Sweetwater Valley Little League teams took the field Monday to open this year’s District 42 Tournament of Champions. Championship games are slated Tuesday, June 30, in four age divisions at Imperial Beach Little League.
Sweetwater Valley has had much to celebrate in recent seasons and, it appears, much to celebrate in future seasons after alumnus Cody Poteet signed a professional contract with the Miami Marlins on June 18.
Poteet was drafted by the Marlins in the fourth round of this year’s Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 116th player taken overall.
Actually, it was the second time that the right-handed pitcher from Bonita had been taken in the MLB draft. A graduate of Christian High School in El Cajon, Poteet was previously selected in the 27th round of the 2012 amateur draft by the Washington Nationals out of high school.
Poteet completed his junior year at UCLA this spring with a 7-1 record and 2.45 earned-run average — both new single-season career bests. He started 13 games and made appearances in 27 games overall with 68 strikeouts in 73.1 innings against 30 walks. He limited opposing batters to a .230 hitting average.
A two-time Pac 12 All-Academic honorable mention selection, Poteet had chalked up 14 wins during his three years at UCLA while making 39 starts, second on the Bruins staff.
As a true junior, Poteet had the opportunity to return to UCLA for his senior season before electing to sign a contract with Miami.
The slot value bonus for the 116th player pick in the MLB Draft is $488,700.
Scouting reports list Poteet has possessing “starter stuff,” with two usable breaking balls and a fastball clocked at 94 mph. He was used in a variety of roles at UCLA, showing his versatility on the mound.
The Marlins have not wasted time in locking up their 2015 MLB draft picks. The Miami club had signed eight of its top 10 picks though last Friday.
Then and now
Poteet follows in the footsteps of several former Sweetwater Valley stars who have gone on to play at the next level, among them former Padre Kevin Kouzmanoff, Mark Prior (Cubs) and Nick Guerra (Surf Dawgs). Kevin McCann, a 2015 Bonita Vista High School graduate, is headed to play collegiate baseball at Arizona State University.
Alan Botterman coached Poteet between ages 9 and 12 at Sweetwater Valley Little League. He said he recognized the player’s superior ability early on.
“When he was 9, I knew he was something special,” said Botterman, who now serves as the athletic director at Chula Vista High Tech High School. “His skills and athleticism were far beyond the other players in the league, except one who happens to be in the Yankees organization now (Cathedral Catholic High School grad Daniel Camarena, currently with AA Trenton).
“Besides his skill, Cody was a relentlessly hard worker. His dad had worked with him since he was very young and had instilled a work ethic that combined with the abilities to make an incredible young athlete.
“Even though Cody was so far superior to the other players, he always stayed humble. At 12 years old, he was throwing the ball at 82 mph. I have yet to see anyone equal that velocity in the Little League World Series. My son was his catcher and the two of them would sit beside me in the dugout and constantly be asking me questions about baseball and the situations. This speaks to Cody’s baseball IQ. He was always engaged in the game.
“For the 12-year-old All-Stars, Cody played up. He was league age 11, but actually 10 because he has an August birthday. That team won our district tournament and went on to lose in sections. Cody had one game in particular where he pitched a complete game shutout and hit the winning home run.
“Cody is known for his pitching, but he was the best hitter I ever coached. He created such bat speed at a young age — it was incredible. The other team wouldn’t even pitch to him, yet he hit some 16 home runs, and I’m talking 300-foot blasts on a 200-foot field.”
Many of the parents whose sons played against Poteet feared him on the mound when their children were at the plate.
Poteet was a legend in his time at SVLL.
“Cody was drafted into the Majors as an 8-year-old as the SVLL coaches feared with his arm strength he would hurt somebody in the Minors,” recalled Jeff Freeman, whose son John played on this year’s Metro-Mesa League co-champion Bonita Vista High School team. “So he was drafted by the Padres Majors team and started at shortstop the entire year.”
Two years later, Freeman’s older son Daniel joined the team.
“The first time I saw Cody throw was at a makeshift practice in the alley behind Alan Botterman’s warehouse,” Jeff Freeman recalled. “The boys were fielding fly balls and throwing. Brad Franklin, who was catching the throws, told me to try to watch Cody’s arm (from the elbow to the hand) as he threw. The action was so fast, his arm was a blur.
“During that year (as a 10-year-old), both Cody and his brother Mike would catch, pitch and play shortstop. I remember standing next to Cody’s dad (Mike Sr.) during one game when Cody was pitching. At that time, I believe Cody had four to five pitches he could throw for strikes. During this situation, the bases were loaded with two outs and the go-ahead run was at second base with a full count on the batter. Mike, who knew what pitch was coming, said, “Let’s see how much confidence he has in this pitch.” Cody threw it and struck out the batter to end the inning. The pitch — a knuckle ball.
“(When Cody was 11), I had the chance to be one of the coaches of the SVLL Padres. During one of the practices, we were playing an inter-squad game with three squads (one batting, one playing infield and one in the outfield). Coaches were pitching and playing first and third base. On one play, one of the boys hit a ball to Cody in shallow right field. Having a play on a runner to third, I put up my glove for the throw. The ball came in hard. And when it hit, it felt like somebody had hurled to me a lead shot put. I had never caught such a ‘heavy ball.’
“Cody returned to play his final year of Little League as even more of a legend. He had just spent the summer and fall playing travel ball with the Houston Banditos. And, like many 12-year-olds, he was big — maybe 5-9 or 5-10. And he was throwing really hard. We guessed 80 mph or better. We had previously seen another talented SVLL player (Camarena) throw 75 mph, and Cody was way faster.
“At 46 feet, the reaction time was almost non-existent, so we were a bit worried for our kids. My son John, who was 9 at the time, got a chance to face the 12-year-old Cody. Cody’s first pitch was head high, but the umpire called it a strike. The next two were about shoulder high. John swung but could not connect. He was disappointed he couldn’t get a hit off the big guy, but I was just relieved he survived.
“It really was a treat to watch Cody play over the years. And we wish him the best as he makes this big move.
“At the 11-year-old team party, Alan Botterman passed out new baseballs and had each boy autograph them. And he urged them to ‘make sure to get Cody’s signature because we all know it will be worth a lot someday!’”
Six figures, it would seem.
Cougars in the draft
A pair of San Ysidro High School players were tabbed in the 2015 MLB Draft: RHP’s Gilbert Suarez in the 18th round (540th overall pick) by the Atlanta Braves and Octavio Arroyo in the 24th round by the Marlins.
Both players were unsigned as of June 22.
Suarez compiled a 6-1 record with a 0.84 ERA in 13 appearances with the San Diego Section Division II champion Cougars this past season. He also batted .412 at the plate with 12 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 34 RBI.
In an abbreviated eight-game season, Arroyo hit .552 with six RBI and a team-leading 18 stolen bases. He also went 2-0 on the mound with a 0.47 ERA.
San Ysidro defeated La Jolla, 7-2, on June 6 to finish 31-3 on the season.
California District 42 Tournament of Champions
6U Division
Pool play
Monday, June 22
Eastlake 9, Sweetwater Valley 5 at Chula Vista American LL
South Bay 5, Chula Vista Nationa 3 at Chula Vista American LL
Tuesday, June 23
Eastlake 14, Southwest 1. at Chula Vista American LL
Park View 11, Chula Vista National 1 at Eastlake LL
Wednesday, June 24
South Bay 11, Chual Vista National 3 at Chula Vista American LL
Thursday, June 25
Sweetwater Valley 6, Chula Vista American 3 at Chula Vista American LL
Friday, June 26
Park View 5, Chula Vista American 2 at Chula Vista American LL
Semifinals
Sunday, June 28
Seed 2 vs. Seed 3, Park View 11, South Bay 2 at Eastlake LL
Seed 1 vs. Seed 4, Sweetwater Valley 7, Eastlake 1 at Chula Vista American LL
Championship game
Tuesday, June 30
Sweetwater Valley 8, Park View 0 at IBLL
8U Division
Pool play
Monday, June 22
Chula Vista American 20, Southwest 3. at Chula Vista American LL
Eastlake 19, Imperial Beach 9 at Imperial Beach LL
Tuesday, June 23
Park View 18, Luckie Waller 1 at Chula Vista American LL
Sweetwater Valley 20, Chula Vista National 0. at Chula Vista American LL
Thursday, June 25
Chula Vista National 9, South Bay 2. at Sweetwater Valley LL
Luckie Waller 13, Southwest 1 at Eastlake LL
Friday. June 26
Sweetwater Valley 11, Chula Vista American 7 at Sweetwater Valley LL
Park View 11, Imperial Beach 0 at Eastlake LL
Saturday, June 27
Eastlake 21, South Bay 0 at Eastlake LL
Semifinals
Sunday, June 28
Seed 2 vs. Seed 3, Eastlake 16, Sweetwater Valley 9 at Eastlake LL
Seed 1 vs. Seed 4, Park View 14, Chula Vista American 0 at Chula Vista American LL
Championship game
Tuesday, June 30
Park View 13, Eastlake 3 at Imperial Beach LL
Minor League
Pool play
Monday, June 22
Park View 19, Luckie Waller 5. at Eastlake LL
Chula Vista Americdan 13, South Bay 2 at Chula Vista American LL
Tuesday, June 23
Eastlake 11, Chula Vista National 0 at Eastlake LL
Imperial Beach vs. Southwest, 6 p.m. at Imperial Beach LL
Wednesday, June 24
Sweetwater Valley 10, Southwest 4 at Eastlake LL
Park View 8, Imperial Beach 1. at Eastlake LL
Thursday, June 25
Chula Vista American 11, Chula Vista National 0 at Chula Vista American LL
Eastlake18, Luckie Waller 1 at Eastlake LL
Friday, June 26
Sweetwater Valley 11,. South Bay 1 at Eastlake LL
Semifinals
Sunday, June 28
Seed 2 vs. Seed 3, Sweetwater Valley 10, Chula Vista American 1 at Eastlake LL
Seed 1 vs. Seed 4, Park View 8, Eastlake 3 at Chula Vista American LL
Championship game
Tuesday, June 30
Park View 10, Sweetwater Valley 3 at Imperial Beach LL
Major League
Pool play
Monday, June 22
Sweetwater Valley 8, Eastlake 2 at Eastlake LL
Tuesday, June 23
Imperial Beach 12, Chula Vista National 0 at Imperial Beach LL
Wednesday, June 24
Park View 10, Luckie Waller 0 at Chula Vista American LL
Southwest 25, South Bay 0 at Chula Vista American LL
Thursday, June 25
Chula Vista American 14, Eastlake 2 at Chula Vista American LL
Friday, June 26
Park View 12, Chula Vista National 11 at Chula Vista American LL
Sweetwater Valley 12, Chula Vista American 3. at Chula Vista American LL
Saturday, June 27
South Bay 8, Luckie Waller 6 at Eastlake LL
Imperial Beach 11, Southwest 6 at Eastlake LL
Semifinals
Sunday, June 28
Seed 2 vs. Seed 3, Imperial Beach 8, Park View 0 at Eastlake LL
Seed 1 vs. Seed 4, Sweetwater Valley 12,. Southwest 0 at Chula Vista American LL
Championship game
Tuesday. June 30
Sweetwater Valley 7, Imperial Beach 1 at Imperial Beach LL
Sweetwater Valley Little League TOC/team rosters
MAJORS TOC
Manager: Dave Blackinton
Coaches: Jose Dominguez and Brandon Gregg
Players: Andrew Alejandre, Nevin Baclig, Evan Besker, David Blackinton, Sean Dunmire, Rocco Gurrola, Kyle Gregg, Nico Mazzei, Ryan Moss, Andrew Murphy, Jackson Reaksecker, Enrique Resendez, Steven Alec Sanchez
MINOR A TOC
Manager: Art Iniguez
Coaches: Jon Libed and Nick Guerra
Players: Xavier Bravence, Sean Cannon, Ismael Castanon, Diego Flores, Alexander Iniguez, Colin Larso, Noah Libed, Jacob May, Tyler Mos, John Paul Ortiz, Johnny Scott,Drew Shipwash, Adiel Torres
7/8 TOC
Manager: Mahoe Nakanelua
Coaches: Francisco Mondragon and Carlos Catano
Players: Alessandro Catano, Isaiah Cook, Zachary Dare, Victor Diaz, Landon Lozano, Steven McDonald, Leo Mondragon, Kapono Nakanelua, Ethan Otero, Diego Sanchez, Nicholas Sanchez, Jeremy Tirad, Alexander Villavicencio
6 and Under TOC
Manager: Ray Muro
Coaches: Todd Anderson, John Poukkula and Manny Lozano
Players: Jorge Bejar, Noah Cook, Sean Flemming, Dylan Hatton, Jackson Hernandez, Liam Hodson, Cole Margetts, Cash Pacini, Dylan Poukkula, Jose Rabago, Lorenzo Robles, Joseph Ryan, Max Tello
Eastlake Little League TOC/team rosters
11/12 TOC
Manager: MichaelCassanova
Players: Riley Anderson, Garrett Beckhelm, Cade Birchmier, Nicholas Calzada-Rao, Angel Casanova, Diego Cervantez, Tony Davidson, Cole De La Torre, Colton Doll, Kael Martinez, Alex Morales, Ruben Roman, Tommy Zanete
9/10 TOC
Manager: GeorgeFlores
Players: Aidan Andre, Everett Arce, Jake Baca, Matthew Bjornstad, Nathan Elwood, Ryan Espinoza, Adrian Flores, Josue Gonzalez, Sebastian Osorio, Kelii Pietila-Wiggs, Maxwell Radovan, Landon Rodrin, Brody Wells
7/8 TOC
Manager: Jorge Millan
Players: Ercelle Arguello, Joey Castillo, Jake Davis, Aiden Flores, Santiago Galvan, Joshua Garcia, Kyler Lagdamen, Michael Mason, Dante Millan, Landon Reid, Braeden Temporal, Elijah Selga, Austin Stroberg, Alexander Waisbord
Single A TOC (6U)
Manager: Brandon Boliguen
Players: Levi Aguirre, Nia Anglo, Luke Boliguen, Aaron Corona, Ellis Cuomo, Matthew Delgado, Noah Flores, Gianni Guerra, Liam Lee, Guillermo MacFarland, IsaacMendoza, Aaron Nickelberry, Nicholas Sanchez
Chula Vista American Little League TOC/team rosters
Majors TOC
Players: Ethan Knight, Alan Solis, Devin Hinojosa, Ben Wood, Owen Hiller, Sebastian Tellez, Grayson Scholl, Jared Juarez, Lai Zumstein, Michael Reyes, Noah Hill, Tyler Carter
Minors TOC
Players: Jaydon Carpadakis, David Perez, Luke Howard, David Ruvalcaba, Alex Hernandez, Guillermo Arce, Jose Tejeda, Nico Pino, Marcos Thomas, Anthony Aguilar, Kyle DePratti, Ricardo Vera, Jacobo Pedroza
8U TOC
Players: Ben Castellon, Kelly Brown, Sergio Padilla, Isaac Meza, Troy Palen, Roman Cruz, Aaron Wood, Lukas Mendez, Joshua Hughes, Javier Huerta, J.P. Noury, Joey Colmenro, Noah Arellanes
6U TOC
Players: George Vargas, Joaquin Jackson, Yaretzi Amesquita, David DeCasas, Brandon Lucero, Roman Villapando, Victor Moreno II, Itzak Mariscal, Jack Daniel, James Devin, Dante Zambelli, Adrian Alvarez, Mariana Crane
Eastlake Little League
Majors champions: Dodgers
Team manager: Michael Casanova
Coaches: Mar Reyes, Rob Armstrong, and Albert Maya
Park View Little League
Majors Division
1st Place A’s
2nd Place Angels
3rd Place Yankees
Minor-A Division
1st Place Bulls
2nd Place Mud Hens
3rd Place Marauders
JUNIOR LEAGUE:
The Luckie Waller/South Bay Brewers defeated the Eastlake Yankees, 10-0, on June 13 to capture this year’s District 42 Junior League tournament title. The Brewers defeated the Eastlake Padres, 7-4, in their first tournament game on June 10. The Yankees defeated the Luckie Waller/South Bay Orioles, 8-3, on June 9 to advance to meet the Eastlake Rangers in another single-elimination game on June 11. The Yankees edged the Rangers, 8-7, to advance to the tournament final.
District 42 All-Star Tournaments
Senior Division
Monday, June 22
Southwest 7, Luckie Waller 4
Wednesday, June 24
Luckie Waller 9, Southwest 6
Thursday, June 25
Southwest 7, Luckie Waller 0
Note: Southwest wins District 42 championship, advances to the Section 7 tournament on Saturday, June 27, at noon at Spring Valley Little League.
