By PBR Staff

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. The Top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here   

Team: Rocky Mountain
Preseason Rank: 2
2016 Record: 19-8
Conference: Front Range
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Bullock
Playoff Run: Lost to Cherokee Trail 9-4 in the 5A State Championship Game
2016 Final Rank: 5
Returning Starters: 4 
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
John Sorensen, No. 366 overall and No. 6 CO 2017 (Kansas State)
Jadon Uhrich, No. 16 2017 (Scottsdale CC)
Spencer Gendreau, No. 80 2017
Kalen Hammer, No 32 2017 (Navarro JC)

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Haden Heinze, No 31 2018
Jett Hoggatt, No. 8 2019
Jaren Piepho, No 78 2019
Tyler Mata-Lloyd, No. 58 2018

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Austin Alarid
Kadin Breeze
Chris Diehl

Stat Rat:  The Lobos created offensive pressure on teams with 22 homeruns and 45 stolen bases.  A large portion of both stats are coming back in 2017.

Bottom Line:  Rocky Mountain is a pillar of consistency and excellent baseball.  The Lobos have a four year run that has seen them win one state title in 2014 and play in the state final game twice in the last four years.  The 2017 team is expected to follow suit this season and will be tested early representing Colorado in the NHSI tournament played at the USA Baseball complex in Cary, North Carolina.  The Lobos will be led offensively by, John Sorensen, .400 with 32 hits and 18 RBI, Jadon Uhrich, .438 with 35 hits and 5 homeruns, Spencer Gendreau, .431 with 22 hits and 6 doubles and Kalen Hammer who added 20 hits in 2016.  This is a balanced lineup that will send 9 tough outs to the plate.  On the mound, Rocky will need to replace Austin Alarid, but does have experience coming back.  John Sorensen racked up 37 innings in 2016 compiling a 4-3 record.  Complimenting Sorensen will be Hammer who should see his 14 innings of work increase in 2017.  Rocky is a team that uses the entire season to get tournament ready, this blueprint has served them well in the past and one that we expect will have them lurking near the top when tournament time rolls around.