Coppell No. 1 In Collegiate Baseball’s H.S. Poll

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Coppell H.S. top 5 pitchersTUCSON, Ariz. — Coppell, Tex. is ranked No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball’s 2016 National High School Baseball Pre-Season poll.

Headlining the team are five pitchers who all have signed or verbally committed to NCAA Division I universities. All throw 90 mph or higher.

They include RHP Charles King (Texas Christian, 6-0, 1.09 ERA, 47 K, 95 mph), RHP Ray Gaither (Dallas Baptist, 7 SV, 0.41 ERA, 21 K, 96 mph), junior LHP John Kodros (LSU verbal commit, 1-0, 1.47 ERA, 91 mph), RHP Hayden Kettler (Baylor, 3-1, 1.07 ERA, 91 mph), and RHP Chris Burdine (Oklahoma State).

The Cowboys (25-6) lost in the regional quarter finals last season, but return a seasoned team with 12 players who have been three-year starters. The only position with a new athlete is right field.

“We should have a strong ball club in 2016,” said Coppell Head Coach Kendall Clark. “In my coaching career which is nearly 30 years now, I have never had a pitching staff like this.”

“I was fortunate to coach Plano West High School to the 2008 5A state title in Texas. This staff is much deeper than that one with great arms. We also have 12 players who have been 3-year starters. Everyone on our team is excited to get the season going.”

Leading the offense are junior P/1B/DH Trey Becerra (.324, .500 on base %, 8 2B) and SS Jacob Nesbit (.354, 7 2B, 3 3B, 26 SB).

For information on all the top 30 teams in the poll, read the full story in the January 29, 2016 edition of Collegiate Baseball. This issue also includes the 2016 Pre-Season Louisville Slugger All-Americans and a state-by-state list of top high school players. You can subscribe or purchase a single copy of Collegiate Baseball by CLICKING HERE.
 

Collegiate Baseball’s Pre-Season National H.S. Poll
(January 29, 2016)

Rank School    City/State   2015
Record
1. Coppell (Coppell, TX) 25-6
2. Oxford (Oxford, MS) 35-1
3. Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, CA) 26-8
4. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, CA) 27-5-1
5. The First Academy (Orlando, FL) 20-7
6. Buford (Buford, GA) 34-2
7. Providence (Charlotte, NC) 31-4
8. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 32-3
9. Round Rock (Round Rock, TX) 19-8-1
10. Parkview (Lilburn, GA) 34-2
11. Ardrey Kell (Charlotte, NC) 25-4
12. Walton (Marietta, GA) 30-8
13. Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) 29-4
14. Shawnee Mission East (Prairie Village, KS) 19-5
15. Archbishop McCarthy (Southwest Ranches, FL) 27-5
16. Farragut (Knoxville,TN) 41-8
17. Saint Francis (Mountain View, CA) 29-5
18. St. Rita (Chicago, IL) 32-7
19. South Dade (Homestead, FL) 20-8
20. Summerville (Summerville, SC) 25-4
21. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, CA) 26-7
22. Topsail (Hampstead, NC) 25-3
23. Ballard (Louisville, KY) 26-11
24. Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft, NJ) 27-5
25. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) 26-3
26. Southlake Carroll (Southlake,TX) 27-9
27. Spanish Fort (Spanish Fort, AL) 33-11
28. Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, FL) 21-6
29. Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, UT) 27-3
30. Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA) 22-1-1