TX Power 30 Preseason Breakdown (#11 - #30)

The Smithson Valley Rangers have a lot returning from a team that made it to the 3rd round of the playoffs last year. They return big pieces at key positions and all have another year of experience. On top of that, Smithson Valley has dropped down from 6A to 5A making their path to the State Tournament a little bit easier.  

OFFENSE

The Smithson Valley offense returns 6 starters from last year's team.  Leading the way is Sr. C Ethan Gonzalez (Blinn JC), who was 3rd team all state last year.  Sr. SS David De Hoyos also returns to anchor the infield. He batted over .440 last year en route to 1st team AD honors. The Rangers also got a big transfer in Seve Martinez. He adds good athleticism and some power from the right side. Sr. Cooper Burgess (Paris JC)  and JR.’s Zach Gingrich and MJ Espinoza also return, giving their lineup depth and athleticism.  Soph. Bryce Wells (Texas) should make a big jump after holding his own as a freshman last year.

PITCHING

It is always good to have an Ace on staff, and this year Smithson Valley has one in Jackson Elizondo. The Baylor signee will feature a fastball that will get up to 91-92 from the left side. Joining him will be Seve Martinez, who is another LHP that will feature an upper 80’s FB that can touch 90. Both have quality secondary pitches and gives them one of the premier 1,2’s in central Texas. MJ Espinoza, Brock Bracher (Howard) and Zach Gingrich give Smithson Valley a really deep staff as well.

SUMMARY

This Smithson Valley team is extremely deep and talented. They have been battle tested up in 6A the last few years, and with the experience of this Sr. Class, Coach Koehl and his staff have to be one of the favorites in 5A this year. 

The FM Marcus baseball program has been one of the most consistent programs in the state since Coach Sherman has been there.  They are used to going deep in the playoffs, and play one of the more aggressive brands of ball in the metroplex.  They have to replace their ace from the last two years, but Marcus has new players step up every year. Let’s take a look at the 2023 Marauders.

OFFENSE

The Marcus offense is always fun to watch. They play a team game and when they get guys on, they put constant pressure on the defense.  They also have one of the top bats in Texas in Caden Sorrell. The Texas A&M signee is a 6’4 205 lb CF who can really run and has a chance to hit double digit home runs this year.  Hank Harp, who is signed with Navarro, will be at the top of the lineup getting things started. He also has a strong glove and will lock down the shortstop position.  They also have a strong veteran presence behind the plate in catcher Van Klein. The Air Force commit is a good defensive catcher that makes any staff better. Sr. Nick Mazzola has a strong glove up the middle, and had some big hits for Marcus down the stretch last year.  Jr. Braylen Murth lengthens their lineup and gives them another bat. Soph. Rock Duer could find his way into the lineup as well. The Switch Hitting Soph. is a good runner who brings good energy to the field. Coach Sherman’s offense is always enjoyable to watch, they play aggressively, if they get on base at a high clip they will score a lot of runs.

PITCHING

The last couple years FM Marcus had a no doubt #1 in Tate Evans.  He is off at Yale now, and Marcus is looking for a new guy to step up and be the team ace. RHP Logan Beortje was going to be one of their top arms, the Blinn JC commit is injured and unsure if he will return this year.  Sr. RHP Zach Kirkpatrick (McLennan) is a big projectable righty who should pitch in the upper 80’s with a good breaking ball. Sr. 's Preston Plank, Josh Walton, and Colton Boyd (Oklahoma Christian) give Sherman a good core of Sr.’s with good arms.  Sophomore’s Brock Glowas and Dane Parlin have good arms that can get into the upper 80’s. Also, look out for Freshman Logan Schultz. He has a big arm, and could get an opportunity early in the year.

SUMMARY

This FM Marcus team has some unknowns going into the season.  But they have a dude in the middle of the lineup and experience up the middle.  If the pitching is good, this FM Marcus team will be in the thick of it come playoff time.  Coach Sherman and his staff always seems to maximize his teams ceiling.

Last year, SA Johnson lost to a talented Lake Travis team in 3 games.  Johnson returns a lot of talent from last year’s team, and all of the young guys they played last year are a year older.  If the pitching is good, this SA Johnson offense is going to be tough to stop.

OFFENSE

The Johnson offense is a tough one to navigate through. Not only are they really talented, they have a bunch of really good bat to ball guys that don’t strike out often. Sr. 's Barrett Johnson (UTSA) and Ryne Farber (Texas State) can really hit and grind out every ab. Farber can also bunt and run, which just adds another dimension to their offense.  Jr. Chad Pantuso is another good athlete who can run and handles the barrel well. Sr. Mason Krahn returns after batting over .450 last year.  Soph. INF Kayson Cunningham may have the best hit tool in the state, regardless of class. The LHH and Texas Tech commit can go foul line to foul line and hits high end pitching extremely well. He is another good athlete that can put pressure on the other team.  Soph. Masa Chilcutt (Texas Commit) has a developing hit tool and is another athlete in the lineup.  He is an impressive defender behind the plate as well. The third member of the soph. Class is Ty Hawkins. The OF/QB1 is a twitchy athlete who has explosive bat speed.  The Johnson offense can beat you in a variety of ways this year, and will be fun to watch. 

*Kayson Cunningham

PITCHING

The Johnson pitching staff is going to look a little different then what was expected when this year started.  The will be without Sr. RHP Mason Bixby (TCU), but have depth and a lot of guys that want the ball in the big moment.  Barrett Johnson will be asked to take on a bigger role on the mound, and the future Roadrunner has the stuff and demeanor to be the team’s ace. Ryne Farber also gives them another athlete on the mound that can compete and knows how to win. Mason Krahn is another senior who gives the team depth on the mound. Cunningham could also see some time on the mound this spring, as he has been in the upper 80’s as well. 

SUMMARY

SA Johnson has become one of the top programs in the centex region.  They have a good blend of talented seniors and a really good sophomore class that gives them stability for a while. The next step for the Jaguars is to go deep into the playoffs, and this year's team has that ability.

Friendswood came 1 game away from being State Champions in 2022.  Coach Benavides and his staff are looking for a repeat trip to Round Rock.  They return a lot of key pieces from last year and have experience on their side.  2023 Friendswood team looks to carry on the success the program has had. 

OFFENSE

Offensively, Friendswood brings back 7 starters from last year’s team.  They are led by Sr. 1b/3b Boots Landry (Texas A&M). The physical LHH bat offers the ability to change the game with one swing of the bat anytime he is up.  They will also rely on Collin Goolsby (Houston Chrsitian) to hold down the shortstop position and be a tablesetter at the top of the order. Jr. Ayden Pearcy also gives them another bat and can catch or play 3rd.  Kyle Lockhart is another one who offers some power potential from both sides of the plate.  Dane Perry (Texas Tech) is a Soph. who can really hit and play numerous positions.  Peyton Adams also returns and lengthens out their lineup.

PITCHING

It’s always nice to have an Ace on your staff, and Friendswood has that in SR. RHP Easton Tumis. The Univeristy of Texas signee is a 6’4 righty that will sit in the low 90’s and shows a high spin slider for his put away pitch.  Kyle Lockhart (OU Commit)  is another physical righty that will throw in the upper 80’s and is a good athlete on the mound.  Jr. ‘s Ray Vaquez, Houston Rhodes, and Jacob Smith also add depth to a quality pitching rotation. 

SUMMARY

Friendswood has high expectations coming into this year.  They were close last year, and they have the pieces to finish the job.  They have a really talented group of Seniors to help navigate them on another deep run.

 The Keller Baseball Program has been one of the most consistent programs in 6A, and last year they came up 1 round short of back to back State Appearances. Coach Stramp and his staff have a lot of key veterans returning, and if some of the young guys step up the Indians will be right back in the mix competing for a state title.

OFFENSE

Keller returns some key pieces in their lineup, as they have 5 guys back from last years team. One of the top uncommitted hitters in the state is Jr. infielder Fisher Polydoroff. The RHH has natural barrel to ball skills and can rack up extra base hits in bunches. He was a standout for PBR at our State Games in the fall. Sr. two way standout Ty Zahradnik provides some thump from the left side. The OU signee will play first when he isn't on the mound and gives Keller another hitter that packs a punch.  Jackson Hill will patrol Centerfield for Keller and he signed with UTA in the fall. The wiry senior provides a good speed/power combo and should settle in towards the top of the lineup. Another Sr. OF that I expect big things from is Bossier Parrish CC signee Zach Makarewich.  The RHH provides some thump from the right side and has hit high level pitching in the spring and summer. Temple signee Brayden Simmons completes the OF for Keller.  He is a LHH that has shown pull side power and is just another piece to lengthen the lineup. The leader behind the plate is Sr. Jaden Black. The Cisco College commit provides value on both sides of the ball and has a frame that still has room to fill out.  

PITCHING

Keller returns some big pieces on the mound from last year's team. Ty Zahradnik is a 6 '6 LHP that has a feel for 3 pitches. He can get up to 90, but he can pitch off his changeup and fastball as well.  Joining him in the rotation will be Nick Robb. The Northwestern St. signee will pitch in the upper 80’s and get into the 90’s with a quality sinking fastball. He is tough to elevate and generates a lot of weak contact.  He pairs his fastball with a slider.  He throws it in the upper 70’s and it comes out of the same tunnel as his fastball.  Dalton Olsovsky is signed with High Point and is another arm that will get into the 90’s.  Jr. 's Mason Cook and Chris Langley also look to provide meaningful innings for Keller.

SUMMARY

This Keller team is no stranger to deep playoff runs. Coach Stramp has another team capable of making it back to Austin. They have key Sr. leadership, experience on the  mound, a deep lineup, and a staff that has been there.  Keller and Southlake has become one of the better rivalries in North Texas the last couple of years, and this year should be nothing different.

Coach Schwarz enters his first year at Cy Woods. Last year, they finished 2nd in their district and lost in the bi district round of playoffs. This year, expectations are high and with the talent they have in their senior class, Cy Woods is poised to make a deep run this year.

OFFENSE

There aren’t many lineups in Texas that have the type of firepower that the Wildcats have this year.  They have 4 D1 hitters in their Sr. class and they all bring something a little different.  Ethan Farris (TX. State) has some of the biggest raw power in the state, and it is starting to show up in games.  He can hit a ball out of any ballpark and gives them that big physical bat in the middle of their order.  Sam Myers is a TCU signee that plays a silky centerfield and can really run. He will help set the table at the top and put constant pressure on the other team. Brady Sullivan is a LHH signed with Texas A&M who also offers a nice Hit/Speed combo and can create pressure in multiple ways.  Tristan Russell is signed with Houston and will play shortstop for Cy Woods.  He has a powerful stroke and is another one that can leave the yard with regularity.  Jr. McClane Helton is a projectable LHH that is growing into his frame and has good barrel to ball skills.  Also, lookout for Kolvin Davis (Temple) and Wyatt Wimberly who give Cy Woods depth up and down the order.

*Ethan Farris

PITCHING

As impressive as the offense is for Cy Woods, the pitching staff offers a lot of talent and depth as well. Sr LHP Chase Morgan is a projectable lefty who will pitch in the upper 80’s with a good bender.  Baylor Signee and fellow LHP Mason Green gives them another high end arm who can really pitch.  Drew Kirby and Reagan Gayle offer talented arms from the right side.  Kirby is signed with ULL and offers an upper 80’s fastball.  Uncommitted Gayle has been up to 90 and offers a lot of upside and shows a developing slider.

SUMMARY

Cy Woods has a lot going for them this year.  They are really talented on both sides of the ball and have a great Senior Class. They are poised to make a district title run and are looking for so much more.  It will be fun to see what this Senior Class can do.

Rockwall Heath has been one of the most consistent programs in the state of Texas over the last few years.  They won a state title two years ago, and made another deep run last season. Gone is 1st rounder Jett Williams, and the two aces from last year’s staff, but Coach Harvey is one of the best. With some talented freshman coming in, Heath looks to make another deep run

OFFENSE

PITCHING

Heath lost their two big arms from the last two seasons, but they still return a lot of talent and a Sr. who has pitched a lot of big innings for the Hawks. Sr. RHP Trevor Tranberg is one of the top uncommitted Sr.’s in the state. The physical righty throws an upper 80’s to low 90’s fastball with a quality slider and changeup.  He threw a lot of big innings in Heath’s last two playoff runs.  Jr. Jack Sharp hasn’t pitched a lot of innings yet for Heath, but the talent is there. The Texas A&M Commit will get into the low 90’s with an athletic delivery and throws a hard curveball and a quality changeup.  Collin Adams gives them a good Left Handed option and fills up the strike zone.  Ethan Atchley could have a big season for Heath.  He really impressed me at our preseason event at Rice.  He throws a sinking FB in the upper 80’s paired with a big sweeping slider.  Finally, Caleb Hoover will show a low 90’s FB and a hard slider.

*Trevor Tranberg

SUMMARY

This Heath team looks different than years past, but Coach Harvey has built a winning program over there and that's what is expected.  Their district matchup with Rockwall High has become one of the better games in North Texas.  They could meet again in the playoffs this year.  If the freshman are ready to contribute and some of the talented but unproven newcomers are the real deal, I may have them under ranked.

Lake Creek fell 1 round short of making it to the State tournament last year.  This year, they return a lot of key pieces and get back one of the top arms in the state.  Lake Creek is poised for another deep run, but this year they have Round Rock on their mind.

OFFENSE

The Lake Creek offense has firepower up and down the lineup and is filled with upperclassmen who were part of last year’s team.  Blake Brown (Sam Houston St.) and Samson Pugh (Texas St.) lead the way. They are both good athletes who can really hit. Sr. Luke Ekdall is a Blinn commit and can really swing it. He is a good glove on the left side of the infield as well.  Sr. Aiden DelaCerda (Belhaven University) is another Sr. who gives them some pop in the lineup.  Jr. Sam Lee is a toolsy OF committed to Arkansas who can really run and offers some power potential as well.

*Samson Pugh

PITCHING

The Lake Creek pitching staff should be a strength this year.  They return Sr. LHP Jackson Wilkerson (Baylor) who is upper 80’s from the left side with a good breaking ball. Sr. RHP Jack Haag (Butler CC) also returns and he features an upper 80’s fb and a breaking ball with good depth.  The big news is that they get Sr. RHP Weston Moss back. The Texas A&M commit missed last year, but has been in the low to mid 90’s this spring and can be electric. Sr. Jace Newkirk (Hill JC) gives them another arm that can start games for them. Jr. 's Carson Sydnor and Parker Smith are two more arms who offer the ability to start games. Sydnor is a LHP that can get into the mid 80’s and Smith has been into the upper 80’s.  Lake Creek has a lot of arms at their disposal this year, and it will be fun to see how they use them when district and playoffs start.

*Weston Moss

SUMMARY

This Lake Creek team has a lot of pieces from last year’s team, and they know what it takes.  Getting Moss back gives them an electric arm to help close out close games.  It is a tough region, but Lake Creek is poised to make another deep run in 2023.

The CC Ray team had an impressive year last year, going 36-6 and undefeated in district and  they finished as regional semifinalists. In one of the best areas for HS baseball in the state, CC Ray has big expectations for the 2023 season. Let’s take a look at the Texans.

OFFENSE

The Ray offense is led by Sr. SS Jack Bell. The slick fielding shortstop has one of the best gloves in the state and really began to flash at the plate.  If the Future Aggie’s bat continues to improve, he could rise up some draft boards.  Sr. OF Ryan Rodriguez was a 1st team AD performer last year and returns for his senior season.  Jr. OF Nick Talavera batted .375 last year en route to 2nd team AD honors.  Soph. INF Lucas Tinajero was the newcomer of the year as a freshman last year, as he batted .440.  The Houston Christian commit looks to build on that as he joins Bell for one of the better infields in South Texas.

PITCHING

The CC Ray pitching staff welcomes back one of the top lefties in the state in Sr. Keeyvan Goss. The Houston Chrsitian signee offers an upper 80’s FB that he can sink or get underneath the hands with.  He throws a hard slider to compliment it.  Joining him will be Sr. Christian Martinez.  Martinez went 9-0 last year with a sub 2 ERA.  Joining them will be Sr. Kerinan Cruger, who provides some quality depth.

SUMMARY

The Texans ballclub has veteran leadership and are really skilled at the right positions.  If Bell and Goss keep the trajectory they have been on, Ray is going to be right there at the end of the season vying for a State Title.

The Denton Guyer Wildcats made the playoffs last year and lost in the 1st round.  This year, they have a loaded Sr. class, some big arms and enough offensive firepower to make a deep run.  District 5-6A and Region 1 is no easy task for any team, but this may be the year Guyer has a deep run in them.

OFFENSE

The Wildcat offense is led by SR. SS Lane Allen The physical RHH offers big time raw power from the right side and the ability to change the game with one swing of the bat. The future Texas Longhorn is also expected to lockdown SS. Sr. C Blade Carver (Northern Oklahoma)  returns behind the plate and gives them a really good catch and throw guy who offers some power as well. Sr. Caleb Cowan (NCTC) has some of the loudest tools in the metroplex.  He is a sub 6.6 runner and can drive the ball out of the ballpark.  If it all comes together for him this year, he could really open some eyes.  Sr. Jack Cagianello offers a nice RHH bat and will play 1st base when he isn't pitching. Brad Pruett also plays a solid 3rd and gives them more power potential.  Josh Lumsden (National Park College)  had a good year for Guyer last year in the OF and gives them another quality Sr. in the lineup. Look out for Soph. Jody Murillo as well, the LHH has some power and could find his way into the lineup.

*Caleb Cowan

PITCHING

I think the Guyer pitching staff has a chance to be one of the best in North Texas this year.  They have a bonafide ace in Sr. RHP Brad Pruett. The future Sooner can get his fastball into the low 90’s and may have the best slider in the metroplex. He throws it in the low 80’s and gets a lot of bad swings out of it.  Jack Cagianello (Weatherford JC) is another arm I am really high on. I think he will get into the low 90’s and throws a hard sweeping slider as well.  Jr. Jack Hickerson is a projectable RHP that is committed to Baylor.  He can get in the low 90’s and features a big breaking ball.  Cole Loser is committed to Blinn and can spin his breaking ball into the 2900’s. If he is consistently in the strike zone, he will be really tough to barrel up. Jody Murillo is a LHP that should sit in the mid 80’s and compliments his fb with a low spin change.

SUMMARY

This Guyer team is built for this year.  They have impact Sr. 's all over the field and a deep pitching rotation that can miss a lot of bats. If the pitchers throw strikes consistently I think Coach Watson and his team are set up for a deep run this year.

Last year, Argyle had another awesome season that saw them go 35-4 and come 1 game away from a state title.  This year, they return a lot of contributors from last year's team and with another year of experience under their belt, the Eagles are looking to bring back another State Title.

OFFENSE

Argyle has one of the deeper lineups in all of 5A. They have a good blend of Right and Left Handed Hitters, and have a lot of athleticism up and down their lineup.  Sr. JC Davis (Weatherford JC) is one of the better defenders in North Texas.  He has gotten more physical over the years and offers some pop at the top of the order.  His DP partner, Colton Roquemore (DBU Commit), gives them a LHH bat at the top of the order and another good runner.  Park Prater (DBU Commit) has continued to get more physical and has the ability to drive the ball from the left side. Sr. C Hunter Sandifer gives them leadership behind the plate, and adds depth to the lineup.  Micah Roberts returns at 3B after being 1st team AD last year, and is another one that has extra base hit potential.  Brayden Rosckes returns in the OF with Prater as well and the bat continues to get better every time we see him.  Argyle also welcomes the #1 freshman in the state in Grady Emerson. The TCU commit can really hit from the left side and offers some power as well. He is a good defender who will be playing 1st, which makes the Eagles infield that much more athletic. 

*Grady Emerson

PITCHING

Argyle has to replace some big innings from last year's team on the mound, but they have the talent to do it. Jr. Hudson Emeterio is a physical RHP that will pitch in the upper 80’s and shows a good slider.  He is committed to Baylor. Park Prater is also back pitching this year, and he will be up to 90 from the left side and shows feel for a good changeup.  Alex D’Angelo is another LHP that throws in the low 80’s but makes his living on his lethal changeup. They also have RHP Evan Harbach. He can get into the mid 90’s, he just needs to continue to refine his command.

*Hudson Emeterio

SUMMARY

Argyle has become one of the elite programs in North Texas. With the move up to 5A, the path isn’t quite as easy as it was. But Coach Griffin has built a program that is used to winning, and another trip to the State Tournament is in their sights.

Grand Oaks made the playoffs last year after a 3rd place finish in a very competitive district.  They return a lot of quality starters from last year’s team, and they are poised to improve from last year.  Let’s take a look at the Grand Oaks Grizzlies.

OFFENSE

The Grand Oaks lineup is deep this year, and offers athleticism and power.  SR. SS Larry Drake is the catalyst for the offense. The future Houston Cougar is a good defender at short and has a knack for finding the barrel at the plate.  I expect he will hit at the top of the lineup and put stress on the other team early and often. SR. C Bryce Dwyer gives them a lot of experience behind the plate and some power potential in the box.  Hudson Hamilton is known for his arm on the mound, but he offers some power potential and can leave the yard to all fields. Sr. Noah Langridge and Drew Dyer give them more experience in the lineup and Dyer has the ability to leave the yard anytime he steps in the box.

*Larry Drake

PITCHING

Hudson Hamilton returns as Grand Oaks Ace this year. The Texas signee will feature a low to mid 90’s FB to pair with a high spin slider making him one of the top arms in Houston. If his command continues to improve, Hamilton will be tough to beat this year.  Jr. LHP Austin Dolezal is committed to Texas State and the future Bobcat offers a mid to upper 80’s FB and can really pitch.  He has another velo bump coming and gives the Grizzlies a strong #2.  Jr. Marc Barnhard has a very good arm, and can get into the low 90’s. He has a hard breaking ball as well. If he can continue to find the strike zone, Grand Oaks will have quite the 3 headed monster on the mound.  Daniel Garcia and Paris Watson (Southern Arkansas Tech) project to give Grand Oaks quality innings as well.

*Hudson Hamilton

SUMMARY

Grand Oaks has a deep and talented roster this year, filled with upperclassmen.  If the pitching staff throws strikes, they will be tough to beat.  The battle for the district title will be very entertaining in District 13-6A.

Last year saw the War Eagles secure a district title on the way to being Regional Quarterfinalist.  This year, they have a strong group of leaders returning with a bonafide ace on the mound.  It is a tough district, but Oak Ridge is looking to make some noise this year

OFFENSE

The Oak Ridge offense starts with Conner Bennett. The Houston Signee batted over .400 last year with 20 doubles.  He is a good athlete for a catcher and can really hit.  Sr. Dillon Staples was an All District OF last year  along with Sr. Gavin Hickman (Galveston College), who was AD on the infield.  Justin Bryant, Bryan London (Hill JC)  and Nathan Bushey give Oak Ridge some depth in their lineup.

*Conner Bennett

PITCHING

Oak Ridge returns one of the top Sr. pitchers in the state in Hayden Morris.  The 6 '7 University of Texas signee offers a FB that can get into the Mid 90’s and can be truly dominant when he is on. Joining him on the bump will be Justin Bryant, Gavin Hickman, Bryan London, and look for Bennett to get some mound time as well this spring.

*Hayden Morris

SUMMARY

Oak Ridge is in a competitive district with The Woodlands and Grand Oaks.  It will help them prepare for the playoffs where they look to lean on a loaded senior class and make a deep run.

Last year couldn’t have gone much better for the Sinton Pirates baseball team. They went 36-1 on their way to a state title.  They lost some key pieces from last year’s team, but Coach Alaniz returns a good core of Seniors and a team hungry to go back to back.

OFFENSE

The offense should offer a lot of firepower this year, and it starts with last years Player of the Year, Blake Mitchell. The Sr. C/RHP is an elite defender behind the plate and can really hit from the left side. The LSU signee is projected to go in the 1st round of this year’s draft, but he has another state title on his mind first.  Joining him in the middle of the order is HCU signee Jaquae Stewart.  The LHH has some of the best raw power in the state, and can leave the yard to any part of the field.  Stewart and Mitchell may be the most feared 1,2 punch in the state.  Braeden Brown is another good athlete who is headed to Sam Houston St. next year, and offers pop from the right side.  Last year’s State Tourney MVP, Sr. Kaden McCoy is back and gives them another good bat from the right side.  Jr. ‘s Nick Flores and Marco Gonzales gives the Pirates depth and really lengthens their lineup

*Blake Mitchell

PITCHING

Sinton lost some big innings from last year’s team, but they return 4 arms that should be able to carry them during the playoffs. Blake Mitchell, while a projected 1st rounder as a catcher, can touch 97 on the mound. He fills up the strike zone and shows off a quality breaking ball as well. Jaquae Stewart gives them a quality Left handed arm and should be in the mid to upper 80’s. Braeden Brown pitched a lot of big innings for Sinton last year, and should be ready to handle a bigger workload.  Sr. Aidan Moody was an all district performer last season and returns.

SUMMARY

Sinton has their eyes set on back to back state titles. Coach Alaniz may not have the depth some of the other teams in the Power 30 have, but they have a really talented senior class that knows how to win. I expect Sinton to right in the thick of things as the season plays out

In Troy McCartney’s 1st year at Celina, the Bobcats made it to the state tournament.  They return a lot of pieces from last year's team, and with 1 more year of experience, Celina is looking to finish the job.

OFFENSE

 The Celina offense is deep, especially when talking about 4a lineups.  They are athletic and have guys that can leave the yard.  They will be led by a good core of seniors in RJ Ruais (Baylor), Noah Bentley (OU), Caden Mitchell (McClennan) and Jackson Rooker (Tennessee Tech). They all have extra base hit potential to go with a lot of experience. Joining them will be a trio of Jr. 's who were a big part of last year's club.  Major Brignon will return at shortstop, and gives them a steady glove plus another bat that can leave the yard. Jr. 1B Kingston Hangartner is another physical bat that adds some thump. Jr. Zach Henderson also returns and gives depth to the lineup. They have a good blend of lefties and righties in the lineup and should match up well in any playoff series.

*Caden Mitchell

PITCHING

Celina has about as good of a 1,2 punch as you will see at the 4a level.  RJ Ruais and Noah Bentley are both headed to P5 schools next year to pitch, and is part of the reason we are so high on Celina this year. Ruais is a lefty that will pitch in the upper 80’s with a good curveball and change up.  Bentley is a physical righty that could be in the low 90’s this spring with  a good breaking ball. If they are in the strike zone, they will be tough to beat.  Zack Henderson got meaningful innings last year and provides good depth to the rotation.  Jackson Rooker has a good arm, and could be a late inning option for the Bobcats.  Freshman Colby Brittain has looked good in the preseason and will be a solid arm for them this year and in the future.

SUMMARY

This Celina team has the majority of their team that made it to the State Tournament last year.  With another year of experience and a tough non district schedule, Coach McCartney’s Bobcats look for a repeat trip.

Last year, Concordia made it to the state tournament before losing a hard fought game in the semi finals.  They return a lot of pieces from last year’s team, and have a lot of talent in all of the important places.  This Concordia team has something to prove, and they have their sites on a State Title

OFFENSE

The Concordia offense should be deep and be able to beat you in multiple ways.  Sr. Zac Daigre is a good table setter at the top of the order and can really run.  Nolan Traeger is one of the top catchers in the state, and the future Horned Frog offers elite defensive skills behind the plate, and some power potential from the left side.  Alex Petrovic is going to Auburn to pitch, but the Sr. can hold his own at the plate and will be a fixture in the middle of the order. Michael Herndon is another two way player who can hit from the left side. The future Baylor Bear offers good gap power. Freshman Ronin McCraw is one of the top freshmen in the state and is already committed to Texas A&M. He can really hit from the left side and can play all over the infield.

*Ronin McCraw

PITCHING

The Concordia Pitching staff is deep this year and offers a bunch of different looks. Petrovic is a personal favorite. There might not be a better mover down the mound in the state than the future Auburn Tiger. He throws a low 90’s FB to go with a plus change and a developing slider. John Mitchell is at Lutheran now and he offers a FB that will sit in the upper 80’s, and a good slider.  He is committed to the Air Force. Michael Herndon is a mid 80’s LHP that is going to Baylor next year and can really pitch.  Soph. Connor Jones is a good athlete who keeps getting better and has been up to 90 so far this spring.  Sr. Eoghan Collins gives them depth and another veteran arm. Soph. LHP Joseph Perillo has a big arm as well. If he finds the strike zone he could be a force as well.

*Alex Petrovic

SUMMARY

This Concordia team has all the ingredients needed for a special season.  They have leadership and talent at all of the important positions, and with an ace like Petrovic, they have a chance to win any game they play.  Las year they fell a little short, this year the Crusaders are looking to finish the job.

The lone school from west Texas is Canyon Randall. The Raiders have a long history of successful baseball teams, and this year is shaping up to be another one. They have a lot of Sr. leadership and a deep and talented pitching staff.  They are one of the favorites for 4A this year.

OFFENSE

Offensively, Canyon Randall has a deep lineup with good athleticism.  Sr. Payton Bush (Amarillo College) is coming off an All State season at 2nd base. Joining him are Sr. 's Mason Gilbert and Kaden Juarez, who are both signed to go to Seward County. SS Kole Dudding is committed to Oral Roberts and provides a lot of versatility. Jr. 's Hagen Shedd and Andrew Ramos will both play in the OF when they aren’t pitching.  There aren’t a lot of holes in this lineup, and with the talent they have on the mound, there will be a lot of pressure on opposing teams to not make any mistakes.

PITCHING

The Randall Pitching staff is really deep this year, and will be tough to find innings for all of the quality arms they have. The two Jr. 's Andrew Ramos and Hagen Shedd (Texas Tech Commit), get a lot of the attention with their low 90’s fastballs and projectability, but the reigning District Pitcher of the Year is Sr. Duncan Bowles. The Amarillo College signee will anchor the staff. LHP Carson Haffner will also provide quality innings, coming off a 2nd team AD season.  Logan Tice offers a different look from a sidearm slot which gives them options.  The Pirates will be tough to score on this season.

SUMMARY

There aren’t a lot of holes in Coach Hamilton’s squad this season.  If they stay healthy and the big arms fill up the strike zone, the Raiders look to make a trip to the state tournament. 

In Coach Vilade’s 1st year at Prestonwood, the Lions won the TAAPS state championship.  They lost a couple of pieces from last year’s team, but with a new wave talent, Prestonwood looks to repeat as State Champs.

OFFENSE

The offense returns a lot from last year’s team, and they added some game changers as well. Tarris Murray returns at the top of the lineup. The future Sooner has really good speed and plays a quality CF.  He has started to get into his power more at the plate, and adds instant stress to the other team when he gets on base.  Dondreone Kennedy is at PCA for his Sr. year, and the future Longhorn can do a little bit of everything on the field.  He can run, he can hit for a high avg. and he has the ability to leave the yard at any time. He makes the top of their lineup one of the most athletic in the area.  William Johnson will lock down shortstop, and continues to show a developing bat. He has some pull side power and gets better every time we see him. Jr. C AJ Depaolo (Vandy commit) is a high energy player with a good arm behind the plate. He does a good job of shutting down the running game.  Sr. Tyler Rojas (Yavapai) gives them another bat that can leave the yard at any time. Louis Bussard is a Jr. who continues to get better. The LHH does a good job of using the whole field and is a good runner.

*Dondreone Kennedy

PITCHING

The pitching staff was faced with replacing their ace, and they did that when super Soph. Xavier Mitchell transferred in. The UT commit is a LHP that sits comfortably in the mid to upper 80’s with a feel for his secondaries.  He has good command for his age and is very projectable moving forward.  Joining him on the bump is Louis Bussard who is a mid 80’s LHP with a quality breaking ball. Dondreone Kennedy will close some, and can get into the low 90’s. Also, look out for Soph. Landon Murphy, he has a good arm and has been up to 86 early in the season.

*Xavier Mitchell

SUMMARY

The Prestonwood team had a great run last year, and with Coach Vilade leading, I expect that to be the new norm.  With a good core of returners and an influx of some new talent this Prestonwood team has one thing on their mind, and that is another state title.

Last year, the Wakeland Wolverines had a solid regular season and made playoffs.  Once they got into the playoffs, they got on a heater and made it all the way to the state tournament.  They lost some pieces from last years team, but they return a bonafide ace, a leadoff hitter to put constant pressure on the defense, and a team that knows what it takes to advance in the playoffs.  Let’s take a look at the Wakeland Wolverines.

OFFENSE

The Wakeland offense starts with Addison Brown. The Odessa College Signee is a LHH that can run and delivers extra base hit potential from the top of the order.  Once he gets on base, he creates havoc on the opposing pitcher and gets Wakeland’s offense rolling. Carson Priebe may be going to Texas Tech to pitch, but he offers some power from the batter’s box. He figures to bat in the middle of the lineup. Joining him, Sr. 's Dillon Snead and Owen Cassano look to build off good seasons last year.  Jr.’s Krue Lowe, Austin Powell, and Aiden Hoang also figure to have big roles offensively. 

*Addison Brown

PITCHING

On the bump, Wakeland has one of the premier arms in North Texas. Sr. RHP Carson Priebe (Texas Tech) gives them a chance to win every time he steps on the mound.  He will get into the low 90’s this spring with feel for a good breaking ball and changeup.  He has good stuff, but is also a strike thrower and can get deep into games.  Sr. 's Jackson Peters and Sam Friedman figure to get some innings this spring.  Look out for Soph. Zeke Alexander as well, he could step up and pitch some meaningful innings.

*Carson Priebe

SUMMARY

Wakeland may not have the team filled up and down with D1 prospects, but they are really good where it is important and have a lot of quality baseball players.  With this coaching staff and Priebe getting the ball in the big games, Wakeland is just as dangerous as last year.

Coach Rush’s Tomball team comes into this year with a lot of experience with upperclassmen and also brings in one of the top freshman classes in the state.  After a 2nd place district finish last year, the Cougars are primed to win another district title and make a deep run in the playoffs. 

OFFENSE

The offense should be good this year, and has a chance to be really good if some of the freshmen are ready to contribute. It all starts with Jr. Catcher Cade Arrambide. The LSU commit has HR power to all fields, but also hits for a high avg.  He is a good athlete for a catcher, and gives them that threat every time you have to go through their order. Sr. INF Alan Lopez (U of Houston) should be a catalyst for Tomball at the top of the order. Jr. Ryan Coleman is a good runner who can hit and puts pressure on opposing defenses. Jr. Braden Scherzer also provides athleticism and a quality LHH bat. Freshman CJ Sampson, Catcher Hopkins and Harper Gates all show the ability to help contribute as well.

*Cade Arrambide

PITCHING

Tomball brings back all of their starting pitching from last year’s team.  With another year of experience, some talented freshmen, this staff has a chance to be really good.  Cade Daniell (Sam Houston State) returns and gives them a quality LHP that can really pitch. Thomas Williamson has been up to 93 and provides another power arm for Tomball. Keegan Deemer and Ethan Mann are two Jr.’s who offer high upside and have good velo.  Freshmen CJ Sampson and Karson Reeder both bring good pitch ability for their age. Sampson can really pitch with his full arsenal and is mature beyond his years.  Reeder shows really good arm talent and a quality breaking ball. Tomball has a chance to have one of the deeper pitching staffs in the area.

*Karson Reeder

SUMMARY 

Tomball has a lot going for them, and a coach that is no stranger to deep runs.  If the freshman can blend in and help contribute where needed, this Tomball has a chance to be really good.  They have one of the best position players in the state in Arrambide, and I think they have a long playoff run in them.