Colorado Springs Metro League

Favorite: Cheyenne Mountain

Contenders: Liberty, Fountain-Fort Carson, Woodland Park

Outlook: Defending champion Liberty, which swept 14 league games last season, again enters as the favorite. At the Lancers’ heels, though, is Cheyenne Mountain. The Indians are guided by University of Arizona-bound pitcher-infielder Matt Presley, the reigning CSML player of the year. Fountain-Fort Carson, led by center fielder Adam Lozano, and Woodland Park, guided by all-state infielder Jay Gromelski, believe this is their season to make a move. The league is not as large this season, as the moves to 5A by Sand Creek and Pine Creek leave reduced it to nine teams.

Key players: 2B Andrew Behan, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; P Steve Falconi, Liberty, Sr.; SS Jay Gromelski, Woodland Park, Sr.; P Troy Kane, Woodland Park, Sr.; OF Kyle Koch, Liberty, Sr.; CF Adam Lazano, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; P Andrew Nolan, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; SS Matt Presley, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; OF Jarrod Purvis, Mesa Ridge, Sr.; 1B Jake Richardson, Falcon, Sr.; C Sloan Soulia, Falcon, Sr.; P Derek Zander, Mesa Ridge, Sr.



Denver Prep League

Favorite: Thomas Jefferson

Contenders: Denver North

Outlook: Thomas Jefferson again enters as the favorite, and that is when the league’s five 5A teams also are factored in. The Spartans, guided largely by sophomores last season, swept nine league games and possess a lot of experienced juniors. While 5A Denver East will be Thomas Jefferson’s biggest roadblock, Denver North appears to be the biggest challenger in 4A. The Vikings went 12-8 last season and return pitchers Miguel Avitia and Ryan Semore. Improved Denver South, guided by hardnosed pitcher-first baseman Steven Kelly, is looking to entrench itself in the fight for a playoff berth.

Key players: P Miguel Avitia, Denver North, Sr.; C Calvin Hunsinger, Denver South, Sr.; OF Kian Jost, Thomas Jefferson, Jr.; P Steven Kelly, Denver South, Sr.; P Brett Nathan, Thomas Jefferson, Jr.; 2B Brian Nieto, Denver North, Sr.; SS Tyler Thornton, Thomas Jefferson, Jr.



Jefferson County League

Favorite: Ralston Valley

Contenders: Golden, D’Evelyn, Conifer, Evergreen

Outlook: Ralston Valley will have a bit of a different look from the team that went 9-0 in league last season, as the Mustangs must replace the entire outfield. The infield, though, remains mostly intact and vertical starting pitcher-first baseman Matt Skipper returns. All eyes, though, will be on Golden pitcher Zach Cleveland, whose velocity continues to rise. As Cleveland improves, so do the Demons’ chances. D’Evelyn, 17-6 last season, still has a stacked lineup but the Jaguars will have to get some consistent pitching to repeat last year’s success. Junior-heavy Conifer is striving to improve on a 7-11 mark while youthful Alameda is likely to start six sophomores.

Key players: 3B Ryan Barban, Ralston Valley, Jr.; SS Brian Chritz, Ralston Valley, Sr.; SS Zach Cleveland, Golden, Sr.; Util. Josh Gessell, D’Evelyn, Sr.; 3B Jarrod Giroue, Conifer, Sr.; C Nate Goergen, Golden, Sr.; 1B Jeremiah Medina, Jefferson, Jr.; C Chris Otto, Alameda, Sr.; C Ernesto Ovalle, Jefferson, Jr.; OF Alde Ozal, D’Evelyn, Jr.; OF Kevin Sanchez, Alameda, Sr.; 3B Mark Schaffer, D’Evelyn, Sr.; P Matt Skipper, Ralston Valley, Jr.; 3B Luke Valerius, Golden, Sr.; SS Nathan Van Bibber, Conifer, Sr.



Northern League

Favorite: Northridge

Contenders: Broomfield, Skyline, Mountain View, Fossil Ridge, Longmont, Niwot, Silver Creek, Thompson Valley, Greeley West, Berthoud

Outlook: Broomfield and Northridge each made it to the final four last season and each has the squad to repeat that mission. It remains to be seen if Broomfield can repeat as state champion, though, despite the return of the state’s best shortstop, Chris Grandinetti. Northridge is loaded, with pitchers Rhett Morgan and David deBesch and center fielder Mikel Huston, and will look to overthrow the Eagles. Word around the league is that Skyline will be a legitimate contender under the guidance of coach Mike Hoog. The 16-team league, which contains at last a dozen capable teams, also includes highly regarded Mountain View (15-6 last season) and Longmont (13-8). Fossil Ridge, a mild surprise at 12-7 last season, is hoping to continue to make a name for the program.

Key players: C Blake Basseggio, Sterling, Jr.; OF Jarod Berggren, Broomfield, Jr.; IF Brandon Boyer, Mountain View, Jr.; P Kyle Channel, Mountain View, Sr.; OF David deBesche, Northridge, Sr.; 3B Alek Diffendaffer, Berthoud, Jr.; IF Brett Goodell, Windsor, Sr.; P Josh Gordon, Silver Creek, Sr.; SS Chris Grandinetti, Broomfield, Sr.; P Jordan Hall, Sterling, Sr.; OF Mikel Huston, Northridge, Sr.; OF Chaz Kramer, Silver Creek, Sr.; 2B Adam Leverette, Fossil Ridge, Jr.; SS Wes Leverette, Fossil Ridge, Jr.; C Jon Lewis, Longmont, Sr.; SS Kevin Liddle, Mountain View, Jr.; P Rhett Morgan, Northridge, Sr.; P Patrick Oliver, Broomfield, Sr.; C Brandon Phlug, Fort Morgan, Jr.; OF Josh Rangel, Fossil Ridge, Jr.; IF Ian Salmela, Windsor, Sr.; Jesse Sewczak, Berthoud, Sr.; SS Jordan Smith, Longmont, Sr.; C John Sweeney, Greeley Central, Jr.; 3B Dane Underwood, Fort Morgan, Jr.



Skyline League

Favorite: Cherokee Trail

Contenders: Centaurus, Ranum, Fort Lupton, Skyview, Mountain Range

Outlook: Cherokee Trail enters the season as the favorite not only to win the league, but to win it all. The Cougars lost to Broomfield in the state championship game last season, but return the nucleus of a team that went 13-0 in league and a whopping 24-3 overall last season. Included is right-hander Bradshaw Perry and lefty Tim Moore, a tandem that combined to go 14-2 with 170 strikeouts last season. Centaurus must replace several key standouts, while Ranum and Fort Lupton look to emerge from the middle of the pack. First-year schools Mountain Range and Prairie View join the league this season, while Ridge View Academy moves up from 3A. Note: The league also includes four 5A teams.

Key players: P Kevin Angilini, Mountain Range, So.; IF Cameron DeJac, Mountain Range, So.; P Carl Formold, Westminster, Sr.; P Gabe Lucero, Ranum, Jr.; P Tim Moore, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; OF Joel Mudd, Fort Lupton, Sr.; 1B Dusty Noraker, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; P Jason Palmer, Westminster, Sr.; P Bradshaw Perry, Cherokee Trail, Sr.; OF Mike Sanchez, Ranum, Sr.; P Matt Stevens, Fort Lupton, Jr.



South Central

Favorite: Canon City

Contenders: Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo South, Pueblo County, Pueblo Central

Outlook: Wichita State-bound pitcher Cameron Maldonado is hoping to guide his team back to the final four this season, but it might be difficult for him to improve on his 107 strikeouts from last season, or his six homers and 33 RBI for that matter. In any event, the Tigers as the favorite which is rare in a league generally dominated by the Pueblo teams. Pueblo South, led by pitchers Ryan Rodriguez and Blair Cooper, again will compete, although Pueblo Centennial could pose the stiffest challenge to Canon City. Pueblo County could enter the mix, as could Pueblo Central with standout catcher Travis Godec.

Key players: SS Josh Arg, Canon City, Sr.; 1B Dion DeHerrera, Pueblo Central, Jr.; IF Michael Fuentes, Pueblo East, Sr.; C Travis Godec, Pueblo Central, Sr.; 1B Miles Gorham, Canon City, Sr.; OF Marco Macaluso, Pueblo South, Sr.; P Cameron Maldonado, Canon City, Sr.; IF Dan Montoya, Pueblo South, Sr.



Western Slope

Favorite: Moffat County

Contenders: Delta, Palisade, Rifle, Glenwood Springs

Outlook: Moffat County ripped through the league last season with a lofty 12-0 mark then promptly lost in the first round of the state tournament to Silver Creek. With leaders Bryan Richards and Brad Grinstead a bit more seasoned, the Bulldogs are aiming to avoid such disappointment this season. Delta should provide stout competition for the Bulldogs, as the Panthers return their entire pitching staff, including Luke Oeltjenbruns. The league’s final two playoff berths likely will come down to three teams — Palisade, Glenwood Springs and Rifle. Rifle lost nine seniors and is hoping to rebound quickly behind a strong contingent of juniors.

Key players: SS Asa Fix, Rifle, Jr.; IF Elliot Girard, Steamboat Springs, Jr.; 3B Brad Grinstead, Moffat County, Sr.; SS Brandon Keller, Delta, Sr.; P Luke Oeltjenbruns, Delta, Sr.; OF Bryan Richards, Moffat County, Sr.; P Zach Whitmore, Rifle, Jr.; SS Chris Winder, Moffat County, Sr.; P Alex Wood, Steamboat Springs, So.



Southwestern/Continental leagues

Favorite: Montrose

Contenders: Montezuma-Cortez, Rock Canyon

Outlook: Montrose and Montezuma-Cortez are the only 4A teams in the six-team Southwestern League. One earns a postseason berth, and the early frontrunner is Montrose, which went 14-6 last season. Rock Canyon, amidst a transition to 5A, will compete as the lone 4A squad in the 13-team Continental League and could struggle against some of the state’s best teams. The Jaguars can qualify for districts if they finish in the top six of the league. In that scenario, they would replace the Colorado Springs Metro League’s fifth-place team.

Key players: OF Quentin Haynes, Montrose, Sr.; OF Chris O’Brien, Rock Canyon, Sr.; P Seth Palmer, Montrose, Sr.; P Mark Rivet, Rock Canyon, Sr.

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