Spring Preview: El Paso Coronado

February 4, 2017

By Nick Cicere
PBR Texas Writer

School: El Paso Coronado
Head Coach: Juan Orozc0
Conference: 1-6A
2016 Finish: 21-11/9-3 (2nd Place)
Playoff Run: 1st Round
2017 Ranking: To be updated upon release

players to watch

+ Dom Grissom, 2017, SS, (University of San Francisco commit)
+ Ivan Melendez, 2018, RHP/3B
+ Josh Bombach, 2018, RHP/1B
+ Reese David, 2018, LHP/OF
+ Lawrence MacNeill, 2018, RHP/OF
+ Jeremy Aguirre, 2019, 2B/OF
+ Jarrett Maynard, 2019, RHP/3B
+ Brayden Peterson, 2019, RHP/OF

season preview

In his fifth season at Coronado High School, head coach Juan Orozco finds himself in an enviable position. With a stable of arms old and new, the Thunderbirds will undoubtedly own one of the deepest pitching staffs in 1-6A. Led by Ivan Melendez, the conference’s Newcomer of the Year in 2016, Orozco’s ball club will have no issue mixing and matching its rotation. Melendez is no slouch at the plate either, hitting .410 in 2016. Melendez will be aided by juniors Josh Bombach, a 2nd-Team All District selection last season, as well as David Reese, a 6’1 lefty who notched four wins a year ago.

Shortstop Dom Grissom enters his senior season as accomplished a high school player as any. Grissom, a University of San Francisco commit, hit .545 as a junior, and as he’s continued to grow into his 6’0 frame, so has his power. With 8 home runs and 18 doubles last spring, Grissom blends solid pop with athleticism at shortstop. Despite the forced reliance on a young lineup, with six returning starters (including five pitchers), the Thunderbirds have every reason to contend atop the 1-6A conference yet again.