By John Cackowski
State Director

PBR Colorado will be presenting the the PBR All-Colorado Team over the course of the next week. Players chosen for the PBR All-Colorado Team are players that not only performed well during the season, helped their team have success on the field, but also were seen in front of the PBR Colorado scouting staff in the form of a past PBR Colorado events or a game. We kicked off the PBR All-Colorado team with the Outfielders,  Catcher/Designated Hitter, Corners, Middle Infielders/Utility and Right Handed Pitchers. Today we highlight Left-Handed Pitchers and a Closer.

Jerome Bohannon, LHP/OF, Cherokee Trail, 2016
The Metropolitan State Commit had a stellar year for the Cougars going 7-0 with a 1.96 ERA. In 46 innings pitched Bohannon struck out 60 batters. The last seven innings were special as they came in a complete game against Rocky Mountain to win the 5A State Championship. Bohannon also hit .377 with 4 homeruns (2 coming in the state playoffs). A 6-foot-0, 170-pound left hand hitting LHP/OF has ran a 6.96 60 in past events.  On the mound he stands tall and gets good balance.  Falls to the plate and lands in-line, finish takes him to the third base side.  Delivery is over the top with good arm speed on all three pitches.  Fastball touches 87 with good command away.  He also showcases a 70 MPH curve with sharp break and a 67 MPH change.  At the plate he is balanced with a high leg kick and long stride.  Good weight transfer and extension out front produces an 84 MPH exit velocity.  In the field he moves well and uses quick feet and transfer to get rid of the ball.  He displays an 85 MPH arm with accuracy.

Connor Nantkes, LHP/OF, Cherokee Trail, 2017
You can argue that Nantkes has been the best pitcher in the state at the 5A level going down the stretch. Nantkes ended up 7-2 in 56 innings pitched striking out 51 while throwing two complete games in the playoffs. Nantkes also hit .449 with 10 doubles and 22 RBI's. A 6-foot-2, 180-pound left hand hitting 1B/LHP who runs a 7.30 60.  Balanced at the plate with a quick stride and load.  Weight transfers forward on the swing and he shows good extension out front.  Swing stays level and he lives in the gaps.  Showcases a 92 MPH exit velocity.  Athletic in the field at first base with good feet and instincts.  He moves well on balls to his glove side and delivers from a high ¾ arm angle.  He showcases an accurate 82 MPH arm across the diamond.  On the mound he starts slightly closed and gets good balance and drive to the plate.  He lands in-line with the plate and falls off to the third base side on his finish.  He throws from a high ¾ arm slot and features an 85 MPH fastball with slight tail and a 70 MPH curve with sharp break.  He flashes a 74 MPH change that moves into the right hand hitter. 

Austin Alarid, LHP/1B, Rocky Mountain, 2016
When the Eastern Arizona CC commit pitched for the Lobos in 2016 they were extremely tough to beat. Posting a 7-0 record with a 2.12 ERA, the big lefty logged 46 innings pitched striking out 69. Alarid also hit .441 with 26 RBI's and 3 homeruns. The 6-foot, 200 pound Alarid pounds the strike zone all day with 85-86 mph fastballs. Hides ball well, and makes it appear fastball is faster. Last game we saw him against Fruita Monument he struck out 12, but what impressive was when he gave up a solo shot to tie the game 1-1 he wasn't rattled at all and went back to work. On the mound, compact in line delivery with over the top arm action.  Good command of the outside part of the plate with a 70-73 CB and 72-73 CH.  Fields his position well.

Bailey Hansen, RHP/OF, Air Academy, 2016 (Closer)
We chose the Pacific commit as the PBR All-Colorado Closer for 2016. Hansen was 6-2 with a 3.00 ERA. In 49 innings pitched Hansen only gave up 35 hits and struck out 60 batters. Also a force at the plate, Hansen led the Kadets with a .492 batting average, and was tied for the team lead with 34 RBI's and 6 homeruns. He impresses with an 88 MPH fastball and good command of the zone.  Throwing from a motion with good balance and drive to the plate, his tall body allows him to deliver a pitcher that gets on you in a hurry.  He has an over the top motion and good arm speed on all pitches.  His curve is 67-69 with 11/5 break and most of the time it started in the middle of the plate and worked off the outside corner.  He adds a 76 MPH change that had good down movement. He has an 83 mph arm from the outfield. At the plate hits from a tall,  balanced stance and short stride. Simple swing lets his hands and bat speed do the work. Bat comes through the zone and generates good back-spin on the ball for drive and carry. In last event exit velo was 92 mph.

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PBR Colorado 5A All-State Team
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