Gabilan Division
1. San Benito: Some felt the defending Gabilan Division champion Balers had nine reserves that could have started for a lot of other teams last year.
2. Palma: Cal bound Sam Stoutenborough is among the best hurlers in the state. What people forget is he's also among the best hitters in the county.
3. Christopher: Four of their top five hitters from last season are back for the Cougars, who reached the Division I quarterfinals last year.
4. Salinas: Scoring runs shouldn't be a problem for Salinas, with Cal bound Nathan Martorella hitting in the heart of the order. This is a title contending team if the pitching holds up.
5. Monte Vista: The 3-1 start in the preseason wasn't a fluke. The core from last year's team is back for the Mustangs in arguably one of the strongest leagues in the section.
6. Monterey: Missing the playoffs last year for the first time in nearly three decades didn't go well. This is still a youthful team with six starters back from last year.
7. Gilroy: Don't sleep on the Mustangs, who hope to ride the momentum of closing last year with three straight league wins.
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Pacific Division
1. Alvarez: Dropping two games to Alisal in the final week cost them the league title. Two transfers from Puerto Rico add to an already dynamic lineup.
2. Alisal: Not only are the Trojans looking to replace the core of last year's title team, but it also has a new coach at the helm.
3. Watsonville: The Wildcatz closed last season with a 9-1 mark in the Pacific, finishing one game behind Alisal.
4. North Salinas: Arguably the biggest surprise in the non-league season, outscoring three opponents 25-5.
5. Seaside: Five new coaches are in uniform this year in the Pacific, including Seaside, who returns seven starters from last spring, and are a darkhorse in a competitive league.
6. North County: Growing pains are expected this spring for a youthful Condors squad, who started four sophomores last year, including all-leaguer AJ Valdez.
7. Pajaro Valley: The Grizzles have showed improvement in the preseason. But lingering is a 129 game league losing streak.
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Mission Trail Athletic League
1. Pacific Grove: Not one senior suited up last season for the defending league champions. Trevor Heyn, Jack Sendell and Hunter Hanes carried big bats last spring.
2. King City: Clay Barbree is a dual threat with his bat and arm for a Mustangs program that finished in a four-way tie for second last year in the MTAL.
3. Soledad: The Aztecs have been a perennial postseason team that has quietly won 18 to 20 games a year over the last decade, but has just one league title to their credit during that period.
4. Carmel: Never discount a program that has been to the postseason 37 out of the last 38 years. The one absence, though, came last season.
5. Greenfield: Duplicating last year's record breaking season down in south county could be a tall order for the Bruins. Yet, the confidence in making the playoffs has carried over into this spring.
6. Stevenson: The Pirates have some parts to contend. What hurts them is the traditional late start and a two-week absence when school is out for spring break, forcing them into a catchup mood all season.
7. Trinity: Chris Wright can start for any team in the county as a pitcher or hitter. Trinity is going to surprise some teams in the MTAL.
8. Gonzales: The Spartans are going in the right direction. But when you have been down for such a long time, the process takes patience.
9. Anzar: The potential to put a solid product on the field does exits. The Hawks do have two league championship banners from their days in the Coastal Athletic League.
10. Marina: It's unfortunate that there isn't a CAL for baseball. Because programs that struggle need time to be built.
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