Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Preview: Grove City HS



By Chris Valentine
PBR Ohio Scouting Director 

Nankivell

The Grove City Greyhounds have become a familiar face at Huntington Park the past two years. Coach Alexander’s squad put together a record of 27-4 in 2012 with an OCC-Ohio conference title. After beating Olentangy Orange in the regional finals, Grove City gave Moeller, the eventual Division I state champions, all they could handle in a state semi-final loss.

This year, the Greyhounds find themselves replacing key graduated players such as ace Mitchell Stephens, shortstop Jimmy Gravett, and centerfielder Tyler Kent. Still, Coach Alexander’s squad has plenty of talent returning, including six starters and four pitchers who saw time on varsity.

Class of 2013

  • C/OF, Drew Nankivell – The 6-foot, 185-pound athletic prospect was named second team all-state as a junior. He has lead the Greyhounds in hitting the past two season and remains one of the state’s top unsigned seniors.
  • RHP/1B, Drew Artrip – The 6-foot-4, 195-pound prospect has started since he was a freshman. Last year, he was limited on the mound, but when healthy, shows a low to mid 80’s fastball. At the plate, he hit over .400 as a sophomore and junior.
  • LHP, Kyle Bennet – The 6-foot-3, 165-pound southpaw went 6-1 last year with wins in the district title game and the regional finals.

Class of 2014

  • OF, Tyler Cowles – The 6-foot, 170-pound speedy outfielder started every game last year for the Greyhounds while hitting .410 and stealing 20 bases.
  • RHP, Josh Schaffer – The 6-foot-2, 165-pound righty started six games as a sophomore. Early reports out of Greyhound practices is that his fastball is getting into the mid to upper 80’s.
  • OF/LHP, Ben Myers – The junior started ten games last season while hitting over .400. He will also continue to see time on the mound.
  • IF, Dominic Cooper – The speedy infielder will likely find his way into the lineup.

Class of 2015

Class of 2016

  • LHP/1B, Kalvin Koethke
  • RHP/1B, Blake Griffith