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Preseason Preview: Merrill High School Bluejays

February 28, 2013

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Director - Wisconsin

Today’s preseason preview highlights the Merrill High School Bluejays. Coach Brian Artac and his Bluejays are looking to bounce back from last season’s 12-13 record, and a 3-9 campaign in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. With four returning position players and three returning pitchers, the Bluejays should have plenty of experience to rely on as the look to continue the rebuilding process. One thing Coach Artac is looking to improve is their consistency both defensively and at the plate.

Coach Artac will rely heavily on his junior class which has plenty of returners that saw time as sophomores.

Ty Grunenwald (2014) is an athletic middle infielder with good foot speed. He is a 6.9 runner who shows a 78 mph arm across the diamond. His athletic feet should give the Bluejays a solid defender to rely on at shortstop. Grunenwald is also coming off a season where the switch hitter hit .273 as a sophomore.

Alex Klug (2014) is a big bodied utility player that can play multiple positions. At 6-foot-2, 220-pounds the junior right hander hit .317 as a sophomore and looks to improve upon that going into his junior year. Klug will also contribute on the mound for the Bluejays.

David Pophal (2014) is another junior that started last year as a sophomore and will again be the starting centerfielder for the Bluejays.

The Blujays and Coach Artac look to be on their way to rebuilding the program as is heavy junior class gets another year of experience under their belt.

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