The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The562’s baseball coverage in 2025 is sponsored by the Millikan, Long Beach Poly, and Lakewood baseball boosters.
Every team wants to be playing their best at the end of the season, and Wilson did that last year by finishing on an impressive winning streak that included shutout victories over Moore League rivals Long Beach Poly and Lakewood.
“There’s some confidence to be gained from how we were able to finish the season last year despite the early exit from the playoffs,” Wilson coach Andy Hall said. “I think we have a really nice group of kids and really nice pieces to this puzzle and if we put it together quickly I think we’re going to win a bunch of games this year.”
The Bruins have to replace some great senior leadership after the graduation of Taylor Kirk and Aaron Mingo, but they’ll be doing it with 16 seniors on the roster
“We’re looking pretty good and excited to get the season started,” senior pitcher and first baseman Rudy Carlos said. “We have to play as a team. That means making sure we’re locked in every game and everyone knows what they’re doing.”
Carlos and his teammates can rest assured that their coaches know what they’re doing. Hall is in his 24th season at the helm and the rest of the staff is made up of former head coaches.
“Coach Hall is an amazing coach,” Carlos said. “His experience has definitely shaped us into who we are. A lot of things he says I take to heart. He’s been here long enough and he knows more than me.”
Hall is handing off more offensive strategy duties to Marc Prager, new addition Garrett Young is bringing some more youthful energy to the program and Cameron Chinn will continue coaching up a deep Bruins pitching staff.
Carlos and Ben Howard are both senior All-League pitchers who will likely start the big league games on Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. They both throw three pitches for strikes with a lot of experience under their belts. Howard fields his position very well and Carlos will be an important big bat in the heart of the lineup as well.
Carlos said that coach Chinn has really helped develop him into a pitcher by concentration on location and where the pitch is set up instead of just velocity.
“Staying focused is our big thing right now,” Carlos said. “We’re more scrappy this year because we’re going to have to play that way. We play some small ball and do what the other team can’t.”
That small ball approach has helped Wilson win a lot of games during the offseason, and has more consistently given their stable of arms what they need.
“We’ve got good pitching depth, so hopefully that will keep us in games and hopefully we’re able to figure out a way to score runs,” Hall said. “I think if we go up there and try to put three or four base hits together in an inning it doesn’t always go so well for us.”
The depth and amount of upperclassmen required Hall to change his lineup a lot in the offseason scrimmages, but he doesn’t think it messed with the chemistry of his team.
“Obviously teams that like each other are better and I think these guys do,” Hall said. “I’ve seen that they like each other and aren’t feeling like (they don’t get enough playing time) because I let someone else play. There’s good chemistry in this group.”
Senior Logan Smith and junior Cade Miller both have experience as Wilson’s catcher, and they’ve been battling for time behind the plate, but Hall said they’re a good example of teammates knowing they want to play, but also knowing the other has the necessary ability.
When Carlos is pitching the sophomore lefty Cooper George will take time at first base. He can play multiple positions, including pitcher, and the coaching staff sees a lot of potential.
“He’s going to be something special as he matures and grows into his body and trusts himself as a player,” Hall said of George. “He’s a true athlete. He can pitch, play outfield, hit and run. He’s a guy we’re hoping will really start to blossom as the year goes on. Especially as a pitcher.”
Howard and fellow junior pitcher James Mirabile will be playing shortstop while Gram Ludwig is returning to second base after struggling with injury last year. Hall likes that Ludwig has a high baseball IQ and is very committed to the program.
Senior Diego Valdez, who transferred from St. John Bosco last year, is a quality addition as a good defensive third baseman and lefty hitter at the plate.
Wilson has a plethora of options in the outfield where George, junior Eddie Becker, senior Jax Core, junior Adrian Marquez and others can play multiple positions.
The Bruins will be challenged in the non-league season against teams like La Mirada and El Modina before the quality Loara Tournament.
“Twenty wins is always the goal, and it’s a lofty goal, but it’s obtainable” Hall said. “I don’t think its any secret that Millikan is pretty loaded this year and it’s going to take a group effort on our part, Lakewood and Poly, to try and knock them off and put ourselves in a position to win a league championship. Anything its possible because it’s high school baseball.”
Projected Starting Lineup
C – Logan Smith (Sr.) / Cade Miller (Jr.)
1B – Rudy Carlos (Sr.)
2B – Gram Ludwig (Sr.)
SS – James Mirabile (Jr.)
3B – Diego Valdez (Sr.)
OF – Cooper George (So.)
OF – Eddie Becker (Jr.)
OF – Jax Core (Sr.) / Adrian Marquez (Jr.)
P – Ben Howard (Sr.) / Rudy Carlos (Sr.) / Cooper George (So.)
