Prep Baseball Report

Program Spotlight: Las Vegas Rams


Brett Harrison
Nevada Scouting Director

This year, in addition to the Scout Day Showcases, we are also going to spotlighting programs as a whole with an interview with each participating teams head coach providing insight into their expectations for Spring 2021, key players, incoming players, players expected to have breakout seasons, how they have navigated the past year and much more. Now, we shine some light into the current state of the long storied program at Rancho with Coach Krier in his first year as the skipper. 

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Las Vegas rams SPOTLIGHT
Head Coach, Tommy Krier

What are your expectations your program for the 2021 Spring Season?

New Class 5A Mountain League will be very competitive.  Program hit hard by graduation last 2 years.  Players will have to step up to continue the winning ways.

Who are the top returning players you have coming back this Spring? Expectations of those players?

Jairo Verdugo – top power hitter

Tyler Ray and Noah Tschopp - to anchor the rotation

Ian Graf – good hitting catching prospect

Who on your roster do you expect to have a breakout season in 2021? (1-2 players in each class, 2021-2024)

2021 – Jairo Verdugo and Ian Graf

2022 – Tyler Ray and Noah Tschopp

2023 – Alex Rhynes and Rolen Driscoll

2024 – John Ludyen and Ryan Soto

How does your program differentiate from others? What does your program do in the Summer and Fall Seasons? 

Here at Rancho High School we have players from not just from our zoned area, but with our Magnet program we get to support players from all over the valley. 

We have long been supporters and competitors in the American Legion summer baseball program along with continuing to practice throughout the year (prior to Covid-19 restrictions) to become better as a team and individuals.

How are you preparing for the Spring?

With Covid-19 restrictions and field limitations we are trying our best on an individual level and as a team when opportunities present themselves with trying to improve ourselves on a daily basis.

What has your program done to combat the restricted ability to play baseball over the past year? 

This year has been very difficult with all of the restrictions placed on athletics along with academics.  We have tried coming up with creative was to keep learning and growing.

Besides a State Championship, what do you try to accomplish within your program every year?

Player Development.  I want to see the players get better every day.  I want to get them ready for the next level.

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DIRECTOR NOTES
PBR Nevada Director of Scouting, Brett Harrison

The Las Vegas Rams are based out of one of the most storied programs in Nevada baseball history with a history of talented prospects making their way through the program dating back to the Mike Maddux days in the 70's. The current group saw a change at the helm in the past year as former head coach Manny Llamas took over the Green Valley program, allowing new head coach, Tommy Krier, to take over. The Rams are widely known for their gritty style of play that poses a threat to any team and any time if they do not bring their game. This year, they pair that gritty style of play with an Under the Radar group of interesting prospects, lead by Uncommitted 2021 C, Ian Graf, who poses a threat both at and behind the plate. The pitching staff consist of a trio of projectable arms including: 2021 RHP Jairo Verdugo (up to 89 mph), 2022 RHP Noah Tschopp (6'5, up to 87) and 2022 RHP Tyler Ray (commands the zone, velo on the rise). With the 2021 season still up in the air, whatever comes of this Spring you can expect the Las Vegas Rams to make some noise with the senior leadership and quality of arms they have on staff. 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE STATE DATE LOCATION
Las Vegas Rams Scout Days NV 02/16 Heritage Park
Nevada Athletics Scout Day NV 02/17 Doc Romeo Park
Las Vegas Aces Scout Day (Position Player Session) NV 02/18 Heritage Park
Rawlings Tigers Scout Day NV 02/22 Rainbow Family Park
Las Vegas Aces Scout Day (Pitching Session) NV 02/23 Heritage Park
Sierra Vista Scout Day NV 02/25 Heritage Park
Bishop Manogue Scout Day NV 02/27 Bishop Manogue High School
Reno Knights Scout Day NV 02/27 Bishop Manogue High School
McQueen Lancers Scout Day NV 02/28 Bishop Manogue High School
Northern Nevada Open Scout Day NV 02/28 Bishop Manogue High School
Sparks Blue Sox Scout Day  NV 02/28 Bishop Manogue High School
Bases Loaded Elite Scout Day  NV 03/03 Doc Romeo Park
Bishop Gorman Scout Day NV 03/04 Heritage Park
The Meadows Scout Day NV 03/07 The Meadows
Southern Nevada Open Scout Day NV 03/13 Faith Lutheran High School
Rising Stars of Southern Nevada (2025/2026) NV 04/10 Faith Lutheran High School
Rising Stars of Northern Nevada (2025-2026) NV 04/24 TBD

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