Baseball Super 10 preseason rankings – azcentral.com
Richard Obert ranks the preseason top 10 high school baseball teams in the state, regardless of division.
RELATED:Preseason American Family Insurance ALL-USA Arizona baseball team
No. 1 Scottsdale Chaparral (last year’s record 18-12-1): Experienced team led by junior third baseman Jacob Gonzalez, a .400 hitter.
No. 2 Chandler Hamilton (29-4): Huskies return arguably the state’s best player in junior infielder Nick Brueser and one of the best pitchers in senior right-hander Zane Strand.
No. 3 Glendale Mountain Ridge (24-11): Dangerous, experienced team with strong bats, including POY candidate shortstop Cameron Cannon.
No. 4 Tempe Corona del Sol (24-8): Deep pitching staff and center fielder Ryan Novis’ big bat (hit .500 last year) are back.
No. 5 Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor (18-13): Return eight starters and top pitcher Bailin Markridge.
RELATED: Bordow: Pitch count rule needed to protect young arms
No. 6 Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge (21-9): Arguably best team in Southern Arizona
No. 7 Phoenix Brophy Prep (18-10): Senior-loaded team, led by infielder Chad McClanahan.
No. 8 Oro Valley Canyon del Oro (32-2): Defending Division II champions returns Kansas State-signed catcher Tristan Peterson (.420, 28 RBIs last season).
No. 9 Peoria Liberty (29-6): Got some holes to fill after reaching the Division I final last year but this has become a baseball factory led by coach John Freitas.
No. 10 Tucson (30-7): Returns 8-game winner Jose Contreras from Division II runner-up team.
Five on fence: Phoenix Horizon, Gilbert Mesquite, Peoria Sunrise Mountain, Peoria Centennial, Gilbert Campo Verde.
FIND A GAME: Baseball schedule
Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.