Team Preview: Smithson Valley
January 27, 2020
The Texas high school season kicks off on February 24, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on January 31, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.
Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.
We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.
Team: Smithson Valley
2019 Record: 17-18
Conference: 26-6A
Head Coach: Chad Koehl
Playoff Run: 1st Round
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 3
TOP PLAYERS
| Name | State | School | Class | Pos | Commitment |
| Jarek Wells | TX | Smithson Valley | 2020 | RHP/OF | Midland JC |
| Shea Walker | TX | Smithson Valley | 2020 | RHP/IF | Incarnate Word |
| Chandler Cole | TX | Smithson Valley | 2020 | C/1B | Colorado School of Mines |
| Garrett Brooks | TX | Smithson Valley | 2021 | LHP/OF | UTSA |
| Ryan Ruff | TX | Smithson Valley | 2021 | SS/C | Uncommitted |
| Kasen Wells | TX | Smithson Valley | 2022 | OF | Uncommitted |
SEASON PREVIEW
Returning seven starters and three pitchers, coach Chad Koehl is looking for his team to improve off of their 4th place finish and playoff appearance. Coach Koehl believes his pitching and defense are the strength of the team with seniors RHP/OF Jarek Wells (No. 176 in 2020 PBR Texas rankings, committed to Midland JC), RHP/IF Shea Walker (No. 245 in 2020 PBR Texas rankings, committed to Incarnate Word) and RHP/3B Matt Franco returning on the bump along with junior LHP/OF Garrett Brooks (No. 129 in 2021 PBR Texas rankings, committed to UTSA). Also returning in the lineup is senior C/1B Chandler Cole (No. 302 in 2020 PBR Texas rankings, committed to Colorado School of Mines), senior IF RJ Carver, junior SS/C Ryan Ruff (No. 108 in 2021 PBR Texas rankings) and sophomore OF Kasen Wells.