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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. 

Like any preseason ranking for any sport, last year our list created a lot of fun conversations, debate, and opinions among players, coaches, and families. To see what we got right, and what we got wrong in 2017 Click Here

What makes our list unique is it combines all classifications (1A through 5A), and 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.

Factors that are considered when creating the Top 50 List are the following:

- How many current players are returning that are in PBR Colorado rankings
- How many overall players committed or non-committed are returning
- How many starting pitchers are returning
- Success the previous season
- History of success in the program

* We expect the teams in the Top 50 Countdown will compete for at least a district playoff spot in 2018

Team No. 34: Fairview Knights

2018 Preseason Rank: 35
2017 Preseason Rank: 
2017 Record: 12-8
Conference: 5A Front Range
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: David Castillo
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Grand Junction Central 3-1 in the 5A Region 5 district playoffs. 
2017 Final Rank: 41
Returning Offensive Starters: 2
Returning Pitchers: 0
Returning Innings on Mound: 0
Returning RBI's returning: 34

STAT RAT: 
The Knights hit 10 homeruns as a team in 2017, and half of them were hit by returning 2018 1B Hunter Owens who hit 5, and led the team with 28 RBI's. 

X-FACTORS: 
A lot of seniors graduated from the 2017 squad. The Knights will have to start from scratch with a whole new pitching staff. 

BOTTOM LINE: 
The Fairview Knights program has a ton of tradition, and has always had depth of talent. The Knights graduated 7 offensive starters, and all 124 innings of the innings pitched in 2017. The Knights have a good core of young talent coming back from the lower ranks. People might be sleeping on Fairview a little in 2018 due to how many seniors they graduated, but don't be surprised to see them in a district championship game 7 innings away from making a Final 8 appearance. 

Key Player Lost:

Tyler Carpenter 1B / LHP / Fairview , CO / 2017 Rankings  StateRank: 23 / POS: 1 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. Bats and throws left. Committed to Illinois State.  A lot of juice in Carpenters bat. Power to both gaps. Strong wrists and great extension through zone with level swing through zone but generates great back spin. Ball just flies off bat. Hard to pitch to because hands are back, and there is good plate coverage. At 1B has good feet and a strong arm. Last season Carpenter hit .429 leading the team with 11 doubles while driving in 22. Also threw 32 innings striking out 39 carrying a 3 and 1 record with a 3.43 ERA.

 

Key Players Returning:

 

Hunter Owens 1B / LHP / Fairview, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 61 / POS: 3 6-foot-2, 225-pound left hand hitter.  At the plate he hits from a wide stance with a high leg kick for timing.  Hands push back on the stride and he creates good plate coverage on a swing with a slight uphill path.  He registered an 85 MPH exit velocity at the event.  In the field he shows smooth actions through the ball with a quick release.  He delivered an accurate 72 MPH ball to second base on the turn. Last year hit .322 and led the team with 5 homeruns and 28 RBI's

 

Henry Rock OF / RHP / Fairview , CO / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 38 / POS: 6 5-foot-11, 182 pounds. Switch hitter/throws right. At the plate looks a little stronger from the right side then left. From the right side is slightly opened with a leg kick stride. Has pull tendencies with a slightly up hill swing. Produced a 83 mph exit velocity off a tee. From left side is more balanced and has better bat speed producing an 88 mph exit velo. Slightly uphill, with one hand finish. Gap to gap power. On the mound hides the ball well, and throws from an over the top arm slot showcasing an 80 mph fastball. Falls off to 1st base side a little. Curve ball has tight 12/6 spin between 64-67 mph. Ran 7.53 laser timed 60. Rock hit .2913 in 41 at-bats in 2017.

 

Players Who Could Contribute:

 

Adam Moser OF / 2B / Fairview , CO / 2021 6-foot, 175 pounds. Bats and throws right. Good looking athlete who fills uniform out well. Has bat speed. Balanced stance, loads back, then keeps hands inside of ball. Lets the ball get deep then quick hands through the zone. 85 mph exit velocity. In the field he shows good actions and instincts.  Arm is loose and over the top.  Arm velocity was 76 mph with accuracy.  On the mound he stands tall and gets balanced.  Strong lower leg drive to the plate and stays in-line on his delivery.  Arm speed stays consistent on all three pitches.  Delivery is from an over the top arm slot.  Fastball was 74-76 mph with command down in the zone.  He added a 62-64 mph Curve with 11/5 break and finished with a 67-68 mph Change with late sink.

 

Graham Gilchrist RHP / 1B / Fairview, CO / 2019 Rankings  StateRank: 80 / POS: 21 6-foot, 195 pounds. Bats and throws right. Balanced stance with very slight crouch. Slight load back and leg-kick stride Level swing through the zone with some bat speed. Registered a 88 mph exit velocity off the tee. Strong player. On the mound comes from over the top arm angle. High hips. Shoulders squared and lands in-line towards plate. Fastball sat 78-79. Arm is quick. Projectable player.