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: Columbine
Preseason Rank: 34
2016 Record: 11-10
Conference: Jeffco 
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Brooks Roybal
Playoff Run: Lost to Grandview 5-2 in District Championship game
2016 Final Rank: 33
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 2

TOP PLAYERS:
Chase Anderson, (Garden City) 2B, 2017
Mike Griebel, OF, 2017
Russell Cruz, C/OF, 2017
Chris Lara, INF, 2017
Victor Lara, INF, 2018
Ashton Mansur, RHP, 2017 

OTHER PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE AN IMPACT:
Nicholas Rodriquez, C/INF, 2018
Frankie Shearn, OF, 2017 

 KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Tommy Gillman
Adrian Trujillo
Garrett Keaney 

STAT RAT: The Rebels were powered by 32 doubles and 51 stolen bases last year.  
 

BOTTOM LINE: Columbine made a solid run in the 5A districts last year losing to Grandview 5-2 in the championship game.  There are a few major shoes to fill this year including the loss of SS Tommy Gilman and Head Coach Chuck Gilman.  It will be a new era for the Rebels when they take the field this spring under new head coach Brooks Roybal.  Look for Chase Anderson .423 with 30 hits and Mike Griebel .362 with 7 doubles and 10 stolen bases to shoulder much of the leadership for the Rebels.  Russell Cruz .345, Chris Lara .357 and Victor Lara .328 with 9 RBU will also be called upon this spring.  Ashton Mansur who made 4 appearances last year comes back to lead the Rebel's pitching staff.  The Jeffco league always produces exciting games and a few surprises, look for the Rebels to be in the mix at the end of the season.