Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Preseason Countdown No. 10 ThunderRidge

March 19, 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: ThunderRidge
Preseason Rank: 10
2014 Record: 15-9
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Joe White
Playoff Run: Lost to Cherry Creek in 5A Final 8 7-6
2014 Final Rank: 9
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS:
Jake Eissler, RHP/3B, No. 3 2016 and No. 58 Overall (Committed to Texas Christian)
Aaron Germani, CF, No. 41 2015 (Committed to Metropolitan State)
Josh Brown, 2B, No. 44 2015
Tyce O'Neil, LHP, No. 55 2015 (Committed to Southern Nevada )
Seth Barnes, C, No. 63 2015

X-FACTOR:
The loss of three D-1 Players. Whoever replaces Brody Westmoreland, A.J. Jones, and Ty Loptien will have big shoes to fill.

NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH:
2017's Quincy Ulrich, Timothy McIntyre, and Brody Perkins

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Brody Westmoreland (San Diego State), Ty Loptein (San Diego State), A.J. Johne (Southern Nevada)

STAT RAT:
The Grizzlies will have to find 103 of 149 RBI's from players who graduated in 2014

BOTTOM LINE:
The Grizzlies are coached by Joe White who opened the school in 1997. Under Joe White the Grizzlies strength has been pitching. Last year at one point ThunderRidge was nationally ranked coming off their 2013 5A State Championship, and also showing well in the USA Baseball NHSI. In the 2014 in defense of their 5A title the Grizzlies had two of the toughest losses a program could have in the 5A Final 8 losing to Rocky Mountain 5-4 in 9 innings, then losing to Cherry Creek 7-6 after having a 4-1 lead only to give up 6 runs in the 6th and 7th inning. The Grizzlies do return a potent team though in 2015. Led by No. 3 2016 and Texas Christian Commit Jake Eissler, Eissler is one of the best pitchers in the state. In 2014 Eissler was 7-0 with a 2.68 ERA which included a complete game shut out win over at the time nationally ranked Venice,Fl. Eissler will also give the Grizzlies some munch important offense with the loss of Brody Westmoreland as he hit .344 in in 2015. One of the better defensive center fielders in the state Aaron Germani returns. No. 41 ranked 2015 and Metro State commit is a speedy lead off hitter. Germani hit .344 in 2014, and has some pop in his bat hitting 2 HR. No. 44 2015 2B Josh Brown returns in 2014. At press release of this article we were told Brown had shoulder surgery. We are not sure how long Brown will be out. If he's out for an extended period of time it will be a huge loss because he hit .413 in 2014 with 11 doubles. It will be a huge blow to the offense. No. 55 2015 and Southern Nevada commit Tyce O'Neill will be looked upon to replace big innings lost from A.J. Jones and Ty Loptein. The LHP brings a mid 80's fastball to the mound. No. 63 2015 C, Seth Barnes is a work-horse behind the plate. On offense he brings back a .477 batting average from 2014. The Grizzlies are a well run program that will overcome any adversity thrown at them, and will look to reload for another deep 5A playoff run.

Related Material