By Nick Cicere
PBR Texas Writer

Twitter: @PBR_Texas

School: Smithson Valley High School
Head Coach: Chad Koehl
Conference: 27-6A
2016 Finish: 18-1
Playoff Run: Bi-Districts

 

Players to watch

+ Cade Galvan, 2017, MIF/DH (Odessa College commit)
+ Garrett Egli, 2017, RHP (Midland College commit)
+ Jonathan Perez, 2017, LHP (Morton College commit)
+ Eric Alvarado, 2017, 1B
+ Hunter Shields, 2017, OF
+ Jack Gibbens, 2017, OF (Abilene Christian commit/football)
+ Davis Grochett, 2017, OF
+ C.J. Horn, 2018, C/3B
+ Mason Pierce, 2018, 2B
+ Ryan Jennings, 2018, SS

 

season preview

In his 11th season with the Rangers, Smithson Valley Head Coach Chad Koehl is unlikely to inherit a ball club as accomplished and experienced as this one. Led by C.J. Horn, the conference’s Newcomer of the Year last season, the Rangers are loaded with seasoning at nearly every position on the diamond. Horn, who batted .481 with 25 runs driven as a sophomore, is a burly catcher with very natural pop who should continue to blossom with even more plate appearances under his belt. Seniors Jack Gibbens, Davis Grochett and Hunter Shields are going to patrol the outfield for Coach Kroehl, a triumvirate of manicured hitters. Shields, a 2nd-Team All-District selection in 2016, managed a .382 batting average with 22 RBI as a junior.

Though the Rangers graduated three pitchers from their 2016 team, back is senior Garrett Egli, a big 6-foot-4 righty. Egli, a Midland College commit, combines a low-to-mid 80’s fastball with a solid overhand curveball and a straight changeup. After a year sidelined with a sprained PCL, Morton College commit Jonathan Perez adds a different look on the mound from the left side.

Throw in the reliability of such players as first baseman Eric Alvarado, second baseman Mason Pierce, shortstop Ryan Jennings and swingman Cade Galvan, Smithson Valley isn’t a team with very many gaps to plug.

related news