By PBR Staff

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The Top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list click here   

Team: Grandview
Preseason Rank: 13
2016 Record: 17-7
Conference: Centennial
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Henry
Playoff Run: Lost to Mullen 7-6 in the 5A Final 8 round.
2016 Final Rank: 11
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 0 

TOP PLAYERS:
Tyson Hays, C, No. 9 2017 (Illinois State)
Garret Gipson, OF, No. 86 2017
Gunnar Lamphere, OF, No. 135 2017 

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
John Stang, C, No. 195 2017
Luke LaFlam, OF, 2018
Ryan Robinson, OF/RHP, No. 96 2017 (Hutchinson CC)
Derek Schroeder, C, No 98 2018
Dillon Schroeder, LHP, No. 71 2018
Amari Smith, SS, No. 41 2019
Ben Buell, RHP, No.57 2019

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Zach Sundine
Grant Schroeder
Cade Crader

Stat Rat:  162 innings pitched in 2016, 0 innings of experience coming back.

Bottom Line:  The Wolves are coming off of a playoff run that has seen them in the 5A Final 8 three of the last four years.  Last year their season ended at the hands of Mullen with a 7-6 loss in the 5A Final 8.  Graduation hit the Wolves hard in 2016, but their roster comes back with several players who gained experience in 2016 and some new comers who look to make a splash this spring.  Tyson Hays, No. 9 2017 and Illinois State commit will lead the way for Grandview.  His 2016 season saw him hit .410 with 25 hits, 13 RBI and 7 doubles.  Look for No. 86 2017 Garret Gipson to continue to be a threat for the Wolves adding to his 5 stolen bases from 2016.  For some teams this season might be a rebuild, for Grandview they are reloading with a new crop of impact players, these players will have to grow up fast if the Wolves are to continue to perform at the top of the Centennial League and keep their post season streak alive.