Inside Prep Baseball - 4A preseason poll

"Inside prep baseball" -- is there a web site you can give me?

Thank you!

The web site is www.insideprepbaseball.com and it used to be Texas Baseball News. It's run by Jason Becker who does an outstanding job.

Here's the pre-season 5A top 5 from Inside Prep Baseball:

1. The Woodlands, 28-6 - The Highlanders lost a number of key players from last year's dominating club that reached the regional semifinals before bowing out to eventual state finalist, Rockwall. However, a number of key contributors are back to lead another run. At the front of that pack is senior RHP/SS Kyle Drabek, who might be the top all-around baseball player in the country this year. TCU signee Steven Maxwell is behind Drabek on the bump, senior third baseman Paul Goldschmidt can really swing the bat, and there are a number of gifted youngsters ready to carry on the great tradition in Coach Ron Eastman's program.

2. Cy Falls, 28-12 - The Eagles return almost the entire lineup from last year's club that reached the regional semifinals, where they gave eventual champ Kingwood a good push. Big senior righthander Ryan Jenkins (Baylor) is one of a handful of veteran leaders. Sophomore lefty Ross Bruns has not only talent, but also experience. He was a key in the Eagles' postseason run in '05.

3. Kingwood, 35-6 - The Mustangs lost a number of key contributors from last year's run to the state title, including ace lefty Austin Wood (Texas) and slugger Johnny Whittleman (Rangers), but the cupboard is far from bare. Senior righty Mike Ojala, a Rice signee, was the starter for the championship game as a junior. He is a competitor with good stuff and ice in his veins. Big, hard-throwing righthander John Touchton (UH) came up to become the closer down the stretch as a junior, and he will be the other end of a stout one-two pitching punch. Doug Simmons (Rice) can flat hit.

4. Mansfield, 32-8 - The Tigers made it to the regional finals last year before they ran into Lubbock Monterey, and their top two pitchers are back from that club. Ace Jordan Walden (Texas) is a 6-5, 200-pound righthander who lived in the mid-90s and touched 99 MPH last summer. He is a dominator. His rotation-mate, lefty Mark Cohoon, can really pitch. There is some offensive punch back from last year's club as well.

5. Houston Memorial, 25-12 - The Mustangs were one of the youngest teams in the playoffs last year, and they made it to the regional semis, where they gave Humble a good run. They will miss the leadership of RHP/3B Koby Clemens (Astros), but there is plenty back to lead the way. Long, lanky lefty Chris Bergmann (Arkansas) is more than capable of taking on the front position in the pitching rotation. Senior IF Hunter Rome (North Carolina) can pick, and junior IF Kevin Ahrens has the stuff to be one of the top position players in the state next year. He can hit.

The annual publication, available at a number of newstands, provides HS baseball information for several states...and includes a fairly comprehensive coverage of Texas teams. There is an article discussing the top arms -- several projected as high draft pics.

Also included -----

Nine members of the 2006 DBAT 16U team, coached by Curt Lowry, are listed in the 2008 Players to Watch.

Congratulations guys!

Any websters' sons among the "players to watch"? {I just got a copy of the poll, haven't had the chance to buy the mag yet.}

Yes, sons of a few contributors and a number of lurkers -- from all classes ('06 - '08) -- freshmen are not listed. The magazine also discusses the sources behind the information....but I do not have a copy yet, so I cannot provide that scoop.

Congrats to those boys (and their parents) who made the list.

The 4A poll is interesting. My son's team is ranked #10 (Longview Pine Tree). Unfortunately there are three teams in Region III ranked ahead of Pine Tree. Plus there are two teams from our district ranked in the top 15.

It will be very tough to make it out of the Region come playoff time. Pine Tree will be a young team - no senior starters at all. We will start the year with one senior on the team period. We will get some senior players when basketball season ends but that may be awhile - they will make the playoffs without a doubt.

Anyway, should be a fun season over in the sticks of East Texas.

Similarly, Corpus will be a rough town for 5A. Carroll, Moody & Ray all in the same district. Don't envy ctiger...

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
Yes, sons of a few contributors and a number of lurkers -- from all classes ('06 - '08) -- freshmen are not listed. The magazine also discusses the sources behind the information....but I do not have a copy yet, so I cannot provide that scoop.

Dallas Area 2007 - Junior- Top Prospects

Beavan, Blake Irving RHP
Elder,Jordan Forney, Inf.
Evatt, Dan 1b/Of Grapevine
Farhat, Clayton Of Plano East
Fleece, Nick RHP,1b,Boswell
Green, Cole RHP, Coppell
Hendon, Zane RHP Pinetree
Kaskow, Jonathan 1B Coppell
Marshall, Mike 3B Keller
Pair, Michael RHP TCA-Addison
Paterson, John RHP/3B Prestonwood
Popescu, Nick 2B Flower Mound
Rupp, Cameron C Prestonwood
Shore, Brian P Pinetree
Slater, Chris Of Plano East
Stierwalt, Kris C Boswell
Thomas, Stayton RHP Corsicana
Thompson, Jeff P Pinetree
Woods, Kyle C Waxahatchie
Workman, Brandon RHP Bowie
Wright, Eric FW Country Day
Wilson, Josh Of Canton

I hope I did not miss anyone.

quote:

Originally posted by LIONS:

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
Yes, sons of a few contributors and a number of lurkers -- from all classes ('06 - '08) -- freshmen are not listed. The magazine also discusses the sources behind the information....but I do not have a copy yet, so I cannot provide that scoop.

Dallas Area 2007 - Junior- Top Prospects

Beavan, Blake Irving RHP
Elder,Jordan Forney, Inf.
Evatt, Dan 1b/Of Grapevine
Farhat, Clayton Of Plano East
Fleece, Nick RHP,1b,Boswell
Green, Cole RHP, Coppell
Hendon, Zane RHP Pinetree
Kaskow, Jonathan 1B Coppell
Marshall, Mike 3B Keller
Pair, Michael RHP TCA-Addison
Paterson, John RHP/3B Prestonwood
Popescu, Nick 2B Flower Mound
Rupp, Cameron C Prestonwood
Shore, Brian P Pinetree
Slater, Chris Of Plano East
Stierwalt, Kris C Boswell
Thompson, Jeff P Pinetree
Woods, Kyle C Waxahatchie
Workman, Brandon RHP Bowie
Wright, Eric FW Country Day
Wilson, Josh Of Canton

I hope I did not miss anyone.

Three of the above mentioned are the three pitchers for Longview Pine Tree. Jeff Thompson is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had done last summer. Many of you know him and I can report that he is doing excellent. He is cleared to play his position (1B) and is throwing off the mound. At this time he expects to be cleared to pitch by April. My son reports that he looks stronger than ever during his bullpens now. In fact, he says that he looks to be throwing harder now than before his injury. If we can get him back in the rotation that will really help Pine Tree's chances come playoff time.

2008 "Top Prospects" (from 2006 DBAT 16U)

Dutch Crews - Highland Park
Ethan Cunningham - Southlake Carroll
Jeff Emens - Plano East
Kale Kiser - Plano West
Brandon Loy - Rowlett
Jerrod McKinney - Hughes Springs
Ted Nowell - Mesquite Poteet
Mark Roberson - Plano East
Zack Young - Mexia



(sorry Ken)

Top 25 5A:

1. The Woodlands
2. Cy Falls
3. Kingwood
4. Mansfield
5. Houston Memorial
6. Tomball
7. Newman Smith
8. Allen
9. Cy Fair
10. Houston Bellaire
11. Smithson Valley
12. Arlington Martin
13. La Porte
14. Midland
15. Coppell
16. Houston Westside
17. Deer Park
18. CC Ray
19. FM Marcus
20. Keller
21. Humble
22. Buda Hays
23. CC Moody
24. Rockwall
25. RR Stoney Point

quote:

Dallas Area 2007 - Junior- Top Prospects

Beavan, Blake Irving RHP
Elder,Jordan Forney, Inf.
Evatt, Dan 1b/Of Grapevine
Farhat, Clayton Of Plano East
Fleece, Nick RHP,1b,Boswell
Green, Cole RHP, Coppell
Hendon, Zane RHP Pinetree
Kaskow, Jonathan 1B Coppell
Marshall, Mike 3B Keller
Pair, Michael RHP TCA-Addison
Paterson, John RHP/3B Prestonwood
Popescu, Nick 2B Flower Mound
Rupp, Cameron C Prestonwood
Shore, Brian P Pinetree
Slater, Chris Of Plano East
Stierwalt, Kris C Boswell
Thomas, Stayton RHP Corsicana
Thompson, Jeff P Pinetree
Woods, Kyle C Waxahatchie
Workman, Brandon RHP Bowie
Wright, Eric FW Country Day
Wilson, Josh Of Canton

One that was omitted from the list of Juniors:

Leftridge, Joe, OF, Duncanville

quote:

Originally posted by Panther Dad:
2008 "Top Prospects" (from 2006 DBAT 16U)

Dutch Crews - Highland Park
Ethan Cunningham - Southlake Carroll
Jeff Emens - Plano East
Kale Kiser - Plano West
Brandon Loy - Rowlett
Jerrod McKinney - Hughes Springs
Ted Nowell - Mesquite Poteet
Mark Roberson - Plano East
Zack Young - Mexia

Do you have the list of the other 2008 kids from the DFW area ?

2007, CF, Kenneth Gilbert, DeSoto

5sdad -- I will have a copy of the magazine in a few days. If it not a significant task, I can post the list. I want to make sure everyone understands that I have nothing to do with this list. And the names I mentioned earlier were not my opinion -- but simply a report on a portion of the magazine's contents. I am sure there are many deserving players that were not included on Becker's lists.

PD - If it's more convenient, Kyle is selling the magazine at DBAT. He's got about 100 of them and they retail for $10. Maybe you can get a PD discount....

According to the magazine, the kids listed are submitted by HS coaches, scouts and college coaches. If your HS coach did not report your players, a scout or someone the magazine feels has credibility would have to.

They listed Mike Marshall as a 3rd baseman?

And, he's moved to El Paso Franklin....but he's a legit prospect to be sure!!!!

And thinking about it, I think I'd have to add Jerod Stafford of Keller to the list of '07's. The DMN Newcomer of the year surely deserves the recognition!!!

Isn't Keller 5A?

My guess, based on what I see in the list, is that the list largely originated from HS coaches.

Congrats to all that made the list.

crazy when i look at the 4A and see a Team that use to be a perenial power at #25 in 4A..As a head coach of a 4A means we have our work cut out to make a run..pretty stout classification.

DBAT GM -- a bargain at half the price!

Where is Mequite Poteet ranked? After a great post season last year, are they even mentioned?
I know they lost a couple of their top players.

Mesquite Poteet lost their #1 but is returning there #2 is Anthony Arrieta who signed to play ball for New Mexico State. They are returning 3 out of the 4 infielders, catcher, 2 out of the 3 outfielders and they got a move in from Georgia thats is bout 6'2 and throws pretty hard. Also, to go along with those pitchers is Brian Watson who is a pretty salty lefty.