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Preseason Countdown: No 23 Legacy

March 10, 2015

By John Cackowski
State Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Legacy
Preseason Rank: 23
2014 Record: 11-9
Conference: Front Range
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Ty Giordano
Playoff Run: Lost to Columbine 10-0 in first game of Districts
2014 Final Rank: 45
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Wyatt Cross, C, 2015 (North Carolina)
Jared Crockett, OF/RHP, 2015
Paul Thompson, Legacy, 2016, C/3B
Jordan Luthi, Legacy, 2016, OF/RHP

X-FACTOR:
Who replaces Gilbreath? It's hard to replace a player who was drafted out of your high school program, but if the Lightning can get consistent innings from their No. 1 and 2 pitchers they might be better off in 2015 then 2014.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
2016 Paul Thompson: Thompson is waiting his turn after Cross graduates, but recently the 5-foot-11 190-pound right-handed hitting catcher at the Preseason All-State showed some good skills.  Thompson had an 83 MPH exit velo, and behind the plate, showed soft hands, fluid/quick exchange, somewhat accurate throws, mobile and athletic, pop times between 2.03 and 2.10, 76 MPH positional velocity.

KEY PLAYER LOST:
Lucas Gilbreath: Minnesota

STAT RAT:
Wyatt Cross had half of the Lightning home runs in 2014 with 3

BOTTOM LINE: 

The Lightning have four core players coming back, and all four were the the anchor of their offensive production in 2014, and two of them will be starting pitchers. No. 2 2015 and No. 20 overall C Wyatt Cross returns in 2015. The 6-3 185lb North Carolina commit will once again be behind the dish for the Lightning from Legacy High School. Cross has been getting national attention for his abilities. Cross  participated in the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game 8-16-14 at Wrigley Field, and Cross  participated in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars event in Cary, N.C. We also look forward to see how far Cross can move up the MLB Draft Board in 2015. No. 27 2015 Jared Crockett RHP/OF is a left-handed hitting lead off hitter with exceptional speed both at the plate and in the outfield.  He has been clocked at 6.6 in the 60. Crockett will probably move to CF in 2015, and will most likely be the No. 1 pitcher in 2015. 2016 OF/RHP Jordan Luthi will look to add stability to the pitching staff as well. Luthi has a strong arm from the outfield and good bat speed. Luthi started as a sophomore, and at the recent Preseason All-State event on 3/1/15 Luthi had a 86 mph exit velo and threw 86 mph from the outfield. Potential clean-up hitter will be 2016 3B Paul Thompson. In 2014 Thompson in limited time hit .417 in 2014 showing good pop from his bat. The Lightning will have to depend on new faces to step in in 2015, but expect them to have a very competitive season in the Front Range League in 2015.

 

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