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

Team: Colleyville Heritage
2017 Record: 38-6-1
Conference Finish: T1
Conference: 8-5A
THSA Classification: 5A
Head Coach: Alan McDougal
Playoff Run: Regional Finalist
Returning Starters: 4

TOP PLAYERS

 
SEASON PREVIEW

Coach McDougal returns a veteran lineup from a team that won 38 games last season, highlighted five juniors that are ranked in the Top 100 of the Texas 2019 Class, and all committed to D1 Schools. The Panthers are strong up the middle, as they return 2019 SS Bobby Witt Jr. (Ranked No. 1 in TX), 2019 2B Mason Greer (Ranked No. 32 in TX), and 2019 C Nicolas Balsano (Ranked No. 72 in TX). All three were every day starters as sophomores. Witt Jr., an Oklahoma commit and All-State selection a year ago, is an elite level shortstop and already a household name in the scouting community. Witt Jr. and Greer (Auburn commit) work really well together up the middle. Last season, the left-handed hitter earned 2nd Team All-District. Balsano, a Baylor commit, can really defend, he is an elite receiver behind the plate, and can shut down the running game. 

Holding things down in the outfield is Kansas State recruit 2019 OF Jacob Guerrero, a 1st Team All-District selection as a sophomore last season. Look for 2019 OF Cade Johnson (Kansas State) and Brett Minnich (Blinn JC) to impact the lineup as well. Minnich has a long-lean, athletic frame, and the left-handed hitter swung had a strong fall.

As many offensive starters as Colleyville returns, they have limited varsity innings on the mound, but will look to a couple of left-handers and two-way guys to be impact arms this season. 2019 LHP Jakob Berger (Ranked No. 41 in TX) is a Dallas Baptist commit, and two-way player. 2018 LHP/OF Tim Richmond (Weatherford JC) is a quick-twitch player and could see significant time on the bump. Bobby Witt Jr. was the closer last year, and can run his fastball into the low-90's. Mason Greer could also log some innings. Seniors Dean Lawler and Matt Parker should add depth to the staff. If the pitching staff builds confidence early and players settle into their roles, this offense should put up enough runs to win a lot of games.

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