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: Silver Creek
Preseason Rank: 14
2015 Record: 10-9
Conference: Northern
CHSAA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Mike Apodaca
Playoff Run: N/A
2015 Final Rank: 91
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS:
Austin Wood, RHP, No. 19 2017 (Furman University)
Cole Winn, RHP/2B (Notre Dame)
Cason Winn, C, No. 156 2016
George Ramirez, OF, 2017
Nick Gambirasi, P, 2017

OTHER PLAYERS THAT COULD MAKE AN IMPACT
Sam Elting, OF, 2017
Cade Call, OF, 2017
Dylan Kramer, 1B/P, 2017

X-FACTOR:  
Gaining experience to improve on finishing their spring season. The Raptors lost 5 of their last 7 games which knocked them out of the playoffs.

STAT RAT: 
Last year the Raptors had 10 underclassman who received varsity experience

BOTTOM LINE:
In 2015 you can say the Raptors underachieved a bit. They had higher expectations going into the season only to go 10-9 and not make the 4A playoffs. They looked like they were in position to make a late season run sitting with an 8 and 4 record but lost 5 of their last 7 games, one which included their last game of the season when they had a 5-1 lead in the 5th inning at home only to lose 10-5 in extra innings to Northglenn. That game knocked them out of a chance to play in the 4A District Playoffs. In 2016, they bring some very solid pitching to the mix which includes two players that could win at any classification on any given day. 2016 RHP Austin Wood (Furman University) brings an upper 80's fastball to the table to go along with his 6-foot-6 athletic frame on the mound. Last year Wood threw over 40 innings and went 5-1 on the season to go along with a 1.98 ERA and 53 strikeouts. Match Wood with upstart 2018 RHP Cole Winn (Notre Dame) who also possesses an upper 80's fastball and you have a very good 1-2 punch. Winn last year as a freshman had a chance to throw 22 innings and struck out 18, but will need to get his location under control. Winn can also hit carrying a .308 batting average last year. 2016 C Cason Winn will have one more chance to be a battery with his brother. Cason is the leader of the team and last year hit .339 with 5 doubles. Cason also can provide some quality innings on the mound.  Juniors Nick Gambriasi and George Ramirez also return and can add quality innings to the mound. The Raptors have talent, and because of their pitching options do not be surprised if they flip the switch in 2016. It will be fun to see who comes out on top in what is now a very tough 4A Northern League.

 

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