Three Cypress College Baseball Players Named to 2026 Preseason All-American Roster
Chargers’ Justin Tillar, Braden Ruiz, and Ty Peters earn national recognition following historic postseason run
CYPRESS, CA - Three Cypress College baseball players from Cypress College have been named to the 2026 Preseason All-American Baseball Roster. Sophomore first baseman Justin Tillar, infielder Braden Ruiz, and outfielder Ty Peters earned the honor as part of a national list compiled from 43 colleges, with just 68 players selected overall.
Tillar quickly established himself as one of California's premier power hitters during his freshman campaign, finishing first in the state with 22 home runs and 84 RBIs. Over 50 games, he recorded five two-home-run performances and consistently delivered in run-producing situations.
The sophomore standout hit .379, totaled 154 total bases (third in the state), and posted a .774 slugging percentage, ranking among California's top ten. During the month of February, Tillar showcased his momentum at the plate with a streak of three consecutive games with at least one home run, helping set the tone early for the Chargers' offense. Defensively, he was a steady presence at first base, finishing the season with a .950 fielding percentage. In the championship game, Tillar went 3-for-4 with an RBI, capping off a historic postseason run for the Chargers.
Joining Tillar on the Preseason All-American roster is infielder Braden Ruiz, who delivered a strong and consistent freshman season. Ruiz finished the year with 61 hits, ranking top 50 in the state, while batting .319. He drove in 30 RBIs, scored 41 runs, and posted a 92% fielding percentage, proving himself as a dependable contributor on both sides of the ball.
Ruiz elevated his play during the postseason, turning in several clutch performances. In Game 2 of the 3C2A Regional Finals, he launched a home run and drove in four RBIs, playing a pivotal role in Cypress's postseason success. During the Chargers' first state tournament appearance in nearly a decade, Ruiz delivered again, ripping a run-scoring triple in a key moment to help push Cypress forward.
Outfielder Ty Peters rounds out the trio after an outstanding 2025 season in which he emerged as one of the most dynamic all-around players in California JUCO baseball. Peters finished the year with 58 hits, a .319 batting average, and 26 RBIs, while scoring 47 runs, ranking eighth in the state. On the bases, he was a constant threat, stealing 17 bases (fourth most in California) while being caught just four times.
Defensively, Peters was nearly flawless, posting a .990 fielding percentage in the outfield and providing consistent reliability throughout the season. His postseason impact was equally notable, as he recorded two hits, two runs scored, and two stolen bases in the Orange Empire Conference Championship game, helping lead Cypress to the conference title. At the state tournament, Peters went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, delivering in a high-pressure setting.
During the 2024–25 season, Cypress College advanced to the State Championship game for the first time since 2016, finishing the year with 39 wins and capturing the program's first Orange Empire Conference title since 2009.
With three players earning Preseason All-American honors, Cypress College baseball enters the 2026 season with national recognition and high expectations, as Tillar, Ruiz, and Peters are poised to once again be cornerstones of one of the state's premier programs.
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