By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

What a difference a year makes.  This time last year Hudsonville was 5-0 and on their way to 33-5 overall record and a Division I state title.  This year the Eagles have yet to play a game.

At the end of 2012 the Eagles lost Tyler Baar (Toledo), Hunter Prince (Western Michigan), Brandon Cable (Western Michigan), and Hank Van Ooyen (Wayne State).  They all moved on to the next level to play baseball while Blake Hibbetts entertained baseball offers but ultimately went on to play basketball at Central Michigan.

Losing that much talent will put a dent into any lineup, but Hudsonville still looks to remain competitive and the cupboard is certainly not bare. In fact, the Eagles open up the season at No. 5 in the Power Rankings. They return key players with Logan Magsig, Keegan Baar and senior Robbie Greenman.  Baar picked up the win in the state title game while Magsig picked up the save. 

Greenman, a Central Michigan commit, is a leader on the team and an outstanding defender, one of the best in the state. He is the type of player you can build a program around. Baar is already committed to Michigan State.  The lanky lefty has been up to 88 mph for us and still possesses more in the tank.  Magsig, an unsigned junior who attended the Midwest Futures Games last summer, is an athletic shortstop with good actions and a strong arm (85+) across the diamond.  Not to mention he is 84-86 mph off the mound.

While Greenman, Baar and Magsig are the marquee players for the Eagles in 2013, they have other talented players on the roster.  Dakota Prince adds a power bat to the lineup.  Primarily a catcher, Prince has the ability to play third as well.  Senior RHP Tyce Clement has signed with Spring Arbor and should be an impact on the mound. Nate Boschma is another senior who has a tremendous impact on the Eagles and  has committed to Northwood.  Boschma a middle infielder adds the their strength up the middle. And you never know if freshman Jared Blum might make an appearance at the varsity level this spring.

The question for the Eagles now is not whether or not they have talent, it is will they ever get a chance to put that talent on display this spring.