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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: Mentor Cardinals

Team Name: Mentor Cardinals
Head Coach: Jeff Hasse
Division: I
2015 Record: 14-13
Conference Record: NOC, 4-6
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/9

2016 Team Strengths:

• Experience
• Pitching
• Offense
• Depth

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Defense
• Speed

Coach Outlook: "Returning 15 of 22 off of last year's young roster. I feel that if players progress accordingly there is a chance to have a tremendous year."

PBR Outlook: The Cardinals and head coach Jeff Hasse have a ton of experience returning in 2016. With the pitching depth that the Cardinals have and an ace in Rob Mealey, Mentor could be a team to watch in NE Ohio this season.

Top Returning Players:

• Matt Eiswerth (pictured right), 2016, INF/P, 6'/190-pounds, 4 year starter Case Western Reserve Recruit (.367 avg, 25 RBIs, 16/16 SB, 2-6 3.00 ERA)
• Nathan Birtley, 2017, CF, 5-11/170-pounds (.329 avg, 19 RBIs, 25 runs, 12 SB)
• Ricky Valeri, LF/P, Capital University Recruit (.290 avg, 16 RBIs, 7 SB)
• Tom Noll, 2017, C, 6'/210-pounds (.264 avg, 12 RBIs, 65% runners thrown out)
• Rob Mealey, 2016, LHP, 6'6/210-pound (Buffalo Commit)

Top Underclassmen:

• Nathan Birtley, CF
• Matt Detering (pictured right), 1B
• Tom Noll, C
• Tommy Klepcyk, 2B
• Tyler Knapp, OF/LHP
• Nick Smith, SS/RHP
• Jeremy McClure, OF/RHP
• Will LaGanke, OF/LHP
• Matt Adkins, INF/RHP
• Riley Grieco, INF
• Nick Saginario, INF
• Matt Ribiskis, INF/P
• Gino Manfredi, INF/RHP

 

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