Preseason Countdown: No.21 Wheat Ridge
March 18, 2016
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: Wheat Ridge
Preseason Rank: 21
2014 Record: 19-5
Conference: Jeffco
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Adam Miller
Playoff Run: Lost to D'Evelyn 5-0 in 4A Final 4
2014 Final Rank: 11
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 3
TOP PLAYERS
Sylas Anderson, 3B, No. 102 2016
Damian Padilla, INF No. 11 2016
Travis Cowan, SS, 2017
Abraham Apodaca, C, No. 18 2018
OTHER PLAYERS THAT COULD MAKE AN IMPACT
Dominique Torez, RHP, 2016
X-FACTOR:
The Farmers will have to establish a few starters on the mound. Diego Garcia graduated in 2015 and was 6 and 0 last year with a 0.83 ERA. Look for Damian Padilla to lead the pitching staff.
KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Willie Harris: Abeline Christian
Diego Garcia: Graduated
STAT RAT:
Stolen Bases were a big part of the Wheat Ridge offense in 2015. They stole 42 bases last year, but 35 of those stolen bases graduated.
BOTTOM LINE:
Under head coach Adam Miller the Wheat Ridge Farmers have been one of the top teams in 4A since they moved out of the 5A Jeffco League down to 4A in 2009. The Farmers since then have won 114 and lost 45 games since then. Last year they were close to gaining that 4A title but had two tough losses to Green Mountain and D'Evelyn in the 4A state playoffs. This year the Farmers will have to reload after losing some D1 talent. Coming back is 2016 3B Sylas Anderson. Anderson hit .524 with 17 RBI's in 2015. He was also 3-0 on the mound with a 0.52 ERA in 13 innings pitched. 2017 SS Travis Cowan hit .389, and went 1-1 on the mound as well. Those two will be asked to have a more significant role on the mound in 2015. 2016 RHP Damian Padilla will take over the No. 1 option the mound after a successful 2015 campaign in which he went 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA in 48 innings pitched. 2018 catcher Abraham Apodaca will benefit from his experience starting as a freshman and will be solid behind the plate. Expect the Farmers to still be in the 4A playoff mix. They will have some new players step in and compete like all of Adam Miller's teams do.
Related Material
CO 12.01.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 50 Bear Creek
Bears fall just short of 2015 playoffs, look to regroup in 2016...>>
CO 12.03.15
Preseason Countdown: No.49 Arapahoe
Look for Warriors to rebound and secure a 2016 playoff spot...>>
CO 12.09.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 48 Broomfield
Look for Broomfield to rebound in 2016 after first year at 5A...>>
CO 12.10.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 47 Hotchkiss
Look for Hotchkiss to compete for 2A State Championship Title...>>
CO 12.17.15
Preseason Countdown: No.46 Resurrection Christian
Cougars look to rebound from heartbreaking loss in 2015 2A State Championship...>>
CO 1.11.16
Preseason Countdown: No.44 University
The Bulldogs will be a favorite to return to the 3A Semifinals...>>
CO 1.14.16
Preseason Countdown No. 43 Horizon
Hawks look to build on the playoff run from last year...>>
CO 1.19.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 42 Grand Junction
Look for Tigers to continue winning ways, need offensive production to go far...>>
CO 1.26.16
Preseason Countdown: No 40 Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch has a young but talented team to compete in 2016...>>
CO 2.05.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 39 Grand Junction Central
The Warriors always have talent..but have to replace 7 starters from 2015...>>
CO 2.10.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 38 Valor Christian
After first losing season in program history, look for the Eagles to rebound...>>
CO 2.18.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 37 Pueblo East
Eagles have a lot of talent returning in 2016, could be year they break through...>>
CO 2.19.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 36 Dakota Ridge
After dissapointing 2015, don't sleep on the Eagles...>>
CO 2.22.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 35 Columbine
Rebels bring talent back from dissapointing 2015 season...>>
CO 2.23.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 34 Lamar
Lamar reloads with some young talent to improve on solid 2015 season...>>
CO 2.29.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 33 ThunderRidge
Grizzlies need to find way to take pressure off talented pitching staff...>>
CO 3.01.16
Preseason Countdown: No.32 Longmont
Longmont returns 7 starters with expectations to make deep playoff run...>>
CO 3.02.16
Preseason Countdown: No.31 Douglas County
The Huskies have enough talent coming back to have success...>>
CO 3.03.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 30 Ralston Valley
The Mustangs could be primed for a long 5A playoff run...>>
Preseason Countdown: No. 29 Lakewood
The Tigers bring back just about everyone from 2015 success...>>
CO 3.04.16
Preseason Countdown: No.28 Mullen
Mustangs lose pitching, but still bring back quality talent in 2016...>>
CO 3.07.16
Preseason Countdown: No.27 Pueblo West
Cyclones have talent coming back for potential 4A Final 8 run...>>
CO 3.08.16
Preseason Countdown: No.26 Windsor
Wizards have two arms and enough returning talent to make a 4A run...>>
Preseason Countdown: No.25 Pueblo South
Colts bring back pitching experience and a stud catcher for 4A a Playoff Run...>>
CO 3.10.16
Preseason Countdown: No.24 Heritage
Loaded with talent, expect the Eagles to get back in playoff action in 2016...>>
CO 3.16.16
Preseason Countdown: No.23 Erie
Tigers return 6 starters from 2015 4A Final 8 Team. ...>>