Roosevelt Emerges as Top Baseball Contender

Johnstown team climbs to No. 1 ranking after steady progression

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:07am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a high school baseball game, with players and the field broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the Rough Riders' steady climb to the top of the rankings.Roosevelt High's baseball team has risen to the top of the state rankings through years of steady, incremental progress, showcasing the value of perseverance and a focus on developing young talent.Pueblo Today

The Roosevelt High School baseball team in Johnstown, Colorado has risen to the top of the Class 4A rankings after years of steady improvement. Led by standout senior Brady Mylander, the Rough Riders have built a deep, battle-tested pitching staff and a potent offense, transforming themselves from an afterthought into a legitimate championship favorite.

Why it matters

Roosevelt's rise to the top of the 4A rankings showcases the value of consistent, incremental progress. After struggling in recent years, the Rough Riders have methodically built a powerhouse program through hard work and a focus on developing their young talent. This story highlights the importance of perseverance and the payoff that can come from steadily improving year-over-year.

The details

The Rough Riders returned their entire pitching staff from last season, which had a 2.32 ERA with 235 strikeouts. This year, the staff has been even better, posting a 1.32 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 74 innings. Offensively, Roosevelt is hitting .383 as a team, up from .360 last year, and outscoring opponents 12-3 on average. Senior Brady Mylander leads the team in pitching and is also a top offensive contributor.

  • Three years ago, when the current seniors were freshmen, Roosevelt went 8-15 and missed the postseason.
  • In 2024, the team had a 12-11 record but again fell short of the state tournament.
  • Last year, Roosevelt took a major step forward, going 19-6 but losing in the regional final with a trip to state on the line.

The players

Brady Mylander

A standout senior pitcher and center fielder who leads the team in all pitching categories and is also a top offensive contributor, hitting for power and scoring runs.

Israel Castillo

A junior pitcher who was on the mound in last year's regional final, holding the top-seeded team in check for most of the game.

Jack Sansone

A junior pitcher who, along with Mylander and Castillo, gives Roosevelt one of the best pitching staffs in the state.

Kayden Bryant

The senior third baseman is the team's leader in hits, RBIs, and triples.

Brian Saya

The Rough Riders' head coach in his sixth season, who credits the team's deep pitching staff as the key reason for their strong start.

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What they’re saying

“We've learned from every year, especially last year, getting eliminated (in regionals) — we don't want to do that again. We've worked that 1% harder every day to get to the next level.”

— Brady Mylander, Senior Pitcher/Center Fielder

“We have probably one of the best pitching staffs in the state at any level. I really believe everyone has 1s, 2s and 3s. I have three 1s. I can throw anybody out there. All three are different.”

— Brian Saya, Head Coach

“We're still hungry. If you look at every team, everyone is chasing that last game. Everyone wants that ring on their finger. You can't take any team lightly. Every team wants the same thing. It's just about who has got it at the end of the year.”

— Kayden Bryant, Senior Third Baseman

What’s next

The Rough Riders will look to continue their strong start and clinch a spot in the 4A state tournament, where they hope to capture the championship that has eluded them in recent years.

The takeaway

Roosevelt's journey from an afterthought to a top-ranked contender demonstrates the value of consistent, incremental progress. By steadily building a deep, talented roster and developing a championship-caliber pitching staff, the Rough Riders have transformed themselves into a team to be reckoned with in Colorado high school baseball.