Prep Baseball Report

2023 CHSAA Season Preview: Air Academy HS


Caleb Dameron
PBR Colorado Staff

The Colorado high school season is nearing quickly, and we're here to cover it. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we'll publish our team previews ahead of the 2023 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Colorado Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Team: Air Academy
League: Pikes Peak
2022 Record: 14-9 / 12-8 Conference
Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Steve Whiting
Years at the Helm: 2


OUTLOOK:
The Air Academy Kadets had a winning season in 2022, but things are looking very promising heading into this spring. This roster has a slew of seniors and juniors with experience and talent returning for this season. Cody Sheets was the Pikes Peak pitcher of the year last season and he also mashed for a .474 average and 1.157 OPS with 11 stolen bases. Everyone also needs to be on the lookout for lefty Matt Hansen who is committed to BYU as a junior, hit .438 with a 1.422 OPS in 2022, and is posting exit-velocities in the 103-105 range. If Air Academy can keep up the steady production and improvements, we could see them compete with some top teams in 5A baseball. 




PLAYERS TO WATCH:


Seniors:


Cody Sheets: P/CF
23 GP, .474 BA, 1.157 OPS, 18 RBI, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 11 SBs
8 APP, 2.75 ERA, 4-1, 35.2 IP, 48 Ks


Nolan Hollis: P/OF
23 GP, .434 BA, 1.160 OPS, 27 RBI, 7 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 8 SBs
8 APP, 5.00 ERA, 3-2, 28 IP, 40 Ks

Ryder Banks: P/3B
23 GP, .379 BA, 1.074 OPS, 18 RBI, 8 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR
5 APP, 5.25 ERA, 3-0, 20 IP, 27 Ks



Juniors:


Matt Hansen: IF/P
15 GP, .438 BA, 1.422 OPS, 5 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR

Frank Flores: IF/P
23 GP, .292 BA, .883 OPS, 10 RBI, 7 2B
12 APP, 2.21 ERA, 2-0, 19 IP, 20 Ks

Evan Lawrentz: IF
19 GP, .265 BA, .728 OPS, 10 RBI, 1 HR

Tyler Morales: IF/P
11 GP, .500 BA, 1.167 OPS




Make sure to follow @pbrcolorado on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2023 season.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Denver Rising Stars ID CO 04/17 Marucci Clubhouse Denver - Castle Rock,. CO
Colorado Springs Rising Stars ID CO 05/08 The Farm - Colorado Springs, CO


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