2018 Desert Oasis Baseball Capsule

Head coach: Paul Buboltz, sixth season

2017 record: 25-11 (14-4 Southwest/second)

Returning lettermen (starters): Thirteen (seven)

Top players: IF/C Cole Schaefer (Sr.), 1B/P Chaison Miklich (Sr.), OF Jay Sharman (Sr.), IF/P Aaron Roberts (Jr.), IF/C Parker Schmidt (Jr.), 1B/P D.J. Jefferson (Jr.), IF/P Izzy Gutierrez (Sr.), P Josh Sharman (Jr.)

Outlook: The Diamondbacks return 13 lettermen from a team that finished second in the Southwest League.

Miklich (.389, 5 home runs, 35 RBIs; 4-2 record), Schaefer (.352, 28 RBIs; 3.12 ERA, 8 saves), Jay Sharman (.304, 11 doubles), Roberts (.330, 3 HR, 25 RBIs; 5-2) and Schmidt (.289, 22 RBIs) all should be among the leaders on a team that does not lack talent.

“We have a very experienced team that will ride our juniors and seniors this year,” Buboltz said. “We look to compete in a very competitive Southwest League.”