The 2020 high school baseball season gets underway this week for teams in Class 3A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 3A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are three new baseball coaches in 3A this year: Darrin Wells (Grand), Bryan Wolfley (Providence Hall) and Cooper Crystal (South Summit).
Here are the 3A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 12
1. Richfield Wildcats
Head coach: Faron Reed (4th year)
2019 record: 25-3 (first in Region 15 with a 12-0 record)
2019 postseason: Beat Summit Academy in 3A championship
Returning contributors:
· Morgan Albrecht, P/SS/C, Sr.
· Josh Thalman, P/2B, Sr.
· Marshall Pallesen, P/IF, Sr.
· Jake Shepherd, P/RF, Sr.
· Brittyn Riddle, CF/C, Sr.
· Max Robinson, P/SS, Jr.
· Will Robinson, P/1B/3B, Jr.
Coach comment: “Richfield is returning seven seniors, seven juniors and 10 sophomores from its 2019 state championship team. Our pitching and experience should help lead the team in 2020;, we only lost one starting pitcher from 2019 team. The seniors and juniors still have explosive power and we should put up the same amount of numbers as we did last year with our offense. We keep developing outstanding infielders that have a ton of depth for our defensive needs and our senior catcher/shortstop has committed to CSI. We expect to be in the run of things for the 2020 3A season.”
2. Carbon Dinos
Head coach: Jeff Cisneros (7th year)
2019 record: 11-15 (third in Region 14 with a 6-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A second round: Eliminated by Manti in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Kaleb Nelson, P/1B, Sr.
· Tyler Wright, P/OF, Sr.
· Cooper Schade, P/OF, Jr.
· Kade Dimick, P/IF, Jr.
· Rylan Hart, P/IF, Soph.
Coach comment: “We are excited for the upcoming season. We will be relying on a number of underclassmen to fill some very important roles. It will be a process as the year goes, but if we develop and play hard, we should be competing by year’s end. Most of our players received some valuable game time experience in the summer American Legion program, which always makes our team better.”
3. Emery Spartans
Head coach: Rob Smith (3rd year)
2019 record: 11-12 (third in Region 15 with an 8-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A first round: Eliminated by Carbon in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Brax Jensen, SS, Sr.
· Bron Gordon, 2B, Sr.
· Teagan Christman, C, Sr.
4. South Sevier Rams
Head coach: Eric Baker (2nd year)
2019 record: 9-12 (fourth in Region 15 with a 5-7 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Union in 3A first round: Eliminated by San Juan in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Brennen Hunt, C/P/OF
· Karson Hunt, P/IF
· Tracen Winkel, P/IF
· Jarin Robb, P/IF
Coach comment: “We a very young and inexperienced team. Even as young as we are, we have great leadership and a very positive hardworking group. I have high expectations for this group of young men.”
5. San Juan Broncos
Head coach: Jens Nielson (2nd year)
2019 record: 12-14 (fifth in Region 15 with a 4-8 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Manti in 3A second round: Eliminated by Juab in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Davis Mendoza, P/SS, Sr.,
· Randall Flavel, P/UTIL, Sr.
· Elijah Lee, P/IF, Sr.
· Kash Shumway, P/OF, Sr
· Shaw Nielson, P/OF, Sr.
Coach comment: “We have a solid group of seniors that have contributed at the varsity level since their sophomore year. They are a group that has great leadership skills and will help the underclassmen. Davis Mendoza will lead us in our pitching efforts as well as defensively as a solid shortstop. Randall Flavel will provide us with flexibility as a utility player, Randall is a great athlete that can play anywhere. Offensively Randall will make things happen, he is a great hitter that hits for power and average. Elijah Lee will provide much to our team this year, he is solid offensively and defensively. We will look to him to fill some important innings on the mound. Shaw Nielson is a talented outfielder who will primarily be running our outfield team in center field. He is a great team leader who will also provide us valuable innings on the mound. Kash Shumway is one of our most improved players, he will provide us innings on the mound and will help run the outfield with fellow senior Shaw Nielson. Kash is a hard worker and that hard work has paid off, we are expecting great things out of Kash both offensively and defensively.”
6. Grand Red Devils
Head coach: Darrin Wells (1st year)
2019 record: 6-14 (tied for sixth in Region 15 with a 2-10 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Juab in 3A first round: Eliminated by Emery in 3A one-loss bracket
Additional info not provided
Region 13
1. Judge Memorial Bulldogs
Head coach: Jesse Carrillo (5th year)
2019 record: 14-13 (second in Region 13 with an 8-4 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to San Juan in 3A first round: Eliminated by Carbon in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Peter Callahan, OF/P, Sr.
· Luke Borgmeier, P/1B, Jr.
· Alex Zang, C, Jr.
· Isiah Moore, 2B, Jr.
· Michael Paul, CF/P, Soph.
Coach comment: “2020 is looking to be another amazing year for the Bulldogs. I am incredibly impressed with the competitive spirit and poise of this team. Our goal is to get better every day and leverage the experience of our seven returning starters.”
2. Grantsville Cowboys
Head coach: Aaron Perkins (3rd year)
2019 record: 18-9 (first in Region 13 with a 10-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Union in 3A second round: Eliminated by Judge Memorial in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Parker Thomas, Sr.
· Jackson Sandberg, Sr.
· Taylor Wood, Sr.
· Chace Gipson, Sr.
· Josh Staley, Jr.
Coach comment: “Grantsville baseball is excited about the upcoming season. We have a senior-heavy team and a good mix of talented underclassman. Players have worked hard in the offseason to create depth at every position and prepare for the challenges ahead. We look forward to a tough preseason schedule and competing against the teams in Region 13.”
3. Summit Academy Bears
Head coach: Dan Hansen
2019 record: 18-10 (tied for third in Region 13 with a 6-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A semifinals: Eliminated by Richfield in 3A championship
Additional info not provided
4. Providence Hall Patriots
Head coach: Bryan Wolfley (1st year)
2019 record: 10-14 (fourth in Region 14 with a 4-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Manti in 3A first round: Eliminated by Judge Memorial in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Cam Toy, P/3B, Sr.
· Josh Boynton, P/2B, Jr.
· Chase Marshall, P/SS, Jr.
· Jayden Lopez, CF, Jr.
· Rhett Wolfley, C/P, Soph.
Coach Comment: “We are excited.to begin the season in this new region. We are a young team this year, but we have a lot of players returning that have varsity experience. We lost some key players from last year’s team, but the younger boys are ready to step up and see what we can accomplish.”
5. Morgan Trojans
Head coach: Jed Stuart (2nd year)
2019 record: 12-15 (tied for third in Region 13 with a 6-6 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Carbon in 3A first round: Eliminated by Juab in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Trevor Jarrett, P/SS, Sr.
· Joe Zink, P/C, Sr.
· Dexter Gilson, C/RF, Sr.
· Alex Harden, 1B, Jr.
· Ryder Lish, 2B, Jr.
Coach comment: “This year’s team will be competitive with players competing for top spots in our region. We have high expectations for each player. They all know each player has a role to perform to be successful. We are excited to get the season going. Thanks and good luck to all the teams.”
6. South Summit Wildcats
Head coach: Cooper Crystal (1st year)
2019 record: 3-20 (fifth in Region 13 with a 0-12 record)
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
Additional info not provided
Region 14
1. Union Cougars
Head coach: Matt Labrum (6th year)
2019 record: 18-11 (second in Region 14 with an 8-2 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A quarterfinals: Eliminated by Summit Academy in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Lincoln Labrum, IF/P, Sr
· Dace Wilcox, IF, Sr.
· Rhett Nebeker, IF/P, Sr.
· Kobe Gurr, C/P, Sr.
· Rayden Deets, OF/P, Jr.
· Zach Foote, IF/P, Jr.
Coach comment: “We are excited about the opportunity to compete in the 3A division again this year, there are some great teams with some outstanding college level individual players! We have a great core group returning and some excellent new guys who’ve been preparing for their opportunity to contribute to our program on the varsity level. Pitching is always the key making a run deep into the playoffs, we look forward to seeing what our pitching rotation will look like as the season goes on. We have a tough schedule that will give us great experience and provide opportunities for growth. We like the team we will have and the competition we will have for spots in the varsity lineup. It’s exciting to see the growth of our program and the competition it brings.”
2. Juab Wasps
Head coach: Brett Ludlow (5th year)
2019 record: 22-4 (first in Region 14 with a 10-0 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A second round: Eliminated by Union in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Raidyn Steele, P, Sr.
· Preston Lunt, 3B, Sr.
· Brock Cragun, P, Sr.
· Dalin Ludlow, SS, Jr.
· Brayden Lawton, OF, Jr.
· Trey Lund, OF, Jr.
· Teagan Christensen, 2B, Jr.
Coach comment: “Our coaching staff is excited about this coming year. We return seven starters from the team last year. With a full year of playing together and the work in the offseason, this group expects to be in the hunt this year.”
3. Manti Templars
Head coach: Jim Nelson (10th year)
2019 record: 16-8 (second in Region 15 with a 9-3 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Summit Academy in 3A quarterfinals: Eliminated by Union in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Conner Christiansen, SS/P, Sr.
· Daniel Olson, CF/P, Sr.
· Keston Lyon, 1B/P, Sr.
· Peyton Fonville, 3B/P, Sr.
Coach comment: “We may have our youngest and least experienced team in quite a few years, but we have players that are excited to compete for positions. We have players from all four classes that could play in varsity games. Each year we look forward to see how much we can grow and improve from March to May, and this year is no different.”
4. Delta Rabbits
Head coach: Cory Webb (8th year)
2019 record: 4-15 (fifth in Region 14 with a 2-8 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Richfield in 3A first round: Eliminated by Morgan in 3A one-loss bracket
Coach comment: “We have seven returning starters from last year and we will expect to compete in each game that we play. Our pitching staff will be mostly underclassmen so we hope defensively and hitting we will make improvements from last year to compete in each game we play.”
5. North Sanpete Hawks
Head coach: Dan Christensen
2019 record: 4-17 (tied for sixth in Region 15 with a 2-10 record)
2019 postseason: Did not qualify
Additional info not provided
6. American Leadership Eagles
Head coach: Dustin Johnson (3rd year)
2019 record: 0-19 (sixth in Region 14 with a 0-10 record)
2019 postseason: Lost to Grantsville in 3A first round: Eliminated by South Sevier in 3A one-loss bracket
Returning contributors:
· Fielding Morley, returning center field starter who missed most of junior year due to injury – Should lead our team as a senior
· Daniel Baisch, P/Util, Senior should help lead our pitching staff this year
· Braydon Johnson, 1B/OF, Soph., returning starter at RF/1B
· Ethan Ward, C, Soph., Led JV in hitting and fielding percentage last year
· Dillon Holt, 3B/P/OF, Jr.
Coach comment: “This year ALA will be a young team with some strong/smart young players returning/moving up from junior varsity. We will rely on our few seniors help led these younger players to an improved season. These young men at ALA will compete to the very last out and should surprise some teams on our schedule this year. I expect and improved record and believe if every boy on this team plays their part, we can compete against anyone in 3A this year.”