Preseason Countdown: No. 35 Columbine

By John Cackowski
State Director

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. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Columbine
Preseason Rank: 60
2014 Record: 9-11
Conference: Jeffco 
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Chuck Gillman
Playoff Run: Lost to Pine Creek 7-4 in 5A District 8 site
2015 Final Rank: 60
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS:
No. 9 2016 Tommy Gillman, SS (Texas A&M)
No. 32 2016 Taylor Dye, RHP (Colorado Mesa)
No. 100 Kendrick Catron, LHP (Garden City C.C.)
No. 101 Garrett Keaney, LHP
No 105 2016 Adrian Trujillo, C
No. 21 2017 Mike Griebel, OF
No. 27 RHP/2B 2017 Chase Anderson

X-FACTOR:
Finish strong. The Rebels were gaining momentum with an overall 8-5 record only to lose 6 of their last 7 games of 2015.

OTHER PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE AN IMPACT:
2016 1B Ethan Lanz (McPherson College)
2016 LHP Joseph Cormier
No. 35 2017 C Russel Cruz

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Michael Tait: Graduated

STAT RAT:
The Rebels are not the typical power hitting Jeffco team. They play small ball, steal bases, and move runners over. The Rebels only hit 7 home runs in 2015

BOTTOM LINE:
Coming off a 19 and 2 season from 2014, The Rebels looked primed to make a 5A Final 8 run in 2015 only to stumble down the stretch and finish with an overall 9-11 record. The Rebels still have a lot of talent back in 2016, and should have a very strong offense again. The current team is built around No. 10 2016 and Texas A&M commit SS Tommy Gillman. The switch hitting Gillman led the Rebels in every offensive category in 2015 which included batting average (.449), Hits (31) Runs (18) RBI's (18), Triples (2), Homeruns (3) and stolen bases (4). No. 21 2017 OF Mike Griebel will be an offensive catalyst for the Rebels again in 2016. Last year the speedy Griebel hit .420 and scored 15 runs and led the Rebels with 8 doubles. No. 32 2016 Taylor Dye will be the No. 1 pitcher for the Rebels. The 6-foot-5, 200 pound Dye is one of the top RHP in the the state. He can bring his fastball in the upper 80's now. Last year for the Rebels Dye was 5-2 last spring in 47 innings pitched, and is carrying a 10-2 overall high school record coming into the 2016 season. When Dye pitches the Rebels usually win. 2016 LHP Kendrick Catron will be the No. 2 option on the mound, and had a very effective 2015 season pitching 33 innings striking out 32 and carried a 2.31 E.R.A. 2017 RHP. No. 27 2017 Chase Anderson can be the 3rd option on the mound. Last year Anderson carried a 1.58 in limited time but also hit .328 as a starter at 2B. No. 105 2016 Adrian Trujillo  hit .382 in 2014, but had a down year last year hitting .267 The Rebels will need the production from his sophomore year. In limited at bats 2016 LHP Garrett Keaney hit .384 in 2015, and could also be a third starting option on the mound for the Rebels. Based on the talent coming back we might have the Rebels ranked too low in our Top 50, however you can't ignore their 9-11 record from 2015, and they were knocked out as the overall 3 seed in 2014 in Districts. If the Rebels play up to expectations and with returning pitching depth they should compete for the 5A Jeffco League championship, and could compete with anyone at the 5A level.

Related Material

CO 12.01.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 50 Bear Creek
Bears fall just short of 2015 playoffs, look to regroup in 2016...>>

CO 12.03.15
Preseason Countdown: No.49 Arapahoe
Look for Warriors to rebound and secure a 2016 playoff spot...>>

CO 12.09.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 48 Broomfield
Look for Broomfield to rebound in 2016 after first year at 5A...>>

CO 12.10.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 47 Hotchkiss
Look for Hotchkiss to compete for 2A State Championship Title...>>

CO 1.14.16
Preseason Countdown No. 43 Horizon
Hawks look to build on the playoff run from last year...>>

CO 1.19.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 42 Grand Junction
Look for Tigers to continue winning ways, need offensive production to go far...>>

CO 1.26.16
Preseason Countdown: No 40 Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch has a young but talented team to compete in 2016...>>

CO 2.05.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 39 Grand Junction Central
The Warriors always have talent..but have to replace 7 starters from 2015...>>

CO 2.10.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 38 Valor Christian
After first losing season in program history, look for the Eagles to rebound...>>

CO 2.18.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 37 Pueblo East
Eagles have a lot of talent returning in 2016, could be year they break through...>>