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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. 29: Palisade

2018 Preseason Rank: 29
2017 Preseason Rank: N/A
2017 Record: 16-4
Conference: Western Slop
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Nate Porter
2017 Playoff Run: Lost in the District round
2017 Final Rank: 34
Returning Offensive Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2
Returning Innings on Mound: 41
RBI's returning: 41

 

STAT RAT: The Bulldogs like to get people on base and put pressure on them.  40 extra base hits along with 49 steals helped them win 16 games.

X-FACTORS: This is a team that lost several seniors.  They have a strong core coming back, but the question will be how fast do the new players get up to speed.

BOTTOM LINE: Playing in the Western Slope League puts you in-front of several good 5A teams.  This helps to get the Bulldogs battle tested for the post season.  This is a balanced team that seems to do all phases of the game well.  We will get a good early sense of how prepared Palisade is for the season with 9 early games on the road, this can only benefit the Bulldogs going forward as they are hoping to travel east to continue their season in May.

Players to Watch

Stevenson Reynolds / Pleatue Valley, CO / 2020 As a freshmen, Stevenson hit .326 with 15 hits including 2 triples and 2 homeruns.  He will help anchor the line up this year.

 

Jack Mohler / Palisade, CO / 2020 Jack played in 8 games last year as a freshman, and will be called upon in a much bigger roll this year.