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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. 26: Ponderosa

2018 Preseason Rank: 26
2017 Preseason Rank: N/A
2017 Record: 12-9
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Bob Malony
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Valor in the Dristrict Round
2017 Final Rank: 28
Returning Offensive Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2
Returning Innings on Mound: 39
RBI's returning: 25

 

STAT RAT: 114 runs scored and 98 runs given up.  This team played plenty of tight games last year.

X-FACTORS:  Offensive production.  Can Ponderosa find a way to plate more runs and take pressure off their pitching staff and defense?

BOTTOM LINE: Ponderosa is entering this season under the leadership of Coach Malony, this always makes for a bit of a wait and see opportunity.  This is a tough nosed team that last year won several close games.  Can they tap into that experience and keep the winning ways going?  The Mustangs play in the Continental league that is dominated by top 5A schools.  Each year they jump up and take down their fair share.  This regular season experience will get them battle tested and ready for the post season.  Ponderosa has a winning tradition and we expect them to carry that on in 2018.

Players to Watch

Chris Mazzini LHP / 1B / Ponderosa, CO / 2018 Mazzini will be called upon to lead the Mustang's pitching staff.  He had 7 appearances last season, logging 37.2 innings and collected 36 strikeouts.  A little more run production from Ponderosa and Mazzini could see a big year.

Tyler Shelley SS / RHP / Ponderosa, CO / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 45 / POS: 8 5-foot-6, 145-pound left hand hitting SS/RHP/OF who ran a 7.20 60.  At the plate he is square with a heavy load to his back side.  Weight drives through the zone and he shows quick hands with good whip.  Exit velocity was 81 MPH.  In the field he has a live arm, he shows good athletic actions fielding through the ball.  Arm velocity was 88 MPH from both the infield and outfield.  He delivers from a high ¾ arm slot with good accuracy to the base.  On the mound he is sound mechanically.  From balance he drives to the plate with his lower half and lands in-line on the delivery.  Arm slot is over the top and fastball was 84 MPH with good command away.  He showed good command of his off-speed as well, 65 MPH curve with 11/5 break and a 76 MPH change with good downward movement.

 

DJ Kidd OF / 3B / Ponderosa, CO / 2018 Kidd had a solid junior year with a 333 avg. and 10 RBI.  He shows good gap power with 2 doubles and 1 triple on the season.