Well as promised, we will be unveiling our 2020 pre-season power rankings during the month of December. To make sure we keep people glued to our Facebook page, we've decided to dole out one age group per week (or so..). So what age group should we start with?
We've decided to start with arguably our strongest and most talented age group in Central California...the 14s!
Now, remember this is a pre-season ranking. We've looked at last year's results, fall baseball results and how rosters may have changed or not changed.
Going into the spring of 2020, there is no doubt that Tri-County Prime 14u is the team to beat. Last year's performance were quite remarkable in making it to the Perfect Game World Series semi final game and also earning the silver medal in the USA team National Championships at Camelback Ranch, Arizona. Not to mention 3 commitments to D1 schools before ever having played in one high school game.
If that wasn't enough... they've actually added some great talent for 2020. The Hirschkorns out of Kingsburg who were single handedly (or double handedly) responsible for Kingsburg's Cal-Ripken World Series victory two years ago. They will be a force to reckon with both on the mound and at the plate for TC 14u. Jake Porter, Becket Zavorek, and Brandt Munger are other familiar names and great additions to a great lineup. We look to see big things from this group this year in representing the valley.
Well we can't talk 14u without talking about the CV Canes and there run this fall around the valley. If there was a tournament from Manteca to Bakersfield, the CV Canes 14u were winning it. Lots and lots of hardware was earned by this group this fall. Going into 2020 we see this as the best local team who will hopefully spread their wings to Socal and beyond and see how they stand up. We think they can compete with the best of California and we look forward to following their progress this spring.
Well, the only team to give the CV Canes a run for their money this fall were the Backyard Boys. This team is on the edge of breaking through this year. The roster needs to be solidified and some consistency in play. Some weekends they appear to be on the rise, while others they struggle. We see this team coming together this spring and making themselves a name!
To finish off the 14u group we need to talk about Tri-County's "second" team and the Starz Baseball Group (Bakersfield). Tri-County's second team might just turn some heads this spring. They will be very competitive locally and can possibly compete nationally. The team is mostly made up of the 13u TC team that made it to the championship game at the international world series last year. Our #5 team is SBG out of Bakersfield. This is a young team but a team that can play fundamental baseball and is coached by Corey Davisson. This team will give every team a competitive game this spring.
Our last team, not quite making our top 5...yet! are the CBA Marlins. The roster was not solidified at the time of this writing, however, the group is well coached and has a tendency to attract top talent in the area. The Marlins have been a top team in the area for many years and we see this continuing into 2020.
Well there you have it. The top 5 teams for our 2020 pre-season rankings in the 14u group.
1. Tri-County Prime
2. CV Canes
3. Back Yard Boys
4. Tri-County
5. Starz Baseball Group
Honorable mention : CBA Marlins
Good luck to all the teams this spring/summer! We look forward to hearing about all of our Central California teams this year!
Did we forget somebody? Agree? Disagree? Let us know!
Our rankings are based on Perfect Game Rankings, USSSA rankings, performance in local tournaments, results in national/regional events and of course word of mouth! #valleypride
Next week we will take a look at the 13u age division