By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Minnesota

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Chaska
Nickname: Hawks
Class: AAA
League: Metro West
Head Coach: Craig Baumann
Years as Head Coach at School: 4
2014 Overall Record: 13-10
2014 League Record: 9-5
2014 League Finish: NA
2014 Post-Season Finish: Lost in 3rd Round

Returning Starters: 4
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Returning: 2

Starters Lost: 5
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Lost: 3

TOP RETURNERS
2015, Justin Arnold, CF/RHP
2015, Carter Schmidt, C/OF
2015, Blake Tritch, RHP/UT
2015, Derek Annett, IF/RHP

X-FACTOR
The Hawks lost 5 starting position players to graduation; but return 5 with significant varsity experience. Chaska will need a few unproven players to step in and fill key positions.

UNDERCLASSMAN TO WATCH
2016 Luke Roskam, RHP/C/UTL, is already a 2X letter-winner and All-Conference selection. His versatility around the diamond and big left-handed bat will be counted on for the Hawks to be successful.

2015 OUTLOOK
Chaska will look for leadership from their 4 captains- Arnold, Schmidt, Tritch, and Annett going into the season. Justin Arnold is a very good athlete; who was also the schools starting QB this Fall. Coming off a All-Conference campaign last year he will patrol center field for the Hawks. Carter Schmidt will catch and is also athletic enough to play in the outfield with his 7.1 speed. Blake Tritch, who committed to North Dakota State this Fall, is one of the better 2-way players in the state. He has pop at the plate and will run his fastball in the mid-high 80's range. Left-handed hitting infielder Derek Annett has been a good player for the Hawks when healthy. Roskam will provide a middle of the order bat along with splitting time between the mound and catching. Overall Chaska should be competitive in the Metro West Conference. They have good athleticism and versatility amongst their position players; and Tritch and Roskam are two of the better players in the state.

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COACHES PRESEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by clicking here.