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Preseason Preview: Poston Butte

February 17, 2022
Paul Panaccione
Arizona Scouting Director

Poston Butte High School logo | | pinalcentral.com

Opening Day is around the corner, try outs have been held, and rosters are soon to be set. The Arizona Interscholastic Association has announced that opening day of the 2022 season will commence on Wednesday, February 23rd. The PBR Arizona staff begins its 2022 season coverage starting with our preseason team previews, where we will take notes from coaches, and highlight returning players, newcomers, and some sleepers. Over the next couple weeks and leading up to opening day, we will be highlighting some of the top programs in state in our team previews. PBR will also be publishing its state Power 25 rankings that will be updated every Monday once the season begins. Throughout the season, PBR will be pumping out coverage, highlighting individual players, games, rankings, scouting reports and nominating a player of the week. PBR looks forward to getting out there this spring to see some great baseball. 


Today, we look into:

Team: Poston Butte High School (4A, Black Canyon)
2021 Record: 20-3
Head Coach: Chris Holcombe
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 5

 

OUTLOOK

 As we gather info from coaching staffs, and come to a conclusion with our Preseason Power 25 Rankings, we expect Coach Chris Holcombe's team to be a very competitive team once again this spring. Coming off a loss in last years 4A Division State Semi-Final to Mesquite (Reigning Champion), and a 20 win season, this team is hungry to top what they did last year. Losing a few key players from their 2021 class, Coach Holcombe believes those gaps will be filled with experienced returners, as well as two key newcomers who are expected to make an impact. Transfer SS 2023 Tanner McKenzie will make an immediate impact to the Broncos defensively when his probation is lifted. And three sport athlete, 2023 1B/RHP Connor Lopez looks to help the Broncos on both sides of the ball in his first season with the varsity squad. Pitching and defense are the strong points of the Broncos, with their two senior leaders Roy Carrasco and Ethan Hatch being at the helm. Catcher Roy Carrasco has proven to be a reliable backstop who understands the game. Carrasco has the ability to catch and throw, block, and steal strikes behind the plate. Carrasco is currently uncommitted, but will be a great pickup for a program in need of a steady defender that turns in quality at bats and runs the bases. The Broncos biggest offensive threat in the 2022 season will likely be senior 3B Ethan Hatch. Hatch has a physical build and is coming off a solid fall swinging the bat. 2022 RHP Tyler Child will be an arm we see in big situations for the Broncos. He is also coming off a strong fall, PBR AZ staff was able to be in attendance for one of his winning outings in the Team Emery Classic. This will be an exciting team to follow, as they attempt to top an outstanding season in 2021. 

 

KEY PLAYERS LOST:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Colton Vercoe AZ Poston Butte 2021 1B/RHP Mesa CC
Octavio Flores AZ Poston Butte 2021 RHP Mesa CC
Junior Lopez AZ Poston Butte 2021 SS Eastern Arizona CC
Sebastian Serrano AZ Poston Butte 2021 2B Ottawa

TOP RETURNERS:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Ethan Hatch AZ Poston Butte 2022 3B/RHP -
Roy Carrasco AZ Poston Butte 2022 C -
Tyler Child AZ Poston Butte 2022 RHP -
Genaro Garcia AZ Poston Butte 2022 OF -
Hunter Nunes AZ Poston Butte 2022 OF -
Christian Lomeli AZ Poston Butte 2022 INF -

 

PRESEASON MVP:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Ethan Hatch AZ Poston Butte 2022 3B/RHP -
Roy Carrasco AZ Poston Butte 2022 C -

 

TOP NEWCOMERS:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Connor Lopez AZ Poston Butte 2023 1B/RHP -
Tanner McKenzie AZ Poston Butte 2023 SS -

 

UNDERCLASSMEN WATCHLIST:

Name State School Class Position Commitment
Jordan Touhey AZ Poston Butte 2024 RHP -
Damien Serrano AZ Poston Butte 2025 UTIL -
Cordd Baker AZ Poston Butte 2025 OF -

 

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