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2015 Team Preview: Defiance

February 10, 2015

By Dylan Hefflinger 
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: Defiance

School Name: Defiance
Coaches Name/Record: Tom Held, 612-138 (409-65 at Defiance)
2014 Record: 23-6
Conference: Western Buckeye League
Conference Record/Finish: 7-2, 2nd
Division Level: II

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 25 WBL Championships
  • 29 Sectional Championships
  • 16 District Championships
  • 4 Regional Championships
  • 2 State Championships

Notable College/MLB Alumni:

  • Chad Billingsley, LA Dodgers/Philadelphia Phillies (2003)
  • Jon Niese, NY Mets (2005)
  • Dace Kime, Louisville/Cleveland Indians (2013)
  • Justin Hancock, Lincoln Trail/San Diego Padres (2011)
  • Tyler Burgoon, Michigan/Seattle Mariners (2010)
  • Christian Snavely, Ohio State/Toronto Blue Jays (2003)
  • Luke Hagerty, Ball State/Chicago Cubs (2002)
  • Andy Smith, BGSU/NY Yankees (1997)
  • Scott Taylor, Boston Red Sox (1988)
  • 44 players since 1999 have gone on to play at the collegiate level.

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Austin Hancock, 4-year starter, RHP/SS, 8-1 0.94 ERA, .383 32 Runs, 21 RBI, 21 SB’s (Olney JC).
  • Dom Gentile, 3-year starter, 3B, .372, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 26 Runs, 28 RBI, 20 SB (Lincoln Trail JC).
  • Derek Turner, 2-year starter, RHP/Utility, 6-1, 1.76 ERA, .299, 12 doubles, 22 Runs, 25 RBI, 10 SB.
  • Jacob Green, 2-year starter RHP/CF,  3-1, 2.33 ERA, .300, 19 Runs, 9 SB (Defiance College).
  • Torrence Hicks, (Defiance College).

Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/3

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching, one of the best 1A-1B punches in the state.
  • Pitching depth, sophomore class and a senior as well as a junior look to contribute on the bump.
  • Team speed
  • Outfield defense
  • Small ball

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Infield defense

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Michael Hendricks, Committed to Miami U, RHP,  0-1, 1.65 ERA, 17 IP 32 K, 12 BB. Upper 80s-low 90s FB. Ranked 36th in 2015 class and 397th overall.
  • Wes Detter, 2 year starter, CF, .327.
  • Tyler Weaver, 1B/C/DH .437, 18 RBIs, .506 OB%. Smooth stroke at the plate. One of the top hitters for Defiance.
  • Boo Sierra, 2B/SS/RHP, .282, 19 R, 18 RBIs, 16 SB. Ranked 239th in 2015 class.
  • Jimmy Bauer, OF, .259, 17 R, 11 RBIs, 7 SB. Ranked 232nd in 2015 class.
  • Gage Cordray, C. Possible starter behind the dish.
  • Brice Rankin, OF. Left-handed hitting outfielder.
  • Alec Rivers, 3B. Possible starter at the hot corner.
  • Ty Castillo, INF. Good athlete with speed.
  • Kris Gordon, OF. Adds athleticism to the team.

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Shay Smiddy, Committed to Louisville, RHP/SS, .379, 20 R, 14 RBIs,  6-2, 1.84 ERA, 38 IP, 46 K, 21 BB. Ranked 14th in 2016 class and 153rd overall. Next in line of dominant starters for Defiance. mid-to-upper 80s fastball.
  • Connor Stykemain, INF/RHP. Ranked 161st in 2015 class.
  • Jacob Jimenez, C. Athletic looking catcher.
  • Abram Smith, LHP. Solid looking southpaw.
  • Will Zeller, 1B/3B. Corner infielder.

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • Charlie Gordon, RHP. Could be next in line of dominant starters on the mound for Defiance. Ranked 35th in 2017 class.
  • Braden Frederick, RHP/OF. Solid two-way player. Played a lot with team in summer. Ranked 81st in 2017 class.
  • Bryce Borton, OF/RHP. Solid looking two-way player.

Top Headlines for the Buckeye State

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