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Show DAILY Wednesday. March 11, 2009 HERALD C5 2009 REGION 4 BASEBALL PREVIEW Region 4 ing 5A champs to finish third is hard for me to do, but the TWolves "return just two starters back from last year's team and they have some serious offensive questions to and Kyle HaU, Jake Blackhurst Vikings can also offer sidewinder Nate Hardman and one and Evan Wright could all see Continued from CI surprise could be Mitch Dahl, a time in right. The big question for Amerijunior, who throws in the mid 80s. can Fork is who pitches when Opposing pitchers should be The offense will be led by a put on alert when Dallas Smith Mooney doesn't. That job steps into the box He may just answer. might go to Aaron Hilt a rightpair of catchers in Sean Stebe the most dangerous hitter First the answers. Rhett venson, a senior, and Colby hander, or Cotton Dunn, a on the team. Taggert Lunc-e- f Nelson returns for what should Croft, a junior. Both could plalefty. Another option is Evans. ord returns at catcher, where be a huge senior year. He was toon at first base and catcher. It just may take an exceptional 10-he was clutch last season. last year with a 2.08 ERA Hall needs both of their bats in year from the entire staff for This team is not used to with 76 Ks as he emerged as: ; the lineup. the Cavemen to make the playan elite pitcher. He will anchor There could be several offs. losing. They went 27-- 2 in the summer. the staff and play third base. battles for a starting spot Overall, the Dons have the It's also nice to have the throughout the lineup. Hard-ma- n 6.LE1H. should see sometime at depth, pitching, and enough of- pitcher who won the state fense to win the Region 4 title championship game returning. first base along with Croft and Improvement is the buzz and challenge for the state 5A Tanner Wolfe was had a 4.67 Stevenson when they're not word in Lehi, but that may not title. ERA and stuckout 21 in 25 inshow up in the form of wins in catching. There are six players to cov- this regioa The Pioneers figure nings pitched. Those two can match up er the other infield spots. C.J. to be the region spoiler. '2.L0NEPEAXLehi will miss Josh Swenson, with anyone. If the TWolves Cardon looks like he will start In Mike LaHargoue's first at second. Bonnett and Keaton who is now pitching at Colare forced to go deeper, look Secret an could both see time year as head coach, Lone Peak for a combination of pitchlege of Eastern Utah. Filling at shortstop. Neuenswander his shoes will be a combination ers to work the innings that caught the rest of the region and Jordan Estaban have third of pitchers. Jake Grange, a by surprise as the Knights won include J.D. Ashman, a junior 6oot-- 4 junior, throws the region title behind a team up to righty, Trevor Thomas, Jensen covered. that most pitchers couldn't get Nelson and Jeff Gassman. Hall also has several op85 and throws a good splitty, out. In addition to Nelson, the tions in the outfield. From along with effective curveball. e Lone Peak averaged 8.5 runs only other left to right should be Jordan Bronson Anderson, a lefty starter Edwards, Jonny Burton and sophomore, could be the team's per game last year and lost just back from last year is Kellen three players off that team. McWhorter, who finished the Tanner Johnson, with Steve biggest surprise. Grange, AnThe Knights have four players season hot. He homered in the Rockhill and Dahl rounding out derson or Ed Day could all end who hit over .400 last year and state championship game and. the outfield rotation. up being a starter. Luke Miller is another player who could another one who hit .392. batted .419 on the season. Keep your eye on this team; Pitching is Lone Peak's bigpitch in the rotation. Timpanogos will have to they could be Region 4's bigFor the Pioneers to move up gest question mark. Does this have some breakout seasons gest surprise. team have enough pitching to from a number of players the region ladder, this team survive in this region? must hit. The lineup should that include shortstop Trevor 5. AM. FORK Thomas and outfielder Chrislook like this. At first will likeThe answer is yes. Ryan The Cavemen have made a ly be Derek Golightly, a senior, Stephan, a senior, went largely tian Turley, who played part unnoticed last year, despite a time last year. who has shown at times that living off exceeding expecta3.46 ERA. The other seniors The preseason will be used he can get hot enough to carry tions which is can be directly will have to be productive for to figure out who plays first the team. Trevor Jeppson is back to coach Jarod Ingersoll. Can Ingersoll's bunch do it and second base, along with this team to challenge for the good with the glove and could third when Nelson pitches. again? region title. Brian Nielson, play third when Day pitches. Josh Mooney is about as Gassman and Jensen Nelson The speedy Tanner Martin will Justin Alworth and Blake Lewis figure to get the bulk of could both see time at first. sure of a thing as it gets in lead off and play shortstop. baseball. He throws in the low the innings. If another player Nelson could also play second The outfield will consist with 90s and could be drafted in the Bronson Anderson and Tyson along with Brooks Fowler. emerges it could be Easton Shannon. Thomas will play short and the top 20 rounds, but as a pitcher Bringhurst in left and Jordy or hitter? He is one of the top Adam Kelsch will play first. team looks to have two good Hart, a sophomore, will play hitters around, too. He hit four center and figures to hit in the catchers in senior Luke JohnHe was one of last season's home runs with 13 doubles last middle of the lineup. T.J. Rus-se- n son and sophomore Scooter biggest surprises when ht hit is one of the better hitters Nelson. .466. Matt Williams is back at year and 31 RBI. Last year Timpanogos finon the team and has an arm The Cavemen could have second where he hit .400 and ished fourth in region and won arguably the top two players in that shouldn't be tested in right Dillon Robinson moves over field. the state title. That can't hapthe Valley because Bo Fisher, from third to short last year last year's Outstanding 5A Valafter he turned some heads by pen this year since Region 4 The Pioneers are high on hitting .479. Michael Draper, a gets only three playoff berths, ley Player of the Year, returns catcher Rem Worthen, who so the defending champs must at catcher where he hit .528 has the defensive skills and ofsophomore, will start at third finish in the top three. fense to play at the next level. with five home runs and eight and Brayden Matheson, a junior, wiU start at catcher. triples and 32 RBI. Bringhurst gives Lehi flexBut how well American Two of the three outfield ibility in positions since he can GROVE FL. 4. Fork does determines on play multiple positions. spots will be the same. Kade Lehi should be improved This was a tough call, but Andrus returns in right after Mooney and Fisher's surroundthis year, but it may not show the Vikings narrowly missed ing cast. Ben Beddes at first hitting .392 with four home base is a key to the offense. He up in wins. The Pioneers didn't runs. Jacob Hanneman is back out on the playoffs last year. win a region game last year The Vikings may not have the cold provide protection from in center. He batted .400. Left e and weren't even competitive teams pitching around Fisher field could include Ryan Savpitchers, but they in most of their region games. and Mooney. Ryan Pitcher is age and Brian Nielson. Matt figure to have a staff to conat second, Stewart Duersch tend for a playoff spot. Calder Oakman and Jed Goeckeritz They had just one game (a moves from third to shortstop loss to Pleasant Grove) where could also work their way into Bonnett was 3.55 ERA and 30 this year and Ryan Evans is at the Pioneers were within six Ks last year. Aaron Neuenthe lineup. runs of another Region 4 swander makes a tough choice third. Miller will team. be the Jake Hall to for coach likely pick Ryan 3.TIMP&M0GOS. This team should be much team's leadoff man and play a clear No. 1. Neuenswander left. Mooney will be in center I admit, picking the defend more competitive. had a 3.72 ERA last year. The Region 4 baseball projected lineups and pitching rotations ' (IN PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH) -P- ROJECTED UNEUP OF: Dallas Smith, Brett Gro-ve- r, Nate Binks 0 Duke Spanish Fork PROJECTED ROTATION 8RBraden lB:Gregv Warren j JAoney 1. Brock Duke 2. Adam Duke 3. Chase Castleberry 4. Tyler Duffin C: Taggart tonceford -f full-tim- big-nam- PROJECTED LINEUP Jacob Hanneman, Brian NielsonRyan Savage OF: Kade Andrus, m, Man. ruff litems Robinson Lone Peak PROJECTED ROTATION 1. Ryan Stephan 2. Brian Nielson HB: Adatnj SB: Michael ltelsch Dker iy 3. Justin Alworth 4. Blake Lewis 5. Easton Shannon C: Brayden Matheson PROJECTED LINEUP OF: Christian Turley, J.D. Ashman, Kellen McWhorter 2$: S5: Trevor Thomas Nelsdi Timpanogos iB JefN 'Rhett PROJECTED ROTATION : mi sdnDave-)aass- 1. Rhett Nelson Brool FewlerJensi i, 'an r - w 2. Tanner Wolfe i Jensen ixi- - 1 3. J.D. Ashman 4. Jensen Nelson 5. Trevor Thomas C: Luke Johnson Scooter Nelson 2-- 0 PROJECTED LINEUP OF: Jordan Edwards, Jonny Burton, Tanner Johnson Steve RockML Hitters Zuke's2009 Power Rankings Continued from CI Lone Peak's lineup is so tough, it will be impossible to pitch around Kelsch. Team ence This is one pitcher who can hit. He led the team in home runs last year with three and hit .369. 1 expect his average to jump up this year, as well as his extra-bas- e hits. He could lead the Valley in doubles. B. JOSH MOONEY (AMERICAN FORK). SR. No explanation needed. He hit .458 with 13 doubles last year. Will make a tough one-tw- o punch with Fisher. O. BILLON ROBINSON Was one (LONE PEAK), JR. of my top 20 hitters last year even though he had never played a varsity game. He hit .479 as a sophomore. I look for his power numberst take jump this year. ' 7. KABS ANBRtTS My pick for Spanish Fork's surprise player this year. Could lead the team in average and has some pop to split the gaps. 19. ES BAY (LEHI). SR. He could put up good power numbers at Lehi. He hit five home runs in the summer and should hits for tally a lot of extra-bas- e the Pioneers. ISH FORK), JR. points based on The differ- in Team Pts. .1. Spanish Fork 18.5 2. Lone Peak 17.5 3. Timpanogos 16.0 4. Pleasant Grove 45.0 (LONE Hopefully there are no aftershocks from his football injury that cost him his season. He hit .392 last year with four home runs. He is my pick to lead the Valley in home runs this year. (OREM), SR. v He had a multi-hom- vJL s Secretary aron NWehswan- def)ddrdan rZ: tardrnapA Nate - TT'SeanSfeyen-EstaoarX- 2. Aaron Neuenswander 5. Johnny Burton j . sonCproy 3. Nate Hardman 4. Mitch Dahl V7 C: Colby Crb iftf Sean Stevenson 7. Provo 12.5 8. Lehi 12.0 It's not a (TIMPVIEW), SR. surprise that no one heard about Daniel's season last year since Timpview didn't win a region game, but he hit over .400 with three home runs and 9. Orem 11.0 22. GKEG MONEY 10. Payson 10.0 11. Toolele 9.0 12. Salem Hills 8.5 Money is one of several Spanish Fork players who could turns some heads this year and be on this list, but I have a feeling he will be money. FRANSCELLDaily Herald Lone Peak's Adam Kelsch hits the ball during a game against Bingham on May 14, 2008. 7.0 14. COLBY CROFT 4.5 23. JEFF BOYD (SPRINGHe's a gamer. VILLE), SR. (PLEAS- (PAY-SON- , . At 205 pounds, he's big, strong and capable of carrying the offensive load for Salem Hills. He should chew up 3A pitch(SALEM HILLS), SR. ing. 16. MARK DEWYZE (SPRINGVILLE), SR. Speed doesn't slump. Last year, he stole 14 bases last year and hit .404 and was consistently causing problems for opposing teams. 17. SCAN STEVENSON (PLEASANT GROVE), SR. Jake batted .348 last year with eight doubles and came up clutch Josh SS:SteW Vf Duersch American Fork lB:Beyv 8B;Ryan f-- Beddes) Evah 1. Josh Mooney 2. Aaron Hill 3. Ryan Evans 4. Colton Dunn C: Bo Fishe-r- I ' contact hitter who makes things happen. He hit .365 last year for the Red Devils and drove in 20 runs. 24. COLTON RAMON SR. There are (SPRINGVILLE), some players I acknowledge they might be ranked too low. Ramon is one of those. Showed power as a sophomore. The potential is there to be in the top 10 if he has a breakout season. 25. MORGAN VENTURA He hit .349 last year for the Bulldogs. He would be ranked higher, but he could get off to a slow start due to the length of the basketball season. (PROVO), SR. PROJECTED LINEUP OF: Bronson Anderson Tyson Bringhurst, Jordy Hart, T.J. Russor SS- - Tinner iL I For more of Zuke's top hitters, go to neiIwarnerboofes.com 2B Trevor step. oson raimetage Lehi PROJECTED ROTATION 1. Jake Grange 2. Bronson Anderson 3. Luke Miller 4'. Ed Day C: Rem He Miller, Mooney, Jake Blackhurst Evan WihJKyJeJHall love watching him play. Good He hit .368 last year with seven doubles for the Vikings and is patient at the plate. He drew 17 walks. I expect his RBI totals to double this year from 12 to 24. 15. IKITCHIZLL COWBEN ANT GROVE), JR. ), U. SFENSCR SMITH SR. After hitting over another player who peaked i at the right time. He came on 'h .400 as a sophomore, his aver- strong in the state tournament age dipped to .340 last year, and homered in the champion- - but he still drove in 22 runs with five homers and eight ship game. doubles. I like guys with solid O. BROCK DUKE (SPANISH An FORK), SR. power numbers. Smith should be back for a monster year. slump sabotaged Duke's bat12. ratATT WILLIAMS ting average, but he still hit He was one (LONE PEAK), SR. .361 for the year. He could easily hit over .400 this year. I of last year's breakout playexpect he'll bounce back with ers and could many teams by solid numbers. surprise. The Knights' second baseman hit .464. 10. HARRISON CRAY 13. JACOB HANNEMAN Came up clutch (OREM), JR. Another (LONE PEAK), Sr. with the long ball His power numbers are helped by the Knight in the top 15? Yep. He friendly confines of Tiger field, hit an even .400 last year and but he will prove this year that there's no reason to think he can't do it again. hisbatis'forreaL OF: PROJECTED ROTATION (SPANISH FORK), SR. ASHLEY PROJECTED LINEUP 2L BEX DANIEL 13.5 R 1 1. Calder Bonnett rHnn er 6. Springville 14. Timpview PROJECTED ROTATION game in the summer and could make for a tough out hitting next to Gray. One of my picks for breakout players. 14.5 View Pleasant Grove SS: Ca Bonffett Keaton 20. JACKSON TATS 5. American Fork 13. Mountain He (TIMPANOGOS), SR. hit .419 for the season and was early-seaso- (SPAN- 22RBI. PEAK), SR. 8. KEULEN EICWTXOItT-E- 23 runs. 18. DALLAS SMITH points is indicative of how many runs on team is better than another team. 4. RHETT NXXSON (TIMPANOGOS), SR. with men on base, driving in WoWn j |
