Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 14 Kenosha Bradford

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 26th, the first day for regular season games.

Leading up to the opening week of games we will be rolling out team previews of our top 25 high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, counting down our Preseason Power 25.

We will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team.

Team: Kenosha Bradford
Preseason Rank: 14
2018 Record: 19-10
Conference: Southeast
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Matt LaBuda
Playoff Run: Regional Champions
2018 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 10

TOP PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS LOST

Trey Glass, SS (Oakton CC)
Jackson Smoko, INF

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

The 2018 Red Devils were so junior heavy last year, that there may not be much room for newcomers. Nick Cairo was the only 2020 graduate to play the entire season on varsity last year, but a big hole that will need to be filled is the one left behind by SS Trey Glass. Glass was a spark plug to the lineup and captained the infield at shortstop. Look for one of a pair of juniors to possibly step in and take that role on the infield - Drew Knecht and Tyler Bellmore both have natural infield instincts that could land them the position if Coach LaBuda doesn’t find it elsewhere in his deep senior class. Bellmore likely has the upper hand here, as he caught a glimpse of varsity action down the stretch in 2018, earning roughly a dozen at bats.  

STAT RAT

From the depths of GameChanger, one of the more impressive resumes comes from the efficiency of junior RHP Nick Cairo. This winter at the Milwaukee Preseason I.D. was arguably the best we’ve seen the 2020 prospect, sitting 84-85 mph, with advanced secondary stuff and feel of the zone. Its that feel of the zone that will be a key for Bradford in 2019. With pitch count limitations, Cairo has made himself one of the more valuable arms in the state. His pitches per inning last season hovered just above 13, giving him the ability to consistently go deep into games, and saving the Bradford bullpen. In recent years since the pitch count was implemented, we’ve seen several late game leads go by the wayside due to starters having to be pulled due to pitch count. Cairo has curbed that with his ability to pound the strike zone and get quick outs. Of his 50 IP in 2018, 30 of those saw fewer than 13 pitches, and resulted in 14 1-2-3 innings. Expect Cairo to be one of the few pitchers in the state who finish what they start.

Nick Cairo (3.3.19)

X-FACTORS

Tanner Hurley and Cody Tostrud may hold the key to the Bradford lineup. Last year the outfield duo hit consistently in the top two spots of the lineup. Their combination of barrel control and speed make them excellent candidates to stay at the top and set the table. However, two of Bradford’s biggest losses were in the run producing category. Leading RBI men, Trey Glass and Jackson Smoko are gone. So how will this affect the run scoring production of Hurley and Tostrud? Or will they move into more of a middle of the lineup roll where they will be tasked to drive in more of their production? Either way the duo will likely account for a huge chunk of the Bradford offense, how they do it may still be determined.

Cody Tostrud (9.23.18)

OUTLOOK

The Red Devils biggest strength in 2019 may be their overall experience. They return seven starters from a year ago and virtually every inning pitched in 2018 returns. The staff should be headlined by a pair of next level arms in RHP’s Jarret Ramer and Nick Cairo. Both pitched 50+ innings in 2018, accounting for more than half of the team’s total innings. Cario, just a sophomore last year, posted a 1.68 ERA and was arguably the most efficient arm on the team (see above), walking just ten on the year and pitching through at least the sixth inning in all seven of his starts in 2018. Either Ramer or Cairo would suffice as a No.1 of the staff and the depth behind them is immense. RHP Kyle McKinnon and LHP Nathan Schnabel both logged more than 20 innings in 2018 and posted sub 4.00 ERA’s, look for them to round out the rotation as well as logging key innings out of the pen.

The Bradford outfield is where the bulk of their offense lies from a year ago, Cody Tostrud (.406), Tanner Hurley (.440) and Kyle McKinnon (.329) all return big offensive output. Tostrud and Hurley in particular are returning  first team all-conference selections and likely to hit near the top of the lineup. Both were top of the lineup run scorers and crossed home plate 56 times combined last season, accounting from more than a quarter of the Red Devils total runs and earned the top two plate appearances last season.

Tanner Hurley (7.24.18)

Riley Hughes is back to maintain the catching duties, Hughes hit .351 last year while leading the team in doubles. He flashes gap pop from the left side, and likely to hit near the middle of the lineup. Hughes is one of two Carthage College commits on the team.

The infield is where Coach LaBuda will see some changes, particularly on the left side. Both Trey Glass and Jackson Smoko resided on that side a year ago and will need to be placed. We mentioned the potential options above from the junior class. It’s also a possibility for Jared Bonofiglio to move to that side, as he was a steady name at the keystone position and hitting out of the nine hole. Between Bonofiglio, Thomas Coffey, Matthew Kauffmanm, Tyler Bellmore, and Drew Knecht, coach LaBuda will have no shortage of options to go around the horn.

BOTTOM LINE

The Southeast Conference just got harder in 2019, and on paper might be the best conference in the state. Adding Franklin and Oak Creek to the mix likely gives the conference at least four Power 25 teams. On top of that, the Kenosha’s will always play each other tough regardless of the year, making for a grind of a season ahead for Coach LaBuda and staff. But the bloodbath of the Southeast and the combination of a pair of playoff wins in 2018, may just prep the Red Devils for an extended postseason run in 2019. Bradfordd hasn’t taken a conference title since 2015, but could be poised to due so in 2019. The have the experience, they will be battle tested, and they have the front end pitching to do so.

Make sure to follow @PBRWisconsin on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

Find more information on the 2019 Red Devils below:

• Full Schedule

• Gamechanger

• Twitter

Preseason Power 25 Countdown