Preseason P25: Poston Butte
January 14, 2021
Players in Arizona have been eager to compete for their high school programs and it feels as we are getting close. The Arizona Interscholastic Association has announced that opening day of the 2021 season will commence on Monday, March 1st. Programs will allowed to begin practicing while holding tryouts in an official capacity before moving on to live competition. The PBR Arizona staff will start to begin its 2021 season coverage starting with our Preseason Power 25 rankings. Over the next two months and leading up to opening day, we will be highlighting some of the top programs in state in our team previews. PBR will also be publishing its state Power 25 rankings that will be updated every Monday once the season begins. Throughout the season, PBR will be pumping out coverage, highlighting individual players, games, rankings, scouting reports and nominating a player of the week. PBR looks forward to getting out there this spring to see some great baseball.
Our Preseason Power 25 rankings coverage starts today.
Team: Poston Butte
Preseason Rank: 21
2020 Record: 7-0
Conference: Black Canyon
AIA Classification: 4A
Head Coach: Chris Holcombe
Returning Starters: All
Returning Pitchers: All
OUTLOOK:
Poston Butte joins our P25 rankings at No. 21. In a short season in 2020, they went 7-0 with zero seniors on the team. Returning everyone, that experience should give them some boosted confidence going into the season. This year they have two seniors that should play key roles and provide a lot of leadership for this team. Colton Vercoe is a power arm on the mound who also hits in the middle of the lineup, committed to Mesa CC. SS Junior Lopez is the switch-hitting leadoff hitter that gets on base and plays solid defense up the middle. Lopez shows some nice future projectability with good speed and athleticism combination, committed to Eastern AZ. Overall, Poston Butte could be considered a sleeper when looking at the whole state together. However, we look for the Broncos to make a run at the 4A title in 2021. Poston Butte had some strong performances this past fall, finishing 2nd place at the JM23 classic and atop the East Valley Fall League. The Broncos are team that can beat anyone in the state if they are taken lightly.
KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
No Seniors last year |
TOP PLAYERS:
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Colton Vercoe | AZ | Poston Butte | 2021 | RHP/1B | Mesa CC |
Junior Lopez | AZ | Poston Butte | 2021 | SS | Eastern AZ |
Ethan Hatch | AZ | Poston Butte | 2022 | 3B/RHP | |
Roy Carrasco | AZ | Poston Butte | 2022 | C | |
Octavio Flores | AZ | Poston Butte | 2021 | RHP/OF |
PRESEASON MVP:
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Colton Vercoe | AZ | Poston Butte | 2021 | RHP/1B | Mesa CC |
TOP NEWCOMERS:
Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
Connor Lopez | AZ | Poston Butte | 2023 | RHP/3B |