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Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. 

Like any preseason ranking for any sport, last year our list created a lot of fun conversations, debate, and opinions among players, coaches, and families. To see what we got right, and what we got wrong in 2017 Click Here

What makes our list unique is it combines all classifications (1A through 5A), and leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage.

Factors that are considered when creating the Top 50 List are the following:

- How many current players are returning that are in PBR Colorado rankings
- How many overall players committed or non-committed are returning
- How many starting pitchers are returning
- Success the previous season
- History of success in the program

* We expect the teams in the Top 50 Countdown will compete for at least a district playoff spot in 2018

Team No. 16: Eaglecrest Raptors

2018 Preseason Rank: 16
2017 Preseason Rank: NA
2017 Record: 15-5
Conference: Centennial League
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Tory Humphrey 
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Highlands Ranch 17-7 in 5A Region 8 District Playoffs
2017 Final Rank: 32
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Pitchers Returning: 2
RBI's Returning: 43
Innings on Mound Returning: 16

STAT RAT: 
The Raptors hit 24 homeruns in 2017. Half of that power is returning in 2018. 

X-FACTORS: 
Even though they lost in the first game of the 5A district playoffs to Highlands Ranch, that experience will be key to the Raptors growth as a team in 2018. 

BOTTOM LINE: 
After having an overall 31 and 80 record since 2011, The Raptors surprised everyone last spring going 15 and 5 with some quality wins over top 5A programs. Then to almost top that off, they jumped all over Highlands Ranch 6-0 in the 5A Region 8 district playoffs. Then their lack of playoff experience caught up to them and would eventually fall to the Falcons 17-7. The Raptors have good athletes coming back, and are also armed with a new and talented class of junior pitchers that could help get them over the hump, and reach their first 5A Final 8. 

 

Key Player Lost

 

Garrett Tisdall C / 3B / Eaglecrest , CO / 2017 Rankings  StateRank: 18 / POS: 4 6-foot-2, 185-pound right hand hitting catcher/3B. Tall athletic behind the plate, shows good hands receiving pitches and framing. Arm is accurate to the bag with a 74 MPH velocity and a 1.98 pop time. At the plate he stands tall and balanced. He uses a high leg kick to load on his backside and transfer his weight aggressively on the swing. Swing path is slightly uphill and produced a ball with good carry. His exit velocity was 87 MPH off the tee. Ran a 7.4 60. Hit 8 homeruns in 2017 and drove in 27 runs. Committed to Colorado Mesa.

Key Players Returning

 

Andrew Danko SS / Eaglecrest, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 77 / POS: 6 Hit .423 in 2017 with 8 doubles and 3 homeruns. Also logged 15 innings on the mound going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA striking out 15.

 

Stilian Balasopoulov 1B / OF / Eaglecrest, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 64 / POS: 5 Hit .404 in 2017 driving in 17 runs while hitting 7 doubles and 3 homeruns.

 

Zach Sulyma C / 3B / Eaglecrest, CO / 2018 Rankings  StateRank: 83 / POS: 12 Was second on the team in 2017 with 25 RBI's. Hit 4 homeruns, 7 doubles, and hit .386