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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. 21: Paonia

2018 Preseason Rank: 21
2017 Preseason Rank: 44
2017 Record: 25-0
Conference: District 3/5
CHSAA Class: 2A
Head Coach: Nate Miller
2017 Playoff Run: Won the 2A state title
2017 Final Rank: 5
Returning Offensive Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 3
Returning Innings on Mound: 87
RBI's returning: 100

 

STAT RAT: 1.15 team ERA last season for a team that returns 3 starters including Kayden Seriani who finished the year with 125 strikeouts.

X-FACTORS: 16 of their 25 wins were by the run rule last year.  This is a complete team ready for another run.

BOTTOM LINE: 25-0 is a very lofty goal, but thoughts of a repeat are very attainable.  The Eagles can march out three quality starter each week.  Seriani who would be a difference maker at any school in the state will lead the way as Paonia tries to answer the question, what do you do to follow up 25-0?  We will find out in the next few days when the Eagles take the field.

Players to Watch

Kayden Seriani RHP / Paonia, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 3 / POS: 1 6-0, 200 pounds. The big power RHP out of small school Paonia dominated 2A competition last spring helping lead the Eagles to undefeated 25-0 season and 2A state championship. Armed with an upper 80's fastball, which recently touched 91 at the Area Code Games. Curveball is sharp at 75-78 mph. The Grand Canyon commit could be the top pitcher in our state after the 2018 spring season.  2017 Season: 10-0 on the mound with a .75 ERA and 125 strikeouts.  At the plate he hit .553 with 42 hits, 40 RBI and 9 homeruns.

Jaden Miller C / Paonia, CO / 2018 Miller was a key component to the Eagle's 25-0 season.  Defensively he handles the pitching staff and offensively he ended the season with a 486 avg. with 31 RBI and 4 homrtuns.  He and Seriani combined to drive in 71 runs.