Wallach proving to be more than a curiosity

When the son of a former major leaguer takes the field, scouts, fans and opposing players pay special attention. Call it curiosity, call it high expectations based on heredity.

Respect, though, is earned based on performance, and that’s what Brett Wallach of Orange Lutheran has achieved in the first month of the high school baseball season.

Wallach, son of Tim Wallach, who was a major leaguer for 17 years and standout college player at Cal State Fullerton, is receiving recognition because of his dramatic improvement.

As a junior, Wallach played second base and batted .275. As a senior shortstop, he’s hitting .488 and providing badly needed stability at a key defensive position.

“I’ve just been working with my dad,” the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Wallach said. “He gives me good mechanics. It’s just practice, practice, practice. I think he knows more about the game than anyone.”

The elder Wallach, a former Dodgers hitting coach, is in his second season serving as Orange Lutheran’s hitting coach.

“I think it’s just confidence,” he said of his son’s improvement. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger.”

Whatever the reason, Wallach has been an important contributor in helping the Lancers to a 9-3 start.

“He has fun playing baseball,” Coach Mike Grahovac said. “It doesn’t affect him being Tim Wallach’s son. I don’t know how I’d handle it. Tim Wallach is a legend in Orange County.”

The younger Wallach seems to appreciate the extra pressure that comes with his last name.

“It kind of helps me strive to do better,” he said.

Wallach is one of several players who have turned in outstanding individual performances during the opening month of the season. Among the most notable:

• Mike Moustakas, Chatsworth, Sr.: There’s no hotter hitter in the Southland than the USC-bound Moustakas, a shortstop who’s threatening state records for single-season and career home runs.

Moustakas has hit 14 home runs, giving him 42 in his career. The state records are 21 for a season and 47 for a career.

Even more stunning is that he was clocked throwing 97 mph during a relief pitching stint. He has three saves and 12 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He could be a first-round draft pick.

• Rob Rasmussen, Pasadena Poly, Sr.: It’s time to salute this left-handed pitcher as one of the best in Southern California. He struck out a school-record 20 Tuesday in a 5-1 victory over Glendale. He had a 15-strikeout performance against Temple City and has 79 strikeouts in 34 innings with a fastball reaching 91 mph.

• Ricky Oropesa, Etiwanda, Jr.: The 6-3, 220-pound third baseman has at least one hit in 12 consecutive games. He’s batting .610 with six home runs and 31 RBIs. “He’s a national recruit,” Coach Shane Moses said.

• Jonathan Peters, Chino, Sr.: The first baseman is batting .525 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in leading the Cowboys to a 12-0 record.

• Adam Landecker, Calabasas, So.: The third baseman is batting .543 in the toughest league in the Southland, the Marmonte League, and hitting .484 overall.

• Andrew Lambo, Newbury Park, Sr.: With a 5-0 pitching record and a .471 batting average, Lambo is a premier two-way threat.

• Eddie McKiernan, Monrovia, Sr.: The Southern Section Division V player of the year in 2006 hasn’t dropped off, starting 5-0 with an 0.66 ERA and hitting .600.

• Martin Villanueva, Los Angeles Roosevelt, Jr.: Opposing players have managed only 14 hits in 32 innings off Villanueva (4-0), who has 40 strikeouts for the 9-1 Roughriders.

• Daniel Renken, Orange Lutheran, Sr.: Ask who’s the No. 1 pitcher in the Southland, and Renken would win out. He’s 5-0 with a 1.04 ERA.

• P.J. Spinazze, Anaheim Esperanza, Sr.: When it comes to creating havoc on the bases, Spinazze fits the role. The center fielder is batting .394 and is eight for eight in stolen bases for the 10-2 Aztecs.

• Jeremy Rodriguez, Encino Crespi, Jr.: A catcher with a terrific arm, Rodriguez has 18 hits in 33 at-bats for a .545 average.

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