Follow @pbr_co on Twitter, and pbrcolorado on Instagram

Interested in attending a PBR Colorado event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

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. 14: Thompson Valley Eagles

2018 Preseason Rank: 14
2017 Preseason Rank:
2017 Record: 18-8
Conference: Northern League
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Jay Denning
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Valor Christian in the State Semi Finals
2017 Final Rank: 21
Returning Offensive Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3
Returning Innings on Mound: 102
RBI's returning: 80

 

STAT RAT: The balance returning between offense 80 RBI and defense 102 innings puts Thompson valley in a strong position this year.

X-FACTORS: After seeing Thompson Valley in the 4A State Tournament, they will need to replace a few emotional leaders who carried the team in 2017.

BOTTOM LINE: Thompson Valley is a fundamentally sound team that has many ways to win games.  Being able to return the depth of pitching on the mound, will serve them well entering the 2018 campaign.  Offensively , Cameron Nellor will look to improve on his break out year with a 438 avg. and 11 stolen bases.  This is a team primed to challenge late in May.

Players to Watch

Cameron Nellor 2B / SS / Thompson Valley, CO / 2020 Nellor will play a huge offensive role this year for the Eagles and try to build on a very successful 2017 season.  During that time he hit .438 with 49 hits and 19 RBI and added 11 stolen bases.

Aiden Schultz RHP / 1B / Thompson Valley, CO / 2020 As a Freshman last year, Schultz had a 3-0 record in 14 innings of work.  2017 was just the beginning of a pitching career that shows a very high ceiling.

Jake Henson LHP / Thompson Valley, CO / 2018 Henson joins Schultz as one of the returning pitchers from the 2017 season.  Last year he logged 35 innings for the Eagles and collected 24 K's.  Look for Henson to get the ball in big games this year for Thompson Valley.

Jayden Raabe RHP / 1B / Thompson Valley, CO / 2018 Raabe complete this trio of strong arms for Thompson Valley in 2018.  Last season he threw 44 innings and collected 3 wins along the way.  With the experience gained in 2017, Raabe should be poised to take Thompson Valley deep into the playoffs.