The senior class in the CIF Central Coast Section was loaded with talent but no one put up better overall numbers than one of the top college prospect not only in the CCS, Bay Area and California, but the entire West Coast.

Besides all of Lucas Kelly’s previous accolades, the new Texas A&M Aggie has been named the Prep2Prep CCS Senior of the Year. Previously he was the designated hitter on the all-West Catholic Athletic League first team, a Cal-Hi Sports all-state second team and San Francisco Chronicle and BANG First Team honoree. The 6-3, 215-pound Kelly is also a two-time winner (2021-2022) of the Joe DiMaggio Baseball Trophy presented to the top baseball player in the City of San Francisco by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club.

Last season, on a 17-11-1 Fightin Irish team that finished 8-6 in one of the state’s perennially toughest leagues, Kelly hit .449 with seven home runs, two triples, 14 doubles, 28 RBIs and 37 runs scored. The batting average, doubles and runs scored all led the team, and the RBIs were second. Not only did the team’s designated hitter’s average lead the Fightin' Irish but it was the top reported mark in the West Catholic Athletic league, and the home runs tied for the top spot. He was also the WCAL leader with a .888 slugging percentage.

“Lucas was the most feared hitter that I have ever had a chance to coach in over three decades in the league,” said Sacred Heart Cathedral head coach Brian Morgan. “He has always been a talent, but his work ethic was phenomenal.”

“He would spend extra hours every week taking swings, lifting weights, and discussing hitting with anyone that could help him,” Morgan continued. "Plus, he was willing to help any of his teammates that wanted it.”

Kelly’s leadership and mentoring of the underclass players should be a boost next season for the Fightin' Irish team that returns some up and coming players. However, right now he is off to College Station, Texas to become an Aggie.

For his part, Morgan sees success for Kelly at Texas A&M.

“I know Lucas will succeed at the next level because he is such a great student of the game,” Morgan said. “His baseball mind is like a steel trap. He remembers every at-bat he has ever had. That determination and competitive nature will serve him well as he competes with and against some of the top collegiate players in the nation.”

Congratulations to Lucas Kelly, the Prep2Prep Central Coast Section Baseball Senior of the Year.

Other players considered for this award were Bellarmine's Kyle Bacosa, Live Oak's Diego Castellanos and Saint Francis' Wyatt King, Danny Peters and Blake Rogers.

NOTE: We would like to thank our media partners, coaches, parents, players and fans for contributing photos for our all-section features. We salute all of the players that have made this a wonderful season of CCS baseball.