Yoe baseball picked to win 20-3A by baseball magazine

Since dropping down a classification back in 2011, Yoemen baseball has managed to get into the playoffs all but one year, while also winning a state championship in that first season.

In 2018, the program is not only projected to get back into the playoffs, but to also win 20-3A in the process.

Cameron was pegged by TxHighSchoolBaseball.com’s preseason magazine to win the district, with Franklin, Rogers and Academy predicted to finish in the two through four spots, respectively.

For first year head coach Hector Delgadillo, it’s a time of the year he’s been looking forward to since he got to Cameron.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Delgadillo. “To me, it’s the best time of the year. It’s exciting to get to know the kids and the community of Cameron.”

The coach is still getting to learn all of the kids involved with the program, but says he has been pleased with what he’s seen the first week of practice. .

“The kids brought a lot of energy,” Delgadillo said. “We had a great first week and there was a lot of energy going from drill to drill and the kids were hustling and having fun. I like the kids to understand that when it’s time to work, it’s time to work, but we also want to have fun.”

In total, Cameron is returning 4 starters from the 2017 team, but more importantly the top 3 pitchers are back in Jason Llanas, Bryce Brashear and Zack Andress.

“I do have a list of names of who I think are our possible pitchers,” said the head coach. “The pitch count will play its role. We have three returning pitchers from last year and three more from the JV that we could possibly bring up. We are slowly getting the arms back into shape.”

Llanas was also mentioned as the lone Yoemen on the 3A region III top 40 players to watch list. Llanas was the ace of Cameron staff in 2017, posting 8 wins, a 1.26 ERA while striking out 67 batters.

Alex Alonso is the other returning starter, who played a majority of the season at catcher. The junior may see a shift more towards third base this season.

Franklin is also returning 4 starters from a team that made a magical run to the regional semifinals after finishing just 7-5 in district. Rogers, who won the district a season ago at 12-0, return 5 starters. The Eagles also lost Coach Keith Klaus to Crandall in the offseason, allowing for Nash Fares, which had previously been the head coach, to step back in charge.

Cameron will be participating in 3 tournaments again this season, including Marion in week 1, Cameron/Rogers in week 2, and Franklin for week 3.

Up until the start of the regular season, Delgadillo says he will continue to evaluate the talent and see who wants to step up to the plate and earn a starting job.

“Everything that we do is with a purpose, even with simple things like warming up and stretching in practice,” said Delgadillo. “We practice like we play and those are my expectations for them. It is not for them to just come out and throw the ball around. This isn’t a select team or your summer team and everyone is trying out.”

TxHighSchoolBaseball.com’s 3A Top 20

1. Central Heights, 2. Wall, 3. Beckville, 4. Gateway Prep, 5. Gunter, 6. Bishop, 7. Kirbyville, 8. Edgewood, 9. Brock, 10. Peaster, 11. Pollok Central, 12. Falfurrias, 13. Pottsboro, 14. Whitesboro, 15. Clifton, 16. Blanco, 17. Troup, 18. Jacksboro, 19. Hallettsville, 20. Goliad. Other 10 to watch: Grandview, Groesbeck, Hughes Springs, Eustace, Maypearl, New Diana, Regan County, Shallowater, West and White Oak.

Central Heights, out of region III, is predicted to get back to state and win back-to-back titles, much like West did in 2015 and 2016. The Blue Devils return both of their top 2 arms, including Grayson Rodriguez, which could end up going high in the Major League Draft later this year.

Other Central Texas Team Ranked: 6A: Round Rock (7), Lake Travis (9); 5A: College Station (6), Georgetown (10), Brenham (11); 4A: Robinson (1), Madisonville (11), Liberty Hill (17), Salado (18); 2A: Thorndale (5), Bosqueville (6), Mart (12), Valley Mills (14), Burton (19).