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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

As we enter February, the high school season is quickly approaching. As the month progresses and February turns into March, we will take a look at high school programs throughout our coverage area as they prepare for the 2016 season.
 

Team: Eastern View
Nickname: Cyclones
Class: 4A East
Conference: 19 and the Evergreen District
Coach: Daniel Nobbs
2015 Record: 9-12
2015 Post Season: Conference Runners-up and Regional Tournament
Returning Starters/Position: 5
Returning Pitchers: 4

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Scott Bothum (1B/DH, 2017) Bothum hits from the left side and uses the entire field well.
Luke Easter (OF, 2016) Easter is a scrappy player who has earned All-Conference honors.
David Laird (LHP/OF, 2016, Radford) Laird was a Preseason All-American in 2015 but broke his wrist and missed a large chunk of the season. He will be back this spring and has ace potential. Laird is currently ranked 106^th in the Class of 2016.
Zach Plath (C/RHP/INF, 2016) Plath is an All-Region catcher who can also contribute on the mound and in the infield.
Zach Thomas (RHP/SS, 2018) Thomas has a projectable frame and won the starting shortstop job midway through his freshman year
Ray Tricarico (3B/RHP, 2017) Tricarico is a switch hitter who should fit into the middle of the Cyclone lineup and bring a solid glove at third. 

 

SEASON OUTLOOK
Eastern View got off to a slow start in 2015 but had a good run down the stretch in the postseason, reaching the Conference Championship game and advancing to the Regional Tournament. The 2016 Cyclones should build off of that late season run as they will have good chemistry and a lineup that consistently puts the ball in play. The Cyclones’ rotation will by buoyed by the return of Laird and the staff is built of strike-throwers. The defense should also be solid and good at converting balls in play into outs. Eastern View should be an improved team in 2016 and the Cyclones will look to get to the 4A East Regional and make a deeper run this spring.