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: Coon Rapids
Nickname: Cardinals
Class: AAA
League: Northwest Suburban
Head Coach: Jerry Coe
Years as Head Coach at School: 24
2014 Overall Record: 11-14
2014 League Record: 2-8
2014 League Finish: 10th Place
2014 Post-Season Finish: 4th in Section 5AAA

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

Starters Lost: 4
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Lost: 3

TOP RETURNERS
2015, Conner Boone, RHP/1B
2015, Tyler Wojciechowski, RHP/3B
2015, Cody Thompson, OF
2015, Mike Zimbeck, C/1B
2015, Justin Reeves, C
2015, Matt Essler, SS/2B

X-FACTOR
Coming off their first losing record in 16 years; the Cardinals have a stiff challenge ahead battling through the loaded Northwest Suburban Conference.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH
2016 Jake Hansen, a RHP/OF, was Honorable Mention All-Conference along with being All-Section in 5AAA. 2016 Danny Mathews, a 6-foot-3 left-handed pitcher/ first baseman was 1-0 on the mound as a sophomore with a microscopic 0.78 ERA.

2015 OUTLOOK
Coon Rapids hopes to get back over .500 this season with a number of underclassmen who played considerable innings last season. Having four returning position players should also help the cause. On the mound the Cardinals have 6 pitchers who threw varsity innings last year; so they should be solid in that area with depth and experience. 2015's Boone, Wojciechowski, Thompson, and Essler all received post season accolades last season and should provide positive senior leadership heading into the spring; while Zimbeck and Reeves adding stability behind the plate. From a prospect standpoint; the NWSC is loaded with talent and Coon Rapids will look to improve upon their finish from last season.

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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.