Preseason Preview: West Ranch Wildcats
March 11, 2021
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COVID ended the 2020 season early throughout the State but as things progress quickly for the 2021 high school season, it’s time for us to preview teams from around the State in the Yearly Preseason Preview. Schedules are being adapted to fit the ever-changing landscape and though this season may look different than history has shown us, coaches/staff, players, families, and our team are preparing for 2021 to be as successful as possible.
We’ve submitted the Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state and their responses have been flooding in. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be using their detailed insight on our team-by-team previews ahead of the 2021 season leading into the California Power 25 Rankings.
(Players, be sure to search our database and claim your profile. Don't see your profile? You can create a free PBR profile here).
With all that said let’s take a look at today’s Preseason Preview of the West Ranch Wildcats.
TEAM:
West Ranch Wildcats
HEAD COACH (years at school):
Casey Burrill (16)
OFFICIAL TWITTER:
CIF SECTION & DIVISION:
Southern Section / Division 1
CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:
Foothill
LAST YEAR’S RECORD:
5-6
# OF RETURNING STARTERS:
6
# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:
5
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:
2021 RHP/1B James Hepp - UCLA
2021 RHP Scott Bauman
2021 RHP/OF Ryan Lang
2021 RHP Trent Huff
2021 RHP/OF Austin Puett
2021 C/3B Trey Topping
2022 3B/OF Blake Schroeder
2022 LHP Jake Schwartz
2022 INF Jake Callahan
2022 OF DJ Tsukashima
2022 C Logan Mandel
THE FUTURE:
2023 INF/RHP Mathew Lloyd
2023 RHP/C Ty DePerno
SEASON OUTLOOK:
West Ranch has had a strong run the past few years putting together teams that have had deep progress in the Gauntlet Playoffs (Southern Section of Division 1) and the Wildcats expect another run this season on the back of a deep group of pitchers. When returning 5 arms that have experience at the level, teams tend to find ways to win games. Bringing back 6 starters will also help the Wildcats reach their potential and with their ability to play strong defense, they will back the deep pitching rotation. The offense might not have the big bopper that some other Southern Section teams might, but they’ll still be able to score runs with extra bases and the ability to execute. The Foothill League tends to have its own League battles so those early-season tests will show Coach Burrill where his Wildcats can go in 2021.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
| Rising Stars Showcase - NorCal | CA | 06/08 | Islanders Field |
| State Games ID - NorCal | CA | 06/15 | Islanders Field |
| Rising Stars Showcase | CA | 06/22 | Hart Park |
| Northern California ProCase | CA | 07/06 | McBean Stadium - Lincoln, CA |
| SoCal ProCase | CA | 07/07 | Hart Park |
| SoCal Academic Games | CA | 07/13 | Hart Park |
| California State Games | CA | 07/16-07/18 | Islanders Field |