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.

Team: Keller
2017 Record: 23-7-2
Conference Finish: Co-Champions
Conference: 3-6A
THSA Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Rob Stramp
Playoff Run: Bi-District Finalist

TOP PLAYERS

 
SEASON PREVIEW

The Keller Indians are one of the most balanced teams from top to bottom in Texas. There is a nice mix of veteran players in both the senior and junior classes, along with some highly touted sophomores. Everywhere you look on the field, Coach Stramp will have athleticism as well as some thunder in the lineup. Although they are ranked No. 24 in our preseason poll, its easy to dream that this team could rise in the rankings quickly in as the season gets started. 

Lets start on the mound with Dallas Baptist recruit, 2018 RHP Kyle Rich. Ranked No. 87 in the Texas 2018 Class, Rich's fastball sat 91 the last time we saw him, and has good feel for both his changeup and curveball. Last season, Rich played first base when he was not on the bump, and has a lot of at-bats underneath his belt. 2019 OF/LHP Will Johnston is a two-way talent that is committed to Texas A&M and ranked No. 47 in Texas 2019 Class. Johnston has an athletic frame at 6-foot-3, and the left-hander can really spin a big breaking curveball and has good fastball command. The left-handed hitter has all-around athleticism and projectable power, look for him to have a significant impact in the lineup as well. Then you get to 2020 RHP/3B Hunter Marshall, an Oklahoma commit that is ranked No. 13 in Texas, and No. 67 Overall. This fall, Marshall was a top performer at the PBR Fall Underclass Games where he pumped his fastball 87-89 mph with heavy arm side life. The right-hander also has a swing and miss slider with 11/5 shape at 74-77 mph. 

Positionally, Keller has about as much experience as you're going to see in the Metroplex. They have athleticism up the middle with three seniors, 2018 SS Matt Cavanagh (Defensive POY), 2018 2B Ben Johnson (2nd Team All-District), 2018 C Joey Bettencourt (1st Team All-District), and a super-athletic left-handed hitting centerfielder in 2019 Mikey Brinton (Ranked No. 148 in Texas 2019 Class). The corner players are also strong defensively, but have the thunder to make any pitching staff a little nervous. 2019 OF Parks Bouck (2nd Team All-District) is committed to New Mexico, and if you follow college baseball, you know Coach Birmingham recruits guys that can really hit. 2019 1B/OF Gabe Briski, a Texas State recruit (Ranked No. 130 in Texas 2019 Class), is a physical left-handed hitter with pop. Add in 2nd Team All-District 2019 3B Reid Rice with Kyle Rich and Will Johnston and you're looking at a lineup that has a chance to score runs in bunches. Keep an eye out for 2020 1B Dylan Russo, not sure if he will factor in this season, but the 6-foot-3 right-handed hitter is ranked No. 67 in the Texas 2020 Class, and he can really bang the ball around the yard. 

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