Prep Baseball Report

Colorado Top 50 Countdown: 49 Silver Creek Raptors


John Cackowski
Director of Scouting

 

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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. 49: Silver Creek Raptors

2018 Preseason Rank: 49
2017 Preseason Rank: 18
2017 Record: 16-8
Conference: 4A Northern
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Mike Apodaca
2017 Playoff Run: Lost to Air Academy in 4A Final 4
2017 Final Rank: 19
Returning Offensive Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 2
Returning Innings on Mound: 15
Returning RBI's returning: 29

STAT RAT: 
The Raptors were the hottest team in the state entering the 4A State Championship game winning 8 of 9 games before the tough loss to Valor Christian. 

X-FACTORS: 
Overcoming the loss some significant talent from 2017, most notably PBR Colorado Player of the Year, 2018 RHP/SS Cole Winn, who moved on to Orange Lutheran in California. A potential high draft pick in the 2018 amateur draft, Winn led the Raptors with 47 innings pitched, 95 strikeouts, and went 9-0 with a 0.73 ERA. Winn also hit .388 with 19 RBI's. The Raptors also graduated OF George Ramirez who hit .380 and led the team with 22 runs, and also graduated OF/C Max Browne who hit .425 with 26 RBI's, 9 doubles, 4 triples, and 2 homeruns. The depth of the program will be tested in 2018. 

BOTTOM LINE: 
The Raptors will naturally have a chip on their shoulder going into 2018 with constant reminders of Winn moving on, but they are well coached by veteran Mike Apodaca. Apodaca has led the Raptors to a 40 and 23 overall record over the last 3 years. Being battle tested in last year's Final-Four run in which they came a victory away from making their first 4A State Championship will give the program the experience necessary to compete in 2018. 

 

Top Player Lost: Cole Winn

 

Top Players Returning: 

 

 

 

Travis Bicknell OF / 1B / Silver Creek, CO / 2018

5-foot-11, 185 pounds. Bats and throws left. Bicknell is a good athlete (also plays football) Bicknell at times showcases some good left-handed power. Last year Bicknell hit .290 with 15 RBI's, and will be asked to anchor the middle of the lineup in 2018. 

 

 

 

 

Chris Smedley 2B / Silver Creek, CO / 2018

5-foot-6, 145 pounds. Classic table setter for the Raptors. Last year Smedley hit .270 but got on base at a .409 clip. Scored 15 runs for the Raptors in 2017. 

 

 

 

Spencer Rich SS / Silver Creek, CO / 2019

Another good athlete returning. Also plays football. 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. Rich also showcases some gap to gap power. Last year hit .270 driving in 10 runs as a sophomore while scoring 15 runs.