IRVINE, Calif. – The California Collegiate League announced the rosters for the 33rd CCL North vs South Showcase Game on Tuesday.
The top performers from the North and South divisions will compete in a showcase event at Greater Nevada Field in Reno on Saturday, July 4th at 6:35 p.m. This year, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the league has partnered with the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Top prospects from each team participate in agility drills, fielding, hitting, and pitching workouts for all 30 MLB scouts in attendance prior to the game. In addition to the game, there will be a home run derby, pregame festivities, and a postgame fireworks show.
This year, the league selected four players from the Orange County Riptide to represent the South Division. Outfielders Jarett Sabol and Trajan Rogowski, and pitchers Jake Valenzuela and Dillon Orr will make the trip to Reno.
Both outfielders recently committed to Division I programs, with Sabol headed to Minnesota and Rogowski going to UConn. Valenzuela recently committed to play for Cal Baptist, and Orr is currently in the transfer portal.
Jarett Sabol
In his first season with the Riptide, Sabol has hit for a .265 average. The University of Minnesota commit has also crushed two home runs and 15 RBIs, leading the team in both categories.
Reflecting on committing to the Golden Gophers and being named an All-Star on the same day, Sabol said he couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.
“Being able to be selected with the all-star guys and being able to share the same recognition is pretty much a blessing,” Sabol said. “Having all these coaches come out and being able to watch me and finally finding my place at home, it’s been a really good thing for me. I know it’s been a crazy day, but yeah, super excited to be selected for both things.”
Trajan Rogowski
In 14 games played this season, Rogowski has been lively on the base paths with 11 stolen bases, which already surpassed his freshman season total of five at Folsom Lake College. The Whitney High School product ranks among the league’s top 10 with 11 total bags.
When asked about joining his other teammates at the All-Star Game, Rogowski mentioned it’s both an exciting and humbling experience.
“It’s a great honor,” Rogowski said. “I’m super excited to be selected with all the other great players, super high-level guys, and I’m super honored that my name is in there with them.”
Along with his impressive base running, Rogowski has hit for a .268 average with two RBIs and ten total runs.
Jake Valenzuela
As the reigning Orange Empire Conference player of the year, Valenzuela took the momentum he had at Riverside City College to the Great Park. In four games started this season, the California Baptist commit is 1-0 with 14 innings pitched and punching out 13.
Dillon Orr
The next program to welcome the Shadow Ridge High School product will be getting a pitcher who will be at his best. In three relief appearances with the Lopes this past season, Orr posted a 5.06 ERA with only two strikeouts, and has already towered those numbers with Orange County.
Through seven appearances, Orr is 3-0 with a team-leading 0.00 ERA, 20 strikeouts and 14 innings pitched.
His dominant start to the summer earned him a spot in the CCL Showcase Game, an opportunity he said he’s looking forward to.
“I’m out here just trying to focus on getting ahead of guys, getting in good counts, and then just finishing,” Orr said. “Usually we’re in winning spots, so it’s a lot easier to put myself in those places to do that, but the All-Star Game, that would be a lot of fun. I’m super excited, and it’s a great honor.”
If you want more information about the CCL Showcase Game, click here.
