In this edition we will take a closer look at Coronado High School.  Coach Rich Santigate and his staff have many holes to fill, returning just one starter from a 2018 club that finished in the region semifinal contest.  In spite of many undetermined roles, the Cougars “cupboard” is far from empty.  Many capable younger players waited patiently in the wings of a senior laden club a year ago.  You can bet, they will be anxious to make their mark.

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Team: Coronado 

Nickname: Cougars

NIAA Classification: 4A

League: Desert Region/Southeast Division

Head Coach: Rich Santigate

2018 Overall Record: 21-12

2018 League Finish: 14-6

2018 1^st place Finish in League: Basic

2018 Postseason Finish: Regional Semi Final

Number of Returning Starters: 1

Number of Returning Pitchers: 3

Top Returning Players: ’20, C Ethan Stephens; ’20 LHP/OF Logan Bleazard; ’20 RHP/IF Josh Johnson; LHP Nolan Patterson; ’19 INF Ryan Kiernan; ’19 OF Kyle Rossman

Team Strengths: Speed and Defense

Team Weaknesses: Power

College Commits: Stephens,Bleazard,Johnson, Patterson

Top 2019 Players: INF Ryan Kiernan; OF Kyle Rossman; UT Thomas Planellas

Top 2020 Players: ’20, C Ethan Stephens; ’20 LHP/OF Logan Bleazard; ’20 RHP/IF Josh Johnson; LHP Nolan Patterson

Other Players to Watch: ’21 SS/RHP Jarrett Kenyon;  ’21 C Caden Denning; ’22 INF Kyle Kiernan

2019 Outlook:  The Cougars of Coronado suffered some heavy personnel losses at the hands of graduation.  They relied heavily on the experience of a predominately senior lineup in 2018 and it appears that 2019 will depend highly on the services of their junior class.  Senior outfielder Kyle Rossman managed under fifty plate appearances in 2018 which makes him the most experienced while infielder, Ryan Kiernan and utility man, Thomas Planellas offer less than ten plate appearance between them.  Junior catcher, Ethan Stephens is the lone returning starter and a backstop you can build around.  Stephens (.443/0/12) made 86 plate appearances. Stephens is a projectable catcher with emerging power that could very well land him in the middle of the lineup.  Josh Johnson and Logan Bleazard did spend some time in the lineup and will likely need to play more integral roles. Coach Santigate could opt for even more of a youth movement and introduce the athletic sophomore, Jarrett Kenyon or reliable young defender Kyle Kiernan.  The investment in both of these youngsters could prove dividends for years to come.  After hitting sixteen homeruns as a team a year ago, the Cougars will need to utilize team speed and execution to provide production.

On the mound, Josh Johnson, Logan Bleazard, and Nolan Patterson will likely have to carry the load if the Cougars are going to make a run.  Johnson possesses the greatest arm strength and perhaps the highest ceiling of the bunch. He has been known to run his fastball into the upper 80s at times. Bleazard and Patterson are pitchability left-handers.  Patterson is a low to mid 80s guy with good control, while Bleazard possesses a feel to pitch.

The Cougars will base the foundation of their success on defense, looking to improve on their .943 fielding percentage form a year ago.  They have some reliable young infielders.  In addition, the Cougars are encouraged by their overall team speed.  Look for them to create opportunities on the bases and pressure opposing defenses.  Although Basic Academy has been on a bit of a run, look for these hungry young Cougars to be on the hunt.