Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Nick Dugan

By Ray Hamill — Three local baseball standouts have been named to the prestigious Rawlings and Perfect Game 2021 preseason Underclass All-American list, which was announced this week.

St. Bernard’s juniors Nick Dugan and Cayden Lee were each included, along with Eureka junior Jackson Giacone.

Dugan, who was named the top junior prospect in California by PerfectGame.org back in November, was not surprisingly named to the All-American first team, which included 64 players in total.

Giacone was named to the second team and Lee was listed as one of the honorable mentions.

All three local standouts had their sophomore seasons canceled last spring because of COVID, but they are expected to be back at practice with the rest of the H-DNL early next month, with the season set to begin in mid April.

Giacone, who plays summer club ball with NorCal Baseball, one of the top clubs in California, has committed to play at Cal State Fullerton after graduation.

Submitted photo – Jackson Giacone

Dugan, who has spent the past two summers honing his skills with the Humboldt Eagles American Legion 19U team, has also committed to play at the Division-I level after graduation, accepting a scholarship from Stanford.

Dugan is also expected to be drafted early in the MLB Draft after his senior season.