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: ThunderRidge
Preseason Rank: 20
2016 Record: 15-8
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Joe White
Playoff Run: Lost to Ralston Valley in the 5A Final 8 round.
2016 Final Rank: 22
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Jake Haze, SS, No. 13 2018
Brody Perkins, OF, No. 57 2017
Jason Hall, OF, No. 54 2017
Quincy Ulrich, RHP/OF, No 83 2017
Tim McIntyre, RHP/1B, No. 78 2017

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Reese Lansville, RHP/3B, No. 61 2018
Will Smith, OF, No. 153 2017
Taylor White, 1B, No. 85 2018
Greg Deville, 2B, 2019
Ethan Frasier, RHP, No. 32 2019

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Jake Eissler
Chase Noell
Phil Ferguson

Stat Rat:  62 extra base hits including 47 doubles, 7 triples and 8 homeruns.  The test will be the fact that 7 of the 8 homeruns came at the hands of two graduated players.

Bottom Line:  ThunderRidge is a main stay in the post season in 5A baseball including a final 8 run 2 of the last three years and a 5A State Championship in 2013.  The Grizzlies will need to replace the leadership and ability of Jake Eissler who has moved on to Texas Christian.  At the plate, look for Jake Haze, .431 with 25 hits, Brody Perkins, .370 with 16 RBI and Jason Hall .392 with 6 doubles to lead the Grizzlies offense.  This is a line up with several players coming back who have a handful of at bats and will need to elevate their production in 2017.  On the mound, Tim McIntyre who went 4-2 with 40 innings and 28 K’s and Quiny Ulrich who was 4-1 with 20.2 innings and 10 K’s will anchor the ThunderRidge staff.  This is a history rich program that always seems to be playing their best in April and May, the 2017 version should follow the same path and compete for a Continental League crown and be in the conversation in late May.