The Colorado high school baseball season kicks off on March 5th, opening day for regular season action under CHSAA regulations. Leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Colorado Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

***Coaches Questionnaire Form Link: HERE*** (Coaches only please)

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today:

High School: Fossil Ridge
Head Coach: Marc Wagner
Classification: 5A
League: Northern
2025 Record: 20-7 (5A State Elite 8)

Key Players Lost:

Mason Griffin (Northern Colorado)
Owen Morgan (Oregon)
Brek Benedict (Northern Colorado)
Vedant Sharma (Harvard)

Top Players:

INF LUC GACA THIELE

‘26 @PB_Uncommitted INF Luc Gaca Thiele (Fossil Ridge)

Extended look at one of the state’s top uncommitted left-handed bats

•2024 Future Games alumni
•High academics

.538 BA, 21 XBHs, 9 SB across 108 plate appearances (5A)@gtreaper44 @fossil_baseball @Slammersbasball pic.twitter.com/rs4SnoNFDq

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) May 30, 2025

RHP/C TYLER KEPHART

𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗚𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗦

‘26 @PB_Uncommitted RHP/C Tyler Kephart (Fossil Ridge)

FB: 88-90 T91.4 🔥 (2400+)
SL: 81-84 (~2100)
SPL: 80-81 (~1100)

Physical presence with an actively developing arsenal. Recently converted to the mound. #PBSFG25🇺🇸 | @KephartTyler25 |… pic.twitter.com/m03OzVRHtB

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) July 23, 2025

SS BRADY BRADFORD

Few more swings here from ‘27 INF @BradyBradford03 👇

Consistently took quality at-bats on the week with some hitterish vibes

Coming off of a big spring in 2025 (.393 BA, 16 XBH, 10 SB in 102 PAs, 5A level)#PBFG25🇺🇸 | @PB_Uncommitted https://t.co/I8sPmuw7Ti pic.twitter.com/GASMosEjjw

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) July 31, 2025

LHP/OF ZACH HALL

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬

‘26 @PB_Uncommitted OF/LHP Zach Hall (Fossil Ridge) stays through this pitch for a 2B to RCF#CentralSSrG🇺🇸 | @Zach_Hall0726 | @fossil_baseball | @2025Collab pic.twitter.com/UrMeLfCJvT

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) August 5, 2025

MIF MASON CLARK

‘28 @PB_Uncommitted SS/OF Mason Clark (Fossil Ridge)

5’10” / 155 Ibs
*switch-hitter*

RH Max EV: 94 mph
LH Max EV: 91 mph
60-Yard Dash: 6.91
INF Velo: 82 mph@MasonC1121 @ShooterHunt @fossil_baseball @Slammersbasball https://t.co/tjH2Ukkni0 pic.twitter.com/0CJEwA3vG6

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) June 19, 2025

MIF/UTL DYLAN HOFF

‘29 SS Dylan Hoff (Fossil Ridge)

The young switch-hitter stays through this ball well to right-field for a standup triple.

Some hitterish vibes with easy whip & twitch@ShooterHunt @fossil_baseball @Slammersbasball @WagsPBR https://t.co/aT2s7Uc23j pic.twitter.com/4pg7Ww1BUQ

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) June 23, 2025

1B JORDAN SPITZ

𝐍𝐨𝐂𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐃 🏔️

‘27 @PB_Uncommitted 1B Jordan Spitz (Fossil Ridge)

6-foot / 220 Ibs

Max EV: 99 mph 💥
Average EV: 90.1 mph
Max Batted Ball Distance: 362 ft.
INF Velo: 81 mph@JordanSBBall | @fossil_baseball | @Slammersbasball https://t.co/7dodtdemXb pic.twitter.com/QnaFgSx8fp

— Prep Baseball Colorado (@PrepBaseball_CO) February 6, 2026

C/INF JACKSON MARTIN

2026 SEASON OUTLOOK:

Fossil Ridge enters the 2026 season coming off a deep postseason run after reaching the 5A State Elite Eight a year ago. While that success came with significant graduation losses, the Sabercats once again look positioned to reload rather than rebuild.

Fossil Ridge did lose four Division I commits from last season’s roster, including its starting shortstop, two frontline pitchers, and the everyday center fielder, production that won’t be easily replaced. Still, the cupboard is far from bare, as several high-level pieces remain in place to anchor the next wave.

That group is headlined by Luc Gaca Thiele, an infielder committed to Columbia, along with Brady Bradford, an Army commit expected to play a key role up the middle. Tyler Kephart, a Colorado Mesa commit, adds value both on the mound and behind the plate, giving the Sabercats another impactful two-way presence to build around.

There is also upside among the underclassmen, with switch-hitters Dylan Hoff and Mason Clark poised to compete for early opportunities, while Nick Shiplett is a name to watch as a potential contributor on the mound. How quickly that younger talent translates to varsity production will go a long way in determining Fossil Ridge’s ceiling.

If the Sabercats can establish new run production and stabilize the pitching staff as the season unfolds, there is a clear path for this group to once again make noise in 5A during the spring of 2026.

Find more information on the 2026 Fossil Ridge program below:

+ Follow them on X: @fossil_baseball
or Instagram: @fossilbaseball

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Colorado Preseason All-State (Invite-Only)	CO	02/22	The Farm Sports - Colorado Springs, CO
2026 Four Corners ProCase	CO	06/02	Grand Canyon University - Phoenix, AZ

VIEW PAST EVENTS

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