to make a real impact at St. Mary's next season.

2025 season stats:

• AVG: .298
• H: 14 AB's: 47
• RBI: 11
• R: 16
• 2B: 2
• HR: 7 (Leads Central section)
• OBP: .441
• BB: 11 K: 6

North Coast Section

Pitcher: Matthew Knauer, RHP/3B, Redwood, 2025

Knauer is a sleeper out in the North Coast, his arm puts him at the top for Redwood this year, his 2-1 record along with 64 strikeouts has been efficient all year. The senior is still looking for a home next year.

2025 pitching stats:

• Record: 2-1
• IP: 40
• ERA: 1.75
• Strikeouts: 64
• BB: 14
• ER: 10
• H: 29
• OBA: .193

Position Player: August Cuneo, C/3B, Petaluma, 2025

Cuneo is raking this year for Petaluma, one of their best hitters, his .541 batting average leads the team and is looking to not slow down anytime soon. Cuneo plays the game hard and can also play infield when he’s not catching.

2025 season stats:

• AVG: .541
• H: 20 AB: 37
• RBI: 26
• 2B: 6
• HR: 2
• SB: 3
• BB: 7 K: 1

Northern Section

Pitcher: Tanner Abbott, LHP/OF, Gridley, 2026

Abbott is a '26 making a name for himself up in the Northern region, the Gridley ace has been shoving everythime he's stepped on the mound this season. Offensively, he's been able to contriubte a ton as well.

2025 season stats:

• Record: 4-2
• IP: 33.2
• ERA: 1.04
• Strikeouts: 64
• BB: 22
• ER: 5
• H: 16
• OBA: .130

Offensive Stats:

• AVG: 367
• H: 22 AB: 60
• RBI: 12
• 2B: 4 
• 3B: 2
• HR: 1
• OBP: .461
• B: 7 K: 5

Position Player: Scotty McKeown, C/INF, Pleasant Valley, 2026

McKeown is shwoing off his bat for the Pleasant Valley team this season, seems to be a lot of talented '26's up here. McKeown is an all around player who's bat will be one to watch out for.

2025 season stats:

• AVG: .443
• Hits: 27 AB's: 61
• RBI's: 16
• 2B: 6
• 3B: 3
• HR: 1
• BB: 6 K: 0
• OBP: .521
• SB: 7

Sac-Joaquin Section

Pitcher: Kaden Nicholls, LHP/1B, Bear River, Cal Poly Commit

Nicholls is coming back healthy as every this season and the numbers don't lie. Nicholls gets on the mound and just wants to win. He's got nasty stuff and that bulldog mentality. The offense is cooling off from the beginning of the year but still managing to produce.

2025 Pitching Stats

• Record: 6-1
• IP: 40.1
• ERA: 0.35
• Strikeouts: 71
• BB: 9
• ER: 2
• H: 20
• OBA: .140

Position Player:  Landyn Plaut,1B/LHP, Lincoln, 2025, William Jessup Signee

Plaut is having one of the best season I've seen put together, the kid is doing Ohtani numbers. His ability to pitch this year along with hitting 12 homeruns this season is insane. Plaut has been the catatlyst for the Lincoln time this year. William Jessup is getting an absolute dude.

2025 season stats:

• AVG: .468
• Hits: 29  AB's: 62 
• RBI's: 34
• 2B: 4
• HR: 12 (Tied for 1st in country)
• BB:  K: 
• OBP: .
• 2 errors, .953 fielding %

Pitching Stats:

• Record: 5-1
• IP: 41.2
• ERA: 0.84
• K: 68
• BB: 10
• H: 19
• ER: 5
• OBA. 134

Upcoming Events

Showcase	State	Date	Location
Los Angeles Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	04/27	O'Malley Field - Sepulveda Basin, CA
Sacramento Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	04/27	McBean Park - Lincoln, CA
San Diego Rising Stars ID (2029-2030 Grads)	CA	05/04	Eastlake High School
NorCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/10	Champions Field - Lathrop CA
Ballplayers League Scout Day	CA	05/17	McBean Stadium
SoCal Rising Stars Game (Invite-Only)	CA	05/18	Mater Dei High School - Santa Ana, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Fullerton	CA	05/31	Fullerton College
2025 Future Games Tryout: Los Angeles	CA	05/31	Loyola Marymount University
2025 Future Games Tryout: Malibu	CA	05/31	Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA
2025 ProCase - NorCal	CA	05/31	Cosumnes River College
2025 Future Games Tryout: Northern California	CA	06/01	Consumnes River College - Sacramento, CA
2025 ProCase - West	CA	06/01	Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles, CA
Orange County Summer ID	CA	06/04	Hart Park - Orange, CA
2025 Future Games Tryout: Central California	CA	06/07	Antelope Valley College - Lancaster, CA
Sacramento Summer ID	CA	06/08	Franklin High School - Elk Grove, CA
Central California Summer ID	CA	07/08	Ventura College
Senior Future Games (Class of 2026)	NATIONAL	07/22	LakePoint Sports
Future Games (Class of 2027)	NATIONAL	07/23	LakePoint Sports
Junior Future Games (Class of 2029/30)	NATIONAL	07/24	LakePoint Sports
2025 California State Games (Invite-Only)	CA	07/30	Fullerton College - Fullerton, CA & Fullerton High School

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