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2015 Team Preview: Aurora

February 16, 2015

By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

From now until the start of the 2015 season, Prep Baseball Report Ohio will bring you in-depth team previews throughout the entire state. If your coach has not filled out the survey please have him do so through this link.

Along with the team previews, the 2015 Team Rankings will be releasing sometime late February and we hope to bring a Q&A session to discuss the rankings. To view the final regular season rankings of 2014 please click here. To view the preseason rankings from 2014 please click here.

Also, we will be releasing the preseason All-State Teams sometime in early March. To view the 2014 preseason All-State Teams please click here.

Please head over to JJHuddle to discuss the team previews.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2015 Team Preview: Aurora

School Name: Aurora
Coaches Name/Record: Michael Brancazio
2014 Record: 20-8
Conference: Chagrin Valley Conference
Conference Record/Finish: 7-3, 1st (3-way tie)
Division Level: I
Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 2013 State Final Four
  • 2014 Regional Semi-Finals

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Kirk Janoch, CF, Ohio University (Not Playing College ball)- Leadoff hitter who set the table for the lineup and played with great range in CF
  • Luke Calcei, P, Kenyon (Pitching in in college)- Luke was a huge part of our 2014 success pitching the conference championship and other big league games, Luke was an innings eater who gave quality starts each and every time he pitched

Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 9/5

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching- top three pitchers return
  • Defense- Return entire infield and outfield
  • Base Running
  • Offense
  • Chemistry/ Experience

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Power hitters
  • Power arms on the mound

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Andy Weber, 2nd, 2015, 6'0-175,L-R, Three year starter committed to Virginia-Andy will lead us offensively and is the best 2nd basemen I have seen in the last three years, the sky is the limit for as far as baseball goes
  • Matt Carpenter, SS, 2015, 5'11-155, S-R, Four year starter committed to The Ohio State University, Matt is the field general who will again lead our team defensively and hit lead off to set the table in 2015, Matt is another player that works extremely hard and baseball will take him as far as he wants it to.
  • Nick Ely, 3rd, 2015, 6'1-185, R-R, Nick is a three year starter committed to Notre Dame College, Nick loves the game of baseball and is always trying to find a way to improve himself and the team, Nick has a great frame and will impact Notre Dame immediately, We expect a huge senior season from Nick as he will be hitting in the 4th spot for the third straight year.
  • Carter Semancik, 1b/P, 2015, 6'2 190, R-R, Uncommitted but has drawn interest from Division 2 and 3 schools, Carter will either be our Ace or #2 pitcher, Carter will continue to be a big target at first base, Quiet kid who works his tail off to improve every day.
  • Devin Bradley, OF/RHP, 2015, 6', 175, R-R. Solid two-way prospect

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • AJ Kimes, P/1b, 2016, 6'0, 185, L-L, AJ was the ace of the 2014 team. AJ came out of nowhere and took the ball each and every time we asked him to and gave quality starts each time as a Sophomore. Look for AJ to continue to climb the rankings as his velocity has increased as he has gained strength. Big pitching wins versus Kenston, Twinsburg and Mentor in 2014. Ranked 101st in 2016 class.
  • Jarett Mazanec, MIF, 5'6", 125, R-R.

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • Alan 'Bubba' Arslanian, C, 2017, 5'9-185, R-R, Alan was as good as you could of asked a freshmen to be in leading a team from behind the plate in 2014. He has a violent swing that will only continue to improve. Defensively he will continue to learn how to call games, his play making skills are advanced. Ranked 11th in 2017 class.
  • Ben Stawicki, OF, 2017, 6'0-190, R-R, Big bodied outfielder who hit for contact in 2014 and will feel more comfortable in 2015 and start to drive the ball gap to gap. Ranked 47th in 2017 class.

Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

  • Zach Elsawy, MINF, 2018, 6'0-150, R-R
  • Brent Henderson, 3rd, 2018, 5'10-160, R-R
  • Evan Fromwiller, MINF, 2018, 5'9-155, R-R

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