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Preseason Countdown: No 3 Cherry Creek

March 31, 2015

By John Cackowski
State Director

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. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Cherry Creek
Preseason Rank: 3
2014 Record: 19-6
Conference: Centennial
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Marc Johnson
Playoff Run: Lost to Rocky Mountain in the 5A semi-finals.
2014 Final Rank: 7
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:

Blake Goldsberry RHP/SS, No. 16 2015 (Kansas Commit)
Cody Wood RHP, No 37 2015 (University of New Mexico Commit)                                              
Aeneas Roberson, CF, No. 43 2015 (Garden City Commit)        
Parker Jax C/1B, No. 50 2015
Carson Jax, OF, No. 69 2015
Nate Gill, RHP, 2015, (Nebrask-Kearney Commit)
Blake Benedetti, C/INF, 2015
Nate Sweeney, RHP/SS, No. 13 2016
Carter Van Gyntenbeek, RHP, No. 58 2016 (Army Commit)
Andrew Chavez, INF, 2017                                       
Tanner O'Tremba 3B/RHP, 2018                      


X-FACTOR:
The Bruins will be younger this year then they have been in awhile. How quick they can catch up to the competition in the Centennial League will be key.

NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Tanner O'Tremba, 3B/RHP, 2018: Shows advanced bat-speed for a freshman.  Bats and throws right.  Is hitting clean-up right now for the Bruins. Already throws in the upper 80's as a freshman. Andrew Chavez, INF, 2017: Chavez shows some power potential at the plate and could be a key run producer for the Bruins in 2015.

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Grant Farrell: Creighton

STAT RAT:
If Cody Wood misses the entire spring due to injury the Bruins only return 20 innings pitched out of 158 from 2014.

BOTTOM LINE:
The Cherry Creek Bruins are used to reloading talent year after year. However for the first time in recent memory the Bruins will be counting on underclassmen to make another return to the 5A state playoffs. Legendary Head Coach Marc Johnson comes back for his 43rd year bringing over 700 career wins of experience to the baseball field, and there is no one better to help lead a younger Bruins squad back the playoffs. Coming back this year are two key players from last year's 5A Final Four run: No. 16 RHP/SS and Kansas commit Blake Goldsberry and No. 43 2015 and Garden City Commit OF Aeneas Roberson. Goldsberry will most likely be the 3-hole hitter this year, and moves over from 3B to SS. Goldsberry hit .355 for the Bruins in 2015, and this year with No. 37 2015 RHP and New Mexico commit Cody Wood being injured look for Goldsberry with his mid to upper 80's fastball be the No. 1 option on the mound for the Bruins. Roberson is the sparkplug for the Bruins. Stealing 11 bases in 2014, Roberson brings speed to the bases, and some pop in his bat hitting .444 in 2014 with 1.165 OPS. The Jax brothers will bring senior leadership to the dugout. No. 50 C/1B 2015 Parker Jax hit .310 in 2015 and will be playing and has a strong arm behind the plate when he catches. No. 69 2015 Carson Jax is a solid defensive OF adding some more speed to the lineup to pair with Roberson. 2015 C/INF Blake Benedetti brings defensive versatility, and is an OBA threat. No. 13 2016 Nate Sweeney has touched 90 mph at previous PBR CO. events. If he can consistently throw strikes Sweeney will could be the No. 2 type of a pitcher that can pitch the Bruins through the tough district format. No. 58 2016 and Army commit Carter Van Gytenbeek is a mid 80's strike thrower with three quality pitches. 2015 RHP Nate Gill will look to step in the starting rotation and add quality innings for the Bruins. Look for two underclassmen 2018 INF/RHP Tanner O'Tremba and 2017 INF Andrew Chavez to make a contribution offensively. The Bruins are athletic, and have enough pitching depth to compete with anyone in the state. They will be one of the favorites to compete for a 5A State Championship in 2015.

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