Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage.

Team: Central Heights
2017 Record: 37-2-1
Conference Finish: 1st
Conference: 22-3A
THSA Classification: 3A
Head Coach: Travis Jackson
Playoff Run: STATE CHAMPIONS
Returning Starters: 6

TOP PLAYERS

 
SEASON PREVIEW

The Central Heights Blue Devils are coming off an amazing 37-win season that culminated with hoisting the hardware for the 3A Texas State Championship. Coach Jackson's club returns six starters from last year's team, with headliner 2018 RHP/SS Grayson Rodriguez, ranked No. 11 in Texas, No. 68 Overall, and No. 95 in the PBR Draft 100. The Texas A&M recruit is a two-way player and left-handed hitter that put up video game numbers last season, both at the plate, and on the mound. Rodriguez batted .511, drove in 53 runs, and had 11 home runs. On the mound, the right-hander won 14 games with a 0.38 ERA, while recording 178 punch outs en route to winning the TSWA Player of the Year Award. Rodriguez's fastball has been up to 94 mph, and usually sits in the upper 80's-to-low 90's.

Equally as important to the Blue Devils success this season is 2019 3B/RHP Rowan Arrant, a 2nd Team All-State selection. Arrrant hit .345 last season with 33 RBI, and recorded a 9-0 record on the mound with a 1.38 ERA and 84 strikeouts. Bolstering the left side of the infield will be 2018 SS/3B Cade McCarty. McCarty was 1st Team All-District with a .374 BAVG, 8 2B's and 28 RBI. 2nd Team All-District 2018 2B Will Haley hit .303 last season with 20 RBI, and 2018 OF Braden Thomas hit .369 while stealing 12 bags and earning 1st Team All-District. 

All-in-all, the Blue Devils return a loaded lineup that has already experienced success, and is hungry for more. 

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