Defiance Bulldogs

March 19, 2018
Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Editor In Chief/Scout

With the 2018 spring season right around the corner, PBR Ohio is eagerly anticipating bringing the Buckeye state the best high school coverage throughout the entire state. Starting mid-January, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

To view the full list of 2018 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2018 Team Preview, click here.

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2018 Spring Team Preview: Defiance Bulldogs

Team Name: Defiance Bulldogs
Head Coach: Tom Held
Division: II
2017 Record: 20-9
Conference Record: 7-2 Western Buckeye League - 2nd
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 2/3

2018 Team Strengths:

Pitching Depth
Better Offensively

Coach Outlook: "Staying healthy on the mound will be a key for the success of the 2018 team. This is going to be a very young team as we lost numerous starters from last years team. On paper, we hope to be contending at the top of the WBL with the likes of Wapak, Celina, St. Marys and Van Wert. The last two years have been the strongest the WBL has been in my 18 years. Besides, the teams I mentioned, any of the other teams could end up in the upper tier of the league as well. Overall, the pitching in the league this year will be even deeper than the past."

PBR Outlook: With numerous arms in the upper-80s, head coach Tom Held and the Bulldogs will once again be a team to watch in Division II. Three right-handed arms (Mitchell Spencer, Logan Andonian and Jackson Meter) and two southpaws (Blayne Robinson and Tyrel Goings) all could be considered aces at many schools. The offense should be improved in 2018 with SS Nick Rodriguez, OF Javen Newton, OF Tyrel Goings and C Adalberto Vega Jr looking to provide offensive punch alongside Blayne Robinson and company.

Top Returning Players:

2018 Logan Andonian (RHP) - Uncommitted
2018 Jackson Meter (RHP/UTIL) - Uncommitted
2018 Mitchell Spencer (RHP/UTIL) - Lincoln Trail Commit
2018 Nick Rodriguez (SS) - Lincoln Trail Commit
2019 Blayne Robinson (1B/LHP) - Louisville Commit - Video Below
2019 Javen Newton (OF) - Uncommitted
2019 Adalberto Vega Jr (C) - Uncommitted
2020 Tyrel Goings (LHP/OF) - Uncommitted

Top Underclassmen:

2019 Blayne Robinson (1B/LHP) - Louisville Commit - Video Below
2019 Javen Newton (OF) - Uncommitted
2019 Adalberto Vega Jr (C) - Uncommitted
2020 Tyrel Goings (LHP/OF) - Uncommitted
2018 JD McNett
2019 Brandon Shafer
2019 Ethan Decker
2019 Addison Smith
2020 Christian Haidler
2020 John Ceballos

A Look Back At The 2017 Season:

To view the 2017 Team Previews, click here.

To view the OHSAA Baseball Tournament Roundup, click below.

State Final Four Roundup
State Final Four Scouting Notebook
- News, notes and numbers from each of the top prospects at state
ABC's of the OHSAA State Tournament
6th Annual Top 22 All-Tournament Team

To view the 2017 All-State Teams, click below.

To view the 2017 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

A Look Back At 2016 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2016 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2016 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.

A Look Back At 2015 Preseason Articles:

To view the 2015 Team Previews, click here.
To view the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams, click below.