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: Desert Ridge
Preseason Rank: Bubble
2020 Record: 4-3
Conference: Central
AIA Classification: 6A
Head Coach: Joseph Ponce
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 4

OUTLOOK:

Desert Ridge is currently listed on Preseason Rankings as an "On the bubble" team to start the 2021 campaign. This team has potential to be a sneaky squad in 6A with some upset potential. While they dont have some of the marquis prospects that jump out at you like some programs, they have a tight knit group with some high energy grinder type players. Head Coach, Joseph Ponce lists their team chemistry as one of their strengths as well as maturity from some of the underclassmen. Look for 2022 Jaydan Israel (Hawaii Commit) to set the tone for this squad, should hit towards the top of the lineup as well as play some shortstop. Israel should lead by example for the Jaguars. 2023 C Gio Melchione (Gonzaga Commit) returns as the primary backstop for this squad who was a starter on varsity as a Freshmen in 2020. Versatile Senior, Tyler Bare (uncommitted) should also play a key role in this teams success. He can contribute with the bat and on the mound. Look for Desert Ridge to surprise some teams in 2021. 

KEY PLAYERS LOST:

TOP Returners:

PRESEASON MVP:

Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
Gio Melchione	AZ	Desert Ridge	2023	C	Gonzaga

TOP NEWCOMERS:

UNDERCLASSMEN WATCHLIST:

NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
Logan Spetz	AZ	Desert Ridge	2024
Caden Truman	AZ	Desert Ridge	2024
Cooper Sobeck	AZ	Desert Ridge	2024

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