Preseason Countdown: No.27 Pueblo West

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: Pueblo West
Preseason Rank: 43
2015 Record: 17-4
 Conference: South Central
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Dan Sanchez
Playoff Run: Lost in District Championship game to Windsor 2-0
2015 Final Rank: 14
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS:
Dauson Tate C, 2016
Josh Drury, 1B, 2016
RJ Dabovich, RHP, No. 25 2017
Alan Garcia, OF, 2017

OTHER PLAYERS THAT COULD MAKE AN IMPACT:
Cameron Brinkley, RHP, 2017

X-FACTOR:
The Cyclones will have to find a way to replace 100 innings pitched of experience from 2015 that graduated.

KEY PLAYER LOST:
Tyler Evans and Javy Garcia

STAT RAT: 
In 2015 the Cyclones had .377 team batting average and a 1.98 team E.R.A.

BOTTOM LINE:
The Cyclones bring 4 starters back in 2016 from team that came so close again to making a 4A Final 8 losing 2-0 to a solid Windsor team in the Class 4A District 1 championship game. In 2014 the Cyclones came three innings away from making a 4A final 8 appearance in 2014 as well. 2017 RJ Dabovich returns. Impressive on the mound with a high 3/4 arm slot and fastball that was consistently 85-86. Arm is loose back, works well with body, and throws from over the top arm slot. Good leg drive to the plate. Hand can get underneath the ball at times, but he still gets good down angle. Falls square, in-line to the plate. Mixes in a nice curveball with 11/5 shape. Has potential to be future 90 kid with his frame. 2016 C Dauson Tate led the team in RBI's and homeruns in 2015 while carrying a .377 batting average. 2016 1B Josh Drury was one of the top hitters in 4A carrying an impressive .566 Batting average with 8 doubles. 2017 OF Alan Garcia hit .365 and contributed some speed on the bases swiping 6. The Cyclones will reload with some other pitchers who could make an impact as well. The Cyclones will battle with the other Pueblo teams

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