The 2026 San Gabriel Valley All-Area baseball team has been announced, honoring the region’s most dominant high school players. The selections come as the area celebrates a second straight CIF Southern Section championship for Ganesha High, driven by a standout senior who excelled on both the mound and at the plate.
Rising Stars and Future Draft Picks
Logan Schmidt, a senior pitcher-hitter from Ganesha, finished the season with a perfect 10-0 record, a 0.12 ERA, 103 strikeouts in 60 innings and allowed just 15 hits. At the plate he batted .568, driving in 34 runs, hitting five home runs and adding 12 doubles, three triples and 30 runs scored.
Joining Schmidt on the first team, junior left-hander Joe Bell of La Cañada posted an 11-2 record with a 1.71 ERA and even threw a no-hitter against St. Francis. Senior outfielder Chris Cardenas from La Salle batted .511, collected 25 RBIs, 12 doubles and five homers, cementing his status as one of the valley’s top prospects.
Freshman phenom Blake Barberena of La Mirada contributed a .333 average, 19 RBIs and 11 doubles, proving that the valley’s talent pool extends to underclassmen as well.
Coach of the Year: Jerry Lewallen
Jerry Lewallen of Glendora earned Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Under his guidance the team posted eight straight playoff victories and captured two championships, a testament to his strategic acumen and leadership.
The All-Area list also includes a second team and honorable mentions, underscoring the depth of competition. With several players projected to be among the top picks in the upcoming MLB draft, the valley’s baseball pipeline appears stronger than ever.