The562’s season previews for the 2022-23 school year are sponsored by Vertical Raise, the official team fundraising partner of The562.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by John Ross, Class of 2013.
Over the last two years, there’s been a surge of positive momentum around the Jordan High athletic department. From the football field, to the track, and inside the gym, the Panthers have made deep playoff runs, won league and CIF championships, and helped bring some attention back to the Northside.
Among the Jordan alums who’ve taken notice of that trend is Phillip Berman, who returned to his alma mater as the new head baseball coach after a stint at Cabrillo. Berman was part of some quality teams at Jordan, and hopes to be the next coach to revitalize a program in J-Town.
“I love going to the other teams’ games and supporting them,” said Berman on his return to 6500 Atlantic. “It’s been a blast watching the success of the other programs–boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, football, and the track team. Hopefully one day we can get our program to where those guys are.”
Admittedly, year one could have its share of growing pains given the youth and inexperience on the roster. The Panthers have just one senior on the team, but also have some really intriguing young players who’ll get the chance to play and learn together for the next few years.
“The pitching we have, I think in about a year or two, can be really good,” said Berman. “We just need to get that experience. I think our defense will be improved and I expect a ton of small ball from us–bunting and some hit-and-runs, and obviously I love stealing, so we’ll definitely be incorporating that into our offense as well.”
Perhaps the biggest standout on the roster will be the shortstop, sophomore JJ Nielsen. The starting quarterback from the Jordan football team also projects as a key piece on the diamond for years to come.
“He brings a confidence to our team,” Berman said of Nielsen. “Obviously he’s a Division I caliber player and it’s huge for us to be set at shortstop for three years. He’s got tremendous power and speed and he’s going to be awesome to coach and watch for the next three years. He’s the quarterback of our defense, as well. He just takes leadership and he’s everything you want in a shortstop.”
Nielsen is part of a dying breed in high school sports: a true dual-sport athlete who can excel in multiple disciplines. Though it’s still unclear whether he’s a quarterback who plays baseball or a baseball player who plays quarterback.
“That’s to be determined,” said Nielsen with a smile. “It’s cool doing two sports, it just keeps me busy and I really have no free time. But being a leader in baseball should help me be a leader in football, so it should be fun.”
He’ll be joined up the middle by junior second baseman Damian Mariscal, who will also see plenty of time on the mound. Berman really likes his potential as one of the older members of the pitching staff.
“As far as his pitching goes, I think he’s gonna have a chance to be really good,” said Berman of Mariscal. “He’s got a really sharp breaking ball, he just needs to control his fastball a little bit better. Once he does that, I think he has a chance to be really good for us.”
Sophomores Kenneth Garcia and Oswaldo Martinez will also get plenty of innings on the bump, and Berman is excited about freshman reliever Egner Perez, who will get the high-leverage work for the Panthers. Perez is a true submarine pitcher, and brings a ton of personality to the J-Town bullpen already as a ninth grader.
There’s a little more experience in the outfield, where juniors Angel and Kenny Roman (no relation) are each expected to start. The lone senior on varsity is Nick Cordova, who will play in right field along with freshman Sam Dixon.
Jordan baseball hasn’t finished higher than fifth in the Moore League since 2008, but with a core of promising talent, a head coach ready to build for the long term, and a lot of positive momentum in J-Town, this could be a program on the rise for the next few years.
2023 Jordan Starting Lineup
C – Oswaldo Martinez (So.)
1B – Cha’san Haynes (Jr.)
2B – Damian Mariscal (Jr.)
SS – Jarret “JJ” Nielsen (So.)
3B – Chris Aleman (So.)
LF – Angel Roman (Jr.)
CF – Kenny Roman (Jr.)
RF – Nick Cordova (Sr.) / Sam Dixon (Fr.)
SP – Kenneth Garcia (So.) / Damian Mariscal (Jr.) / Oswaldo Martinez (So.)
RP – Egner Perez (Fr.)
