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2015 Division IV Preseason Top 25 Team Power Rankings

March 30, 2015

By Dylan Hefflinger and PBR Staff
Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

As the high school season gets underway, Prep Baseball Report Ohio takes an in-depth look into the 2015 Division IV Preseason Top 25 Power Rankings.

During the season we would really appreciate if on Saturday/early Sunday a coach, player or fan could send your team's updated record. Please include overall record, record for the week, who you beat/lost to during the week, and top performances for your squad, so we will be able to highlight the top teams and athletes from around the great state of Ohio. Please send this to [email protected]

We also have the 2015 Preseason All-State Teams which includes 47 players for D-I, II, III, and IV. To take a look at those click here.

Please head over to JJHuddle to discuss the Team Rankings.

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

1. Newark Catholic

Coaches Name/Record: John Cannizzaro, 423-166
2014 Record: 20-8
Conference: Licking County League
Conference Record: 13-5
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/7

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • School has 7 State Titles in 14 State Tourney Appearances
  • Current Head Coach-5 State Titles in 11 Final Four Appearances

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Hunter Nance - CF, Elon Jr. College, Playing CF
  • Mikey Lohr - 2B, Kent State Univ. Not playing
  • Connor Keck - 1B, Walsh University Basketball
  • Sean Thomas - RHP, Mt. Vernon Nazarene Golf

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching depth
  • Hitting
  • Veteran catcher
  • Veteran shortstop

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Team speed
  • Questions at some defensive positions
  • Challenging schedule

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Rob Engle (pictured right) - RHP/SS, Sr. 5-9, 185, R-R, Returning starter
  • Gabe Morris - RHP, Sr. 6-2, 185, R-R, Leads our pitching staff
  • Dashon Shackleford - RHP, Sr., 5-11, 190, R-R Will help on mound.
  • Zach Kent - RF/RHP, Sr, 5-11, 170, R-R Good defensive player
  • Nick Halloy - 3B-C, Sr, 5-10, 180, R-R Pretty good hitter


Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Mitch Lohr (pictured right) - C, Jr. 6-0, 175, L-R, 3-Year Starter
  • Jack Wollenburg - 2B/OF, Jr, 6-1, 175, R-R Much improved
  • Jon Erhard - OF/2B, Jr, 5-9, 160, R-R Should add offensive punch
  • Tanner Marmie - RHP, Jr, 6-3, 160, R-R Adds depth to pitching staff
  • Jud Lewis, OF, Jr. 5-10, 180, R-R Lots of speed
  • Nick Cavinee, RHP/1B, 6???7, 215

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • Tanner Lake -- SS/P, So. 5-10, 160, L-R, Candidate for leadoff spot
  • Jody Mummey -- OF/RHP, So. 5-9, 155, R-L, Good outfielder and adds lefty to staff

Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

  • Tyler York -- Middle infielder, Fr. 5-9, 150, R-R, Good prospect

2. Berlin-Hiland

School Name: Berlin-Hiland
Coaches Name/Record: Tom Gibson
2014 Record: 23-4
Conference: IVC
Conference Record/Finish: 14-0, 1st
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/3

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 2008 finished 2nd in State
  • 2012 Made final 4 in State
  • Won conference 6 of last 7 years

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Jordan Yoder P-OF. Malone University 3 yr starter
  • Todd Ropp 1B Malone University 3 yr starter

Strengths of Team:

  • Deep in pitching
  • Good defense
  • Team speed

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Struggle with the bats at times

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Clyde Yoder (pictured right) -RHP - SR - 6'1" 190 - Ranked 80th in Ohio???s 2015 class. Has command of 4 pitches. Malone commit.

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  •  Eric Mullet RHP-Inf/Of JR 5'9" 180. Versatile. Commands 3 pitches.

Top Prospects in Class of 2017: 

  • Bryan Yoder C Soph 6' 180 T-R. B-R has all the tools to be be outstanding. Ranked 46th in Ohio???s 2017 class.
  • Chris Kline SS/OF Soph 5'9" 170 T-R. B-R very talented. Played varsity as Freshman. Good hitter, base runner, good baseball instincts.
  • Mitch Massaro P/OF Soph 6' 185"" T-R. B-R. Athletic body. Great competitor. Commands 3 pitches.

3. Cuyahoga Heights

Coaches Name: Marc Lowther
2014 Record: 18-6
Conference: Chagrin Valley Metro
Conference Record: 7-3
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/3

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014 ??? Regional Runner-Up
  • 2012 State Runner-Up

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Zac Lowther LHP/1B Xavier
  • Dylan Denner SS
  • Trent Gallo OF
  • Tyler Gallo C
  • Nick Orr 2B

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Experience at key positions up the middle

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Ryan Oryl, 1B, Sr. 5-11, 230, R/R Solid hitter and fielder
  • Craig McDaniel, OF, Sr. 5-10, 180, R/R Good speed and range solid hitter

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Aaron Kucia (pictured right), LHP/OF, Jr. 6-3, 190, L/L command of multiple pitches and good hitter
  • Michael Hartman, RHP, Jr. 6-2, 245, R/R Power arm

4. Tinora

Coaches Name/Record: Brent Renollet, 305-119 (267-93 at Tinora)
2014 Record: 25-4
Conference: Green Meadows Conference
Conference Record/Finish: 6-1
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/1

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 2014 - State Champions
  • 2013, 2012, 2011 - Final Four

Key Players Lost From 2014:

Strengths of Team:

  • Solid middle of the lineup

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Inexperience
  • Pitching, lost two pitchers due to injury and illness.

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • EJ Kissel (pictured right) - C/RHP - 6-0 - 170 - Signed at Lincoln Trail. Ranked 90th in 2015 class. Solid utility player who can pitch or catch as well as play infield and outfield.



Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Brevin Renollet - INF/RHP - 6-4 - 180. Ranked 131st in 2016 class. Solid looking two-way prospect.
  • Dakota Stark (pictured right) - 3B - 6-1 - 180. Returning starter looks to be one of the top hitters in 2015.
  • Mathias Grube - MIF - 5-11 - 185. Physically strong athlete.
  • Reid Anders - OF - 5-10. Solid all-around athlete.
  • Logan Bailey - 1B - 6-6. Tall, power hitting first baseman.

Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

  • Jacob Drewes - SS - 5-6 - 150. Youngest brother of Derek Drewes (BGSU).

5. Sidney Lehman Catholic

Sidney Lehman Catholic is a perennial power in Division IV. The Cavaliers are led by an athletic senior class which is headlined by a talented trio, Greg Spearman (5-11, 170-pound, 3B/SS), Cole Profitt (6-0, 175-pound, P/C/1B) and AJ Hemmelgarn (6-0, 155-pound, RHP/SS, pictured right). 

Sidney Lehman Catholic also has a talented junior and sophomore class led by their ace on the hill, Nate Bosway (5-10, 195-pound LHP/1B/OF). Max Schutt (Jr, 6-0, 160-pound, C/OF), Parker Riley (So, INF/RHP), Cole Hofmann (So, INF/RHP/C) and Dylan Arnold (So, INF/OF/P) also look to provide a spark to an already talented ball club.

6. Miller City

Coaches Name/Record: Dusty Pester, 94-46
2014 Record: 16-6
Conference: Putnam County League
Conference Record/Finish: 7-0, 1st
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/3

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Jared Fuka, 3B, Jared was a three year starter at 3B.

Strengths of Team:

  • We have our entire pitching staff back from last year.

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Offensive Consistency

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Ross Lehman, Pitcher, 6'2" - 175, R/R, 2nd Team All-Ohio Pitcher, PCL player of the year in 2014.
  • Hunter Berner, Catcher, 5'11" - 175, R/R, 1st Team PCL in 2014.

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Jackson Lammers (pictured right), Pitcher/Infielder, 6' - 170, L/R, 1st Team PCL as freshman and sophomore. Solid looking two-way athlete. Ranked 132nd in 2016 class.

7. Toronto

Coaches Name/Record: Brian Perkins, 206-67
2014 Record: 16-11
Conference: OVAC
Conference Record: 12-6
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/5

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 1998 state champs
  • 1999, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2010 state poll champs
  • Have won 20 consecutive sectional titles and counting

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Jarin McIntosh (P) Muskingum College
  • Chez Glenn (of) 1st team east district

Strengths of Team:

  • Pitching
  • Team speed
  • Defense

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Young

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Nate Stewart (P/2B) 5'10 165 going to play D3 Bethany College

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Blaze Glenn (SS/P, pictured right) 1st team all-state, Conference POY, Preseason All-Ohio Prep Baseball Ohio
  • Hank Clegg (P) 6'1 170
  • Riley Keirsey (P,1B) 6'4 165

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • Danny Zdinak (Cf/SS) fast leadoff hitter with strong arm
  • Sante Carducci (IF)

Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

  • Nolan Clegg 6'4" (C,P) Play for Ohio Elite, Started and excelled as an 8th grader on the legion team

8. Toledo Christian

Coaches Name/Record: Tab Greenlee, 21-7
2014 Record: 21-7
Conference: TAAC
Conference Record/Finish: 9-2, 1st
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/3

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 2014 - Sectional /District Champs - Made it to Regionals, losing to State Champion Tinora

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Kody Brown, P, Bowling Green ??? Ace pitcher
  • Andrew Gast, Utility, Army

Strengths of Team:

  • Hitting
  • Defense ??? Infield
  • Pitching ??? 6 pitchers

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Staying mentally strong when down
  • Unknowns in the outfield

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Brett Freeman, P & 3B, Senior, 6', 200lbs, R/R, BA = .514, 32R, 25RBIs, 7 Doubles, 3 Triples, 2 HR, As Pitcher was 4-1, ERA: 4.00, 23 SO, broke the school record last year for batting average at .514.
  • Kyle Kempton (pictured right), 2B, Senior, 6 '2", 185lbs, R/R, BA = .449, 36R, 28RBIs, 12 Doubles, 3 Triples, 2 HR.
  • Jordan Adesi, 1B & P, Senior, 6'8", 200lbs, R/R, BA = .457, 30R,18 RBIs, 2 Doubles, 3 HR. middle relief in pitching.
  • Judd Nearhood, P & SS, Senior, 6', 165lb, L / R, BA = .433, 37R, 1HR, 35SB (two shy of school record), on base % .625, Pitching: 7-1 Record, ERA: 4.51.

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Caleb Johnson, C & OF, Junior, 5'10", 212lbs, L/L, BA = .315 / He was a first time starting catcher last year and best option as a left-hander.
  • Chad Newell, P & OF, Junior, 6'4", 190lbs, L/L, BA = .345, as Pitcher was 1-0 and middle relief with ERA: 3.11.
  • Taylor Weghorst, P & INF, Junior, 5'9", 178lbs, R/R, BA = .322, Pitching: 1-0, ERA: 2.51.

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • Matt Schad, SS, OF Sophomore.

Top Prospects in Class of 2018:

  • Owen Gast, P, C, INF, Freshman, Will play Varsity - very seasoned player from travel. Good looking athlete.
  • Landon McGill, OF, Freshman, skilled ballplayer.

9. Patrick Henry

Coaches Name/Record: Shawn Sunderman, 114-50
2014 Record: 21-10
Conference: NWOAL
Conference Record: 7-1
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 4/2

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • Won State title in 2008 and 2009 (D4)
  • Was semi-finalist in 2002 (D3)

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Josh Petersen, P/C, Ohio U./2nd team all-Ohio
  • Kollin Spence, P/INF, Defiance College
  • Derek Hoops, SS
  • Logan Ziegler, 1b/P

Strengths of Team:

  • Top 3 in lineup

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Youth
  • Depth
  • Pitching rotation

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Kyler Seemann (pictured right), P, Sr., 6', 180, L-R, solid pitcher that can throw any pitch in any count

Top Prospects in Class of 2016:

  • Joe Nickels, SS, Jr., 5' 9" 190, L-R, natural hitter that can go to all fields, 2 year starter

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • JJ Rettig, LHP/OF, So., 5'8" 145, L-L, hard worker who has raised velocity from mid-60's to mid-70's this fall & winter
  • Mason Fintel, INF, So., 5'8" 135, L-R, good range at 2b and surprisingly good pop for his size

10. Stryker

Coaches Name/Record: Brett Grieser, 16-24
2014 Record: 11-10
Conference: Buckeye Border Conference
Conference Record/Finish: 8-2, 1st
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/4

Postseason Accomplishments:

  • 8 Sectional Championships
  • 4 District Championships from 2004-2011

Key Players Lost From 2014:

  • Dean Beamont, Shortstop
  • Zach Birky, Outfielder
  • Jacob Hancock, Outfielder
  • Kyle Rohrs, Infielder

Strengths of Team:

  • Starting Pitching
  • Defense up the middle
  • Experience

Weaknesses of Team:

  • Depth
  • Power hitting

Top Prospects in Class of 2015:

  • Parker Ruffer (pictured right), RHP/SS, 6'5", 210,R-R, live arm with mid-to-high 80s fastball. Ranked 61st in 2015 class.

Top Prospects in Class of 2017:

  • Brody Shock, LHP/1B/OF, 6'0" 195, R-L,gifted player. Ranked 96th in 2017 class
  • Colton Benson, C, 5'9" 190, R-R, very hard worker handles himself well behind the plate

11. New Riegel

12. McComb

13. Bridgeport

14. Russia

15. Glouster Trimble

16. Steubenville Catholic Central

17. Attica Seneca East

18. Buckeye Central

19. Mechanicsburg

20. Convoy Crestview

21. Portsmouth Notre Dame

22. Ayersville

23. Edgerton

24. St. Thomas Aquinas

25. Hicksville

Others in consideration (alphabetical order)

Caldwell, Cincinnati Christian, Cincinnati Country Day, Edon, Fort Loramie, Fort Recovery, Gibsonburg, Lake Center Christian, Lancaster Fisher Catholic, Leesburg Fairfield, Lincolnview, New Lewisburg Triad, Marion Local, Newton, Racine Southern, Rittman, St. Mary Central Catholic, Symms Valley, Tiffin Calvert, Tipp City Bethel