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: Pueblo Centennial
Preseason Rank: 25
2016 Record: 15-6
Conference: South Central
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Jeff Kurtz
Playoff Run: Lost to Windsor 3-0 in the 4A District 4 Championship Game
2016 Final Rank: 44
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Brandon Finegold, RHP/OF, 2017
Braydon Jimenez, RHP/C, 2017
Nick Williams, P, 2019

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Andres Rincon

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Jacob Sanchez
Dustin Tilley
Darian Manzaneras
Gavin Fesmire

Stat Rat:  The Bulldogs are the definition of a tough out.  In 733 plate appearances, they only had 83 K’s as a team.

Bottom Line:  The Bulldogs made a strong run last year before running up against Windsor in the 4A District 4 Championship game and losing 3-0.  This year Pueblo Centennial will turn to Brandon Finegold at the plate, .386 avg. with 27 hits, 8 of which were extra base hits.  On the mound, the bulldogs bring back 62+ innings of experience with Brayden Jimenez, who finished 2016 with a 5-2 record and 34.2 innings of work in 10 appearances and Nick Williams who was 3-1 last year with 28 innings of work.  It is always a struggle just to make it our of the 4A South Central league, but look for the Bulldogs to hold their own and be there when post season play starts in May.