2020 Preseason Preview: Oak Ridge Trojans
January 14, 2020
Follow @PBRCalifornia Follow @LesLukach Follow @Clemmens_PBR Follow @ryozella Follow @SteveDoherty643 Follow @Jacked_23
The Road to the California State Games begins with the 2020 California high school baseball season. With the season just around the corner, our Staff has begun putting out team previews from all around the state getting you prepare for another year of exciting coverage.
In this edition we will take a closer look at the Oak Ridge Trojans (El Dorado Hills, CA), a talented team with very realistic expectations to go WELL beyond their 1st round playoff appearance of a year ago. Their section is one of the toughest in California, but they could very well be in the mix.
(Players, be sure to search our database and claim your profile. Don't see your profile? You can create a free PBR profile here).
TEAM:
Oak Ridge Trojans
HEAD COACH (years at school):
Todd Melton - Starting 13th
OFFICIAL TWITTER:
@OakRidgeBasebll
CIF SECTION & DIVISION:
Sac-Joaquin - D1
CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:
Sierra Foothill League
LAST YEAR’S RECORD:
14-12, 10-5 league
PLAYOFF RUN:
Lost in 1st round to Pleasant Grove
RETURNING STARTERS:
6
RETURNING PITCHERS:
6
OUTLOOK:
Given both the amount of college committed players (including three D1 commits) and the number of returning seniors, the 2020 Oak Ridge season has high expectations, which is nothing new. Like many outstanding programs, each season the expectations start with competing for the Sierra Foothill League title, qualify for the SJS-D1 playoffs and the ultimate goal of winning the section title. Pitching and defense are expected to be the strengths of the team, for good reason… the Trojans only have to replace around 60 innings on the mound and have up to a dozen pitchers all capable of contributing. Last season fell short of expectations due in part to a lackluster offensive season. There are talented hitters returning and they are now more experienced, which presumably will lead to more relaxation, focus, and better approaches.
TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:
Tino Bethancourt, SS, 2020, 6’2” - San Diego State
Carter Delaney, RHP, 2020, 6’6” - Pomona College
Nate Hansen, RHP, 2020, 6’3” - San Diego State
Zach Adamson, 1B/RHP, 6’0” - 1st team all-league
Will Curtis, 2B, 2020, 5’9” - 1st team all-league
John Delaney, C, 2020, 6’1” - Lewis and Clark College
Damon Tanner, CF, 2020, 5’11” - lead-off hitter with power
Brady Routon, RHP/3B, 2021, 6’0” - returning starting pitcher
THE FUTURE:
Brent Jones, LHP/1B, 2022, 6’2” - Washington State
Nick Solarzano, 3B/C, 2021, 5’11”
Others TBD
UPCOMING EVENTS
SHOWCASE | STATE | DATE | LOCATION |
Central Valley Preseason I.D. | CA | 01/11 | Clovis North HS |
Winter Update Series powered by South Bay Sport Training | CA | 01/12 | South Bay Sports Training |
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports | CA | 01/13 | EM Sports - Rancho Cucamonga |
Winter Update Series powered by Monterey Bay Pirates | CA | 01/17 | Monterey Bay Pirates Facility |
California Far North Preseason I.D. | CA | 01/18 | Chico HS |
NorCal Preseason All-State (Invite-Only) | CA | 01/25 | Islanders Field at River Islands |
Winter Update Series powered by Paradigm Sport | CA | 01/26 | Paradigm Sport |
Winter Update Series powered by EM Sports | CA | 01/27 | EM Sports - Long Beach |
Super 60 Pro Showcase | NATIONAL | 02/02 | The MAX - McCook, IL |
Winter Hitting Update powered by Mike Murphy Baseball | CA | 02/08 | MMB - Walnut Creek |
RELATED TOPICS
- CA CA State Games: '26 Top Performers from Game Action 8/16/24
- CA CA State Games: '25 Top Performers from Game Action 8/15/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 C Jaden Liu 8/14/24
- CA CA State Games: Quick Hits Workout Wonders 8/13/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 C/RHP Nyte Teeter 8/08/24
- CA CA State Games Preview 8/07/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 LHP Brayden Charness 8/07/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 RHP/1B Jacob Oropeza 8/06/24
- CA Uncommitted Spotlight: '26 OF/INF Rock Akahi 8/05/24
- CA Prep Baseball Junior Future Games Bracket Play Recap 7/31/24