Coach: Steve Slesk (12th Year with Meridian, 152-120)
Home Field: Meridian High School
Last Season: 16-9 (8-5 Conference)
Key Losses: P/OF Simon Burkett (4-3, 2.48 ERA, 57 K’s, .325 OBP, 12 RBI, 7 SB, 15 R), IF Bryson Hickok (.284 AVG, .398 OBP, 13 RBI, 6 SB, 20 R), C Baker Otter (.338 AVG, .430 OBP, 15 RBI, 19 R), 3B Cole Weidkamp (.356 AVG, .413 OBP, 5 2B, 21 RBI, 13 R), P/1B/OF Warren Utschinski (4-3, 1.62 ERA, 31 K’s, .290 AVG, .333 OBP, 10 R, 8 RBI)), OF Henry Skaggs (.283 AVG, .397 OBP, 4 2B, 7 RBI), P/1B Matthew Belanger (2-1, 2.27 ERA, 15 K’s, 4 2B, 10 RBI), OF Lukas Hemenway.
Top Returnees: OF/P Dylan Hickok, OF/P Ryan Johnson, 2B Zack Loya, SS Art Madrigal.
Pitchers and Catchers: Junior Ryan Johnson (3-1, 1.62 ERA) was the #3 starter for the Trojans last year, and he will start 2019 as the Meridian ace. If he can get his control down, (nine walks to five strikeouts) he could be one of the league’s finest. Senior Dylan Hickok (5 IP, 1 save) didn’t pitch too much last season, but you can bet he will throw a lot this season. He should become a starter this year, after primarily pitching in relief in 2018. Junior Art Madrigal could get a lot of innings as well. Replacing All-Conference catcher Baker Otter won’t be easy, and the Trojans have a trio of athletes vying for that spot. In my opinion, it will go to senior Brayden Zender.
Infield: Madrigal (.235 AVG, .350 OBP, 4 R) returns at shortstop, after being a mainstay there for most of the second half of last season. Sophomore Zack Loya (.400 AVG, .538 OBP, 7 R) got valuable playing time last season as a freshman, and he will take over the duties at second base. The corners of the infield are still unclear, but you can look for sophomore Ethan Brooks and freshman Bryce Johnson to get long looks. Both are tall, and could have a chance to prove their worth in their first varsity campaigns.
Outfield: Hickok (.246 AVG, .325 OBP, 10 RBI, 16 R) began last season in the infield, but finished it in the outfield, which is likely where he’ll spend most of 2019. He will be looked upon as a leader, and returns with the most varsity experience. He is also a great bunter, and he does all the little things correctly, which is a MUST for any Coach Slesk team. Ryan Johnson (.244 AVG, .380 OBP, 10 R) is extremely athletic, and he has all the tools to be a top player in the league. It’s still unknown to me who will be joining them in the outfield, but it could be Corey Hemenway.
Final Analysis: You can bet that Coach Slesk will get the absolute best out of his ball players. You would think that with eight very good seniors graduating from last season’s team, that this could be a down year. Coach Slesk made it very evident to me that Meridian baseball doesn’t have “down years”. His team will perform well, and they will be ready to take on all comers when the season starts. Other coaches around the league agreed, saying that it doesn’t matter which players Coach Slesk has, he will get them to play baseball the right way, and they will be a very good team.
Tyler’s Predicted Lineup:
- Zack Loya
- Art Madrigal
- Dylan Hickok
- Ryan Johnson
- Bryce Johnson
- Brayden Zender
- Ethan Brooks
- Corey Hemenway
- ???
