By Doug Freeman
Florida Scouting Director 

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:

LHP/OF Derek Crum

Team: Gaither
Preseason Rank: 13
2016 Record: 20-9
FHSAA Class: 7A
Head Coach: Nelson North
Playoff Run: State Champion
Returning Starters: 5


TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Jose Cadenas, OF, 2017 (Polk State JC)
Kenny Rodriguez, OF, 2017 (Seminole State JC)
Danny Gutcher, C/3B, 2018
Derek Crum, OF/LHP, 2019

X-FACTOR
Jose Cadenas. The senior outfielder returns for his senior season after leading the team in average his junior year. The Cowboys will look to Cadenas to lead the way again most likely setting the table for a potentially powerful offense.  

KEY PLAYERS LOST
SS Camryn Williams (Dallas Baptist)
LHP Gavin Gillespie (Seminole State JC)

OUTLOOK
The Cowboys will look to follow up their State Championship winning season with another state title run. Gaither will look to replace their top arm in LHP Gavin GIllespie who went 11-2 while starting 15 of the team's 29 games. The Cowboys will look to young arms and a talented offense to lead the way in 2017.  They will return 4 of their top 5 hitters in Cadenas, Rodriguez, Gutcher and Holland.  They will also look to another young and talented two-way player in LHP/OF Derek Crum. Overall, the team will have an experienced and solid defensive as well as some of their top offensive production back from a state title run. If some young arms can step up, the experience from last year on the offensive side should help for a deep playoff run..  

Make sure to follow @pbrflorida on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

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