Ganesha Baseball Focuses on Player Development as Wins Mount

The Giants' star-studded roster is primed for a deep playoff run, but the team's priority is preparing players for college and the MLB draft.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:37pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and vibrant colors, conceptually representing the competitive energy and player development focus of a high school baseball team.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of Ganesha High School's star-studded baseball team as they pursue success on and off the field.Garden Grove Today

The Ganesha High School baseball team, the reigning CIF Southern Section Division 4 champions, are off to a 9-0 start this season. Led by top pitching prospect Logan Schmidt, an LSU commit projected to be a first-round MLB draft pick, the Giants are filled with college-bound talent. However, head coach Jared Sadler says the team's focus is on player development rather than winning championships, as many of the players are competing in high school baseball for the first time after being homeschooled to focus on their baseball careers.

Why it matters

Ganesha's unique situation highlights the growing trend of elite youth baseball players bypassing traditional high school programs to train with specialized travel ball organizations. While the Giants are dominating their competition, their approach raises questions about the role of high school sports and the balance between athletic development and academic integration.

The details

The Giants are led by senior pitcher Logan Schmidt, an LSU commit who is projected to be a first-round MLB draft pick. Catcher Dyson Grant (Oregon State commit), pitcher/outfielder Ford Stoen (Purdue commit), third baseman Al Moreno (Cal Poly Pomona commit), and catcher/infielder Bryant Loo (North Central College commit) round out Ganesha's star-studded roster. Many of the players are part of the BPA baseball program, which allows them to compete for Ganesha due to the school's online learning options. Coach Jared Sadler, who is also the founder and director of BPA's high school/college prep teams, says the team's focus is on player development rather than winning championships, as most of the players have never played high school baseball before.

  • Ganesha opened the Ryan Lemmon tournament on Saturday with a 14-3 victory over Foothill.
  • Ganesha beat Pacifica of Garden Grove 4-1 during pool play of the Ryan Lemmon tournament on Monday.
  • Ganesha finishes pool play against Tustin on Tuesday night, and could potentially advance to the tournament championship on Wednesday.

The players

Logan Schmidt

A senior pitcher and LSU commit who is projected to be a first-round MLB draft pick. He has touched 98 mph on the radar gun and also has a good changeup and curveball.

Dyson Grant

Ganesha's catcher and an Oregon State commit.

Ford Stoen

A pitcher and outfielder who is committed to Purdue.

Al Moreno

Ganesha's third baseman who is committed to Cal Poly Pomona.

Bryant Loo

Ganesha's catcher and infielder who is committed to North Central College.

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What they’re saying

“We just play the games to get some work in so they keep developing their skills. Really, all we are focused on is player development. We are just trying to get them ready for college and the draft.”

— Jared Sadler, Ganesha Head Baseball Coach

“The best games we play every week are our intersquads. We have a lot of really good players that CIF ruled ineligible so our intersquads every week are really the best part of our week. A lot of scouts and college coaches come to watch those so it's a great opportunity for the kids.”

— Jared Sadler, Ganesha Head Baseball Coach

What’s next

Ganesha will continue their tournament play next week in Atascadero, where they could potentially make the leap to Division 1 if they perform well.

The takeaway

Ganesha's approach to high school baseball, prioritizing player development over winning championships, highlights the growing influence of specialized travel ball programs and the evolving landscape of youth sports. While the Giants' talent is undeniable, their unique situation raises important questions about the role of high school athletics and the balance between athletic pursuits and academic integration.