Rapid City Post 22 returns five of eight position players and two of their top three starting pitchers off last year’s squad which finished third in the state with a record of 34-31.
Post 22 was under .500 late in the regular season last year with a young team before going on to win the region 3A title over Rapid City Post 320. But this year a young team has turned into a team of veterans and will be seeking Post 22’s 33rd state title in 46 years under head coach Dave Ploof.
The hard hats return their ace pitcher Kolton Emery and make no mistake he’s a very talented young pitcher. He can locate his fastball with almost pin point accuracy while moving it around the strike zone well. The number one also has a nasty hook, which gives opposing hitter’s a fits. Emery finished 2008 with a 9-6 record and an ERA of 2.99. He fanned 91 batters last season in 93.1 innings pitched and only walked 11 all season. If he can get the run support, he has a chance to beat anyone on the Post 22 schedule and that includes national tournaments.
The probable no. 2 starter for the hard hats will most likely be J.J. Johnson. He surprised many last year by going 7-2 with the lowest ERA on the staff at 2.74, including wins over Post 320 in the region 3A championship game and a victory over Parkston in the state tournament. Johnson doesn’t have overpowering stuff. However, is a competitor who knows how to pitch especially in big games.
This is where the question mark’s come in for the Post 22 pitching staff. Who will be the no. 3 and no. 4 starters come post season time will be crucial to Rapid City’s success. They are looking at a group of about eight pitchers to fill the two starting spots and the rest will be in the bullpen. Some of the prospects include Jon Haas, Brad Horan, Ethan Jarding, John Jarding, and Thane Lees.
As far as the lineup goes it will be interesting to see where coach Ploof has everyone fitting in. The five returning starters are Dana Hill at catcher, Jarrett Jensen at third base, Jake Bohne at first base, Parker Sullivan in centerfield, and Kolton Emery who platooned at shortstop, third base, and the left field.
Parker Sullivan will be the leadoff batter again this year after hitting .347 a year ago, and making the Rapid City Journal’s all-state squad. He led the hard hats with 51 runs scored last year, and has a knack for coming up with timely hits. He also had 49 walks, so he’s on base a lot. The one thing I would like to see more out of the leadoff hitter this year is fewer strike outs, and more stolen bases.
The no. 2, 3, and 5 hitters are missing off last year’s squad. Sam Wolff and Brock Estes decided to play summer league baseball in Las Vegas, forgoing their senior seasons. Wolff led the team in hitting (.446), extra base hits (28) and RBI’s (48) a year ago. So shortstop and the no.3 hole will be a major one to fill. Wolff was also the no. 2 pitcher on the staff going 7-5 with a 4.94 ERA. Estes hit .331 in the no. 5 hole.
Jordan Mette (second base) and Steven Ficken (right field) are the other position players missing from 2008 to graduation. Mette hit in the no. 2 spot and had a .351 average. Ficken hit .288 with 15 doubles.
Who will fill the crucial spots at second, shortstop, right field and left field? Right now it looks like Kolton Emery will fill in at short when he’s not pitching, but consider his arm will need a rest from time to time, so look for Donte Bledsoe off last year’s Split Squad to fill in when Emery’s on the mound or needs a rest. Bledsoe led the Bullets and Split Squad in hitting and he will also play second base. Emery hit .301 last year with eight doubles, and 21 RBI. Justin Mette (up from the Split Squad) is also a prospect in the middle infield.
In the outfield Ploof is looking at five players to fill two spots- Kyle Singer, Taylor Muhlbeier, Tanner Bisgaard, Jordan Carlson, and Brock Thomas.
Other prospects up from the Split Squad are Reece Steckler and Robert Jahner which will battle for time at first base and the designated hitter spot.
Catcher Dana Hill will most likely bat in the no. 4 spot again this year after hitting .327 with 30 RBI last season. In 2008, Hill handled a young pitching staff well from behind the dish. He blocks the ball well, and he throws out runners with a strong arm and accuracy. Hill surprised many last year earning the starting spot and hit better than expected but this year if Post 22 is going to score more runs he is going to have to hit well with runners in scoring position and get more extra base hits.
Jarrett Jensen really came on at the end of last season both at the plate and in the field. Jensen hit .327 and led the team in home runs with four. He isn’t the most imposing figure, but his bat really has some pop. He could fit in nicely at the top of the Rapid City lineup and could be a key in getting some needed RBI’s and should hit for even more power with a year under his belt.
Jake Bohne will get the nod at first base again this season. The now 16-year old is as naturally gifted as anyone on the Post 22 team. The lefty should really come into his own this year at the plate and in the field. He is the kind of hitter that hits the ball hard consistently. Look for him to be hitting gaps and driving in a lot of runs in 2009.
As a team Post 22 should compete for a state title. But it isn’t close to a given. South Dakota has some quality teams all across the state including defending state champions Aberdeen, 2008 runner-up Mitchell, Watertown, Sioux Falls East, Sioux Falls West and more.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Post 22 in a national regional this year, but what they do beyond will largely depend on what pitching (especially no. 3 and 4 starters and bullpen) and defense. Also pay special attention to the second base and shortstop positions. Good teams are always strong up the middle.
Jake
