Preseason Countdown: No. 34 Lamar

By John Cackowski
State Director

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. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here

Team: Lamar
Preseason Rank: 34
2014 Record: 18-2
Conference: Tri-Peaks (East League)
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Dave Fassiato
Playoff Run: Lost to Sterling 1-0 in 3A District 5 Championship Game
2015 Final Rank: 36
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS:
Braden Forney, OF, 2016
Dalton Chandler, RHP, No 2. 2018
Evan Reed, Util, 2016
Miguel Rodriguez, INF/OF, 2016

X-FACTOR:
New players will have to step up. The Savages graduated 8 seniors from 2015 who had significant playing time and production.

OTHER PLAYERS WHO CAN MAKE AN IMPACT:
Tyler Geddes, 1B/P, 2017
Colton Eberhardt, RHP, 2018

KEY PLAYER LOST:
Brent Crampton: Lamar CC

STAT RAT:
Lamar dominated their competition in 2015. They outscored their opponents 223 to 28. They only gave up 1.4 runs a game while averaging 11.15 runs a game.

BOTTOM LINE:

Lamar has been a 3A power house for a long time. Since 2012 they have outscored their opponents 1010 to 341 since 2012. Coming back in 2016 is 2016 OF Braden Forney. In 2015 Forney hit .333 and will be asked to be a leader on offense in 2016. 2018 RHP Dalton Chandler brings a mid 80 to upper 80's fastball and should be the Savages number 1 option on the mound. We have been impressed with Chandler's projectablity in past PBR Colorado events. He has a chance to turn into one of the top pitchers for Colorado in his age class. 2016 Util Evan Reed hit .333 in limited at bats in 2015. 2017 1B Tyler Geddes showed flashes of strong production in 2015 hitting .444. The 6-1 junior shows some potential pop in his bat. The savages had 5 players who were freshman and sophomores that mixed in with the 8 seniors they graduated last year. Don't be surprised if the Savages reload and are right in the mix again for a 3A State Championship.

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