Forrest Rocket Baseball 2017 Season

Keep an eye out on these guys this season, this one will be one for the books! #ForrestRocketFriday

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2017

1 Jonathan Lykins, Senior, (3B, RHP); 2016 STATS: .309 AVG, 19 RBIs, .409 OBP; 8-2 pitching record, 2.40 ERA (41 K’s), 55.1 IP

2 Jacob Jones, Senior, (CF, RHP); 2016 STATS: .296 AVG, 15 RBIs, .415 OBP, 22 Runs Scored in 2016

3 Jordan Jent, Senior, (RHP, 1B); 2016 STATS: 5-0 pitching record, 2.53 ERA (28 K’s), 38.2 IP

4 Ethan Mealer, Sophomore, (RHP, 3B); 2016 STATS: 1-1 pitching record, 12 appearances (5 in relief), 1.88 ERA in 29.2 IP (36 K’s)

5 Dustin Brashear, Junior, (1B/3B, RHP); 2016 STATS: .273 AVG, .411 OBP, .510 SLG in 15 games

6 Jaylen Smith, Junior, (SS, RHP); 2016 STATS; .989 fielding percentage at shortstop (1 error in 41 total chances)

7 Luke Cunningham, Senior,(2B); 2016 STATS; .909 fielding percentage at second base, .253 AVG in 12 game appearances

2017 TEAM OUTLOOK:
Offense: Offensively, the Forrest Rockets will depend on leadership from Seniors (Jonathan Lykins, Jacob Jones, Luke Cunningham, Jordan Jent, Michael Dyer, and Lucas Welch) to replace six (6) starters from last year’s State Tournament-bound (26-8; 12-0 district record) 2016 Rocket Baseball team. The Rockets will also look for extended playing time from Juniors Dustin Brashear, Jalen Smith, JT Ferguson, Ryan Moses, Dylan Eady, and Jarvis Lyttle to help fill any other holes in the lineup.

Defense: Defensively, the Rockets will be lead by Jacob Jones in centerfield and Jalen Smith at shortstop. Jonathan Lykins returns for his third year as the starting third baseman for the Rockets; additionally, Luke Cunningham, Bethel football signee, will man second base, and Ryan Moses will take over for Martin Methodist signee Boone Sweeney at the catcher position with Boone’s younger brother Blaize as his backup. The rest of the defensive positions (outfield/infield alike) for the Rockets will be allocated determinate on the starting pitcher.

Pitching: Pitching looks to be a strong-suit for this Rocket team, as the Rockets only graduated one (1) starting pitcher (Ryan Yelensky) from last year’s staff. The pitching staff will be anchored by seniors (Jonathan Lykins [8-2, 2.40 ERA], Jordan Jent [5-0, 2.53 ERA]), juniors (Dustin Brashear, Jaylen Smith), and sophomore Ethan Mealer (1-1, 1.88 ERA) who finished with an impressive 36 K’s last year in 29.2 IP last year as a freshman. Senior Jacob Jones, juniors Jarvis Lyttle, Dylan Eady, and Drew Daughrity, sophomores Grayson Whaley, Gauge Anderson, Dorien Smith, and freshmen Conner Lewis, Cody Sisk, Spence Oliver, and Carson Blackwell could all see innings in relief for the 2017 Rockets.

Overall outlook:
Last year, the 2016 Rockets (26-8 overall record, 12-0 district record) finished the season as District 9A Champions, Region 5A Champions, Substate Champions, and made just the third State Tournament appearance in school history. Lead by Alex Brewer (2016 TBCA A Mr. Baseball), Boone Sweeney (2016 A Mr. Football) and Ryan Yelensky (District 9A Pitcher of the Year) the Rockets achieved a multitude of success thanks in no small part to a senior heavy-laden team. In order to repeat that success, the Rockets will need to rely on veteran leadership from Jonathan Lykins, Jacob Jones, Luke Cunningham, Jordan Jent, Michael Dyer, and Lucas Welch. Power resonated throughout the 2016 offensive lineup; however, that will not be the case with this 2017 team. The 2017 Rocket baseball team is built on the premise of strong team defense, veteran pitching, intelligent baserunning, and timely hitting. The
Rockets will look for big contributions from juniors and sophomores alike to duplicate the success of the 2016 season.

 

Courtesy of Andy Burkett