It feels safe to say that, results aside, this year will be better for the Compton baseball team than any of the last few.
The Tarbabes enter the 2026 season in their final year competing in the Moore League, and it also marks the program’s first year with a designated campus as they debut a brand-new home field following the school’s reconstruction. Compton spent the last few years practicing on a makeshift field at a local middle school, where players had to measure out the bases and mark the lines before every practice.
“It’s been great,” Reddick said. “”Now we’re able to get straight to practice without having to mark off the field. It’s just been great. Guys are getting better and it’s really just been helping us out a lot.”
For four-year players like senior pitcher Andrew Ruiz, the new field feels like a sigh of relief. Ruiz emphasized the luxury of being able to focus on practice rather than preparing the field, saying the new facility has given both him and his teammates an extra boost.
“There’s energy around that we have something to prove, not just to everyone else but to ourselves,” Ruiz said. “We have to show that we’re worthy to make it far and play as a team. Definitely having the field is a big upgrade and having that alone has gotten our energy up and we’re excited for what’s to come.”
The senior is set to spend plenty of time on the mound as Compton’s ace and says he’s keeping a simple approach.
“It’s about staying grounded and not doing too much in big moments,” he said. “Sticking to what I know best and staying humble. I’m going to stick to my craft, read each hitter’s strengths and weaknesses, and break them down.”
Ruiz is one of just a handful of seniors on a roster filled with sophomores and juniors. Fellow senior Eric Vera will handle catching duties opposite Ruiz and is expected to provide power in the cleanup spot. Anthony Jacobo is slated to start at shortstop, with fellow senior Brandon Cruz in left field.
Rounding out the infield is sophomore Arturo Loera at first base, whom coach Reddick says has a promising bat and is projected to hit fifth in the lineup. Luis Galaviz will be at second, with junior Johnny Maciel at third. Anthony Lopez is expected to patrol center field alongside sophomore Aaron Elias in right.
Compton has a busy nonleague slate ahead, beginning with a pair of local matchups against Centennial this week. The Tarbabes will open their final round of Moore League play against Millikan on March 15 before closing the regular season at home against Long Beach Poly on May 1.
“I love the Moore League,” Reddick said. “I say it every year, but if you want to play college ball, this is one of the best leagues to be in.We’ve just got to play solid defense, score runs and not shoot ourselves in the foot. Make the easy outs. It’s great to be in this league, and I’ll miss it.”
Projected Starting Lineup:
P – Andrew Ruiz, Sr.
C – Eric Vera, Sr.
1B – Arturo Loera, So.
2B – Luis Galaviz, Jr.
SS – Anthony Jacobo, Sr.
3B – Johnny Maciel, Jr.
LF – Brandon Cruz, Sr.
CF – Anthony Lopez, Jr.
RF – Aaron Elias, So.
