Best team?

Katy returns 4 of their top 5 pitchers from last year. 7 starters return from a year ago. There are 3 D1 recruits (B. Atwood, A. Daab & C. Jurica) and 3 JC recruits (N. Pepetone, M. Sauceda & T. Yager)on the team...plus 2 highly regarded sophomores (A. Stumph & K. Nuncio)that contributed significantly last year as freshmen.

Klein Collins is also stacked - it would be a great state final should these two teams meet up in Round Rock.

The best team is the one who stands alone at the end.

Anything before that is speculation.

quote:

The best team is the one who stands alone at the end.

Anything before that is speculation.

AMEN!!!

I have seen many a teams that on paper, before the season began, was the best team out there. But once the season started, boy was it another story.
Talent is important, but so is chemisty, and just plain old hustle, and those elements cannot
be seen until the season starts.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
The best team is the one who stands alone at the end.

Anything before that is speculation.

I believe springlion07 was only asking for opinions as to who looks the best - on paper - heading into the season - not making bold predictions as to who is going to win it all.

Exactly.

Katy, Klein Collins, Langham Creek, Cy Fair, Woodlands and Westside all look good "on paper".

But alot of things can happen in baseball. Bad hop, flair, lose coin flip and play one game against team with 1 pitcher, etc.

Guys -- don't let Ken discourage your speculation -- he was never much into discussing teams and their talent until playoff time.....which does not minimize the legitimacy of this topic. We all understand that it is simply a way to generate discussion about teams that may be "favored" in their districts. Concerning the DFW crowd, we're not as familiar with the Houston teams. You will see predictions here in the coming weeks.

-PD

It is just something interesting to talk about.

I'm not too familiar with a lot of DFW teams but they do have a very good reputation down here in Houston.

Which of the following 4A teams that played in Austin last year have the best chance at a return trip?

Champion-New Braunfels-lost 10 seniors
Runner up-FW Arlington Heights-lost 12 seniors
McKinney North-lost 8 seniors
Channelview-lost 13 seniors

It looks like Channelview won't return many pitchers that contributed last season.

New Braunfels returns 9 juniors and 2 sophomores

Arlington Heights has Walker Kelley-enough said

McKinney North returns 7 juniors, and 3 sophomores, plus 2 move-ins that will contribute heavily

Any thoughts out there throughout the state??

quote:

Which of the following 4A teams that played in Austin last year have the best chance at a return trip?

Champion-New Braunfels-lost 10 seniors
Runner up-FW Arlington Heights-lost 12 seniors
McKinney North-lost 8 seniors
Channelview-lost 13 seniors

OP,

From the list there it looks like your North boys have the best chance. But, to get to the final 4 you have to have lots of things go your way.
1. You have to have the ball bounce your way. 2. Players have to have great chemistry.
3. Stay healthy.
4. Get great pitching, defense, and hitting. 5. Great coaching.

If all that comes together in a season, some magic can happen.

Channelview is now in 5A.

OP,

Channelview has moved to 5a. I believe they will be with Kingwood and Humble in 21-5a.

The Montgomery Bears will be tough in 4a with excellent pitching and a very powerful lineup.

Oh, and 5a powerhouse CC Moody has dropped down to 4a so they will be a force to reckon with without a doubt

Channelview seemed to me to be the team that lost the most from last year. I'm sure the move up in class will hurt them quite a bit, but knowing nothing about them, I can't say that with certainty.

CC Moody moving down to 4A!! Do you know what they have coming back this year? I'm sure they would be one of the favorites for 1 of the 4 spots in Austin with their tradition.

Like I said earlier, it looks to me like Arlington Heights will definitely be a challenge for anyone in 4A with a pitcher like Walker Kelley on their staff for another 2 years.

Thank you all for the posts, keep them coming!!

Tuesday, December 19
Moody could dominate 4A in 2007

by Randy Byers
© 2006 Houston 5A Baseball.com


The Moody Trojans have, for the most part, dominated Region 4-5A baseball three of the past four years making three appearances in the final four (2003, 2004, 2006) and claiming the 2004-5A State Championship. All of this from a school whose attendance says they should be competing at the 4A level but opted for 5A. In 2007, Moody will compete in district 30-4A after many years playing up in 5A. They do lose ace pitcher Danny Grande and the big bat of Robert Robles as well as 2B, Ramsey Gonzalez but return the rest of the squad in tact. With the Trojans track record versus 5A competition, you might just see Moody dominating the 4A ranks right out of the gate in 2007.


Corpus Christi Moody Trojans
District 30-4A
Head Coach: Corky Gallegos
Varsity Assistant Coach: Gene Flores
J.V. Coach: Ryan Elizondo
Freshman Coach: Richard Diaz

2006 record- 32-8/7-3
2006 play-offs- defeated SA MacArthur 2-games-to-0 in area, defeated Smithson Valley 2-games-to-0 in region 4 quarter finals, defeated Haringen South in a one game play-off for region 4 semi finals, defeated Laredo United 2-games-to-0 in Region 4 championship, lost to Katy 2-0 in State semi final.

2006 Graduated Starters -Danny Grande (Pitcher), Robert Robles (DH), Ramsey Gonzalez (2B)

Returning starters- Gabriel Morales(Jr. Pitcher 1b), Andrew Perez Sr.
SS, Ronnie Flores SR.3B, Joey Mendoza SR. 2b, Josiah Rodriguez Sr.
Catcher, Rudy Grande Sr. LF, Jacob Perales sr. CF/P, AJ Franco SR
Pitcher, Thomas Tovar Jr. RF

Newcommers- Rudy Flores Soph. 1B/P, Christian Gallegos Soph. P/SS
Andrew Cantu Soph. LHP/OF, Justin Meza Soph. P/OF, Leeroy Hinojosa Soph. OF.

Ryan Neuenfeldt, of SA5AB, contributed to this story

Thanks for the update on CC Moody. Sounds like all of 4A has their work cut out for them.

Remember the Alamo!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
Guys -- don't let Ken discourage your speculation -- he was never much into discussing teams and their talent until playoff time.....which does not minimize the legitimacy of this topic. We all understand that it is simply a way to generate discussion about teams that may be "favored" in their districts. Concerning the DFW crowd, we're not as familiar with the Houston teams. You will see predictions here in the coming weeks.

-PD

OP do you happen to know other that Clayton Kershaw who did Highland Park lose to keep them from making it to state

Racoon-I don't know the name of the kid, but their 4-hole hitter (possibly 3) is also gone. Hit like 10 HR for them. He was a Tiger I think as well.

Justin Walker - Texas A&M

quote:

Originally posted by RACCOON Baseball:
OP do you happen to know other that Clayton Kershaw who did Highland Park lose to keep them from making it to state

I really don't know. Don't know much about them at all.

Its hard to go against a pitcher that still hasnt lost yet in a highschool game i am taking about Walker Kelly and Heights. Sure you have to have more than one player but Heights keeps getting it done year in and year out. Each year it seems they have a weaker team than the year before but they always find a way to get the job done. This year they are going to need alot of players to step in quickly and contribute. Ya they lost alot of seniors but in reality only 4 of them really played so i think they are going to be ok.

Yeah its hard to bet against hieghts... They will always be re-stocking players, this year will be no different. It also helps to run up wins when your district is large and (I'll try to be kind) Bad.