Baseball preview: State finalist Arlington Martin has the pitching

With three starting pitchers back from a squad that reached the UIL Class 6A state final, Arlington Martin isn’t just on everyone’s baseball radar; they’re a large blip on that screen.

“Well there’s no way we’re going to fly under the radar, that’s for sure,” said Martin coach Curt Culbertson, whose team went 28-6 in 2015. “But aside from the pitching and just two of our regulars from last season, this team is totally new, young and new.”

High school baseball season starts Monday in Texas.

Having LSU signee Eric Walker back, as well as Connor Lidiak and Abilene Christian signee Nick Skeffington, gives Martin perhaps the strongest pitching rotation and head start on the bullpen of any area team.

“It’s certainly nice to have those guys when you have as much inexperience on defense as we do,” Culbertson said. “But with those arms, it gives us a chance to settle in on defense and we’re just kind of finding our way through it right now.”

The arms consist of Walker’s near-90 mph fastball and a mix of breaking and off-speed pitches that helped him to a 14-0 record last season and a 0.67 ERA.

He gave up two runs in the Warriors’ state semifinal 3-2 win over Laredo Alexander.

With Culbertson having Walker pitch the semifinal, Skeffington (6-1) got the ball for the title game against Houston Cypress Ranch. He had strong outings in back-to-back Game 3 wins over Southlake Carroll and Keller in the regional semifinals and finals.

Skeffington and Lidiak scattered just three runs and seven hits, but Martin’s powerful offense went silent in the 3-0 loss.

Abilene Christian came calling on Skeffington after that. Although Lidiak remains unsigned at this point, Culbertson said that will clear up quickly.

Lidiak started three straight Game 1s in the playoffs, winning all three and running his season record to 7-2 with a 2.69 ERA and 47 strikeouts.

“A lot of folks don’t realize that Connor was out for almost half the season with injury, so when he got back on the mound, he didn’t miss a beat,” Culbertson said.

Martin’s offense, though, is where ground will need to be made up.

As a team, Martin hit .324 with 73 extra base hits and 214 runs scored.

Gone, though, is Josh Watson (now the starting left fielder at TCU), who hit .491 with a .964 slugging percentage and 28 RBIs.

By comparison, returning third baseman Tristen Lutz was fourth on the team in hitting at .323 with four homers and 35 RBIs.

Josh Avery also returns after hitting .288 with 14 RBIs.

“Been a little tough for this team because there is so much light on them, but not as much experience,” Culbertson said. “It’s going to take this team a little time to jell together, but they’ve worked extremely hard and we have to manage expectations.

“Everybody is gunning for you but we have to have guys that are not worried so much about themselves but how they can help this team. It’s a process for younger players to learn how to play team baseball at this level.”

Teams to watch

Keller (27-5): Reached regional final last season and took Martin to three games before bowing out. Will have plenty of offense with several returning starters.

Fort Worth Polytechnic (10-8): Seeking second straight playoff appearance for first time since 1954 state-title season.

Euless Trinity (21-6): District MVP Phillip Childs is joined by brother Daniel in a strong outfield for the Trojans.

Mansfield Summit (7-14): Strong pitching core returns for the Jags, who missed the 2015 playoffs. Outfielder Braden Nolen (injury) will see first baseball action in almost two years.

Aledo (24-14): Boasting two Division I signees, the Bearcats are looking for a third straight trip to the state tournament, where they won the title in 2014.

Saginaw Boswell (14-12): Strong with underclassmen, the Bears are looking for a deeper run this season with three Division I recruits, including all-state CF Blake Foster and all-district OF Anthony Ramirez

Arlington Lamar (15-8): Ace pitcher Shane Buechele chose to enroll early at Texas as a football signee. Still, the Vikes are loaded with Wesley Powell and Brendan Bell.

Keller Timber Creek (15-7): SS and Texas Tech signee Brian Klein returns along with catcher Dalton Davies for a team that stretched Southlake Carroll to the brink in last year's playoffs.

Players to watch

P Eric Walker, Arlington Martin: Winning pitcher in 2015 state semifinal, headed to LSU.

INF Sergio Conchas, FW Paschal: Hit .529 with 15 extra base hits and 22 RBI.

C Nick Cheema, Aledo: Will play baseball at Arizona next year.

INF Julian Vazquez, South Grand Prairie: Hit .337 last season and strong defensive shortstop.

P Nick Skeffington, Arlington Martin: Got the nod for state title game after decisive Game 3 wins in regional semis and regional final series.

INF Connor Neuman, Grapevine: Had .903 OPS in 2015.

INF Alex Garcia, North Crowley: District Sophomore of the Year last season.

INF Chris Morales, FW Polytechnic: Hit .425 and pitched strong for the Parrots.

INF Blake Foster, Saginaw Boswell: Strong defensive effort last season and .475 slugging percentage.

OF Phillip Childs, Euless Trinity: 19 runs scored and 21 RBIs.

OF Bryan Seamster, Trophy Club Nelson: District MVP, hit .370 with 20 RBIs.

P Alex Palmer, Mansfield Summit: Struck out 57 in 45 innings last season and had a 2.17 ERAs

P Cody Bradford, Aledo: Will play at Baylor in 2017.

INF Ulysses Cantu, Boswell: Signed with Texas Tech, All-State last season.

INF Brian Klein, Keller Timber Creek: Has signed with Texas Tech for 2017.

P Blair Henley, FW Arlington Heights: Signed with Texas and on radar screen for MLB amateur draft in June.

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Baseball preview: State finalist Arlington Martin has the pitching."