Preseason Preview: West Ranch Wildcats

TEAM:

West Ranch Wildcats

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Casey Burrill (16)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@wrbaseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Southern Section / Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

Foothill

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

5-6

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

6

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

5

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

2021 RHP/1B James Hepp - UCLA

2021 RHP Scott Bauman

2021 RHP/OF Ryan Lang

2021 RHP Trent Huff

2021 RHP/OF Austin Puett

2021 C/3B Trey Topping

2022 3B/OF Blake Schroeder

2022 LHP Jake Schwartz

2022 INF Jake Callahan

2022 OF DJ Tsukashima

2022 C Logan Mandel

THE FUTURE:

2023 INF/RHP Mathew Lloyd

2023 RHP/C Ty DePerno

SEASON OUTLOOK: 

West Ranch has had a strong run the past few years putting together teams that have had deep progress in the Gauntlet Playoffs (Southern Section of Division 1) and the Wildcats expect another run this season on the back of a deep group of pitchers. When returning 5 arms that have experience at the level, teams tend to find ways to win games. Bringing back 6 starters will also help the Wildcats reach their potential and with their ability to play strong defense, they will back the deep pitching rotation. The offense might not have the big bopper that some other Southern Section teams might, but they’ll still be able to score runs with extra bases and the ability to execute. The Foothill League tends to have its own League battles so those early-season tests will show Coach Burrill where his Wildcats can go in 2021.