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

With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state.

Starting February 1st, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2016 Team Preview, click here.

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

2016 Spring Team Preview: Defiance Bulldogs

Team Name: Defiance Bulldogs
Head Coach: Tom Held
Division: II
2015 Record: 28-5
Conference Record: WBL, 7-2
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/5

2016 Team Strengths:

• Starting Pitching Depth
• Experience on the mound
• Outfield play

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Pop in the lineup
• Infield defense

Coach Outlook: "On paper, we hope to be contending at the top of the WBL with the likes of Van Wert (Acme State Champs/15 Regionals), Celina (15WBL Champ), St. Marys (15 WBL champ), Bath (15 Regional Participant, OG 15 Regionals) and Wapak. I believe this will be a very deep WBL this year and I thought last year was one of the strongest years in the league in my 17 years. You never know though from season to season who the surprises will be. We had our worst finish in the WBL since 1991 and won the State Championship. I think this shows you  just how strong this league is."

Top Returning Players:

• Shay Smiddy (pictured right), P/SS, 2016, R/R, player of the year in D-II, 11-1, 81 K, 0.50 ERA. .384 BA, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR. Louisville commit
• Connor Stykemain, MIF, 2016, R/R, uncommitted senior with potential. Good baseball IQ.
• Bryce Borton, OF, 2017, R/R, .318 BA, 6 2B, 2 HR, 10 SB. Future Games participant.
• Braden Frederick, OF/RHP, 2017, R/R, .354 BA, 10 SB. 24.2 IP, 1.99 ERA
• Abram Smith, LHP, 2016, L/L, 30.2 IP, 31 K, 1.60 ERA
• Charlie Gordon, RHP/INF, 2017, R/R. Coming off tommy john. Will be able to hit at the beginning of season, but pitching will come later in spring. X-factor in 2016.
• Jacob Jimenez, C/OF, 2016, R/R, .286 BA
• Tino Ramirez, OF
• Will Zeller, 1B
• Jacob Tettinhorst, INF

Top Underclassmen:

• Jackson Meter, RHP/3B, 2018, R/R. Transfer in this season. Solid build. Two-way prospect
• Emilio Gonzalez, RHP/OF, 2018, R/R. Transfer in this season. Two-way prospect.
• Logan Andonian, P, R/R, 2018. Good looking young arm
• Austin Taylor, 3B, R/R, 2017. Solid glove and stick. Dad was a MLB pitcher
• Santiago Ramirez, LHP, L/L, 2017. Good projectable arm

 

A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2015 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IV

To view the 2015 Preseason State Rankings, click below.

• Division I
• Division II
• Division III
• Division IV