Monte Vista Christian senior and baseball stud Jojo Keldsen was named the Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division’s Most Valuable Player following a monster season on the diamond field.
Keldsen—who also earned all-league first team honors—batted a .461 average (41-of-89) with five home runs including one grand slam, three doubles, 28 RBIs and 20 runs scored for MVC. He also recorded 145 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA, finishing with an 8-2 overall record in 12 appearances on the mound including a no-hitter in 14-0 win over Watsonville High in league action March 25.
“I’ve had some good ones in the past, but by far I think Jojo [Keldsen] is probably the best one I’ve coached in years,” said MVC coach Johnny Ramirez.
Ramirez coached Rafael “Bubu” Garcia who went to Gilroy High and was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 39th round of the 2012 MLB Prospect Draft.
However, the long-time skipper believes Keldsen’s work ethic was unlike any other that he’s seen and he meant so much for the Mustangs baseball program.
“If we’re gonna hang our hat on someone this is the dude we want,” Ramirez said.
It was a bittersweet and sad ending for Ramirez who watched Keldsen play in his final game following a 2-1 loss to Hillsdale in the Central Coast Section Division V playoffs.
“I’m happy he’s gonna move on to college but I wish I had one more year with him,” he said. “He is so competitive.”
In 2022, Keldsen finished with 110 strikeouts, giving him 255 strikeouts over the course of two seasons.
Ramirez said that Keldsen is the complete package, yet still very raw in the sense that he never had a dedicated pitching or hitting coach that could bring out his full potential.
“Whoever gets Jojo is gonna have a special player because he’s legit,” Ramirez said.
During the opening round of the CCS playoffs against Gilroy High, a high number of college and professional baseball scouts were on hand to watch Gilroy High standout pitcher Quinn Larson—who is committed to play at UCLA.
A couple of scouts asked Ramirez about Keldsen and where he’s committed to play next year in college. He has his heart set on San Jose State University but as of now Keldsen is still looking for a place to call home for the 2024 season.
The 6-foot 4-inch, 180-pound versatile player is the type who won’t get off the field when he’s working out, Ramirez said.
If Keldsen chooses the junior college route, then so be it, but some of these NCAA coaches might be missing out on a special player.
“You have a guy here that is a dirtbag, wants to go to play for you guys, will be a reliever or starter or play shortstop,” Ramirez said. “He’ll walk on and you don’t want to give this guy a look. It’s mind-boggling.”
All-PCAL Baseball
Mission Division
Individual Awards
Most Valuable Player: Jojo Keldsen, Monte Vista Christian
Pitcher of the Year: Trent Toole, Stevenson
First Team
Trent Toole, Stevenson
Amani Wilson, Stevenson
Rider McCormick, Stevenson
Jojo Keldsen, Monte Vista Christian
Dylan Hawkins, Monte Vista Christian
Brandon Swing, Monte Vista Christian
Luke Hollingsworth, Monte Vista Christian
Brycee Blair, King City
Brody Legions, Watsonville
Aiden Ramirez, Alvarez
Gerardo Valadez, Alisal
Isaiah Andrade, Alisal
Zachary Armenta, Rancho San Juan
Second Team
Jared Tognetti, King City
Jose Aguirre, King City
Adam Morris, Rancho San Juan
Rudy Osuna, Rancho San Juan
Nathan Madewell, Alisal
Anthony Loredo, Monte Vista Christian
Bryce Brogan, Monte Vista Christian
Jake Burkhardt, North Salinas
Josh Degroodt, North Salinas
Miguel Lopez, Watsonville
Sean Ishii, Stevenson
Reggie Bell, Stevenson
Vincent Barajas, North Monterey County
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Aiden Rodriguez, Watsonville
Ramiro Orozco, North Salinas
Ben De La Torre, Rancho San Juan
Mason Hill, King City
Alex Glasscock, Stevenson
Ivan Chavez, Everett Alvarez
Joseph Holmes, North Monterey County
Vladamir Luna, Alisal
AJ Ferrarte, Monte Vista Christian
Elgie Bellizio Sportsmanship Team
Stevenson
Gabilan Division
Individual Awards
Most Valuable Players: Mathew Pena, Hollister; Eric Segura, Soledad; JJ Sanchez, Carmel
First Team
Mathew Pena, Hollister
Eric Segura, Soledad
JJ Sanchez, Carmel
Trent Roach, Holister
Jaden Mingus, Hollister
Adrian Ruiz, Hollister
Pablo Sanchez, Monterey
Cam Miramontes, Monterey
Omar Gonzalez, Palma
Alec Oriz, Salinas
Dominic Chavez, Soledad
Micah Cervantes, St. Francis
Kyle Dyer, St. Francis
Second Team
Ethan Jackson, Carmel
Zander Lunt, Carmel
Matt Maxon, Carmel
Wyatt Barton, Hollister
Breyon Chavez, Hollister
Goose Garrett, Monterey
Quentin Williams, Palma
Jayden Kim, Palma
Zane Turner, Pacific Grove
Manny Dorantes, Salinas
Jesse Farfan, Soledad
Junior Ibarra, St. Francis
Javier Fonseca, St. Francis
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Toby Strawser, Carmel
Brandon Flores, Hollister
Goose Garrett, Monterey
Kaleb Shannon, Palma
Rey Avila, Pacific Grove
Jordan Isla, Salinas
Cristo Barroso, Soledad
Trey Silva, St. Francis
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship
Pacific Grove
Cypress Division
Individual Awards
Pitcher of the Year: Manny Gutierrez, Greenfield
Offensive Players of the Year: Malcom Bautista, Greenfield
Defensive Player of the Year: Dylan St. Laurent, Marina
First Team
Manny Gutierrez, Greenfield
Malcom Bautista, Greenfield
Tony Pantoja, Greenfield
Alex Gutierrez, Greenfield
Josh Chavez, Gonzales
Isaiah Mottu, Gonzales
Joseph Acosta, Gonzales
Jonathen Ybarra, Gonzales
Dylan St. Laurent, Marina
Devin McGraw, Marina
Jeter Olivarez, Seaside
Jayden Valero, Seaside
Frank Gomez, Pajaro Valley
Second Team
Tyler Garcia, Greenfield
Gabe Conte, Greenfield
Isaiah Esquivel, Gonzales
Manuel Perea, Gonzales
Kaleb True, Marina
Gary Salmeri, Seaside
Cesar Varges, Seaside
Ethan Vasquez, Seaside
Juan Moreno, Pajaro Valley
Pablo Moreno, Pajaro Valley
Richard Chamberlin All-Sportsmanship Team
Josh Cante, Greenfield
Omar Espinoza, Gonzales
Ethan Vasquez, Seaside
Aramis Diaz, Pajaro Valley
Isaiah True, Marina
Elgie Bellizio Team Sportsmanship
Pajaro Valley
