Baseball Prospectus
We received a few baseball prospectus forms from area coaches. Here they are. And for those who are not listed, it’s not too late. We can add to this blog entry when we receive them at sports@columbian.com (Also, it’s quite possible we’ve lost some in our system. So if you already sent one in, don’t see it here, please send it again as you are accepting our apologies!)
4A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
EVERGREEN
Coach: Chad Burchett
Key players: Josh Palmquist, sr., catcher; Matt Dee, sr., pitcher/third base; Greg Allen, sr., outfielder; Seth Stroup, sr., outfielder; Trevor Swartz, so., shortstop; Dawson Allen, jr., second base; Jace Bolton.
Outlook: Evergreen will be light on experienced pitchers after ace Jacob Trump wend down to injury. Still, the Plainsmen have a balanced lineup and will score runs.
HERITAGE
Coach: Mitch Ratigan
Key players: Jarod Luedecker, sr., outfielder; Nick Somboun, jr., outfielder; Cole Foley, jr., catcher; Trevor Wharton, jr., shortstop/pitcher; Jackson Wagner, sr., outfielder/first base/pitcher; Trevor Murphy, sr., pitcher; Bailey Alley, jr., third base; Carson Calhoon, jr., outfielder/pitcher; Zach Bocanegra, sr., pitcher
Outlook: Led by an experienced core of returners, the Timberwolves expect to fight for a playoff spot. Speed will be the team’s strength. Luedecker might be the fastest player in the county. … Union is the favorite in the 4A GSHL but top to bottom, this could be one of top leagues in the state.
SKYVIEW
Coach: Seth Johnson
Key players: Kordell Vasbiner, sr., pitcher/infielder; Parker Baker, sr., infielder; Leonard Barry, sr., outfielder/pitcher; Taylor Johnson, sr., infielder; Avery Schmidt, jr., infielder; Jacob Olivarez, jr., infielder; Mitchell Smith, jr., pitcher/outfielder; Brody Barnum, so., utility; Jacob Cook, so., pitcher.
Outlook: The Storm graduated 13 players last year. The pitching staff has not thrown a single varsity pitch going into this season. One returning full-time starter (Schmidt). … The Union Titans, Johnson said, are the “clear-cut” favorites in the 4A GSHL. He added that this might be the deepest 4A GSHL in years and “it should be exciting to watch.”
UNION
Coach: Ben McGrew
Key players: Matt Olstead, sr., pitcher; Jack Bauer, sr., catcher; Cody Hawken, sr., first base; Thomas Lampkin Jr., sr., infielder; Brady Whalen, jr., infielder; David Buehler, sr., pitcher.
Outlook: The Titans are coming off the best season in school history with 17 wins, league and district titles, and trip to the Class 4A state tournament. With 15 returning players, including six who received all-league recognition, this group wants to exceed those accomplishments. … Of course, one could argue the league is better, too, with the addition of Mountain View.
3A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
COLUMBIA RIVER
Coach: Stephen Donohue
Key players: Jace McKinney, sr., infielder (Mt. Hood commit); Taylor Easterly, jr., pitcher (WSU commit); Jordan Craig, sr., (Mt. Hood commit); Blake McKinney, sr., (Mt. Hood commit); Drew Moore, sr., outfielder; Alex McGarry, jr.
Outlook: Three excellent starting pitchers expected to carry team. All have velocity over 85 mph, according to Donohue. “We will have to replace two all-state players … but have players ready to step in and fill their shoes.” Coach said the favorites should be River and Kelso.
FORT VANCOUVER
Coach: Owen Frasier
Key players: Jacob Brugman, sr., (one of top players in area. Back from an injury in 2014); Hayden Greene, sr., (top returning hitter); Zach Johnson, sr., (top returning pitcher); Rico Reyes, sr., Will Doty, sr.
Outlook: “We have gone 0-30 in league play the past two seasons and 4-36 overall, so keep what I am about to say in perspective: This is the best team we’ve had since I have been the head coach,” Frasier said. (This is his third year.) “I honestly think we will compete for a playoff spot … and surprise a lot of people. We return a ton of experience and will likely start seven seniors.” … Frasier said Columbia River has to be the favorite in the 3A GSHL, followed by Kelso and Prairie. Still, he believes the Trappers have a shot to compete for third place.
PRAIRIE
Coach: Mark Ripley
Key players: Michael Guenther, sr., infield; Blane Robb, sr., pitcher; Bryce Gould, sr., outfield; Greg Bernash, so., outfield; Brendan Callaway, sr., infield; Jacob Brown, jr., catcher; Jordan Marti, sr., first base; Blake Robb, fr., pitcher/first base.
KELSO
Coach: Scot Meeker
Key players: Steve Christen, sr., pitcher/outfield; Quinton McDaniel, sr., utility; Mason Meeker, sr., outfielder; Tyler Parson, sr., pitcher; Davis Radcliffe, sr., pitcher/outfield; Dyllan Reynolds, sr., pitcher/shortstop; Zak Schueller, sr., catcher.
Outlook: Looking to bounce back after last season when team did not advance past district. Coach believes it will come down to Columbia River and Kelso for the 3A Greater St. Helens League title.
2A GREATER ST. HELENS LEAGUE
HUDSON’S BAY
Coach: Rick Skinner
Key players: Eric Fich, sr., infielder/pitcher/catcher; David Wallum, sr., infielder/pitcher; Anthony Grande, sr., catcher/pitcher; Cameron Kelly, sr., pitcher/first base/outfielder; Tyler Lee, sr., pitcher/infielder; Trevor Zimmerman, sr., first base/pitcher; Nick Cuppy, jr., infielder/pitcher.
Outlook: The Eagles look to continue to build the program and improve. Team has solid senior leadership, according to Skinner. … Coach believes Mark Morris is favorite.
HOCKINSON
Coach: Shaniko Ristau
Key players: Jared Oja, jr.; Brandon Anderson, jr.; Mitch Lines, so.; Jordan Lester, jr.
Outlook: Young squad lost nine seniors to graduation last year. That gives a lot of younger talent the opportunity at the varsity level. “After seeing how these young men stepped up in the offseason, I think we are ready to take a run at another league title,” the coach said. Still, he noted the 2A GSHL is loaded, especially with Woodland now in the league.
MARK MORRIS
Coach: Brice Richards
Key players: Spencer Best, sr., outfielder; Riku Kusakabe, sr., utility; Max Leach, sr., outfielder; Will Burghardt, so., outfielder; Jordan Frost, jr.; Dawson St. Jean, so., shortstop; Devin St. Jean, so., catcher; Lane Spenker, so., third base.
Outlook: Only three seniors in the program. … Coach likes Woodland’s chances to compete in the 2A GSHL, moving up from 1A and the Trico League. Also says R.A. Long has “stable of pitchers” unmatched by any team in the league.
RIDGEFIELD
Coach: Nick Allen
Key players: Carter Strader, sr.; Grant Mersinger, sr.; Jarrett Brown, sr.; Jonah Roberts, sr.; Cody Duncan, sr.; Brian Gillenwater, jr.; Michael Martin, jr.
Outlook: Ridgefield returns seven starters from last season. “We will compete if our seniors step up and play like seniors,” the coach said. “We have some unproven arms but the top-half of the order is back so hopefully we can score some runs.”
WASHOUGAL
Coach: Greg Lewis
Key players: Brandon Casteel, sr., two-time all-league catcher; Tyler Bowlin, so., shortstop; Nick Costa-Strange, jr., pitcher; Ryan Krout, so., pitcher.
Outlook: Young team with four returning varsity players.
TRICO LEAGUE
LA CENTER
Coach: Rob Williamson
Key players: Sawyer Bierscheid, jr., pitcher; Matt Doiron, sr.; Dustin Ell, sr., catcher; Matt Baher, so., pitcher.
Outlook: Young but talented. Coach said it is difficult to figure out a clear-cut favorite in the Trico League, but believes newcomer King’s Way Christian could be a threat.
