By Jeff Markle
Assistant 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: Fruita Monument
Preseason Rank: 32
2016 Record: 14-6
Conference: Southwestern
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Ray McLennan
Playoff Run: Lost to Rocky Mountain 7-1 in 5 A District Play
2016 Final Rank: 36
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 1

TOP PLAYERS:
Zach Rush, 3B/RHP, 2019
Tyler Tuell, LHP, 2018
Trey Morrill, RHP, 2018
Gavin Brown, 2B, 2017

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Druw Sackett, INF/RHP, 2018

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Sam Schroeder
Cuba Bess
Brayden Wright

Stat Rat:  Fruita will go as far as their young arms will take them.  They have 5 pitchers with a combines 23.1 innings of experience coming back.

Bottom Line: The Wildcats have advanced to the 5A district round each of the last three years including a 7-1 loss last year at the hands of Rocky Mountain.  The loss of Sam Schroeder and Cuba Bess will test Fruita as they enter the 2017 season.  They will look for No. 11 2019 Zach Rush, .338 avg. last year with 22 hits to lead the way for the Wildcats.  Tyler Tuell, 10 hits with 3 doubles, Trey Morrill .365 with 6 extra base hits and Gavin Brown .324 with 4 triples will also be called upon to lead the Wildcat offense.  The 2017 wild card will be on the mound, Morrill and Druw Sackett return with the most experience and look for Rush to be called upon to eat up innings this year for Fruita.