Prep Baseball Report

TX Power 25: Sleeper Picks


Toby Bicknell
Texas Scouting Director

Recently, we released the PBR Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings. A number of different factors came into play during the arduous process of ranking the top 25 teams in a state that is so rich in baseball talent. Here are 5 under-rated teams that could jump into the rankings at some point this season.

Round Rock

The Dragons return four starters from last year’s team that finished 31-8 and went to the State Semi-Finals. Pitching and defense should be the Dragons strength this season, and they have a strong group of seniors that will lead the way. Texas A&M recruit, 2018 OF Patrick DiLullo, was 2nd Team All-District selection in 2017. They also return starting pitcher 2018 RHP Cameron Bush, a Texas State commit.  2018 Kyle Hawkins, 2018 Jacob Dellipoali will be counted on to drive in runs. Coach Carter has a stable of juniors and sophomores that will contribute this season. 2019 SS Luke Almendarez (Houston commit), and 2019 OF Jared McKenzie is an athletic left-handed hitter. The Baylor commit is currently ranked No. 68 in TX, No. 391 Overall.


 

Marcus

The Marauders have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the state, with four arms that are already committed to play at the next level, including 2019 RHP Blake Mayfield, a Texas A&M recruit that is ranked No. 13 in TX, No. 65 Overall. 2018 RHP Steve Hayward (Grayson JC), 2018 LHP Cayden Lopez (Midland JC), and 2018 RHP Justin Kleinsorge (Regis) round out the rest of the staff that has logged significant innings in years past. Leading the defensive battery will be 2018 C Mitchell Dickson (Pepperdine). Coach Sherman has a number of options to balance out his rotation and bullpen. The biggest question will be how does the offense fare this season, as their district has two Power 25 Teams (Flower Mound & Southlake Carroll).


Ft. Worth Christian

Starting rotation should not be a problem for the Cardinals. They have two left-handers ranked in the Top 100 of the Texas 2019 Class. Jacob Hasty is an LSU commit that can run his fastball up to 90 and has a hammer curveball. The junior will also provide some thump to the middle of the order. Cade Fontenot is an Xavier commit that was the Newcomer of the Year in 2017. Add in seniors C Morris Austin, Devin Bauer, Ryan Snyder, and Ethan Smith, and the Cardinals have the experience to make some noise this year.


Hallettsville

The Brahmas have a lot of talent back from a 23 win season. 2018 OF/P Scooter Adams is a two-sport athlete that spends his summer and fall on the football field. 2019 Rhett Trlicek is an offensive C/2B that is ranked in the Texas 2019 Class, and 2020 3B/RHP Ryan Targac (Texas A&M) ranked No. 7 in TX, played out in Long Beach at the Area Code Games. With a handful of other All-District players, the Brahmas could shock some teams this year.

 

CLEBURNE

The Yellow Jackets return a seasoned group after winning 32 games and going to the Regional Semi-finals last year. Four seniors, two juniors, and 2020 C Slayton Day (Newcomer of the Year) are back in 2018. Coach Taylor’s group has already experienced success, and they know how to win baseball games. Look for them to make have another banner year. 

 

 

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