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2015 Team Preview: DeSoto

March 12, 2015

By Sean McCann
Prep Baseball Report Kansas

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: DeSoto
Nickname: Wildcats
Class: 4A-I
League: Frontier
Head Coach: Joel Thaemert
Years as Head Coach at School: 9
2014 Overall Record: 20-4
2014 League Record: 11-1
2014 League Finish: League Champion
2014 Post-Season Finish: 4A-I State Champion
2014 Final Top 25 Ranking: 13

Returning Starters: 6
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Returning: 2

TOP RETURNERS (College Commitment)
Greyson Jenista, RHP/1B, 2015 (Wichita State) – All-Frontier League
Clayton Hancock, RHP/3B, 2015 - All-Frontier League
Devon Freeman, LHP/OF, 2015
Tyler Mars, 1B, 2015 (Seminole State)
Cooper Lee, OF, 2016
Brenton Michalek, C, 2015
George Villa, UT, 2015

X-FACTOR
Greyson Jenista. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound corner infielder gives the Wildcats a physical left-hand bat in their line-up and also a power right-handed arm out of the bullpen. He signed with Wichita State this fall and is also an MLB draft prospect.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Dylan Holden, RHP/3B, 2014 (Emporia State) – KABC 4A-I All-State, 1st Team third baseman.

2015 OUTLOOK:  
Defending 4A-I state champion DeSoto returns six starters from their every line-up from a year ago including All-Frontier League performers seniors RHP/1B Greyson Jenista and RHP/3B Clayton Hancock. Senior Devon Freeman is a strike-pumping lefty on the mound and corner outfielder. Senior 1B Tyler Mars, a Seminole State (OK) commit, provides DeSoto with a physical, athletic right-handed hitting presence in their line-up. Junior OF Cooper Lee returns as catalyst in the lead-off spot and will man center field. Senior C Brenton Michalek is a solid defender behind the plate and will be an important factor in bringing along some of the less experienced pitchers that will need to step forward to replace the five arms lost to graduation. Speedy senior utility player George Villa gives the Wildcat coaching staff a number of options defensively. 

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