Sun March 8, 2015
By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting
With the start of the high school season is less than a month away we will be previewing each region in each classification statewide. In addition to a look at the top teams we will also highlight some of the top prospects in each region. Look for our initial Elite Eight team rankings in each classification to appear later this month.
Wheeling Park (20-7)
The Patriots came within an extra-innings loss in the Class AAA semifinals last year of having a shot at winning the state title. With Preseason Player of the Year Michael Grove back for his senior season a return trip to Charleston is a real possibility.
Preseason Player of the Year
Michael Grove, RHP/SS, Wheeling Park HS (Class of 2015)
Grove was dominant in a complete game performance in last year's state semifinals. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound WVU recruit showcased a heavy fastball that sits 87-89 with late life. He showed repeatable mechanics and the ability to make in game adjustments to allow himself to have success. Grove is a strike thrower that does not use his 71 mph curveball or his 77 mph changeup often, but his fastball is good enough currently that he doesn't need to.
Grove also flashed two-way abilities running a 6.92 60-yard dash and showcased an 86 mph arm across the diamond at the PA Top Prospect Games in June. The talented righty sat 88-90 recently at the PBR Super 60 Pro Showcase in Chicago and showed signs of improving secondary pitches to go along with his power fastball.
Harper
Chad Harper, C (Class of 2016, ranked No. 28 in class)
Horan
Jared Horan, OF/2B (Class of 2015)
Slates Starliper Freeman
Alex Slates, SS/2B, (Class of 2015, ranked No. 49 in class)
Eric Starliper, C/2B (Class of 2015)
Dustin Freeman, 2B/SS (Class of 2016)
Maxwell Chefren, RHP/OF (Class of 2015)
* The Patriots made an appearance in Charleston in 2013. A youthful lineup will take the field in 2015.
Hare Menear
RT Hare, RHP/3B (Class of 2015)
Logan Menear, RHP/3B (Class of 2015)
Lucas Seese
Tristan Lucas, OF (Class of 2015, ranked No. 22 in class)
Kyle Seese, 2B/RHP (Class of 2015)
Grove Turner
Michael Grove, RHP/SS (Class of 2015, ranked No. 2 in class, WVU recruit)
Isaac Turner, 1B/LHP (Class of 2016)
>> View all region previews & preseason players of the year by Region
