Pitcher from Redwood Christian is turning heads with 90 mph fastball. Go inside for picks of others who are hoping to get themselves into August's Area Code Games in Long Beach.

By Paul Muyskens, Editorial Assistant

The best part of going to a tryout like the one held Wednesday at Delta College in Stockton for the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code Team is getting familiar with players most people have never heard about.

Among the over 100 players who participated on a hot day at Nick Cechetti Diamond, hoping they'll eventually get chosen to appear in this summer's Area Code Games in Long Beach, was senior-to-be A.J. Venegas from Redwood Christian of Castro Valley in the CIF North Coast Section.

Coming from a school with an estimated 250 students and playing in Division V, it may seem to be a hard task to get noticed but with fastball that reaches up into the 90s, but Venegas has become more than noticed by scouts. During his junior year, he went 9-2 with a 1.22 ERA and struck out 109 in 57 1/3 innings as the Eagles made the championship game where they lost to Head-Royce.  

On this day, Venegas recorded the fastest pitches with a fastball that reached up to 91 miles per hour while also throwing a slider that reached 81 miles per hour.
 
"This is like a dream come true,” said Venegas after his day was done. "Not many people come out and watch us play during the year and to get invited for stuff like this is an amazing feeling. I work really hard and it's great to know that it's starting to pay off. I love to travel and going all to all these different states this summer for baseball is an amazing thing.”

One player that most California prep fans would recognize is St. Mary's of Stockton's Louie Lechich, who made the short drive from his Stockton home for the tryouts. Lechich started his junior season by playing football where he set a CIF state bowl game record with 15 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams' 37-34 loss to Cathedral Catholic before being the number two pitcher on a baseball team that reached the Sac-Joaquin Section championship series. At times on the mound, his stuff has been unhittable as he tossed a no-hitter against Buhach Colony in the postseason but at times his control is a struggling point with a fastball that yesterday reached up to 88 miles per hour.

"This year really was a great year,” Lechich said after finishing his outing on the mound. "Playing in the bowl game against such great competition and to have the game I did was one of the better experiences of my life. I'll probably end up playing baseball in the future after high school but for now I want to keep all doors open and I enjoy playing both sports. I already was a part of the 7-on-7 team that won down in Stanford and there will be a few more of those this summer along with baseball and before I know it it'll be time for football practice.”

Other players who stood out:

Alex Balog (Archbishop Mitty, San Jose): The huge first baseman from the Monarchs fouled a ball off the side off his foot causing him to hobble away from his at bat so he could be checked on. After getting checked out he went back up to the plate just minutes later and nearly hit the lone home run of the simulated game as he hit the top of the wall in right field.

Javier Carillo Jr. (Freedom, Brentwood): Made a nice running play with a runner in motion as he snagged the hard hit ball and stepped on second and threw to first in plenty of time for the double play which the first baseman couldn't hold on to.

Frank Duncan (Stuart Hall, San Francisco): The 6'4 right hander finished his three batters faced by blowing a nice fastball by the batter for a swinging strike out.

Craig Lanza (Monte Vista, Danville): Faced three batters and only one was barely able to put the ball in play as he struck out the first two batters he faced swinging and then ended his outing by giving up a ball that was hit just feet in front of the catcher.

Malik Pruitt (Laguna Creek, Elk Grove): He was the youngest player out there at the age of 14 and just one of two Class of 2012 players to be invited to the tryout. Despite playing for a team that lost more games than they won last spring, the youngster looked good on the mound as he allowed just one hit on a check swing blooper. He had guys way in front of his changeup.

Jake Rodriguez (Elk Grove): The Thundering Herd standout was easy to spot with his high socks as he had a nice base hit and soon followed with an outstanding running play at third base.

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