By PBR Staff

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: Rock Canyon
Preseason Rank: 17
2016 Record: 11-9
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Tyler Munro
Playoff Run: Lost to Bear Creek 4-3 in the first round of 5A District play
2016 Final Rank: 28
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 1

TOP PLAYERS:
Matt Givin, 2B, No. 10 2017 (Xavier)
Nick Merone, 2B, No 9 2018
Cayden Zimmerman, SS, No 22 2018 (Air Force)
Colton Hill, MIF, No. 62 2017
Michael Keen, OF, No. 85 2017


OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Tyler Smith, RHP, 2020
James Stack, SS, No. 74 2019

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Coby Zimmerman
Trevor Howard
Bobby Rexroat

Stat Rat:  The Jaguars can get people in scoring position quickly.  In 2016 they had 33 doubles and 62 stolen bases. 36 of those stolen bases are coming back in 2017.

Bottom Line:  Rock Canyon has a two year streak of post season play going including winning the 2015 5A State Championship.  There has been an impressive line of players to come out of Rock Canyon and the 2017 squad seems to be right on par with previous years.  At the plate the Jaguars will be led by, No. 10 2017 Matt Givin (Xavier) .321 avg. with 18 hits and 12 RBI, No. 9 2018 Nick Merone, .321 with 18 hits, 16 RBI and 11 stolen bases, No. 85 2017 Michael Keen, .412 with 6 RBI 3 triples and 12 stolen bases, No. 22 2019 Cayden Zimmerman (Air Force) .309 with 12 hits, 2 doubles and 2 triples and No. 62 2017 Colton Hill, .500 with 31 hits and 6 doubles.  On the mound, Givin will lead the way after going 5-1 in 2016 with 42 K’s.  The 2017 Jaguars are a complete team and will look to erase the tough opening round District loss from 2016 and regain their State Championship contender form. They will be tested in a tough Continental League, but we look for them to compete for the league title and to be around in May.