01/16/2006 11:10 AM - Picking the top 5-10 teams in Class 5A was a tough task this season, compared to the past couple of years, because there are not really any clear-cut frontrunners for 2006. It's a wide-open race headed in. However, a handful of clubs do have the talent, the coaching, the experience and the tradition of excellence to stand apart a little bit - at least on paper - and earn a top ranking before the first pitch is thrown.
1. The Woodlands, 28-6 - The Highlanders lost a number of key players from last year's dominating club that reached the regional semifinals before bowing out to eventual state finalist, Rockwall. However, a number of key contributors are back to lead another run. At the front of that pack is senior RHP/SS Kyle Drabek, who might be the top all-around baseball player in the country this year. TCU signee Steven Maxwell is behind Drabek on the bump, senior third baseman Paul Goldschmidt can really swing the bat, and there are a number of gifted youngsters ready to carry on the great tradition in Coach Ron Eastman's program.
2. Cy Falls, 28-12 - The Eagles return almost the entire lineup from last year's club that reached the regional semifinals, where they gave eventual champ Kingwood a good push. Big senior righthander Ryan Jenkins (Baylor) is one of a handful of veteran leaders. Sophomore lefty Ross Bruns has not only talent, but also experience. He was a key in the Eagles' postseason run in '05.
3. Kingwood, 35-6 - The Mustangs lost a number of key contributors from last year's run to the state title, including ace lefty Austin Wood (Texas) and slugger Johnny Whittleman (Rangers), but the cupboard is far from bare. Senior righty Mike Ojala, a Rice signee, was the starter for the championship game as a junior. He is a competitor with good stuff and ice in his veins. Big, hard-throwing righthander John Touchton (UH) came up to become the closer down the stretch as a junior, and he will be the other end of a stout one-two pitching punch. Doug Simmons (Rice) can flat hit.
4. Mansfield, 32-8 - The Tigers made it to the regional finals last year before they ran into Lubbock Monterey, and their top two pitchers are back from that club. Ace Jordan Walden (Texas) is a 6-5, 200-pound righthander who lived in the mid-90s and touched 99 MPH last summer. He is a dominator. His rotation-mate, lefty Mark Cohoon, can really pitch. There is some offensive punch back from last year's club as well.
5. Houston Memorial, 25-12 - The Mustangs were one of the youngest teams in the playoffs last year, and they made it to the regional semis, where they gave Humble a good run. They will miss the leadership of RHP/3B Koby Clemens (Astros), but there is plenty back to lead the way. Long, lanky lefty Chris Bergmann (Arkansas) is more than capable of taking on the front position in the pitching rotation. Senior IF Hunter Rome (North Carolina) can pick, and junior IF Kevin Ahrens has the stuff to be one of the top position players in the state next year. He can hit.
On another note, the 2006 Preview Edition is finally ready. It should be in stores by the end of next week. I will post another story in the coming days that will include a list of the stores carrying the magazine. It includes 98 locations across Texas.
And finally, the new website should be ready by the end of next week as well, and it will include coverage of high school baseball from correspondents across the country. I will continue to publish information on Texas myself, and I will have editors from various regions sending reports in as well. Stay tuned!
