Prep Baseball Report

Colorado Top 50 Countdown: No. 10 Legend Titans


John Cackowski and PBR Colorado Staff

 

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Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. 

Like any preseason ranking for any sport, last year our list created a lot of fun conversations, debate, and opinions among players, coaches, and families. To see what we got right, and what we got wrong in 2017 Click Here

What makes our list unique is it combines all classifications (1A through 5A), and leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage.

Factors that are considered when creating the Top 50 List are the following:

- How many current players are returning that are in PBR Colorado rankings
- How many overall players committed or non-committed are returning
- How many starting pitchers are returning
- Success the previous season
- History of success in the program

* We expect the teams in the Top 50 Countdown will compete for at least a district playoff spot in 2018

Team No. 10: Legend Titans

2018 Preseason Rank: 10
2017 Preseason Rank: 16
2017 Record: 17-7
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Boyd
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Cherry Creek in the Final 8 Round
2017 Final Rank: 7
Returning Offensive Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 4
Returning Innings on Mound:  85
RBI's returning: 69

 

STAT RAT: 24 homeruns in 2017, this program scores runs in bunches

X-FACTORS: Surviving a tough non-league to prepare themselves for a deep run.  They opened with Cherry Creek and are now headed to Arizona for a premier tournament.

BOTTOM LINE: The Titans have staying power and have been building to be a top 10 team for some time.  New Coach Scott Boyd has plenty of options when it comes to his pitching rotation. He returns 85 innings on the mound of quality experience.  This is a team that will need to keep the offense up to compete in the Continental League and make another run into the Final 8 and beyond.


Players to Watch

Jack Baird RHP / OF / Legend, CO / 2018

Baird enters the 2018 season as one of the key arms that Legend hopes will carry them deep into the playoffs.  He is coming off a 5-1 season where he had a 1.86 ERA in 37.2 innings with 45 strikeouts.

 

 

Justin Boyd SS / OF / Legend , CO / 2019

Boyd has picked up where he left of in 2017.  He finished the year hitting .361 with 5 doubles, 1 triple and 1 homerun.  In 2018 he has already doubled his HR total with 2 in the first game of the season against Creek.

6-foot, 170 pounds. Bats and throws right. Looks the part, and backs it up.  Appears to have put on about 10-15 pounds of muscle. Has a cool, confident aura without being cocky. At the plate he is balanced with a simple, fluent load of the hands and little/no stride. Bat speed is quick, and he laced line drives in his BP round. 89 mph exit velocity. Has the arm strength to stick at short, and the glove is advanced for his age. Bounces around with athletic quickness and makes plays to both sides with throws from all angles.  Ran a 4.28 home to first. 

 

 

Kian Manmano OF / RHP / Legend , CO / 2019

6-foot-0, 150 pounds. Bats and throws right. A lot of tools and a player that needs to be followed. On the mound gets very good extension to the plate with good leg drive. Square and in-line to the plate. Nice loose arm that hides ball well. Fastball was 79-81 but seems faster. Arm speed is same as fastball at 68-70 mph with 11/5 late depth. At the plate has a balanced athletic stance. Short stride, and loads back. Swing is short to the ball with good bat speed. Generated a 85 mph exit velo off a tee. Line drive power. On a triple he hit was 12.16 to 3rd. In the outfield had top arm velocity at event at 84 mph. Ran a 7 flat 60 time. Player to follow. 

In 2017 he hit .365 with 27 hits, 13 RBI and 4 doubles.

 

Brody McCord LHP / OF / Legend, CO / 2018

6-foot-4, 190 pounds. Will push to be best left-handed pitcher in state by the time he graduates. Repeats everything with all 3 pitches. Fastball was 85 mph from high 3/4 arm slot but was on you. Quick arm and hides ball well. Change lived 75-76 mph. First time we have seen McCord up close and he didn't disappoint. Curve had nice tight spin and late 1/7 break. Prospect to follow.  

2017 Stat Line: 4 wins, 37 innings pitched, 1.51 ERA with 43 strikeouts.

 

Jake Greiving 3B / Legend, CO / 2019

Greiving  had a great 2017 season and looks for a repeat performance in 2018.  Greiving is coming off a .348 season with 24 hits, 15 RBI and 4 doubles.

 

 

Troy Lincavage RHP / 3B / Legend, CO / 2018

Lincavage will see his role go up this year for the titans after gaining valuable experience last year.  He made 4 appearances on the mound and added 5 RBI at the plate.

 

 

Caleb Stubbings LHP / Legend, CO / 2019

Stubbings looks to build on a 2017 season that saw him add 12 games under his belt.  He has already made that experience pay off in game one going 1-2 with 1 double and a run scored.  Look for Legend to lean on this junior to provide run support through the year.

 

 


Blake Rarog SS / C / Legend, CO / 2020

5-foot-9, 175 pounds. Will be biggest riser out our the event and showcased how much skills have improved. Impressive arm-strength behind the dish at 76 mph which also led to the best pop-time at 1.85 off a coach. Right-handed hitter, Open stance, big leg kick trigger, solid balance. Short loose path, hands create bat speed, projectable traits at the plate. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Righty on the mound and throws from an over-the-top arm angle, average arm speed. Toe lift to balance point with average effort leads to some rhythm and helps land in line. Straight fastball averages between 78-79 mph. Curve had sweeping 10/4 break, sits in the 67-68 range. Occasionally slows arm action down during changeup, averages 71 mph.