If the weather cooperates, the 2019 high school baseball season is set to begin this week.

With local teams now having a week-plus of practice time under their belts and the season right around the corner, it’s time to take a look at what to expect from Evergreen League teams this season.

1A Evergreen League

Montesano Bulldogs

2018 Record: 20-3 overall, 12-0 league

Montesano is hoping a deep pool of pitchers and the return of most of last year’s starters can help earn the Bulldogs another trip to the state tournament.

Montesano will have to go without third basement Matt Plato, who graduated last year after receiving all-league honors.

Despite missing one its biggest hitters from last season, Montesano is looking forward to having all-league outfielder Teegan Zillyet as the catalyst for the Bulldogs’ offense.

Senior Payson Parker will take over duties at third base while junior Ben Wills will be part of the heart of the order at first base.

Sophomores Trace Ridgway and Anderson Jack will also be competing for varsity playing time on the infield and on the mound.

Monte head coach Mike Osgood said the combination of youth and experience will have his team battling for a league title.

“We’re going to be one of the team’s battling at the top. We do bring back a lot of kids,” he said. “We have some kids that will be tough to replace, but we’re a pretty solid group with depth.”

Evan Bates will be one of the go-to guys on the bump this season on a team that features a lot of pitching depth. With eight players on the roster listed as pitchers, Osgood thinks the number of arms in the bullpen will be an asset.

“We don’t have that number one, ace-type thrower, but our staff is deep in that we have a lot of guys who pitch,” he said. “Our pitching and defense will be pretty solid.”

The team has another trip to Yakima on its mind after losing in the state quarterfinals to Cedar Park Christian in 2018.

Zillyet is confident the Bulldogs can climb to new heights if they can qualify for state first.

“We’re playing for the state tournament and once you’re there, you might as well win,” he said.

Hoquiam Grizzlies

2018 Record: 13-6, 9-3

Hoquiam will be leaning on a pair of talented middle infielders to make another run to state this season.

The Bulldogs had to say goodbye to seven seniors from the 2018 campaign, but Hoquiam is planning to fight for a top spot in the 1A Evergreen with the help of shortstop Payton Quintanilla and second basemen Jackson Folkers.

Folkers was an all-league catcher last season, but the coaching staff has decided to limit the senior’s time behind the plate to mitigate the wear and tear on Folkers after he played football and basketball this school year.

Sophomore Troy McMinn has impressed head coach Steve Jump with his work in the offseason and will likely start behind the dish opening day.

Hoquiam sophomore Troy McMinn has impressed coaches in the offseason and will likely be the Grizzlies’ starting catcher for the 2019 season. (The Daily World File Photo)

Michael Jump, Alex Reyes and Kyle Larsen will likely make up the primary pitching rotation for the Grizzlies this season.

While the rotation is set, there is still open competition for other positions on the field. Hoquiam’s coaching staff is trying to decide who’s on first, with sophomore Junior Ensminger and senior Matt White battling for playing time at that position.

Hoquiam will also have to do some juggling with the outfield as center fielder Jonathan Escoffon will spend at least the next six weeks recovering from surgery to his throwing hand.

Reyes and Joel Emery figure to be mainstays in the outfield with the corner outfield positions still up for grabs.

Coach Jump said his team could be a strong contender at state based on the attitude and work ethic on display in practice.

“I’m very excited. I love the chemistry and I like how well the kids get along,” he said. “They work well, they mesh well with the coaches and I’m excited for this group.”

Elma Eagles

2018 Record: 5-15, 2-10

A young Elma team will be hoping to make a climb up the standings with an extra year of experience under its belt.

Elma had its season end with consecutive losses to King’s Way Christian and Hoquiam at districts last season, but the Eagles are hoping pitching depth can help lift the team in 2019.

Sophomore Brody Rustemeyer will be one of the go-to guys on the mound along with four other pitchers who will get a chance to eat up innings.

Senior Carter Jacobson may pitch as well, but will spend most of his time behind the plate.

Elma head coach Jim Hill said Carter has done well to lead by example in the offseason practices.

“He’s been a great leader in practice with his work ethic and he’s a great defensive catcher,” he said. “We’ve worked hard with him on the hitting aspect of things and he’s going to have a great year at the plate.”

Elma will carry 10 players on varsity and 11 on junior varsity this season, which will open up playing time for bench players.

Though his program is small and his varsity roster mostly comprised of underclassmen, Hill said his team is taking the right steps to improve on last year’s result.

“We were extremely young last year, but now they have a year under their belts and their understanding practice a lot better,” he said. “They’re doing fantastic.”

2A Evergreen League

Aberdeen Bobcats

2018 Record: 5-14, 3-12

Aberdeen’s young team struggled to find the win column last year but the Bobcats are hoping to turn around their fortunes in 2019.

The Bobcats win five games last season, failing to qualify for the postseason in a tough 2A Evergreen League.

Aberdeen will try to right the ship this year, starting with a rivalry game against Hoquiam at Olympic stadium. First pitch is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m.

No further information was available at the time of this writing.