La Mirada Preseason All-State: Quick Hits
January 6, 2026
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LA MIRADA, CALIF. - On Saturday, January 3rd, the Prep Baseball California team hosted the La Mirada Preseason All-State at La Mirada High School in La Mirada, Cal. This was an invite-only event for high school classes (2026-2029), and gave our staff an ample look at the area's top prospects.
Over 40 players made their way to La Mirada and participated in a pro-style workout, gathering unrivaled access to data through our state-of-the-art tech partners, as well as in-depth scouting analysis from our Prep Baseball California staff.
Today, we will take a look at some of the standout performers from the La Mirada Preseason All-State.
TOP PERFORMERS
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Aidan Young OF / C / Villa Park, CA / 2026Rankings StateRank: 122 / POS: 23
Young continued to build on his breakout second half of the 2025 season, showing that his consistency is carrying right into his senior year. Young turned in a top-three 6.96 60-yard dash, and that athleticism translated immediately in BP where he averaged 87.7 mph exit velocity with a 98.3 mph max (6th-best at the event). He consistently found the barrel, spraying line drives to all fields while posting an impressive 71% hard-hit rate. Behind the plate, Young showed real defensive value with 1.95-2.07 pop times (tied for event best) and a 76 mph arm, giving him legitimate versatility as an OF/C option. That toolset showed up in game action as well, where he collected two barreled base hits, highlighted by an opposite-field triple that one-hopped the wall in RCF. With athleticism, speed, and maturity in the frame, Young profiles as an attractive uncommitted 2026 prospect still searching for a home, who can impact a college program at the next level.
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Zion Avina SS / 2B / Orange Lutheran, CA / 2028Rankings StateRank: 51 / POS: 16
Zion Avina is a name that will only continue to rise as his high school career progresses. Starting up the middle at Orange Lutheran as a freshman in 2025 is no small task, and Avina looks poised to take a significant step forward heading into his sophomore season if this event was any indication. Offensively, he turned in a standout showing, posting the highest max EV of the entire event at 100 mph while averaging 91.4 mph. He displayed advanced barrel control with a low, line-drive approach and a 75% hard-hit rate. While the BP path appeared a bit steep and direct off the machine, everything loosened up in game action, where his natural fluidity through the zone really showed. Avina smoked a line-drive base hit to left in one at-bat, then capped the day with a pull-side home run to left, a swing that didn’t look max-effort and hinted at just how much power upside is still coming. Defensively, Avina may be even more impressive. He shows true SS instincts, pairing soft, quick hands with the ability to make plays comfortably to both sides. His internal clock and feel for the position stand out at a young age. While the 7.39 60-yard dash isn’t a present separator, there is plenty of physical development still ahead, suggesting his speed will improve naturally as the body matures. Overall, Avina is a high-upside 2028 MIF prospect with impact potential on both sides of the ball, and a trajectory that points sharply upward.
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Damian Cordero SS / 2B / Aquinas, CA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 83 / POS: 21
Cordero continues to trend upward and showed exactly why at the La Mirada Preseason All-State after already turning heads at the High Desert Uncommitted Games in October. Cordero followed up that strong showing with an even bigger day, posting across-the-board improvements in his metrics, including a 99 mph max exit velocity (4th-best at the event) and a 93.4 mph average EV. He produced a 78% hard-hit rate with a max batted distance of 374 feet, highlighting the gains he’s made in both strength and swing efficiency. The swing itself has noticeably matured since October, leveling out with a cleaner, more fluid path through the zone that has led to increased line-drive contact and more consistent loud barrels. That swing development showed up clearly in game action, where Cordero delivered arguably the most impressive swing of the day, launching a no-doubt home run to left that got out in a hurry. While the path has leveled, the power and ability to drive the baseball remain very real, and the refinements to his swing suggest that power may now be unlocked at a more consistent rate moving forward. Cordero is an above-average runner, clocking a 7.18 60-yard dash, and his defensive profile continues to point toward sticking on the left side of the INF. The arm action is short, quick, and accurate, reaching 84 mph across the diamond (up to 87 mph at a previous showing), while his smooth footwork and synced hands and feet allow the defensive actions to play clean and easy. Overall, Cordero looks like a polished, well-rounded MIF whose continued development reinforces his status as one of the more impactful and upward-trending 2027 prospects in the region.
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Max Rincon 3B / SS / Sierra Canyon School, CA / 2027The La Mirada Preseason All-State was an impressive overall showing for Rincon, highlighted by a standout day in the batter’s box. He put together a consistent BP round, driving hard line drives with some loft to the middle of the field, and posted a 96.1 mph max exit velocity. Rincon’s swing has made noticeable and positive adjustments since his last look at the OC Summer ID. He’s widened into a stronger, more stable base, while his hands now start in a lower, more relaxed position, allowing him to create better separation with a bigger leg kick. That sequence has helped him load more effectively into his back leg and generate improved power through the zone. Those adjustments translated directly to game action, where Rincon smoked an opposite-field double and followed it up with a hard lineout the other way, showing his ability to use the entire field. The refined swing has clearly extended his time in the hitting zone, opening the door for a more consistent, all-fields approach. Defensively, Rincon also showed progress, looking more comfortable at third base in this viewing. His arm strength ticked up from 75 to 79 mph, reinforcing the improvements on both sides of the ball. Overall, Rincon’s recent adjustments point to a player trending in the right direction with growing offensive impact and improved defensive confidence.
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Logan Thien OF / RHP / Fullerton Union High, CA / 2027Thien continued his strong stretch of performances, showing his two-way upside after shining with the bat two weeks ago at the ZT Prospects Scout Day and then delivering a standout outing on the mound at the La Mirada Preseason All-State. Working one inning (five batters faced), Thien was dominant, striking out three hitters—two looking—and retiring all five batters in order. His fastball sat 85-87 mph, showing true four-seam ride through the zone and the ability to miss bats when elevated. The breaking ball sat 72-75 mph, featuring more horizontal movement than a traditional curveball, flashing early break with a slurve-like shape that he was able to consistently command in the strike zone. His third offering, a 78 mph changeup, rounded out the arsenal well, showing classic fade and sink while tunneling effectively off the riding four-seam fastball before peeling off late at the bottom of the zone. Back-to-back strong showings across multiple events suggest Thien is hitting his stride and entering his junior season with real momentum as a projectable two-way prospect.
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Nathaniel Maldonado RHP / 2B / La Mirada High, CA / 2028Maldonado turned in a strong all-around showing on his home turf, flashing intriguing two-way upside throughout the event. He stood out early in BP with a highly consistent round, producing a 66.7% line-drive rate and an impressive 77.8% sweet-spot rate across all swings. Maldonado posted a 92 mph max exit velocity while showing present hand speed at 21.6 mph, reinforcing the quality of his contact. That line-drive approach translated seamlessly into game action, where he laced a double into left-center field in one of his two at-bats, continuing to show feel for the barrel and gap-to-gap intent. On the mound, Maldonado showed starter traits with strong command of his arsenal. His fastball sat 83-84 mph with subtle arm-side run, and he paired it with a 76-78 mph slider that tunneled well off the fastball, showing a more traditional horizontal break. The overall feel to pitch and ability to sequence stood out. With a compact but sturdy 5-7, 176-pound frame that profiles well for second base, Maldonado already shows a present hit tool and growing confidence on the mound. If this performance is any indication, he’s a 2028 name to follow closely as a two-way prospect poised to make meaningful strides and impact for his team moving into 2026.
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Avery Cube OF / RHP / Los Osos High, CA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 198 / POS: 52
Cube turned in an impressive outing on the mound, making the most of his five-batter appearance. He recorded two strikeouts while sitting 86-87 mph with the fastball, spinning it at 2100+ rpm and filling up the zone with a 67% strike rate. The fastball played up with life through the zone and set up his secondary well. His slider at 74–77 mph showed 2200+ rpm, tunneling effectively off the fastball and giving him a reliable weapon he was able to command in multiple counts. Cube’s overall profile is especially intriguing given his two-way ability and wiry, athletic 5-11, 167-pound frame that flashes looseness and athleticism on the mound. He showed a consistent ability to attack hitters and throw strikes, a trait that should only improve as he gains experience and physical strength. As the frame naturally fills out over time, there’s a strong indication that velocity gains are coming, which could elevate Cube’s ceiling significantly and make him a name to continue tracking closely.
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Aidan Nieto 1B / RHP / Tesoro High, CA / 2026Rankings StateRank: 277 / POS: 7
It was an impressive showing for Nieto on both sides of the ball, flashing real two-way upside throughout the event. Behind the plate, he recorded 2.10-2.20 pop times while posting one of the strongest arm velocities at 78 mph, showing plenty of carry and accuracy to the bag. With some refinement to shorten the arm action, there’s clear room for the pop times to quicken, as the footwork and glove-to-hand transfer are already quick and efficient. Offensively, Nieto swung it well in both BP and game action, posting a 96.4 mph max EV and collecting two barreled hits during live play. It was on the mound, however, where Nieto truly stood out. The right-hander sat 83-84 mph, featuring a deceptive arm action that made the fastball difficult for hitters to pick up and allowed him to generate whiffs in the strike zone. His long, physical 6-6, 210-pound frame helped him work downhill and get on top of a 73-75 mph curveball with 2200+ rpm, giving him a legitimate put-away pitch in two-strike counts. He rounded out the arsenal with a true changeup, spinning it at 1473-1596 rpm with heavy arm-side fade. Overall, Nieto put together one of the best all-around performances of the players in attendance.
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Jeremiah Gomez LHP / 1B / La Mirada High, CA / 2028It was an intriguing outing for Gomez on his home field, flashing real upside as a young left-hander. Working against five batters, Gomez recorded two strikeouts while showing a feel to pitch. His fastball sat 84-86 mph, spinning up to nearly 2400 rpm with arm-side run, giving it late life through the zone. He lands slightly closed in his delivery, creating an uncomfortable look for LHHs while doing a nice job of hiding the ball from RHHs, adding to the deception. Gomez mixed in both a curveball and a changeup, but the changeup stood out as his true weapon. Thrown at 74-76 mph, it showed late arm-side fade and drop, providing effective separation off the fastball and consistently disrupting timing. He showed strong feel for the pitch, locating it in the strike zone at a 75% rate. With a physical 6-1, 220-pound frame and plenty of time for continued development, Gomez already carries a strong presence on the mound. La Mirada appears to have a solid foundation in its 2028 class, and Gomez looks like a key piece with the potential to continue trending up as he matures.
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Mason Park SS / 2B / Fullerton Union High, CA / 2027Rankings StateRank: 77 / POS: 19
Park continues to reinforce his status as a top-80 player in the state, turning in his third straight strong showing dating back to the OC Summer ID and the CA State Games. Park once again produced in live game action, picking up another base hit, while putting together a solid BP round where he posted a 94.8 mph max EV and a 354' max batted distance. The offensive consistency continues to stand out, with Park showing a reliable approach and the ability to impact the baseball in both controlled and competitive settings. Athletically, Park remains a quality runner, clocking a 7.2 60-yard dash at this event after previously posting a 6.87 at the State Games, and he shows the athleticism and arm strength (88 mph) to stick at SS long term, with the versatility to also slide over to 3B if needed. Physically, he looks noticeably stronger than he did over the summer, having added roughly five pounds of good weight. The added strength shows in how the jersey fits and is backed up by a significant jump in the forearm grip strength test, confirming real physical gains. As an uncommitted SoCal INF, Park continues to trend upward and carries the tools, consistency, and physical development to become a legitimate impact player at the next level.
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Other Notable Performers
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