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: Rocky Mountain
Preseason Rank: 5A No. 1
2015 Record: 14-6
Conference: Front Range League
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Bullock
Playoff Run: Lost to Smoky Hill in Class 5A District 4 Playoffs
2014 Final Rank: 30
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS:
Chris Diehl, C, No 33 2016
Easton Dolan, OF, No. 34 2016
Austin Alarid, LHP, No. 60 2016 (Eastern Arizona)
Kaden Breeze, OF, No. 40 2016
Alex Gonzalez, MIF, No. 41 2016: (Colorado Mesa)
Casey Kostrzewa, OF, No 90 2016
Brendan Paul, INF, No. 120 2016
John Sorenson, 3B No. 4 2017
Kalen Hammer, SS, No. 30 2017
Tyler Hyland, OF, No 64 2017
Jadon Uhrich, C/1B, 2017

OTHER PLAYERS WHO COULD MAKE AN IMPACT:
Austin Maciel, OF, No. 75 2017
Trey Wagner, SS, No. 90 2017
Trenton Mendrano, OF, No. 117 2017
Spencer Gendreau, 1B, No. 118 2017

X-FACTOR:
Using a surprising one and done 2015 5A District playoff loss as motivation

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Cole Anderson: Drafted by Colorado Rockies in the 10th Round

STAT RAT:
The Lobos have been to the 5A state championship game 6 times in the last 9 years, and they have won 5 state championships.

BOTTOM LINE:
Last year everyone came away surprised when the Lobos lost to Smoky Hill in the District Playoffs to go one and done. But the reality is the Lobos ran into one of the best pitchers in the state that day in JR. McDermott who pitched another gem to end his high school career. This year the National High School Invitational invite put on by USA baseball will use that as motivation to not get complacent. They return a wealth of talent in 2016 as you can see from the list above. 2016 LHP Austin Alarid is an imposing presence on the mound with an upper 80's fastball. 2016 catcher Chris Diehl has waited his turn, and will be the main option as catcher. The outfield is extremely athletic with seniors Kostrzewa, Breeze, and Dolan. 2016 Alex Gonzalez (Colorado Mesa) is your ultimate utility player Don't forget about 2017 John Sorenson who could be the best hitter in the 2017 class. Rocky Mountain is one of the few schools in the state that no matter who they lose from the year before to graduation, they reload from their deep talent pool to make another run the next year. Lead by Head Coach Scott Bullock, the Lobos have been to the 5A state championship game 6 times in the last 9 years, and they have won 5 state championships. Expect the Lobos to be right back in the mix of another 5A state championship run in 2016