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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. 

Like any preseason ranking for any sport, last year our list created a lot of fun conversations, debate, and opinions among players, coaches, and families. To see what we got right, and what we got wrong in 2017 Click Here

What makes our list unique is it combines all classifications (1A through 5A), and 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.

Factors that are considered when creating the Top 50 List are the following:

- How many current players are returning that are in PBR Colorado rankings
- How many overall players committed or non-committed are returning
- How many starting pitchers are returning
- Success the previous season
- History of success in the program

* We expect the teams in the Top 50 Countdown will compete for at least a district playoff spot in 2018

 

Team No. 47: La Junta Tigers

2018 Preseason Rank: 47
2017 Preseason Rank: N/A
2017 Record: 17-7
Conference: 3A Tri-Peaks East
CHSAA Class: 3A 
Head Coach: Ryan Denahy
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Eaton in 3A Final 8
2017 Final Rank: 46
Returning Offensive Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 4
Returning Innings on Mound: 121
Returning RBI's returning: 42

STAT RAT: 
The Tigers return some impressive pitching in 2018. They have 121 innings returning that only gave up 100 hits, and struck out 1118 with a combined ERA of under 2.00. The team had an overall 1.63 ERA last spring. 

X-FACTORS: 
The Tigers we an impressive 9 and 2 on the season in games decided by 2 runs or less, including going 2 and 1 in the playoffs. In games decided by 1 run or less, the Tigers were 5 and 2 on the season. This is a compliment to their deep pitching staff which most of all are returning in 2018. If this trend continues in 2018 they will be one of the favorites to win the 3A title. 

BOTTOM LINE: 
The Tigers jumped out of the gates in 2017 starting the year 9-0, then winning 3 of their next four to start the year 12-1. After that however they went 5 and 6 the rest of the way losing 4 in a row at the end of April. If they can play their best baseball at the end of the year instead of the beginning that will make them one of the favorites to win a 3A State Championship. 

Key Player Lost

Izahiah Peteque OF / La Junta, CO / 2017 5-foot-10, 155 pounds. Was the main source of offense for the Tigers in 2017 hitting .432 leading the team, while also leading the team with 23 RBI's and 25 runs.

Key Players Returning

Jon Nuschy 2B / RHP / La Junta, CO / 2019 6-foot, 160 pounds. Bats and throws right. 3-sport athlete who also plays quarterback for the Tigers. Last season on the mound led the team with 53 innings pitched while recording a 7-2 record with a 2.25 ERA striking out 48. Also hit .282 with 10 RBI's.

 

Ty Addington SS / RHP / La Junta, CO / 2019 5-foot-11, 160 pounds. Bats and throws right. Also plays basketball. On the mound in 2017 Addington threw 30 innings recording a 5-2 record with a 2.15 ERA striking out 28 batters at the plate in 29 at-bats hit .375 while driving in 7 runs.

 

Matthew Espinoza 2B / La Junta, CO / 2018 5-foot-6, 135 pounds. Bats and throws right. Utility type player who can play anywhere. Also is a 3-sport athlete playing football and basketball. In 2017 Espinoza hit .346 scoring 11 runs and drove in 10.

 

Dyson Oquist RHP / La Junta, CO / 2018 5-foot-10, 145 pounds. Bats and throws right. 3-sport athlete playing football and basketball. Last year on the mound complied a 3-2 record in 37 innings pitched recording an impressive 1.12 ERA giving up 18 hits while striking out 42. In his last 4 starts of the year he went at least 6 innings.

Players That Could Make an Impact

Diego Haun 2B / La Junta, CO / 2020 5-foot-5, 125 pounds. In limited action on a 3A playoff team got 20 at-bats hitting .250 but had a .375 OBA. Player who can do a lot of different things for you.