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This spring we take a different approach to the unveiling of our Preseason Power25 teams across the commonwealth/DC. Instead of one full release, we will be doing a countdown starting today and running all the way to the beginning of the high school season. Over the course of the next 2.5 weeks, we will be counting down our preseason top 25.

VA/DC Preseason Power25: No. 9 - Riverside

Preseason Rank: 9
Level: VHSL Class 4 Region C
Head Coach: Sam Plank
2018: 19-3, Lost in Region 4C Semifinals

Top Players 

Carson Swank SS 2019 (Yale)
Sajon Belser OF 2019 (C of C)
David Setien RHP 2019 (pictured)

X-Factor

 Carson Swank SS - It's hard to call one player an X-Factor with such a deep and talented roster, but Swank's success this spring will have a big impact on the success of the Rams. Don't be surprised by an impressive season from the Yale commit as the pulse of the Rams off.
 

Key Players Lost

Tyler Casagrande
Wes Glass

Outlook

Riverside again looks like this could be a special year for the Rams as they possess a deep and talented pitching staff with a strong lineup that should again challenge for a Class 4 title.

The Rams pitching rotation should be considered as one of the top in the state and on top of that, their top three are uncommitted as of this release. 2019 David Setien, 2019 Gunner Canary, and 2021 Wyatt Shenkmen look as if they will get the majority of the innings for Riverside. Setien has been up to 87 in the past and has probably the most polish of the three while Canary has a lanky and projectabel frame that won't surpirse if he is throwing harder down the road, and Shenkmen might be the most projectable already possessing a power fastball as a sophomore who will undoubtedly continue to improve for the next three years. Most of the time as a player you see a great increase of stats and skill after player gets their first year of varsity under their belt, so don't be surprised if you see something really nice come out of Shenkmen this spring.

Offensively the Rams will be led by Carson Swank who had one of the top statistical season in in the state last season. Swank will once again fit firmly in the heart of the Ram lineup, but will have to carry some more of the load now that Tyler Casagrande has graduated and is gone. Sajon Belser could be a huge piece of the puzzle as his game-changing speed will play a huge role defensively and he could be a major impact player if he can get in scoring position as much as possible when Swank is at the plate. Also returning to the lineup with excellent experience include John Heltebran and Nicholas Connolly. 

The Rams look like an on paper favorite to take Region C but as proven last year, games change everything. Especially in a tough and talented Dulles district. However we start them off with our Preseason Power 25 No. 9 rankings.

 

MORE PRESEASON POWER25