In this edition we will take a closer look at the Desert Oasis Diamondbacks (DO). DO is looking to defend their Southwest Division Championship from a year ago.  They return a host of talent and experience hungry to avenge their early playoff exit from a year ago.

(Players, be sure to search our database and claim your profile. Don't see your profile? You can create a free PBR profile here)

Team: Desert Oasis Diamondbacks 

NIAA Classification: 4A

League: Southwest Division / Desert Region

Head Coach: Paul Buboltz

Team Twitter Handle: @dobaseballteam

2018 Overall Record: 30-5

2018 League Finish: 1st

2018 Postseason Finish: 1-2

Number of Returning Starters: 7

Number of Returning Pitchers: 6

Top Returning Players: ’19, C,  Parker Schmidt; ’19 RHP/IF Aaron Roberts; ’19 LHP/OF, Josh Sharman; ’19 LHP/OF Campbell Holt; ’19 SS, Zac Czerniawski; ’19 RHP DJ Jefferson; 

College Commits: ’19, C,  Parker Schmidt - Oregon; ’19 RHP/IF Aaron Roberts - California; ’19 LHP/OF, Josh Sharman - UNLV; ’19 LHP/OF Campbell Holt-Southern California; ’19 RHP DJ Jefferson – Southern California; 

Top 2019 Players: ’19, C,  Parker Schmidt; ’19 RHP/IF Aaron Roberts; ’19 LHP/OF, Josh Sharman; ’19 LHP/OF Campbell Holt; ’19 SS, Zac Czerniawski; ’19 RHP DJ Jefferson; 

Top 2020 Players: ’20 IF, Colby Smith; ’20 Colton Zobrist; ’20 RHP/OF Nate Slaman

Other Players to Watch: ’21 1B/LHP Jake Walsh; ’21 OF, Wil Buening; ’21 LHP Reed Schaefer; ’21 C Dylan Dirig.

2019 Outlook: Coach Buboltz and his Diamondbacks have been “chomping at the bit” since the end of last season.  They have a talented as well experienced group anxiously awaiting the opportunity to defend their division championship, but more importantly compete for that elusive bid to the state tournament.  The Diamondbacks will be led by two-way standout, Aaron Roberts. Roberts (.394/6/24) is a power bat that will anchor the middle of the lineup. He will be surrounded by the likes of SR Parker Schmidt C (.441/1/35), and SR Zac Czerniawski SS (.321/1/27). Seniors Campbell Holt CF, and Josh Sharman, OF, should impact the lineup as well.  They have some capable younger players in INF, Colby Smith and INF Jacob Walsh. The development of Smith and Walsh will play an important role in the Diamondback offense.

On the mound, Josh Sharman provides the foundation for the staff. His ability to pitch deep into games gives Coach Buboltz and his staff a proven winner. Sharman is a big game pitcher that thrives on a challenge.  He posted a 2.02 ERA with 8 wins a year ago (55K/12BB).  In addition to offering a power bat, Aaron Roberts brings a power arm to the staff. Roberts has been known to run his FB up to 94/95 at times. During 2018, he struck out 40 31 IP with a 2.48 ERA. Left-hander, Campbell Holt will certainly bolster an already experienced staff. Holt is a talented arm that can run is fastball to 90 as well. More importantly, his ¾ arm action provides delivery deception as well as action on his pitches that make him difficult to hit. He is a weapon that the Diamondbacks did not have a year ago.  Another talented arm on staff vying for a spot in the rotation is DJ Jefferson.  Jefferson’s FB ranges 87-92. Although his secondary pitches are not as far along as the aforementioned, his tall lanky frame provide the opportunity for consistent down plane that might make him equally has tough to hit.  Mound time will be tough to earn, but other hurlers likely to see important action could be Colby Smith (RHP), Nate Slaman (RHP), Jacob Walsh (LHP) and Reed Schaefer (RHP).

Projected starting lineup:

1. Parker Schmidt C
2. Zac Czerniawski SS
3. Aaron Roberts 3B
4. Jacob Walsh 1B
5. Campbell Holt CF
6. Josh Sharman P
7. Colby Smith 2B
8. Colton Zobrist RF
9. Jordan Demarce LF