Hank's Hot Picks: May 5th
May 5, 2025
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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.
May 5th: Hank's Hot Picks
Central Coast Section
Pitcher: Chris Bautista, RHP/OF, Monte Vista Christian, 2027
As a Class of 2027 pitcher, Bautista is already performing at a high level, with stats that rival older prospects. His 2.08 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and 6-0 record as a sophomore position him as a potential top-tier prospect in California’s 2027 class. If he maintains this trajectory, he could attract significant attention from college recruiters and professional scouts by his junior year. Continued development of his pitch arsenal, velocity, and physical frame will be critical to reaching his ceiling, which could be that of a high-major Division I pitcher.
2025 season stats:
- Record: 6-0
- ERA: 2.08
- IP: 43.2
- Strikeouts: 69
- BB: 10
- ER: 13
- H: 39
- OBA: .228
Position Player: Cayleb Duran, SS/RHP, Silver Creek, 2026
This dude’s a two-way stud, holding it down as a shortstop and right-handed pitcher with serious upside. At the plate, he’s got a sweet swing, on the mound, he’s got a live arm, with a fastball that’s already got some zip for his age, and he’s working on a breaking ball that could be nasty. Keep an eye on the uncommitted '26 from the Bay Area.
2025 season stats:
- AVG: .381
- H: 32 AB: 60
- RBI: 23
- 2B: 10
- 3B: 1
- OBP: .671
- BB: 18 K: 5
- SB: 22
Central Section
Pitcher: Cade McElmoyl, RHP/3B, Exeter Union, 2027
2025 pitching stats:
- Record: 5-2
- IP: 48.1
- ERA: 1.59
- Strikeouts: 75
- BB: 24
- ER: 11
- H: 33
- OBA: .188
Position Player: Will Kemp, SS/RHP, Bishop Union, 2026
Kemp is putting on an offensive display this season as he's hitting .545 for Bishop Union on the year. He's nearly leading every offensive category with six homeruns, three triples, eight doubles, and almost 30 RBIs to go along with his crazy numbers. Kemp goes to a smaller school but dont be suprised when he can do this on the summer circuit, interesting follow for the shortstop.
2025 season stats:
- AVG: .545
- H: 30 AB's: 55
- RBI: 29
- R: 29
- 2B: 8
- 3B: 2
- HR: 6
- OBP: .621
- SB: 9
- BB: 10 K: 7
North Coast Section
Pitcher: Gavin McMillian, RHP/1B, Monte Vista, 2027
Standing at 6'10" McMillian can be seen from very far away, his numbers this year have been pretty solid. With low walks and high strikeout numbers, he 's on pace to keep improving as he keeps maturing. The strength will come, but the ceiling is through the roof. Lot's of projectibility from the lengthy righty out of Monte Vista.
2025 pitching stats:
- Record: 2-1
- IP: 43
- ERA: 2.28
- Strikeouts: 51
- BB: 15
- ER: 14
- H: 36
- OBA: .225
Position Player: Damien Nolan, 3B/RHP, Saint Mary's (Albany), 2027
Nolan has boosted his average nearly 100 points from last year and is starting to show signs up power in his bat, considering the fact that he has three homeruns, two triples, and seven doubles. Nolan is proving he can hit at the varsity level and will only continue to develop as he gets older.
2025 season stats:
- AVG: .416
- H: 32 AB: 77
- RBI: 16
- 2B: 7
- 3B: 2
- HR: 3
- SB: 4
- BB: 9 K: 6
Northern Section
Pitcher: Tanner Horn, RHP/3B, Chico, 2026
Horn is contributing this year to a very impressive Chico team and is proving to be one of the aces on the staff, he's been pne of their best relief arms with 14 strikeouts and only four walks. Also has been able to help at the plate by showing his offensive numbers.
2025 season stats:
- Record: 2-0
- IP: 21
- ERA: 1.67
- Strikeouts: 14
- BB: 4
- ER: 5
- H: 12
- OBA: .160
Position Player: Braeden Cordes, SS, Weed, 2028
Cordes is killing it this season as a freshman for Weed High School, his .451 AVG is one of the team's best. The most impressive stat is the three homeruns he has hit this year along with the seven doubles. Best of luck to the young buck as he finishes his first high school season.
2025 season stats:
- AVG: .451
- Hits: 23 AB's: 51
- RBI's: 17
- 2B: 7
- 3B: 1
- HR: 3
- BB: 12 K: 6
- OBP: .588
- SB: 12
Sac-Joaquin Section
Pitcher: Camden Salisbury, RHP/OF, McClatchy, 2027
Salisbury is one of my favorite arms to watch in the '27 class, he doesn't have the most velocity but it's his demeanor and attitude that get it done for him on the mound. Talk about a kid who competes, he's one of the best arms for McClatchy and he should be one of the guys who leads them down to a Section Championship.
2025 season stats
- Record: 4-0
- IP: 38
- ERA: 0.92
- Strikeouts: 41
- BB: 21
- ER: 5
- H: 20
- OBA: .148
Position Player: Ethan Quach, OF/RHP, Bradshaw Christian, 2027
Quach is a two way player for the Pride that has been one of the better 27's on the northern California area, he goes to a smaller school in Elk Grove but has proven he can compete with the big dogs on the summer scene. Bradshaw Christian doesn't lose many games and Quach plays a big role for them on both sides of the baseball.
2025 season stats:
- AVG: .421
- Hits: 24 AB's: 57
- RBI's: 20
- 2B: 9
- 3B: 2
- BB: 6 K: 4
- OBP: .464
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