Preseason Countdown: No. 44 Kent Denver
January 27, 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:
Team: Kent Denver
Preseason Rank: 44
2014 Record: 15-8
Conference: Front Range
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Bill Boatman
Playoff Run: Lost in 3A State Championship series to Florence
2014 Final Rank: 74
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 3
TOP PLAYERS:
Cole Whitaker: 2015, 6-0, 175 lbs, R/R, 3B/P
Ryan Pena: 2015, 6-0,185 lbs, R/R, 1B/P
Will McKissick: 2016, 5-11, 185, R/R, OF/P
Rob Casey: 2016, 6-3, 190 lbs, R/R, OF/SS
Parker Evans: 2016, 5-10, 170 lbs, S/R 3B/C
Matt Wells: 2016,6-6, 225 lbs, R/R 1B/P
X-FACTOR:
The Sun Devils will have to find a No. 2 pitcher behind Cole Whitaker if they want to return to the 3A Final 8 again.
NEW PLAYER TO WATCH:
Matt Wells: You can't ignore Wells size at 6-6, 225 pounds. He received some playing time on varsity as a sophomore. Can he also be a presence on the mound for the Sun Devils?
KEY PLAYER LOST:
Michael Hanley (Granduated)
STAT RAT:
In 2014 Will McKissick as a sophomore led the Sun Devils in every offensive category: Runs (30), Hits (38), RBI's (24) Doubles (12) Triples (5), Home Runs (2) and Stolen Bases (9)
BOTTOM LINE:
The Sun Devils are always in the mix as one of the best teams in the 3A level. They will have a strong experienced line-up returning to compete with the best, but someone will need to step up as a number 2 pitcher for them to duplicate the success they had in 2014. Cole Whitaker returns on the mound as a senior coming off a strong senior season in which he went 7-1 in 53 IP which included a 2.11 E.R.A. and 6 complete games.
Related Material
- CO Preseason Team Countdown: No. 50 Lakewood 1.07.15
- CO Preseason Countdown: No 49 Fruita 1.08.15
- CO Preseason Countdown: No. 47 Mesa Ridge1.15.15
- CO Preseason Countdown: No. 46 Bear Creek1.21.15
- CO Preseason Countdown: No. 45 Horizon1.22.15