COACHING STAFF

The Valencia Vikings would like to welcome Coach Jake Sandoval back for the 2024 season. Sandoval, a 2014 Valencia High School graduate and Baseball alumni, spent the 2023 campaign as an infield/ first base coach at L.A. Mission College. This is also where Sandoval spent two years as a player after high school.

“We are excited to have Coach Sandoval back in the purple and gold. His dedication to his craft and bettering himself as well as his infielders is inspiring,” said Meza. “The knowledge and experience that he gained at the college level will undoubtedly help us move forward as a competitive program.”

Coach Sandoval will take the role as our infield coach while commanding our defensive strategies in the 2024 season. Along with coaching our varsity infielders, he also works as a 13 and 14u coach for the Storm Elite baseball program. He is well on his way to making baseball a successful full time career.

Former big leaguer Randy Kutcher rejoins the Valencia varsity staff for the 2024 season. Coach Kutcher was drafted in 1979 out of Palmdale High School. Randy played from 1986 through 1990 for the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. The former Palmdale Falcon showed off his athleticism, playing baseball, football, and basketball during his time at Palmdale High. This translated into Kutcher’s ability to play multiple positions in pro ball.

“The addition of Coach Randy has proven to be beneficial for hitters on all three levels. His time and dedication to the program has not gone unseen,” said Coach Meza. “Randy spends a lot of time in the cage sharing his knowledge of the game with our players. There has been a notable difference in our players since Kutcher has been working with them and we are lucky to have him.”

After retiring from the studios Randy made his way back into baseball as a well-respected coach through both travel and High School baseball. He runs the Storm Elite Baseball 16u- 18u which has helped some of our players find a home at the college level. Coach Kutcher, former three sport high school athlete, assisted the Saugus varsity team from 2016 to 2019. Valencia Baseball is excited to have Coach Kutcher back in 2024.

Coach Tim Pennell returns to the Valencia coaching staff for his 11th year coaching high school baseball. Pennell’s coaching career began in 2013-2015 at Valencia before moving over to Saugus for the 2015-2020 seasons where he won three league titles as the JV Head Coach. The former Fresno State Bulldog has taken on many roles in the last couple of years- taking the reins of the JV program as well as helping assist the varsity program.

“Coach Pennell, another coach returning to the staff for the 2024 campaign, is a highly respected mentor and coach to all players past and present,” said Coach Meza. “All who have played or coached alongside Tim speak very highly of his abilities as a communicator and teacher. We are extremely blessed to have Coach Pennell’s knowledge of the game and team energy with us this season.”

Tim, also a travel ball coach for the Storm Elite Baseball program, works in the Hart School District. Coach Pennell and wife of sixteen years, Veronica are Valencia natives. His insight on current and future players is priceless. Pennell’s energy toward repeating as league champions is a driving force daily. The program, as a whole, benefits immensely when Coach Pennell is around.

Entering the 2024  season, Coach Ricky Meza will be entrusted with the continuation of getting our JV players ready for their time in the Varsity. Younger brother of program head coach, Brad Meza, Ricky began his coaching career two seasons ago as the assistant to the JV League Champion team. His high upside and enthusiasm for teaching young pitchers how to compete is greatly appreciated. His communication skills with the young players is unmatched.

“The former L.A. Mission College pitcher brings an infectious energy to the 2024 JV team,” said Coach Meza. “We are certain that we will see enormous strides in our young players as the season progresses. The task of preparing players for the Varsity level is not an easy task, but we are sure that the work Ricky puts in will lead them to the next level.”

Ricky has recently finished his associates at College of the Canyons and awaits his next move in life. His passion and determination for journalism will one day lead him to a career in on field sports reporting. Ricky has also shown an interest in continuing on with a career as a coach. He is a well respected young coach in our program and we are lucky to have him for the time that we do.  

The Valencia Baseball Family would like to welcome Coach Jarrett Ellis to the Viking coaching staff in 2024. Coach Ellis, a Canyon High School Graduate in 2014, will take the helm of the talented 2024 Frosh Vikes. Ellis was a dual sport athlete at Canyon High School, lettering in both baseball and football. He was also on the last Canyon baseball team to claim the league title in 2013. 

“The addition of Coach Ellis will prove to be beneficial for the development and structure of our younger players as they make their leap as Valencia Vikings,” said Coach Meza. “He has shown a willingness to step in and provide a much needed platform for our young players to be successful in the Valencia Baseball program.”  

Ellis has made a career as a cook in multiple restaurants over the last ten years. Along with coaching our Frosh team, he has also taken a role coaching for the Storm Elite travel baseball group. He has aspirations of making coaching a full time career!

Noe Garcia, another new coach patrolling the dugout for the 2024 frosh team. Coach Garcia began coaching little league baseball and softball  at the age of 16 in San Fernando. The graduate of Cal State Northridge also coached at Golden Valley High School from 2020- 2023. He continues to play adult league baseball and softball.

“The addition of Coach Garcia has given the frosh program another quality players’ coach for the 2024 season. His energy toward teaching the game has been a huge plus in this new groups’ development,” said Coach Meza. “Noe’s ‘rubber arm’ in the cage gives our young players consistent reps in the cage, which I am sure they are grateful for.”

Garcia, his Wife, and three kids are Santa Clarita natives. Both he and his wife work in the front office at Valencia High School. The Valencia Vikings are thrilled to welcome Coach Noe Garcia to the family and look forward to another chance at a frosh league title.