East County stars set for Petco Park

By Ramon Scott
Updated: June 26, 2026

2026 PREP BASEBALL

By Ramon Scott | EastCountySports.com

SAN DIEGO — The high school baseball season will get one more showcase Sunday evening, and East County will be well represented on the biggest baseball stage in San Diego.

The annual Padres High School Baseball All-Star Game returns to Petco Park on Sunday, June 28, immediately following the Dodgers-Padres game. The event, hosted by the San Diego Padres in partnership with the CIF San Diego Section, will feature a Home Run Derby followed by the East vs. West All-Star Game.

For East County baseball fans, the East roster carries a familiar look.

Patrick Henry head coach Sheldon Watkins will guide the East squad, which includes standouts from Helix, Granite Hills, Christian, El Capitan, Patrick Henry and Ramona.

Helix, fresh off its CIF championship season, will send two of its top offensive players in Kie Smith and Ben Williams.

Smith, a junior outfielder/infielder, led the Highlanders with a .418 batting average, 46 hits, 39 runs and 11 stolen bases. He also posted a .496 on-base percentage, a .645 slugging percentage, 15 doubles and two triples, giving the East roster one of the more complete offensive threats in the game.

Williams, another key piece of the Helix title run, hit .379 while leading the Highlanders with 17 doubles. He also added six home runs, 30 RBI, 35 runs and a .681 slugging percentage, making him one of the most productive extra-base bats in East County.

Granite Hills will also be strongly represented with catcher Jake Ervin, infielder Anthony Miotti and outfielder Preston Hendry selected for the East squad.

Miotti put together a strong senior season for the Eagles, finishing among the team leaders in nearly every major category. He posted a .487 on-base percentage, scored a team-high 36 runs, collected 33 hits, drove in 29 runs, hit four home runs, and led Granite Hills with 11 doubles.

Ervin gives the East roster a power-hitting catcher after leading Granite Hills with five home runs. He also drove in 27 runs, posted a .476 on-base percentage, slugged .655, and ranked among the Eagles’ defensive leaders with a .975 fielding percentage.

Hendry brings outfield athleticism and speed after leading Granite Hills with eight stolen bases.

Christian High will be represented by senior infielder Benji Molina, who helped the Patriots to a 21-win season. Molina ranked among the section leaders with a .683 slugging percentage, while adding three home runs and 29 runs scored.

El Capitan senior Matthew Eckis also earned a spot on the East roster after giving the Vaqueros one of the area’s top power bats. Eckis hit six home runs, ranking among the top players in the San Diego Section, and finished with a .696 slugging percentage.

Patrick Henry will have several familiar names playing for Watkins, including pitchers Brady Gunn and Jimmy Gunn, outfielder Alex Mestman, and two-way standout Tyson Bobo.

Mestman was one of the Patriots’ offensive catalysts, batting .414 with a .504 on-base percentage, 46 hits, 35 runs and 14 RBI. He has been regarded among the top uncommitted outfielders in California and gives the East another high-contact bat near the top of the order.

Bobo adds another two-way option after striking out 65 batters in 55⅔ innings, placing him among the San Diego Section leaders.

Ramona standout Justin Jarrett may be one of the East roster’s most dangerous bats. Jarrett hit .456 with seven home runs, giving the East another middle-of-the-order power threat who can also contribute on the mound.

The East pitching staff includes several of the section’s top strikeout arms.

Brawley’s Ozyel Villanueva recorded 103 strikeouts, while Eastlake’s Max Tello struck out 88 and Rancho Bernardo’s Caiden Dockan added 82. Southwest El Centro standout Jose Salcido had one of the best two-way seasons in the section, batting .517 with five home runs while also striking out 76 as a pitcher.

The West squad, coached by Mt. Carmel’s Keith Johnson, will bring plenty of firepower of its own.

Cathedral Catholic outfielder Josh Priest hit .528 with five home runs, while Montgomery’s Marco Reyes batted .519. Madison’s Leo Wilderman hit .458, and Madison teammate Jorge Luque batted .452.

On the mound, the West roster includes Madison’s Colin Gallagher, who struck out 110, Westview’s Jacob Kuy with 90, Mt. Carmel’s Jack Grassa with 89, Cathedral Catholic’s Jose Partida with 79, and St. Augustine’s Jonny Haskett with 75.

The Home Run Derby is tentatively scheduled for 5 p.m., with the East-West All-Star Game expected to follow approximately 45 minutes later.

Fans attending the high school showcase will be admitted only after spectators from the Padres-Dodgers game have cleared Petco Park. Entry is expected to begin between 4:30 and 5 p.m.

For many of the players, Sunday will mark the final time they wear a high school uniform. For East County, it will be one last chance to celebrate a strong 2026 baseball season — from Helix’s championship run to Granite Hills’ depth, Christian’s continued success, and individual standouts across the region.

PADRES HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR NIGHT

What fans need to know

The San Diego Padres will honor the CIF San Diego Section’s top graduating baseball players during Padres High School All-Star Night, presented by San Diego Community Power, on Sunday, June 28, immediately following the Padres’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park.

The festivities begin at approximately 5 p.m. with the Padres High School Home Run Derby, featuring eight of the section’s top power hitters. The annual East vs. West All-Star Game will follow immediately after the derby.

Ticket Information

Admission to the High School All-Star Night is available only as part of a ticket package that includes admission to a future Padres regular-season game.

Fans purchasing tickets receive:

Admission to a future Padres regular-season game.
General admission tickets to the High School Home Run Derby.
General admission tickets to the East vs. West All-Star Game.

All tickets are digital and must be accessed through the MLB Ballpark App.

The Padres also remind fans that tickets purchased through unauthorized brokers or resellers may be canceled at any time, including after resale.

Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

For many of San Diego County’s top seniors, Sunday’s showcase marks the final game of their high school careers and the rare opportunity to play at Petco Park, giving fans one last chance to watch many of the area’s future college stars perform on a Major League field.