By Phil Wade
Director, PBR Indiana

As we prepare for our 2014 high school preseason coverage, we are going to take a quick glance at teams from across the state.

Team: East Chicago Central
Class: 4A
League: Independent

Head Coach: Jorge Ontiveros
2013 Overall Record: 7-15
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS

D’Angelo Gonzalez, 1B/P, 2014
Reyes Maldonado. OF/P, 2014 
Jesus Saenz, C, 2014 
Carlos Flores, MIF/RHP, 2016 

OUTLOOK:

The East Chicago Cardinals and Head Coach Jorge Ontiveros finished last season 7-15 overall, but do return some experience this spring with five positional starters and three arms coming back. Senior Reyes Maldonado will lead the way for the Cardinals in the OF defensively.  Maldonado will also be a key piece to the offensive production after hitting .333  and swiping 20 bags in 2013.  Sophomore Carlos Flores and Senior D'Angelo Gonzalez will provide quality defense on the right side of the infield in 2014.  Flores, a 2B, drove in 10 runs as a freshman while 1B Gonzalez batted .308 in 2013. Ontiveros will rely on senior Rey Colon at SS.  Colon has not played baseball since his freshman year. Fulfilling the catching duties is senior Jesus Saenz. Saenz hit .243 last year as a Junior. 

For Indiana high school baseball news and updates follow us on Twitter @PBRIndiana

COACHES PRE-SEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate the strong response so far from high school coaches across the state assisting with our pre-season coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches pre-season questionnaire online by clicking here.

click here for more 2014 Team Previews