With the season around the corner, I thought I would post a team preview of the La Cueva Bears.
La Cueva is coached by Gerard Pineda and competes in 6A-2. Last year lost in the semifinal round of the state tournament to district rival Eldorado.
List of players I believe will be competing to be on the varsity roster by class:
Seniors (9)
Brian Fitzgerald
Derrick Gallegos
Dustin Schwartz
Josh Hathoot
Chase Wilson
Derek Trujillo
Ryan Hoff
Stone Romero
Anthony Robles
Juniors (6)
Jonathan Stroman
Ryan Phillips
Richard Ware
Isaac Standridge
Devin Borin
Chris Campbell
Sophomores (4)
Jack Pineda
Austin Schlagel
Ryan Johnson
Jackson Spiller
While I think the sophomore class overall may be the deepest and most talented group at La Cueva, especially guys like Johnson, Schlagel, and Pineda, its doubtful we'll see many of them get a varsity opportunity other than Pineda. La Cueva has just too much depth at every position. Of course injuries can change everything.
Lineup I'd expect to see:
DH - Jack Pineda LH
SS - Richard Ware RH
CF - Ryan Phillips LH
1B - Brian Fitzgerald RH
C - Stone Romero RH
3B - Chris Campbell RH
LF - Devin Borin RH
RF - Isaac Standridge LH
2B - Derrick Trujillo RH
The offense won't be as potent as last years team with the huge loses of Pratt, Bell, McCalister, and so many other seniors. However, they should still put up big offensive #'s in large part to a break out season for Ware and big years from seniors Fitzgerald and Romero.
The addition of some strong juniors, who saw limited or no varsity time last year in Phillips, Borin, and Standridge should really help provide some quality hitting and defense in the OF. Phillips and Standridge should provide some speed on the base paths with Borin providing a little pop from the right side.
The bench will be very strong with 1B/DH Chase Wilson, 2B Derrick Gallegos, and OF Josh Hathoot all taking time from starters and providing very good defensive substitutions when necessary. In the case of Wilson, his bat could garner him time at 1B with Fitzgerald getting pushed to DH or OF.
Rotation I'd expect to see:
SP - Jonathan Stroman RHP
SP - Anthony Robles RHP
SP - Devin Borin RHP
SP - Ryan Hoff RHP
RP - Derek Trujillo RHP
RP - Chris Campbell RHP
RP - Richard Ware RHP
Last years pitching staff will be hard to beat, but I think this group has the potential to be very good. The rotation will be anchored by Jonanthan Stroman (90+) with another year under his belt and throwing even harder. Add in three guys who pitched JV last year in Robles (88-90mph), Borin (86-88mph), and Hoff (84-86mph), you have a group of hard throwers with good secondary stuff. I'd expect all four of these guys to be pitching in college once they graduate. Anthony Robles has already committed to Eastern Arizona.
Overall the La Cueva Bears should be very competitive and should battle it out with Eldorado for the district title.