Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 2 Bay Port

March 30, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

Let’s get ready to kick off the 2015 baseball season. Tomorrow is opening day around the state for spring baseball. Whether or not the weather will cooperate is another story. But to get our spring baseball juices flowing, today we reveal the No. 1 team in our Preseason Power 25 rankings.

If you’ve missed any of the countdown, follow the link below to catch up on all of the Preseason Power 25 teams. Good luck to all this spring and we look forward to seeing you on the diamond.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 2 Bay Port

2014 Record: 22-7
WIAA Classification: 1
Conference: Fox River Classic
Head Coach: Mike Simoens
2014 Playoff Run: Sectional Champions – Lost State Quarterfinals

TOP PLAYERS

Dakota Klein, LHP, 2015 (Texas A&M)
Connor Hock, RHP, 2015 (Notre Dame)
Joe Baier, OF, 2015 (Chicago State)
Zach Abfall, OF, 2015 (Wabash Valley JC)
Tucker Noe, C, 2015
Troy Albrecht, 1B, 2015
Logan Froberg, INF, 2015
Bryce Braspennick, RHP, 2016

X-FACTOR

The Pirates should be senior heavy in 2015 and that leadership from experienced players such as Klein, Hock, Baier, Noe, Albrect, Froberg and Abfall should give Coach Simoens the leg up on the competition this year. All but Abfall saw all-conference recognition in 2014, and the left handed hitting Abfall is one of the better outfield prospects in the state as a 6.72 runner with a quick bat and strong arm.

STAT RAT

Connor Hock and Dakota Klein were two of the more dominant pitchers in the state last year as juniors. Returning for their senior season the pair of Division 1 commits combined for a 13-1 record and a sub 1.0 ERA. Klein went 7-1 with a 0.98 and Hock posted a 6-0 record and a 0.84 ERA. If the combo can put together repeat performances in 2015, look out for Bay Port down the stretch as they will be one of the toughest teams in the state to put runs up against.

OUTLOOK

The Pirates have been painfully close to putting another trophy on the mantle since their back to back state championships in 2009 and 2010. Bay Port has been back to Appleton every year since and this might be the year they get over the hump and come home with the hardware. As far as the Fox River Conference goes Bay Port should be favorite there as well. Coach Simoens and the Pirates will be strong defensively and on the mound. Three Division 1 prospects headline their roster and the Pirates play one of the more fundamentally sound games in the state. Look for junior Bryce Braspennick to step up more in his junior year and add to the Klein/Hock 1-2 punch at the front of the rotation. They return five mainstays to last year’s lineup that hit over .300 and have some juniors coming down the pipe that will add to that. Junior Connor Bagnieski should step right in and fill a middle infield spot and well as bringing another left handed bat to the lineup.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.

Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 2 Bay Port

No. 2 Bay Port

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