Preseason Countdown: No. 29 Lakewood

By John Cackowski
State Director

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: Lakewood
Preseason Rank: 29
2015 Record: 11-8
Conference: Jeffco
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Derrick Peterson
Playoff Run: Lost to Mullen 9-1 in Class 5A District 1 Playoffs
2014 Final Rank: 45

Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS
Braden Smith, OF, No. 81 2016
Luke Klatke, LHP, No. 139 2016 (Regis University)
Chase Powell, RHP, No. 89 2016 (Regis University)
Mike Vessa, MIF/OF, No. 108 2016
Ben Schechter, MIF/OF, No. 83 2016
Marcelo Sanchez, 3B, RHP, No. 131 2016
Casey Thompson, RHP, INF, No. 104 2016
Jimmy Garcia, RHP, No. 121 2016
Casey O'Neil, C, 2017 

OTHER PLAYERS THAT COULD MAKE AN IMPACT:
Trevor Wilson, 1B, 2016

X-FACTOR:
If the Tigers learn how to win the close games they lost in 2015 they will find themselves at the top of the Jeffco League with a chance to be a host site for the 5A District Playoffs.  

KEY PLAYER LOST
Danny Collins: Graduated

STAT RAT
The Tigers had 5 losses in 2015 by 2 runs or less. 3 losses were by 1 run against 5A Final 8 qualifiers Pine Creek, 5A Semifinalist Mountain Vista, and a Ralston Valley Team who went 13-7. If they would have found a way to win all three of those games they would have been a host site for the 5A Districts.

BOTTOM LINE:

Lakewood was one of the surprise teams in 2015. After coming off a 5-14 campaign in 2014, the Tigers had their first winning season since 2008, and almost won the Jeffco League. The Tigers bring back the majority of their athletic team back for 2016. 2016 Infielders Ben Schechter and Marcelo Sanchez both hit over .300 last year, and both can give quality innings on the mound when called upon. 2016 infielder Mike Vessa can play plus defense at  2B, SS, and 3B. 2016 pitchers Chase Powell, Jimmy Garcia, Luke Klatke and Casey Thompson were a combined 7 and 3 in 2015. They struck out 66 batters in 72 innings combined. Garcia carried a 1.47 ERA, and Thompson a 2.07 ERA. 2016 OF Braden Smith is one of the most athletic outfielders in the state. Smith runs a sub 6.8 60, provides speed on the bases, and could add some power potential in 2016.  2017 C Casey O'Neil hit over .300 in 2015 and adds some pop to the lineup as well. If The Tigers can build off their 2015 experience they will be favorites to win the Jeffco League, especially if they can learn to win the close games they lost against quality opponents in 2015 

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