Casteneda Getting Better With Age : Baseball: Multitalented Lincoln High star is looking to improve on his award-winning output of a year ago.

When Cesar Casteneda made the 1994 City Times all-star baseball team as a junior, it looked as if 1995 could bring even greater accomplishments. So far, he’s on the right track.

Although he was described as “just an infant” by Lincoln High Coach Tom Hall, the 18-year-old Casteneda has been the man for the Tigers this season.

“Cesar has such natural ability,” Hall said. “There is so much raw talent to be brought out.”

Tommy Lasorda, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has described Dodger outfielder Raul Mondesi as a five-point player who can hit, run, catch, throw and field. Sounds like Casteneda.

“Everything he does, he does so well,” Hall said. “I can rely on him anywhere.”

Hall has used the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Casteneda at every position, including pitcher.

“I can play anywhere on the field, but I like playing shortstop the most,” Casteneda said. “I love to stab a ground ball just when it looks like it’s going through the hole for a base hit.”

Casteneda, who batted .625 with three home runs and 30 RBIs last season, was named Northern Conference player of the year. And he is on pace to win the honor again, hitting .440 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in only seven games this season.

“I’m a good hitter, but my role on this team as a senior is leadership,” said Casteneda, who has been playing baseball since he was 6 years old. “I just want to win the game, whether it be by a hit, catch or scoring the winning run.”

Casteneda, who lives in Lincoln Heights, does not limit his involvement with America’s national pastime to spring only. He also plays in a baseball summer league with the El Monte Dukes traveling team.

“(The Dukes) travel all around California and play other baseball teams,” Casteneda said. “For me, baseball is a year-round activity.”

The sport promises to bring Casteneda continued success, if he does well on the upcoming American College Testing exam.

“I’d like to go to USC because they have a good baseball program,” Casteneda said. “The school is known for producing good baseball players.”

Right now, Casteneda will stick to being a great baseball player at the high school level and possibly leading Lincoln to a City Section 3-A Division championship.

“However far we go will depend upon Cesar,” Hall said. “He is one of the best players I’ve ever had.”

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Highlights from recent Central City baseball games:

Casteneda went 4 for 5 with five RBIs as Lincoln pummeled defending City Section 3-A Division champion Franklin, 16-4, in a Northern Conference game Monday at Lincoln. . . . Wilson pitcher Fidel Catano pitched a complete game, surrendering five hits and striking out four batters as the Mules shut out Lincoln, 1-0, in a Northern Conference game Tuesday at Wilson. . . . Oscar Cabrera went 2 for 2 with three RBIs and four walks, and Jeff Deno had a double and a triple with two RBIs as Franklin won a Northern Conference game, 15-1, against Belmont at Montecito Park Tuesday. . . . Jorge Camacho went 4 for 5 with six RBIs and three stolen bases as Fremont won a Southeastern Conference game, 18-5, Tuesday at Locke.