As we prepare for the upcoming 2018 high school season, we will be taking a
preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.  

Today we take a look at preseason nationally ranked Elk Grove HS.

Team: Elk Grove HS

Nickname: Thundering Herd 

Section: Sac-Joaquin, Division 1

Conference: Delta

Head Coach: Jeff Carlson

Years as head coach at school: 18

Twitter Handle: @egherdbaseball

2017 Overall Record: 23-10

2017 Conference Record: 11-3 (1st Place)

2017 Post Season Finish: Section Champion

Team Website: Elk Grove Baseball

Number of Returning Starters: 7

Number of Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP RETURNING STARTERS

Tanner Carlson, SR/SS – 3-year starter, 18 RBI; Long Beach State signee

George Spithorst, SR/1B/RHP – 3-year starter, .358, 22 RBI, has D1 offer

Jake Jordan, SR/RHP/OF – 5-0, 1.79 ERA, .360, 26 RBI;  UC Davis signee

Brian Freitas, SR/RHP/3B – 6-0, 2.38 ERA; San Jose State signee

Kenny Williams, JR/INF/RHP – .346, 18 RBI; San Jose State verbal commitment

Jack Zalasky, SR/RHP – 1.71 ERA

OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Blake Dickman, SR/C/1B – Transfer from Colorado, has D1 offers

Kordell Brown, JR/2B – .302, 15 BB, 12 RBI, as D1 offer

Shawn Zamora, SR/OF – 19 RBI

Hilario Mata, JR/RHP

SEASON OUTLOOK

Expectations are high for the Herd. We expect another strong year from them, with great senior leadership, depth on the mound and returning the starting infield from last year’s section championship team.

If the underclassman and senior transfer Blake Dickman can step up and contribute, this team will be very strong, and again contend for a section title. The team is led by SS Tanner Carlson (Sr.) and 1B/RHP George Spithorst (Sr.), who are both three year starters. On the mound, RHP Jake Jordan (Sr.), RHP Brian Freitas (Sr.), and RHP Jack Zalasky (Sr.) will return after impressive junior seasons. The Herd will look for continued contributions from utility player Kenny Williams (Jr.) at the plate and on the mound.

With a culture of success and many talented and experienced seniors returning, there is every reason to expect that Elk Grove HS will be not only be one of the Sac-Joaquin section’s top teams in 2019, but one of the top teams in California and possibly the nation.

RELATED CONTENT:

CLICK HERE, to make a Free PBR Profile

California high school coaches can request a 2019 preseason questionnaire from Northern California Director of Scouting Blaine Clemmens at [email protected] or California State Director Les Lukach at [email protected].

Note: The completion of a questionnaire does not guarantee we will be able to get it posted before the start of the season.