Players in Arizona have been eager to compete for their high school programs and it feels as we are getting close. The Arizona Interscholastic Association has announced that opening day of the 2021 season will commence on Monday, March 1st. Programs will allowed to begin practicing while holding tryouts in an official capacity before moving on to live competition. The PBR Arizona staff will start to begin its 2021 season coverage starting with our Preseason Power 25 rankings. Over the next two months and leading up to opening day, we will be highlighting some of the top programs in state in our team previews. PBR will also be publishing its state Power 25 rankings that will be updated every Monday once the season begins. Throughout the season, PBR will be pumping out coverage, highlighting individual players, games, rankings, scouting reports and nominating a player of the week. PBR looks forward to getting out there this spring to see some great baseball. 

Our Preseason Power 25 rankings coverage starts today.

Team: Red Mountain

Preseason Rank: No. 4
2020 Record: 5-3
Conference: East Valley
AIA Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Rob Gorrell
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 4

OUTLOOK:

Red Mountain comes into our Preseason Power 25 rankings at No. 4 but really could have been ranked anywhere in the top-5 in our eyes. The state has a handful of teams that really stand out on paper to start the season and this is one of them. Red Mountain has 8 players on this years squad already committed to DI programs with a couple more prospects that could have that same opportunity in the near future. Senior, Ryan Campos (Arizona) who is a true veteran should be one of the leaders on this years team. He should be one of the top offensive players as well as help control the defense & pitching staff from behind the plate. Speaking of pitching staff, the Mountain Lions have some strong depth on the mound in RJ Elmore (Grand Canyon), Brandon Koble (Arizona State), Mason Kelley (Arizona), & Cayne Killion (UCSB) who are all already DI prospects as pitchers. Sophomore, Payton Pudenz could also see some innings. As good as their pitching staff might be, their offense should be pretty strong as well led by seniors, Campos & Tanner Rice (UT-Arlington). TJ Adams (Arizona) & Mitch Namie (Fullerton) are also two of the stronger junior bats in the state. Namie could be in for a breakout year offensively, showing some big power potential throughout the fall season. Junior, Landry Spitler might be one of the more underrated players in the state while displaying strong ability to hit game after game. Junior, Brayden Grantham is one of the top uncommitted shortstops in the 2022 class. Newcomer from Wisconsin, Mason Krznarich could also be a big contributor with the bat going forward. Red Mountain should be one of the more balanced teams in the state. 

KEY PLAYERS LOST:

Name	State	School	Class	POS	Commitment
Dakota Duffalo	AZ	Red Mountain	2020	OF	Utah
Daevion King	AZ	Red Mountain	2020	RHP	Central Lakes College

TOP RETURNERS:

TOP NEWCOMERS:

UNDERCLASSMEN WATCHLIST:

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
Payton Pudenz	AZ	Red Mountain	2023	RHP
Easton Cline	AZ	Red Mountain	2023	INF

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