Palo Verde 2013 Baseball Capsule
PALO VERDE
Head coach: Kevin Fiddler, first season
2012 record: 14-16 (8-8 Northwest)
Returning lettermen (starters): Four (Two)
Top players: P/2B/SS Brett Bovee (Sr.), P Brad Steiner (Jr.), C/UTL Alex Blutman (Sr.), C Yodai Nakamura (So.)
Outlook: Fiddler got a bit of a late start, taking over the program this winter and has just two returning starters and four lettermen around whom to build.
Still, the return of Bovee (4-4, 2.52 ERA, 42 strikeouts) and Steiner (1-1, 2.86 ERA, 44 strikeouts) should help, and Fiddler said pitching should be the team's strength with other arms not far behind those two.
Blutman hit .310 last year, but the Panthers may struggle to score at times, though Fiddler expects the team's speed to pay dividends.
"These kids have through a lot together the last 365 days, and we're working every day to implement the hard-nosed, hustle brand of baseball that is expected of championship-caliber programs," Fiddler said. "These guys are hungry, and have a lot to prove to the city, but more importantly a lot to prove to themselves. If they can buy in, the future is exceptionally bright."
