With the 2019 high school baseball season just around the corner in California we will begin rolling out team previews from around the state.

In this edition we will take a closer look at the Redlands Terriers (Redlands, CA), a team that made a somewhat unexpected run to the CIF-SS D2 semifinals last year and who'll look to some new faces to step up in 2019.

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Team: Redlands

Nickname: Terriers

CIF Section: Southern Section Division 2

League: Citrus Belt

Head Coach/Years at school: Estevan Valencia (14th year)

Team Twitter Handle: @redlandsbsball

2018 Overall Record: 23-7

2018 Postseason Finish: Semi-Finals

Number of Returning Starters: 5

Number of Returning Pitchers: 3

Top Returning Players:

'19 3B Christian Diaz; '19 RHP Marcus Zofrea; '20 CF Adam Valencia; '20 SS Zach Chonkich

College Commits:

'20 SS Zach Chonkich - Pepperdine

Other Players To Watch:

'21 OF Brendan Frazier; '22 Travis Jimenez

2019 Outlook:

After losing to eventual champion Maranatha in the Division 2 semifinals last year, the Redlands Terriers look to make another run in 2019. Head Coach Estevan Valencia's squad returns several key starters from last year's team that will rely on their offense and some new faces to keep things rolling.

If there's one area of strength for the Terriers in 2019 it's their team speed and their usual stout defense. As a team they fielded a .962 clip last year en route to a third place league finish and return three first team all-league members.

On the bases the Bulldogs are a team that likes to put pressure on defenses as evidenced by their 92 stolen bases last year. Junior centerfielder Adam Valencia is the top returner in the category with 10 stolen bases a season ago. Valencia is a toolsy outfielder with speed and a consistent bat that led the entire league in hitting with a .479 average. In addition to Valencia, there’s a lot to be excited about offensively with the return of senior third baseman Christian Diaz, a power hitter who is also a plus defender at the hot corner. When not putting the ball in play Diaz was leading the team in walks with 15 in 2018. Junior shortstop Zach Chonkich, a Pepperdine commit, shows excellent tools defensively along with present bat speed that should make a jump from last year when he hit .250 on the season. The Terriers will also look to sophomore outfielder Brendan Frazier to step into the lineup an contribute. The left-handed hitting Frazier shows some present pop at the plate and should mix into the outfield defensively for the Terriers. Look for freshman Travis Jimenez to contribute in some capacity as well. He’s a very good, instinctive defender with a high baseball IQ.

An area that will challenge the Terriers early is going to be the depth and experience on the mound. Senior righty Marcus Zofrea returns from All-League season that saw him go 11-2 with an astonishing 0.71 ERA that paced a staff with a team 1.43 ERA. Behind him it will be up to Jr. PJ Ledesma, Sr. Christian Diaz, and Jr. Grant Ojeda to pick up the slack. The trio threw a combined 3.2 innings last season on a staff that was very senior laden.

For the Terriers the road won't be easy in 2019. They play in a league that features reigning Division 2 champion, Yucaipa, along with always tough Redlands East Valley and what should be a good Citrus Valley team.

Entering his 14th year at the helm of the Terriers, Valencia has seen just about everything there is to see in the game. And considering not many people outside of his locker room gave the Terriers a chance in 2018, the challenge ahead this spring is all part of the fun.

Don't be shocked to see the Terriers surprise some people in 2019.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Northern California Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	CA	01/27	Delta College - Stockton
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/03	The Max
SoCal Junior Future Games Trials	CA	03/09	O'Malley Field - Harvard Westlake
Northern California Future Games Trials	CA	05/26	Islanders Field - Lathrop