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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. 27: Lamar

2018 Preseason Rank: 27
2017 Preseason Rank: 35
2017 Record: 20-3
Conference: Tri-Lakes
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Jason Veyna
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to La Junta 1-0 in Final 8 round
2017 Final Rank: 16
Returning Offensive Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 4
Returning Innings on Mound: 85
RBI's returning: 159

 

STAT RAT: 271 runs scored in 2017 along with 14 homeruns made them an offensive powerhouse.

X-FACTORS: This is a team that is built on Senior leadership.  This group will need to come together for one more late run into the playoffs.

BOTTOM LINE: When you look at the Savages, you see a team that is rich in tradition and has plenty of experience on how to get through the regular season playing it’s best come tournament time.  With 85 innings coming back from last year, this is a staff that enjoyed pitching with a lead last year.  Dalton Chandler will be the work horse of the staff; he is primed for a great year hitting 91 MPH at the Prep Baseball Report Colorado Preseason All-State event.  When May rolls around, we fully expect Lamar to be there and to be one of those teams primed for a state title run.

Players to Watch

Dalton Chandler RHP / 1B / Lamar , CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 13 / POS: 6 We saw him consistently 90-91 at last week's Preseason All-State event. 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. Big strong pitcher on the mound. Big body. Some extra things to get out of the way to be on time. Herky jerky motion with a little torque in hips. Lands in line towards plate. Arm is quick from high 3/4 arm slot. Power fastball. Because of deceptive delivery fastball is on you faster. Comes in at 85-87 mph. Touches 88. On slider drops down to more of a 3/4 arm slot. Has late depth at 80-81 mph. Curve is 70-71 mph. 90 plus potential.

Davin Jacobs OF / RHP / Lamar, CO / 2018 5-foot-10, 210 pounds. Bats and throws right. Has balanced stance with minimal stride. Hands start a little low but then load into a good hitting position. Has pull tendencies with good power potential. Good extension through zone with level swing. Produced a 84 mph exit velocity off the tee. In the outfield is aggressive to the ball and does a good job getting behind it, with a long arm high 3/4 arm action throwing 74 mph. Ran a 7.8 laser timed 60.

Colton Eberhardt RHP / Lamar, CO / 2018 The senior looks to follow up his impressive junior year where he put up a 368 avg. with 42 hits and 44 RBI.  He added a 4-0 record on the mound with a 2.62 ERA.  A great compliment to Chandler.

Andres Guevara C / 2B / Lamar, CO / 2018 Last year Guevara hit for a 311 avg. collecting 22 hits and driving in 20 for a potent Savages offense.