Players in Arizona have been eager to compete for their high school programs and it feels as we are getting close. The Arizona Interscholastic Association has announced that opening day of the 2021 season will commence on Monday, March 1st. Programs will allowed to begin practicing while holding tryouts in an official capacity before moving on to live competition. The PBR Arizona staff will start to begin its 2021 season coverage starting with our Preseason Power 25 rankings. Over the next two months and leading up to opening day, we will be highlighting some of the top programs in state in our team previews. PBR will also be publishing its state Power 25 rankings that will be updated every Monday once the season begins. Throughout the season, PBR will be pumping out coverage, highlighting individual players, games, rankings, scouting reports and nominating a player of the week. PBR looks forward to getting out there this spring to see some great baseball. 

Our Preseason Power 25 rankings coverage starts today.

Team: Salpointe Catholic
Preseason Rank: 17
2020 Record: 4-0
Conference: Kino
AIA Classification: 4A
Head Coach: Danny Preble
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3

OUTLOOK:

Senior leadership seems to be a common theme so far in this years Preseason Power25 rankings. Salpointe Catholic is another team that should have plenty of it this spring. The Lancers return six starters on varsity from a team that was undefeated before the shutdown last year. Salpointe Catholic has a traditionally strong history, most recently crowned the State Champions of 4A in 2019. They are a well-coached team that can beat anyone on any given day. Senior, Cade McGee (Gonzaga) should play a key role for this squad as a third basemen, hitting in the heart of the order. He should also be their top arm on the mound, logging fastballs in the low 90's with higher spin. Although McGee might be their preseason MVP, this team shows some strong depth across the board. Left-handed hitting SS, Mason White might arguably be one of the top uncommitted bats left in the 2022 class in Arizona. Speaking of bats, dont forget about 1B Jack Rogers (New Mexico State) who put up some of the top power and hitting metrics of the year at PBR events. INF, Luis Garcia also shows good athleticism with speed that should make significant improvements at South Mountain CC. RHP Liam O'Brien (Pima) is another arm that should contribute alot of innings on the mound. O'Brien has worked into the upper 80's in the fall and his projectable body could give him some more gains come spring. This team also has some under the radar prospects that will round out a strong lineup for the Lancers and will surly compete for another title in 2021. 

KEY PLAYERS LOST:

TOP PLAYERS:

PRESEASON MVP:

Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
Cade McGee	AZ	Salpointe Catholic	2021	3B/RHP	Gonzaga

UNDERCLASSMEN WATCHLIST:

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
Diego Garcia	AZ	Salpointe Catholic	2023	INF/P
Omar Monreal	AZ	Salpointe Catholic	2022	INF/P

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