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Tribune Preseason Baseball Top 10

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2008

1. Plant

The Panthers are loaded with talent. Dennis Braun's squad lost just one starter from 2007 and has five Division I signees on the roster, including senior Preston Tucker. The question is not if the Panthers will win, but will they win when it matters most after failing to get out of the district tournament the last two seasons?

2. Alonso

The Ravens lost just two starters from last year's region-final squad that lost to eventual state champion Sarasota; Sickles transfer Tito Martinez will fill one of the voids at shortstop. With Alex Panteliodis and Ray Delphey in the rotation, the Ravens are set up for another postseason run.

3. Jesuit

Richie Warren's squad lost three Division I signees from last season, but returns five starters from a team that advanced to a region final. The return of senior right-hander Matt Brazis is a big boost to the pitching staff, and the Tigers never really have much trouble hitting the ball.

4. Newsome

The Wolves lost some key players and their coach from last year's team that reached the state tournament, but new coach Zach Walker has the luxury of welcoming back two left-handers and Division I signees - Kyle Parker (USF) and Kris Castellanos (FSU) - and that means Newsome likely will be a force.

5. Middleton

Ace pitcher Nevin Griffith is gone and so are a few other notable players from 2007, but Vernon Slater has some talent coming back, including Division I signees Corey Thomas (USF) and Jamie Mallard (UCF), two players who can hit with anyone in the county.

6. Riverview

Bill Leiby has some lively arms to choose from in lefty Anthony Ferrara and right-handers Colby Fairfax and Chris Knott. Brett Clements returns behind the plate, and Spoto transfer Trinton Jones should help offset the loss of two Division I signees who roamed the Sharks' outfield in 2007.

7. Hillsborough

While the Terriers lost a ton of pitching from 2007, the junior trio of outfielders Jay Laurienzo and David Richardson and catcher Marlon Mitchell should help provide enough offense for Kenny White's club until the arms come around.

8. Sickles

The Gryphons return their top four pitchers from 2007. Three of the top five hitters from 2007 also are back, including senior outfielder Kenny Wilson. That's good news for Coach Bob Pagano, especially considering his team won 15 games last season.

9. Bloomingdale

The Bulls lost nine seniors from last year's regional-final team as well as longtime coach K.B. Scull, who retired. New skipper Kris Wilken welcomes back lefty Zach Payne, but he's still got to deal with the loss of six of the Bulls' top seven bats from 2007.

10. Brandon

Coach Matt Stallbaumer doesn't believe they're ready yet, but the reason the Eagles are here is because of potential. Brandon has young, talented players like junior Michael Smith and sophomores James Ramsay, Eric Arce and Austin Browder. They showed what they could do in 2007 by finishing above .500.

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