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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. 6: Regis Jesuit Raiders

2018 Preseason Rank: 6
2017 Preseason Rank: 10
2017 Record: 15-6
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Matt Darr
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Broomfield in the District Round
2017 Final Rank: 9
Returning Offensive Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 7
Returning Innings on Mound: 61
RBI's returning: 55

 

STAT RAT: Team batting average of .297 in 2017, this number will have to jump for Regis to go where they plan on going.

X-FACTORS: Deep team that played a lot of players in 2017, this season will be all about seeing how that gained experience pays off.

BOTTOM LINE: The Raiders find themselves in a very familiar spot entering 2018.  Near the top of the rankings and expected to be playing late into May.  One key factor in most of our top teams and Regis is no exception is experience.  Looking back on 2017, their roster of players who were exposed to Varsity games and talent is impressive.  Coach Darr has a squad ready to go and with more offense this year, they will have a chance to get back to where they want to be, playing in Late May.

 

Players to Watch

 

 

Owen Best C / 1B / Regis Jesuit , CO / 2020 Rankings  StateRank: 4 / POS: 2 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. Bats left and throws right. Plus power from left side. Wants to pull the ball, but shows ability to go the other way. Bat stays in the hitting zone through extension. Bottom hand finish at times. Live-round was impressive, and ball really jumps off bat. Exit velocity was 90 mph off the tee. Receives well behind the plate. Pop-tmes were 1.9 to 2.05. Arm strength was 74 mph behind the dish. A power hitting left-handed catcher which is a prospect to follow.

Geno Macias 3B / OF / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 12 / POS: 1 Macias had a big 2017 season hitting .403 for the Raiders racking up 27 hits, 13 RBI and 4 triples.  If Regis is going to improve it's offensive numbers, Macias will be a big piece of the puzzle.

Matthew Boyd RHP / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2018 Boyd returns to the mound for the Raiders looking to expand his role and improve upon his 3-0 record from 2017 where he had a 2.67 ERA.

Jake Heimlicher OF / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 8 6-foot-4, 185-pound right hand hitting OF who ran a 4.03 home to first.  At the plate he has a wide balanced stance.  He has a high leg kick and hitch in his hands on the pitch.  Weight transfer is strong to the front side on the swing.  He showed quick hands to the ball.  Swing path is level through the zone with good extension out front after contact.  Exit velocity was 97 MPH with good bat control to all fields.  In the field he uses his 6-4 frame to cover ground quickly.  He shows smooth fielding actions and a quick transfer on the throw.  He delivers from a high ¾ arm slot.  Arm velocity was 87 MPH. Fills out the uniform well. Good looking athlete who has a lot of room to improve on already advanced skills.

Brodie Marino C / 1B / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 24 / POS: 3 Marino is coming off a solid 2017 campaign in which he hit .383 with 7 doubles. Has some pop in the bat, and is a solid receiver behind the dish who has a lot of experience catching 95 plus fastballs. One of the better receives in his grad class in Colorado.

Jack Sletten OF / RHP / Regis Jesuit HS, CO / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 75 / POS: 15 6-foot-0, 190-pound right hand hitting OF/RHP.  At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with a slow load on the pitch.  Good lower leg drive on the swing.  Hands come through the zone and create good whip.  Exit velocity was 91 MPH.  In the field he showed good athletic actions and instincts.  He has soft hands and a good glove to hand transfer.  Arm Velocity was 80 MPH.  On the mound he stands tall and gets balanced.  Strong lower leg drive to the plate and stays in-line on his delivery.  Arm speed stays consistent on all three pitches.  Delivery is from an over the top arm slot.  Fastball was 80 MPH with command down in the zone.  He added a 74 MPH Curve with sharp 11/5 break and finished with a 70 MPH Change with late down movement.

Kyle Schwulst RHP / 1B / Regis Jesuit, CO / 2018 6-foot-4, 155-pound right hand pitcher who ran a 4.30 home to first.  On the mound he stands tall and gets balanced.  Strong lower leg drive to the plate and stays in-line on his delivery.  Arm speed stays consistent on all three pitches.  Delivery is from an over the top arm slot. He is mechanically sound and has room to grow into his frame. Fastball was 81 MPH with command down in the zone.  He added a 65 MPH Curve with late 11/5 break and finished with a 72 MPH Change with late down movement away from the hitter.