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By Greg Williams
West Virginia Director of Scouting

 
Today we continue our season preview content which will run for three weeks leading up to the start of the 2016 high school season. We will take a look at all four regions and each classification in those regions separately. Today we turn our focus to Class AA teams that compete in Region I. 

PRESEASON Forecast

A veteran roster with nine seniors makes East Fairmont our call to advance out of of Region I. An experienced pitching staff fronted by staff ace Jacob Bolander gives the Bees an opportunity to compete every night out. Coming off a 19 win season in 2015 look for the Bees to get over the hump in 2016 and make a trip to Charleston as one of the final four Class A teams in the state.

preseason player of the year

Jacob Bolander, RHP/3B, East Fairmont (Class of 2016)
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-hander has been the staff ace for the Bees the past two years. The Columbia State recruit sits in the low 80s with solid command of his curveball and changeup. Bolander was a Big 10 Conference first team selection as a junior.

PBR Scouting Notes: (8/9/15) Bolander sat 79-81 from a high 3/4 arm slot registering five strikeouts over his three innings of work. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder showed above average feel for his 71 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a 72 mph changeup that has late cutting action. Bolander ran a 7.89 60-yard dash and showcased capable defensive actions at third base with a 74 mph arm across the diamond. The right-handed hitter starts from an open stance and utilizes a leg lift stride to initiate his swing resulting in a bat exit velocity of 84 mph.

top prospects

[mouse over pics for player names] 

1. Jacob Bolander, 2016, RHP/3B, East Fairmont (Columbia State)
2. Ryan Ricer, 2016, 3B, Fairmont Senior (Marshall)
3. Logan Jarrett, 2016, 1B, Ravenswood
4. E.J. Trickett, 2016, 2B/SS, East Fairmont (La Roche)
5. Tanner Lambert, 2016, C, East Fairmont
6. Chase Swain, 2018, SS, Ravenswood

SEASON PREVIEW SCHEDULE

3/5   - Class AAA - Region IV
3/7   - Class AAA - Region III
3/9   - Class AAA - Region II
3/11 - Class AAA - Region I
3/13 - Class AA - Region IV
3/15 - Class AA - Region III
3/17 - Class AA - Region II
3/19 - Class AA - Region I
3/21 - Class AA - Region IV
3/23 - Class AA - Region III
3/25 - Class AA - Region II
3/27 - Class AA - Region I