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: Shakopee
Nickname: Sabers
Class: 6AAA
League: South Suburban
Head Coach: Tom Schleper
Years as Head Coach at School: 22
2014 Overall Record: 15-8
2014 League Record: 11-3
2014 League Finish: NA
2014 Post-Season Finish: Finished 1-2 in sectionals

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

Starters Lost: 5
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Lost: 2

TOP RETURNERS
2015, Jacob Rhinesmith, CF (Indians Hills CC commit)
2015, Tyler Sloss, P/OF
2015, Sam Scott, 1B/P

X-FACTOR
The Sabers will look to replace ace pitcher, Sheldon Miks- St. Cloud State, and their entire starting infield from last season. Fortunes look good if new players can step in and contribute in those areas.

UNDERCLASSMAN TO WATCH
2016 RHP/IF Drew Hanbury- Hanbury was 3-1 on the mound for the Sabers as a sophomore with an ERA of 2.47; highly regarded as one of the better 2016's in the state.

2015 OUTLOOK
The Sabers are venturing into new spring territory this season as they have moved from the Missota Conference into the South Suburban Conference. The Sabers hope to continue their winning ways (33-9 record, .786 winning percentage the last three years in the Missota). Shakopee hopes the transition will be made easier since their youth baseball program has been playing the South Suburban Conference foes in the summer for many years. The Sabers defense broke school team records consecutively the last two seasons, finishing the 2014 season with just 24 errors and a team fielding percentage of .965. Shakopee does, however, return their entire outfield and three hurlers who each recorded 3 wins last season. Lefties Tyler Sloss and Sam Scott and RHP Drew Hanbury should lead the way on the mound this spring, with LHP Dom Schleif and RHP Alex Boys also gaining valuable experience during last spring and summer seasons. Look for juniors Matt Heiling, Peter Hagstrom, and Eric Nicholas to also compete for some innings on the mound, giving the Sabers lots of solid arms coming into the season. If the infield comes together and the offense is able to generate some consistent run production, look for the Sabers to compete throughout the conference season, making them even tougher in the Section 6AAA Playoffs.

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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.