Citrus Belt League Post-Season Awards
The 2012 REV Baseball squad welcomed back the CBL Title and, along with that, jumped into the record books with a program-high 7 1st-Team All-CBL players. Led by Jackson McClelland, who became the 3rd Wildcat to be named Player-of-the-Year (voted in as co-POY with Yucaipa's rightly deserved Tyler Sapp), REV solidified three of the four infield positions, along with two on the bump, one in the outfield, and one at the dish. The award winners:
- Jackson McClelland, P/DH, Co-Player-of-the-Year, 2nd straight 1st-Team All-CBL
- Frankie Alvarez, 2B, 2nd straight 1st-Team All-CBL
- Justin Jacome, 1B
- Kevin Stevens, OF
- Brian Chaparro, OF
- Marcos Vega, 3B
- Blake Braun, DH
The Wildcats are also proud to announce their 2nd-Team All-CBL class:
- Travis Borges, OF
- Yanni Thanopoulos, OF
With these awards, REV now boasts 24 1st-Team All-CBL players in the past four years, with 2 Player-of-the-Year honors (McClelland, Griffin Murphy). Rounding out the field was Yucaipa (6 selections), AB Miller (2), Redlands High (2), and Fontana (1).
CIF Playoffs
The varsity squad begins CIF Playoff action this Thursday (5/17) at 3:15 at REV. As the CBL #1 seed, the Wildcat club awaits the winner of La Mirada/Damien, which is a wildcard play-in game, taking place Tuesday, 5/15.
Finishing 19-7 overall with a 12-3 clip in CBL, the Wildcats welcomed back the CBL Title, securing their 4th title in the last 6th years.
To follow all playoff action, refer to the REV Baseball MaxPreps Page (link in the upper right-hand corner of this homepage).
2012 CBL CHAMPIONS
For the 4th time in the past 6 years, the Citrus Belt League title sits atop the REV Baseball trophy case. With a 12-3 CBL record, the Wildcats share the title with Yucaipa (12-3), but boast the #1 overall CBL seed, with a 2-1 record over the Thunderbirds during the regular season.
Led by 8 seniors and a supporting cast of 12 underclassmen, the Wildcats tied the record for second-most CBL wins in program history (12 wins - a feat repeated in three of the past four seasons). CIF Playoffs, considered the third season, are up next. Times TBA.
Senior Day to Remember
May 9th was a Senior Day to remember for the 8 graduating REV baseball seniors. Honored before the game with their family members (photo, above), the seniors and their teammates took on the visiting Thunderbirds of Yucaipa in a first-place showdown between perennial CBL powerhouses. On the line for REV with a win was a clinch of the #1 CBL seed and a guaranteed share of the CBL title. Yucaipa needed to sweep the week series to win CBL out-right and claim that #1 seed.
What unfolded over those next four hours will forever live in REV baseball lore. From Brian Chaparro's gritty two-strike, two-out, game-savings at-bats, to Justin Jacome's legendary pitching performance, REV and Yucaipa had a 14-inning showdown that ended with a CBL title clinch and a dog pile.
Below are articles covering the game and the aftermath. Enjoy and congrats to the 8 seniors and two senior managers.
Press-Enterprise Story
Redlands Daily Facts Story
Press-Enterprise Follow-Up Story
2012 Banquet Date Set
The REV baseball program would like to announce the 2012 banquet date, time, and details. Taking place in the Wildcat Cafe on the REV campus, the banquet will be on Wednesday, May 30th from 7:15-9:30. Karen Grozak and Tina Kundig are in charge of the event - if you'd like to get involved, please email Coach Cordes and he will put you in touch with either of them.
We ask that the these families be responsible for the following items:
- Freshmen/Sophomore Families: Bring 1 dessert plate that feeds at least 5 people.
- Junior Families: Bring one case of water/soda/juice
Keeping up with tradition, seniors will be having dinner with Coach Cordes and the varsity coaching staff at BJ's Restaurant from 5:30-7:00. They will then return to campus for the banquet.
Mandatory attire for all players is slacks, collared shirt, and tie.
Cleats Sports Classic - Final Results and Top 25 Players
The Inaugural Cleats Sports Classic in Scottsdale, AZ, where the varsity team played this past spring break, has received a lot of press from the recruiting likes of Perfect Game. The REV varsity baseball team went 2-3 in the tournament, beating Fort Collins (CO) and Cactus Shadows (AZ), while dropping games to Arcadia and Seton Catholic (AZ) and Houston Christian (TX). Key performers for the week at the plate were Frankie Alvarez (6-16, HR), Brian Chaparro (7-15, 3 2B), and Hakeem Haynes (6-6, 3 2B). On the hill, seniors Justin Jacome, Kevin Stevens, and Jackson McClelland continued to impress and turn heads.
Below are excerpts from Perfect Game - the largest scouting company in the nation - which attended all REV games in Scottsdale. At the conclusion of the tournament, the companyu ranked the top 25 players. Considering that the best teams in the greater Scottsdale and Phoenix areas were competing, it's great to see some Wildcats break into the list:
2. Jackson McClelland, 2012 RHP/1B, Redlands East Valley (CA)
Choosing the top prospect at the 2012 Cleats Sports Invitational was far more difficult than anticipated heading into the tournament. Mitchell Traver is firmly established as a high level prospect, a well-known commodity whom has played on the biggest stages in amateur baseball. McClelland is relatively new to pitching, and has really come on strong of late. Both pitchers touched 94 mph, both are tall, physical right handers. Traver worked at 90-92 during a gritty complete game performance against Arcadia in the National Game of the Week. McClelland typically sat 88-92 during his two outings. Traver's power breaking ball, ability to hold his velocity late in games and larger build give him a very slight edge. McClelland's young age (turns 18 in July) and inexperience combined with his recent development suggest that he could overtake Traver, but for now Traver is more advanced and has a higher floor.
Both pitchers posses physical tools that simply cannot be taught or developed by most humans. Both lack present feel for their secondary pitches. Both of them are inconsistent with their command at times due to occasional balance and timing issues in their deliveries, which is quite common amongst tall teenage pitchers. It also leaves room to project improvement from both pitchers. At their best, they each pound the bottom half of the strike zone with heavy low 90s fastballs that very few high school hitters can square up.
Traver's start against Arcadia drew 20-30 MLB scouts and executives, each of McClelland's starts drew exactly one. Suggesting that Pepperdine (where McClelland is committed) may be in line for a major recruiting coup.
15. Justin Jacome, 2012 LHP/1B, Redlands East Valley (CA)
You can dream on the 6-foot-6 southpaw, who is nowhere near his ceiling. His long lanky build is immature, and he will likely add considerable strength. The added strength combined with improved balance should allow him to make a big jump with his velocity. In an unexpected relief appearance on a chilly night in the tourney opener Jacome sat 82-84 and topped out at 85. We have heard that he threw harder later in the week, in a complete game 10 strikeout performance against Fort Collins, and given what we saw on Monday it is certainly believable. He also showed some promise with the bat, though his large strike zone works against him. We expect him to make a big jump as he matures physically and are comfortable with projecting him aggressively.
For more information, click on the link to get to Perfect Games' website: Perfect Game Website
Preseason Tournaments Updates: All Levels
The CIF season has been kicked off for more than two weeks as all three levels - Varsity, JV, and Freshmen - have had a number of games in preseason tournaments. With the CBL season around the corner, here are the latest updates from these games:
VARSITY: Placing 3rd in the 20-team Redlands Baseball Invitational, the Wildcats lost to Riverside North (#8 in the nation) in the semi-final game, 4-2. Rebounding from that lost, the varsity squad took home the 3rd place game with an 8-4 win over La Sierra. Highlights from the tournament include two combined no-hitters (both games started by Kevin Stevens) and an exciting 5-4 come-from-behind win against Big-VII powerhouse MLK. The varsity team is in Scottsdale, AZ, for their second tournament. More information to come.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Beginning the year red-hot at the plate, the JV team took home the Tahquitz Tournament championship with a 7-1 win in the championship game over the host school. Outscoring their opponents 49-12 in the tournament, the JV squad played solid defense and their young pitching impressed. At the plate, Ben Cripe went 9-14 with 4 doubles and 9 RBIs. Freshman Jake Gozzo won the championship game, throwing 5 innings of 1-run ball. The JV team continues in the Vista-Murrieta tournament (played on Saturdays throughout the next month), along with CBL play next week.
FRESHMEN: With the most loaded preseason schedule of the three levels, the freshmen team played 8 games in just two weeks. In the Centennial freshmen tournament, the Wildcats walked away with a 2-2 record after having faced some of the area's best freshmen talent. The squad fared better in the Hemet tournament, securing a 3rd place finish after going 3-1. On the hill, lefthanders Ryan Taylor and Anthony Cruz shined, with Jake Diaz provided the offense pop. Freshmen begin CBL play next Friday.
3rd Annual Camp A Success!
Thanks to the help of local camp coaches - REV coaches, REV alum, and area baseball coaches - the 3rd annual winter break baseball camp was another success at the REV baseball fields during the first week of January. 141 campers made an appearance for the two-day clinic and left with schooling in the finer techniques of defense and offense.
The highlight of the camp was the number-retiring ceremony of Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood ('08 REV Alum). Chatwood took questions from the campers, posed for pictures, and signed well over 200 autographs for a 45-minutes period.
It is because of the following camp coaches that this camp is a success. They do it willingly and for free, and for that the REV program is indebted: Griffin Murphy, Trevor Hairgrove, David Andriese, Jeremy Perez, Josh Salmon, Rico Alanis, AJ Beckley, Aaron Holley, Daren Espinoza, Bobby Ramirez, Steve Hernandez, Manny Gonzalez, Andy Redman, Michael Delcid, Tim Young, Matt Wilson, and the entire REV coaching staff.
For more coverage on this event, please click on the following link for the article from the Redlands Daily Facts: Facts Camp Article.
The Press-Enterprise has uploaded the video of Tyler's number-retiring ceremony. Click on this link, then scroll down to the video on the left. Press-Enterprise Video
All camp pictures have been uploaded - and the glitch has been fixed. Please click on the Photo Album link to the left to view them.
Adopt-A-Family
For the third consecutive year, the REV Baseball Program was happy to adopt a family in need during the holiday season. All classes - freshmen through seniors - along with managers and coaches pitched in to make sure the family received something under the tree.
Pictured to the right are some of the REV seniors, along with the two senior managers, Synthia and Cecilia.
Happy Holidays from the REV Baseball Family!
Red vs. Gray Classic - An Instant Classic
Capping off the end of the fall season with the Inaugural Red vs. Gray Classic, the REV Baseball program's ball players made the game live up to its billing. Taking a 10-7 lead into the ninth inning, the Red team barely hung on after putting the tying run in scoring position with two outs.
The Red team, lead by senior coaches Nick Mercado, Justin Jacome, Jordan Gonzales, Brian Chaparro, and Jackson McClelland, took home the Classic plaque and championship t-shirts. Falling just short, the gray team was lead by senior coaches Kevin Stevens, Frankie Alvarez, Hakeem Haynes, Jonathan Arthur, and Travis Borges.
At the conclusion of the game, all players and parents were treated to a BBQ with the Vega family manning the grill. Fall Ball Awards were given out afterwards.
As the 2011 fall campaign comes to a close, the coaching staff extends a big thank you to all players, parents, and friends who helped make it a successful one. Happy Holidays.
Senior Signing - Biggest in REV Baseball Ranks
REV Baseball is proud to celebrate the signing of four student-athletes from the program, along with a fellow Wildcat softball player.
All seniors, the following athletes signed national letters of intent to their respective universities. In attendance were their parents, friends, and teammates. In order of the picture to the left:
- Jackson McClelland signing with Pepperdine University. Parents Tim and Michelle McClelland.
- Frankie Alvarez signing with Cal Baptist University. Parents Frankie and Dina Alvarez.
- Olivia Bennett signing with Tennessee Tech. Parents Manny and Jennifer Gonzales.
- Kevin Stevens signing with Cal Baptist University. Parents Craig and Kim Stevens.
- Justin Jacome signing with Santa Barbara University. Parents Paul and Robin Jacome.
Congrats to all students-athletes as they worked hard in the classroom and on the field.
Wildcats - Present and Alumni - Show at the Big "A"
Wednesday was a Wildcat reunion at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Stadium. Six Wildcats - both present and alumni - took the field, three of them playing for the Angels Elite Scout Team and three playing for Riverside Community College.
Angels Elite Scout Ball players, pictured left, were Justin Jacome, Kevin Stevens, and Brian Chaparro (with Coach Cordes). Not pictured but usually present is Jackson McClelland. Jacome, on his 18th birthday, threw a shut-out inning, striking out 3. Stevens, playing 1B and pitching, was solid in the field and plate, and threw his own shut-out inning. Chaparro, manning left field, center field, and right field, contributed with a 2-2 effort (2B, RBI) and made a based loaded, 2-out running catch at the fence in the fourth inning.
Pitching for Riverside Community College were Kyle McNutt ('09 REV Alum) and Joseph Molina ('10), both who threw shut-out innings. Brad Burcroff ('09) played three innings at catcher and contributed a walk in his only at-bat.
Coach Cordes Coaching in the Cape
REV Head Baseball Coach James Cordes has accepted an assistant coaching position for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League for the 2012 summer. Coaching under Scott Picker - long time Y-D Red Sox and legendary Cypress Community College head coach - Cordes will head back to the Cape from June-August. The Cape League, considered the nation's premier amateur collegiate summer league, is comprised of the top NCAA D1 prospects in the country. REV Baseball has an alum of the Y-D Red Sox as well. Stevie Chatwood, an '06 REV alum and USD third baseman, played under Pickler during the 2009 summer.
To learn more about the Cape Cod League, follow the link below:
Cape Cod League Official Wedbsite
To learn more about the Y-D Red Sox, follow this link:
Y-D Red Sox Home Page
2012 Spring Schedules Finalized - Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshmen
2012 Spring Schedules - V, JV, FR
The schedules for REV Baseball's 2012 spring season are now finalized and available for viewing. Click on the link above to download your own schedule for all three levels. Highlights include: VARSITY (15 CBL Games, 26 Total Games): - 4th Annual RBI Tournament (hosted by REV, RHS, and CV) - National Elite Tournament in Scottsdale, AZ, hosted by Saguaro HS - Single game vs. Dorsey High School (Los Angeles) - County Clash vs. Fontana JUNIOR VARSITY(15 CBL Games, 23 Total Games): - Tahquitz Tournament (4 games) - Murrieta Tournament (4 games) FRESHMEN (15 CBL Games, 23 Total Games): - Centennial Tournament (4 games) - Hemet Tournament (4 games)
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